By Katie Hamilton

When all you crave is the company of your loved one and nothing else, after an overload of friends and relatives and wedding plans, Rhino River Camp offers the ultimate cathartic escape. Fresh-faced and eager to please, the brand-new lodge offers a novel alternative to the traditional safari camp. With the unique design of its canvas suites, your world is reduced to nothing but a nest of treated wood, plush linen and soft cushions perched high amongst the trees of the riverine forest where the camp is set. The suites are built on stilts on the banks of the Kindani River, with bedchambers and lounge areas joined by wooden walkways through the trees. Each suite is dominated by a king-sized bed, in which you will wake up to views out over the river and into the wilderness on the other side. There is also a private Zen deck in each suite, were couples can share intimate moments to the sound of rushing water and African birdsong.

Nestled so deep amongst untamed bush, couples have every reason to believe they are stranded alone in the wild luxury of their wood and canvas bubble. This suspicion is confirmed even after they leave the confines of their suites, where they can wonder alone down the safe paths that lead into the untouched bush surrounding the camp. The immediate surroundings are home to monkeys, bush-buck, and over 180 different species of bird.

While the atmosphere of isolation is maintained, an invisible but seamless operation is in place to make every dream a reality for the newlywed couple. Under the direction of lodge owner Andrea Maggi, with his eye for the picturesque and romantic that only an Italian and a filmmaker could have, every effort is made to ensure that nothing interrupts the dreamy state of the loved-up couple.

For a honeymoon experience that will dominate dinner-party conversations for years to come, nothing will come close to a private lunch on the top of an ancient volcano, above dazzling panoramic views of Kenya’s prehistoric landscape, followed by an afternoon immersed together in the seductively isolated Kiolu Falls. Between the two lies a leisurely game-walk, accompanied by a guide who’s experience is only exceeded by his knowledge.

Being located by a Rhino sanctuary, the opportunities for seeing the endangered BlackRhino are unrivalled. As well as this, Meru plays host to all of the Big Five, and was the hunting-ground of Elsa – the legendary lioness of Born Free fame.

While no holds are barred in the provision of every comfort for the couple, such indulgence can be enjoyed guilt-free. The electricity that keeps the drinks cold and the bathwater hot twenty-four hours a day is produced by high-efficiency solar panels, and the power that pumps the swimming pool is hydro-electric.  The local community also receive a share of the camps profits.

Rates start at $320 per person per night!