You won't spot a sign for these sumptuous villas discreetly tucked away from the tourist bustle of Diani Beach, 30 minutes south of Mombasa. Since opening in 2000, Alfajiri has prided itself on keeping a low profile—with just a bit of reverent word-of-mouth from celebs like Brad and Angelina to nudge it along. Set among tropical gardens with a powdery beach just steps away, each of its three private villas is fully staffed and self-contained to keep the clamor of Diani Beach at bay—a perfect setup for families looking to wrap up their safari with some quiet R&R. The breezy Beach Villa features two en-suite doubles with rustic flourishes (the furniture is hand-carved from driftwood in the on-site workshop), plus two smaller bedrooms set aside for the kids. The Garden Villa's four bedrooms have international themes, with gold-threaded tapestries in the Indian room, minimalist black-and-white in the Japanese, and intricate white coverlets in the Moroccan that make the beds look like four-poster wedding cakes. The two villas share an infinity pool, bar, and an open-air lounge nestled beneath a makuti-thatched roof, but most parties are here for the privacy. Separate dining areas are fully catered by Alfajiri's chefs, and you can very well spend a week without crossing paths with other guests. For an even more exclusive getaway, opt for the four-bedroom Cliff Villa, which has its own pool, a gazebo facing the sea, and a spectacular turret suite with floor-to-ceiling windows. The decor—carved Swahili doors, Danish ivory floors, and African objets d'art—spares no attention to detail. Included in the price of each villa are a butler and driver—and even a nanny for the kids. Golfing and snorkeling are easily arranged.

Cliff Villa closed May through June; Garden and Beach Villas open year-round.

Hemmed in by the rugged, red-faced cliffs of Shaba National Reserve, Joy's Camp is one of the newest additions to the Kenyan safari scene. Built on the site of naturalist Joy Adamson's last encampment, the ten luxury tents eschew the usual bush aesthetic—hardwood floors, somber earth tones—in favor of a vibrant palate that pays homage to the region's nomadic tribes. Bright fabrics, brass lamps, and blown-glass vases stand out against the dusty landscape, while the white-washed walls lend a touch of Tangier. It's a look that's less bush than Berber, and the exotic air fits its off-the-beaten-track location, a 90-minute flight from Nairobi. The remote setting isn't always ideal, since game sightings in Shaba are notoriously hit or miss. You might spend two days with little more than zebra and gazelle to keep you company, or you might have the odd lion prowling by the pool after dark. Bumping along in search of game without a single other Range Rover in sight, though, is a big part of the camp's charm, while walking safaris and village visits are a good way to break up the day if the game has gone AWOL. At times the friendly service can be a bit too laid-back, but the camp's distinctive style and far-flung locale will strike the right notes once it hits its stride.

Closed May.

Kiwayu Safari Village's 18 breezy bandas are strung like pearls along a secluded stretch of beach on Kenya's northern coast, a stone's throw from Kiwayu Island and just 20 minutes from the Somali border. Far from civilization—but distinctly civilized—Safari Village is a favorite for the royals and rock stars like Mick Jagger who come to relax in its upmarket anonymity. Each bungalow is outfitted with king-size beds, Swahili furniture carved from local mangroves, and hammocks for the requisite seaside snooze. You'll need a nap after digging into the Italian cuisine, which is so famous that some high rollers take the 90-minute flight from Nairobi just to pop in for lunch. Active guests can work off those carbs by windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling in the nearby coral gardens, or hiking across the rolling dunes of Kiwayu—though a bit of spa time might be the best complement to lazy days in the sand. Solar-paneled showers add an eco-friendly touch, and the gift shop is stocked with curios made by area villagers, bringing a bit of income to local communities. Of course, paradise doesn't come without a price: Guests are advised to hide any shiny belongings, which attract the family of mischievous monkeys that prowl the premises.

Closed mid-April through late July.

Crowning a quiet strip of beach backed by mangroves and palms, Manda Bay is Gilligan's Island with a luxury twist. Its 16 thatched-roof bungalows are bright, airy, and spacious; you could fit a full-size palm tree at the foot of your bed. Aside from the majestic four-poster beds with billowing mosquito nets, the decor remains restrained, keeping the focus on the broad ocean views. Lazing around in a hammock might be Manda Bay's main attraction, but the sumptuous seafood meals sure don't hurt. If you've got energy to burn, there's plenty to keep you occupied, from snorkeling in the surrounding coral gardens to "fly-by" safaris over the mainland and sundowner cruises aboard the resort's private dhow. Though it feels miles removed from civilization, the resort is a 20-minute boat ride from neighboring Lamu. Visits to the World Heritage town there are easily arranged, and if you're up for a quick tipple, expat haven Shella—and the buzzing scene at the Peponi Hotel—are also just a short ride away.

Closed mid-April through mid-July.

Expect "staff who are always happy and helpful" at this property on the Talek River. "Capture unforgettable experiences" viewing cheetahs, lions, and antelopes on drives where guides "position you to get a good photo shot." Canvas tents on elevated platforms "are showing some wear and look a little tired," but two family tents and one for honeymooners were added in 2008.

(30 tents)

This 25-year-old lodge, on a hilltop overlooking rolling plains and woodlands, has "very comfortable domed huts" that are replete with Masai fabric, beadwork, and wood carvings and are arranged in a circle, in the manner of a traditional homestead. The lodge's hippo-pool breakfasts are served in full view of the hippos in the Mara River. On safari, the drivers "are attentive to your wishes."

(74 rooms)

Most travelers think of Nairobi as a quick stop-off on their way to the safari lodges, but the elegant Ngong House could make the city a destination in its own right. Set among ten acres of landscaped grounds on the outskirts of Nairobi National Park, the lodge is a cozy idyll just 20 minutes from the bustle of downtown. Its five luxurious tree houses are the main attraction, each uniquely designed with commanding views of the blue-tinged Ngong Hills in the distance. Polished hardwoods, hand-carved furniture, and plush cushions make the rooms feel downright cozy, but it's the stylish flourishes—beaded throw pillows, tribal rugs, stained glass windows made from recycled bottles—that give Ngong its quirky charm. For families, the rustic log cabin is a good option (it sleeps six), but you'll have a hard time keeping the kids away from those tree houses. Game drives into the neighboring park will whet your appetite for safari, though you'll probably want to save your energy for the Masai Mara. Spend some time around the dinner table instead, where the Belgian-inspired cuisine has made Ngong House's restaurant a fixture on the Nairobi dining scene. It's not uncommon for local sophisticates to pop in for dinner or curl up with a glass of wine by the lodge's stone fireplace.

Olonana offers an elegant reminder that you can be in the bush and a long way from the bush in the same breath. The camp's 14 luxury tents front the winding waters of the Mara River, with the croaking song of the neighborhood hippos providing the score. Polished floors, hardwood furniture, and period touches like timeworn trunks and canvas chairs offer a classic take on safari style. Two new tents—built in July 2007—lend a stylish twist, with plush armchairs, four-poster beds, and an assortment of tribal masks and batiks making for a funkier feel than their colonial-chic neighbors offer. The thatched roofs might mimic a local Masai hut, but even Olonana himself, the great Masai leader, never had it this good. Taking its cues from the surroundings, the lodge is built around an African greenheart tree that pokes through the roof. Cozy up by the fireplace, settle into a game of chess, or swap stories with other travelers on the deck while the Mara River rushes below. The river views are the main attraction, and outdoor dining is under a shady arbor in eyeshot of the resident hippos. For a break from the requisite game drives, take a hike to the top of the adjacent Siria Escarpment, where the Mara's sprawling plains roll away in waves of green and gold.

The Masai community has joined forces with conservation tourism organizations and private investors to convert 6,500 acres of arid cattle range into a wildlife sanctuary and resort. The property's four luxury villas, designed with tribal, Lamu coast, colonial, or retro sixties decor, straddle a boulder-strewn ridge and come equipped with fireplaces, outdoor decks, and spectacular views from sun loungers, beds, even bathtubs. The conservancy's acacia-forested hills and wide, sand riverbeds shelter dik-diks, klipspringers, rare wild dogs, and spotted and striped hyenas; the planned addition this year of a water hole should increase sightings of larger game, such as elephants, kudu, and Grevy's zebras. Meanwhile, the land rejuvenates from overgrazing, as do guests who go exploring on mountain bikes, on horseback, or by scaling Ol Lentille, a 6,486-foot granite peak. (Your villa's enviably fit Masai guide also escorts you on four-by-four night drives and cultural trips to Masai markets and homesteads and on camping expeditions with local Yaku honey gatherers.) A library stocked with a GPS telescope and a well-edited list of Africa-themed DVDs tempts some guests to simply stay put. And why not? The villa fee includes butler service, a private cook, and unlimited massages.