Picnics & Champagne in Champagne Ridge

In full disclosure, despite the title of this article, we did not have champagne in Champagne Ridge. We did have some wine – which I will now refer to onwards as ‘champagne’ because I can. It is only proper that when you visit a place that shares its name with a food or drink, you must have said food and drink there.

Think Hamburger in Hamburg, Spaghetti Bolognese in Bologna, Pizza in Pisa and of course, Champagne in Champagne Ridge – where Mark and I spent a weekend at a lovely Champagne Ridge Airbnb called ‘The Cave’.

Where to stay in Champagne Ridge Kenya

Mark had planned and booked this trip in celebration of our wedding anniversary. We had planned to spend the weekend out of Nairobi, relaxing at the Airbnb and taking short hikes around the Great Rift Valley. But the moment I stepped into the accommodation, I did not want to leave!

Staying at The Cave – A Romantic Getaway in Champagne Ridge

The booking link Mark had sent me had given me an idea of what to expect and I was looking forward to our stay. However, I was not expecting to be so blown away by the sheer beauty and simplicity of this place from the moment I walked in.

The Cave Review Champagne Ridge Airbnb

A cave wall bordered the apartment on one side, while the opposite side was surrounded by a glass covering – leaving unobstructed views of the Great Rift Valley and the surrounding areas. It was gorgeous! In addition, the apartment had a deck with a lovely seating area that hosted our picnics. It also had a gas grill which Mark used to make us some delicious meals throughout the weekend.

Champagne Ridge Airbnb Kenya
Champagne Ridge Airbnb Picnic

Between morning and afternoon picnics, meals on the grill, trivia games and of course a lot of wine champagne, there was (unregretfully) barely any time for hikes. Instead, on our second evening, we took a short walk around the property to enjoy spectacular sunset views over the valley.

Champagne Ridge Sunset Views
Champagne Ridge Kenya

Ultimately, this was one of the most beautiful and restful weekends I have had in Nairobi and all kudos go to Mark for organizing such a wonderful getaway for us.

Champagne Ridge was one of the places my friend, Fisayo A., recommended to us to visit when we first moved to Kenya. It also appeared on my 2021 travel wishlist, which inspired Mark to book this trip. I am glad we got the chance to visit, and I would recommend a visit here and particularly, a stay at The Cave Airbnb.

beautiful sunset Champagne Ridge Kenya

A Few Things to Note about The Cave at Champagne Ridge

You will find all the information you need about this accommodation on the Airbnb listing and in follow up instructions from the hosts. However, I wanted to highlight a few things to note if you’re considering staying at this accommodation

  • The apartment is self-catering – it has practically everything you would need to prepare your meals, including a gas grill on the deck and a refrigerator.
  • It is an environmentally friendly property – power supply is via solar power and rainwater is harvested and stored
  • Check in is between 3 – 9 pm while check out is by 3 pm
  • Pets are not allowed. (The property has 5 dogs, they’re very friendly and are unlikely to bother you during your stay)
  • We spent 2 nights at The Cave in the last week of February and the house got pretty hot in the afternoons
  • Generally, our stay was excellent, and I’d return given the opportunity to.
Picnic at Champagne Ridge Airbnb Kenya

I would love to hear from you! Tell me about your favourite hotel or Airbnb stay and experience. And if you have visited Champagne Ridge before, I’d love to hear about that too!

6 comments

  1. Look who finally visited the blog. I’ll definitely be reading more of your experiences. You write so well, it felt like I was reading a novel, lol. I recently stayed in a really cool serviced apartment for a work trip and it was divine and serene especially after hustle and bustle of each day.

    1. Thanks for visiting, Angelfortune! Glad you enjoyed reading the post and also your staycation! Those are the best, especially when the company is paying 🙂

  2. Wow! Looks sooo beautiful! 😌
    And happy anniversary to you both! 💕

  3. UM WOW! What an absolutely gorgeous location. Seems like the perfect place to have a relaxing getaway. ❤️ As usual, your photos are stunning

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Guess where! 👀
Guess where! 👀
20 hours ago
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1/9
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
2 days ago
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2/9
What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
3 days ago
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3/9
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
4 days ago
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4/9
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
6 days ago
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5/9
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
6 days ago
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6/9
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
1 week ago
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7/9
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
1 week ago
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8/9
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
1 month ago
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9/9
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