The suburb of Langata might not look like much as it is located not far from busy Jomo Kenyatta Airport, but tucked away from the dusty roads and never ending traffic sits the leafy oasis of Wildebeest Eco Camp.

A beautiful deck allows sweeping views of a well-manicured garden and offers lots of little nooks and crannies where you can sit under the acacia trees and forget that you are in the heart of a bustling city. Accommodation options vary from dorm-style rooms, to private bedrooms, to traditional camping tents. But the real stand out is the deluxe tents, which are tucked into the edge of the gardens. Incredibly spacious with a generous sized bed, writing desk, private shower and their own patio, you feel very much like you could be in the savanna plains rather than in a city. Rooms and tents are spread around the property, affording you some privacy, although canvas is not particularly sound-proof (if you happen to have noisy neighbors).

Do try out the delicious buffet style local dinner offered at the camp, it is plentiful and a great way to meet some fellow travelers. Hopefully in a few months the large pool will be up and running.

Wildebeest Eco-Camp is a fantastic place to use as a base if you’re moving in or out of Nairobi, and will make for a far more memorable experience than spending your time in a more standard type of hotel. The popular Karenneighborhood is right on the doorstep, making it a short trip to some of the more popular attractions (including the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Kazuri beads factory and the Karen Blixen museum) and allowing you to avoid Nairobi’s notorious traffic jams.

Nairobi is used as a launching point for visitors to head off on safari or to the coastline, so if you are going to be spending a day or two getting into the safari mind frame why not try curling up in your luxury canvas tent, hidden away from the hustle and bustle.