Treetops Hotel, Kenya’s oldest safari lodge, located in the Aberdare in Nyeri is the hotel where Princess Elizabeth became Queen following her father’s death. The Queen was on a vacation to Kenya and perched on a treehouse whiling away time as a Princess.
But then, news of her father’s death – King George VI – got to her, and she came down a Queen from a Princess. This scene is recreated in the top-selling series The Crown. She never forgot how great it felt to be in Kenya, seeing wild elephants up close in the company of her fiancé.
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Why Did Treetops Hotel Shut Down?
Nearly nine decades since it opened, Treetops Hotel took to shut down follow hard economic times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. About 90 percent of the hotel’s revenue dipped due to the pandemic that hit the world in early 2020.
Treetops is a casualty, just like many other hotels that shut their doors due to revenue challenges. It is the oldest safari lodge in the country, dating back to pre-independence. The establishment is situated at the farthest end of a watering hole in the Aberdare National Park. The hotel was destroyed during guerrilla warfare in the pre-colonial era, but was later rebuilt as an exotic safari lodge.
When Was Treetops Hotel Reopened?
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gahcagua. Background image (Treetops Hotel). Photo/Muchiri Gichuri
The family of former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua bought the hotel in August 2024 and reopened it. The lodge underwent a extensive renovations while preserving its historic charm, which includes the famous “Princess Room” where Queen Elizabeth II stayed in 1952. It features 36 luxurious room, a lounge and dinning area and a wildlife viewing deck.
Gachagua’s eldest son, Dr Keith Ikinu holds the majority ownership of this historic hotel. Besides other ranking political leaders who flanked his father during its official opening, British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan attended the official opening ceremony. Wigan lauded the Gachagua’s for their effort in preserving one of the country’s most historic hotel.
What’s The Story Between Treetops Hotel And Queen Elizabeth?
In 1952, a then-young, charming Queen Elizabeth made history with her visit to Kenya accompanied by Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth chose to stay in the Aberdare, beneath the foothills of Mount Kenya and booked herself at the Treetops Hotel Lodge set up in the amazing Aberdare National Park.
Her memories of the visit remain deep in the hearts of Kenyans as it was during her visit that her father, King George VI, passed on. She got wind of the news while at the safari lodge’s three-bedroom tree house perched on a gigantic fig tree. According to history, Elizabeth was never destined to be queen. It all happened due to a decision by her elder brother King Edward VIII to give up the throne and marry an American divorcee.
Queen Elizabeth II at Treetops Hotel in Nyeri. Photo/The Times
Edward was love-struck by Wallis Simpson, and he married her against incompatibility standards as the head of Church of England. It is against these developments that Elizabeth became the presumptive heir after her father’s death. As captured in episode two of the thrilling series – The Crown – a bubbly Elizabeth was busy snapping photos of rhinos. Her camera was in hand, and she had beautiful shots given her vantage point on the treehouse.
Then, Jim Corbett, one of her armed escorts broke the news of her father’s death. He fondly wrote on Treetops logbook that this was a historical moment for the monarchy.
“For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into the tree as a princess and climbed down as a queen.”
Who Owned Treetops Hotel?
Brit Eric Walker, who served as Baden-Powell’s private secretary, was the brains behind Treetops Hotel. With his wife, Lady Bettie – Earl of Denbigh’s daughter – they came up with the hotel’s concept. Walker also established Outspan Hotel in Nyeri – a sister hotel to Treetops. The couple that lived in Kenya hosted Queen Elizabeth during one of her visits.
As Elizabeth enjoyed capturing photos of waterbucks and rhinos in the Aberdares, some of her guards stayed at the Outspan Hotel. It was the first place where news of King George VI’s got to in 1952.
Treetops hotel Kenya. Photo/Eastern Vacations
How Queen Elizabeth Stay Elevated Treetops Hotel’s Status
Treetops hotel became famous among global travelers after the royal visit by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It quickly gained recognition as a leading treehouse globally with two other visits by the Queen and the Prince. Walker never allowed the press into the premises in a bid to offer his guests privacy.
Even after Kenya’s freedom fighters, the Mau Mau burnt down the hotel in 1954; but Walker rebuilt it. This time, he designed it at the edge of a watering hole at the Aberdare National Park.
