The Sirai House Lodge is arguable the most expensive lodge in Kenya as reported by various media outlets.
The lodge is located within the Borana Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya, at the foot of Mount Kenya.
It is owned by British Billionaire Michael Alan Spencer. He is also a Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom.
The businessman hit the headlines in January when he was detained at the Wilson Airport following a scuffle at the airfield's VIP Lounge.
He was in the company of Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi and controversial Tanzanian politician Lazaro Nyalandu.
Spencer boasts a vast investment portfolio spread across various sectors of the economy. In this segment, Nairobileo.co.ke takes a look at the exquisite Sirai Lodge.
The luxurious establishment sits in a secluded 250-acre estate, high on a ridge with spectacular views in all directions, surrounded by indigenous forests and game-rich Kenyan hills and plains.
According to reports, it was built by local craftsmen using locally-available materials. The lodge boasts eye-catching architectural designs and art, and has a true sense of hotels.
Sirai House is available for rental on an exclusive occupancy basis. The minimum stay is 3 nights and the house is available for booking all year round.
The house accommodates 12 guests in six suites spread across four cottages at a time. Suite 1 (the Master Suite) and Suite 2 stand alone. Suites 3 and 4 are linked by a sitting room, as are Suites 5 and 6, making them ideal for families. Four of the rooms can be configured as a double or a twin.
The establishment boasts various amenities including a private wine cellar with over 3,000 carefully selected bottles of wine, an intimate cinema, a clay tennis court, a 20-metre lap pool, a boule pit, a gym, a library and a full-sized billiard table.
Sirai Lodge also has a state-of-the-art communications and entertainment system.
The lodge offers guided game drives in 4 x 4 open-sided safari vehicles, guided wilderness walks and guided horse riding safaris.
Patrons of the Borana Conservancy-lodge are treated to the Big Five experiences (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), also cheetah, giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, wildebeest, wild dog, hyaena, baboon, oryx, impala and eland to name a few species, plus diverse birdlife.
Additional activities include flying safaris (helicopter, light aircraft or bi-plane), trout fishing; forest walkway and platform viewing at Ngare Ndare Forest; visits to the adjacent Lewa Downs Wildlife Conservancy; community enterprise and cultural Maasai village visits.
Sirai House Rates
The lodge reportedly charges $13,500 (Ksh1.5 million) per night (up to 6 guests). It charges an additional $1,980 (Ksh226,432) per adult per night (up to a maximum of 12 guests).
Children between the age of 6 and 12 years of age at $864 (Ksh98,807) per child per night. Children between the age of 0 and 5 years of age are complimentary
There is a Borana conservation fee that is not included in the rate per night. Kenyan guides will pay Kenya resident conservation fees and non-Kenyan guides will pay the agent rate.
Overnight Non-Kenyan Residents Adult $175 (Ksh20,013), Child $88 (Ksh10,063)
Overnight Kenya Residents Ksh2800+ VAT = 3300.
Michael Alan Spencer
The Sunday Times newspaper's Rich List valued Spencer at a net worth of £1.2 billion (Ksh 184.3 billion) in 2021.
The billionaire also owns another home in Kilifi.
Spencer founded NEX Group, a UK-based inter broker-dealer vested in electronic markets and post-trade business. It was acquired for a whooping US$5.4 billion in (stock and cash) in November 2018 by CME Group.
Following the takeover, Spencer got 3 million CME Group shares. He also bought a controlling stake in City Index Group, a betting firm in 1997. This was later sold to GAIN Capital where Spencer pocketed over $80 million.
The billionaire set up IPGL Group which is worth more than £1 billion in assets. IPGL Group is a private holding company that he particularly set up to make investments on his behalf and other family trusts.
Spencer is also a co-owner of Exotix, an investment banking boutique that has pumped money into fintech firms such as Veridium, Tradefeedr, and Glasswall Solutions.
The billionaire has also made investments in the London-based hedged fund Viewforth Investment Partners, FCFM, Element Ventures, Netwealth, Nutmeg, Numis Securities, Martin Gilbert’s AssetCo, and Singapore Life among other ventures.
Ties to DP Ruto
He hit the headlines after he was detained alongside Sudi and Nyalandu at Wilson Airport. According to reports, the trio had refused to have their luggage checked while going through the VIP lounge.
The three had flown back from Eldoret when the incident occurred. They were held at the airport and only released after they agreed to undergo the necessary procedures.
Spencer has been associated with the Deputy President. He is alleged to be the man funding the second in command's
Photos Courtesy| Sirai House|
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