Tucked between the dramatic landscapes of Tsavo West National Park and the rolling beauty of the Taita Hills, Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa is where untamed wilderness meets refined comfort. It’s easy to explore somewhere new in Kenya and stay in memorable hotels and resorts with a long-standing history of excellence.
The rolling hills of Taita.
Discovering Taita Hills
Taita Hills, nestled in southeastern Kenya, is one of the country’s best-kept secrets. A majestic mountain range rising above the vast Tsavo plains, Taita Hills offers breathtaking views, incredible biodiversity, rich cultural heritage, and fascinating history. Taita Hills are situated in Taita-Taveta County, approximately 6-7 hours’ drive from Nairobi or about 3-4 hours from Mombasa.
The hills belong to the Eastern Arc Mountains, an ancient chain stretching from Kenya into Tanzania, famous for their unique flora and fauna. Rising dramatically from the dry plains of southern Kenya, the Taita Hills are a striking mountain range located in Taita Taveta County, near the southeastern border with Tanzania. Part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains, these hills are among the oldest and most ecologically significant highlands in Africa, with origins dating back over 100 million years.
Geographically, the Taita Hills form a vital ecological corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, making them an important dispersal and migration area for elephants and other wildlife. The surrounding lowlands are part of Tsavo’s savanna ecosystem, while the highlands host mist-covered forests and sacred sites protected by local Taita communities.
Read also: Explore Shaba National Reserve
Here are some of the things that make Taita Hills so special:
- Taita Hills is a lush green haven amid the dry Tsavo plains. Expect rolling hills, terraced slopes, misty forests, and panoramic vistas stretching as far as Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.
- One of the top draws of Taita Hills is its biodiversity hotspot status. The hills are home to several endemic species-meaning they’re found nowhere else on Earth.
- If you’re looking for thrilling hiking trails in Kenya, Taita Hills won’t disappoint.
- Taita Hills is the homeland of the Taita people (Wadawida), who boast a vibrant culture and traditions.
- Taita Hills played a significant role during World War I, as British and German forces clashed across East Africa.
Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge
The extraordinary Sarova Taita Hills Safari Lodge is situated at the main gate to Taita Hills Sanctuary in Kenya. Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge is a serene and stylish safari lodge nestled at the foot of the Taita Hills, serving as the main entry point to the private Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. The lodge is located at the main entrance of Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, close to Maktau Gate, and about 30 minutes from Salt Lick Safari Lodge (its sister property).
Whether short, long, alone or with family or friends, you’ll find the ideal hotel here. The entire team is eager to help you plan your memorable holiday. Long, short, big and small, we’ll help you work it all out.
The Taita Hills lodge features a beautiful stone building offering 60 spacious rooms and 2 suites, all of which provide private viewing balconies. Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge offers 60 guest rooms, set within lush landscaped gardens. Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge has 60 well-appointed standard rooms with stunning views of the lush gardens surrounding the lodge, the beautiful free form swimming pool and some have exclusive views of the watering hole. Rooms at the Lodge are with double, twin or triple beds depending on room type. All rooms have a private viewing balcony commanding views of the adjacent Taita Hills, the well-maintained gardens and surrounding Sanctuary.
Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge has two elaborate suites. They are ultra-luxury suites perfect for honeymooners or those in search of sumptuous accommodation. The beautiful spacious suites include a lovely lounge and elegant bathroom.
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Culinary Experiences
Quality and freshness characterize the meals served at Kenya's Sarova Taita Hills Safari Lodge. Various dining venues are available making for memorable experiences. Delicious meals range from Pan-Asian, Pan-European and Pan-African. Cuisine includes Pan-African, Pan-European, and Pan-Asian.
The Main restaurant serving buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking counters preparing specialty dishes. The Salad buffet has a wide variety of salads using the fresh ingredients and herbs from the Lodge’s own vegetable and herb garden. The Dessert buffet has a selection of mouthwatering desserts. The Bar is the ideal place to relax and unwind with specials or old favorites from the well-stocked bar.
Other dining experiences include:
- Champagne Breakfast: A unique experience of dining in the wilderness on a sumptuous breakfast accompanied by champagne.
- The beautiful landscape sets the backdrop for a bush dinner at Kudu Point, the highest location in the Sanctuary.
Wildlife and Activities
Thrilling safari drives early in the morning and late in the afternoon allow for unforgettable wildlife encounters. During the exciting night safari drives, safari enthusiasts have the chance to view more unusual animals which include the striped and spotted hyena, the mongoose, the jackal, the Civet, the genet, the bush baby as well as the porcupine.
The sanctuary hosts a diverse range of animals, including cape buffalo, African bush elephant, leopard, lion, cheetah, Masai giraffe, zebra,hartebeest, impala, waterbuck, Thomson's gazelle, lesser kudu, dik-dik, Hyena, and other smaller animals, as well as a diversity of birds and plantlife. The sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 300 recorded species.
Read also: Pan-Africanism and the Sarova Panafric
Guests are encouraged to participate in the resort’s conservation initiative. Sarova Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa is deeply committed to the environment.
Many travelers combine a visit to Taita Hills with a safari experience at the nearby Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. This private conservancy borders Tsavo West National Park and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
The lodge is fully geared to take up all the arrangements so that guests can truly enjoy themselves without worrying about the details. These include venue decoration using traditional fabrics, beads and handicrafts, flowers, music and dance, bubbly toast and tiered cake, bush dinner with traditional dancers and photography.
Historical Significance
Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa is not just another safari lodge. It is built on land that served as a World War I battleground, and its in-house museum displays a remarkable collection of WWI memorabilia. The lodge is a perfect jumping-off place to the WWI Battlefield sites in Taveta. Its sister hotel, the Taita Hills Game Lodge, houses the museum that displays the antiquities of World War 1.
KENYA SAFARI: SAROVA SALTLICK GAME LODGE in TAITA HILLS SANCTUARY
How to Get There
Taita Hills are situated in Taita-Taveta County, approximately 6-7 hours’ drive from Nairobi or about 3-4 hours from Mombasa.
- By Road: Taita Hills is accessible via the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, turning off toward Voi or Mwatate.
- Travel aboard the Madaraka Express (SGR) from Nairobi or Mombasa. Alight at Voi Station, followed by a 45-minute road transfer to the resort.
- Private charter planes land at the Taita Hills Safari Lodge airstrip. Taita Hills Airstrip is nearby and serves charter flights.
When to Visit
Taita Hills can be visited year-round, but the dry seasons (June-October and January-February) offer clearer skies and excellent hiking conditions.
Accommodation
Taita Hills offers accommodation ranging from basic guesthouses in Wundanyi town to upscale safari lodges.
Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge
Beyond question the waxed-lyrical safari-destination about Tsavo Conservation Area, ergo as one of the bellwether safari lodges established in Kenya, the award winning Salt Lick Game Lodge is a safari wonderland encapsulated in a distinctive design, overlooking a waterhole, whose local character and earthy hues is rooted in the sense of place, instagrammable at every turn, is impressive enough to make you want to visit.
Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge.
As it stands today, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge is an indelible asset of the living-history of Tsavo Ecosystem in more ways than one. It is committed to eco-tourism and sustainability. The lodge is a perfect jumping-off place to the WWI Battlefield sites in Taveta. By the same token, it is actively involved in identifying these sites and coming up with exciting historical journeys.
Here are some of the key features of Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge:
- The entire complex is built above ground, on stilts, with the 96 rooms conforming to the model of Taita huts.
- The waterhole below is never without prolific wildlife, the views extending onto the plains and hillocks. Over the years, big game have become accustomed to its unobtrusive presence. The animals therefore ignore it, and come to drink and dig for salt in front of the building in large numbers.
- Between game-watching at the private verandas, there are two large public game viewing decks and a fantastic underground pillbox. Along a lit underground tunnel you arrive at the very edge of the watering hole, with a 360° observation deck that is appreciably close to the action.
The mood adventurous and chic, sufficiently capturing the spirit of safari.
Sarova salt lick safari lodge is a very architectural impressive and ranked as the most photographed safari lodge in the world, this incredibly beautiful safari lodge is located in Taita Hills Wildlife sanctuary within the rich wildlife ecosystem overlooking the untamed plains of Tsavo plains and waterhole which is usually crowded by animals.
The lodge is a luxury accommodation and one of the top notch lodges offering accommodation to tourists on a Kenya safari in Tsavo national parks (Tsavo East national park and Tsavo west national park), Taita Hills wildlife sanctuary and Ngutuni wildlife sanctuary. The lodge comprises of 96 en-suite rooms used to offer accommodation to visitors of the lodge, these rooms are situated in circular structures built on stilts across two levels.
These rooms were appointed overlooking a series of waterholes which a crowded by animals which come to drink water and they are viewed from the comfort of the rooms. The waterhole is floodlit at night for views of nocturnal animal activity, each of these rooms is decorated with charming interior décor pieces and consists of spacious beds, thick white towels, and fine linen and en-suite bathrooms.
The lodge has elegant dining venues offering an amazing culinary experience, dining options include Bura restaurant, Vura Bar Lounge and Outdoor dining experience. Bura restaurant is the main restaurant of The lodge with capacity to accommodate over 150 people, this restaurant overlooks the watering hole and serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking counters preparing specialty dishes.
The safari lodge has a terraced bar and lounge overlooking the main watering hole, this site is perfect for an evening sit down for drinks and enjoying views of the wildlife activity at the watering holes.
The safari lodge an excellent honeymoon and romantic getaway package to newly wedded couples, this package is tailor-made to offer romantic, unique and unforgettable experience to honeymooners.
Exploring Taita-Taveta County
Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
Some of the attractions in the area include:
- Wray Memorial Museum
- Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary
- Volunteer International Camp Tsavo
- Mount Kasigau
- Kasigau Base Camp
- The Maungu Plains
- Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wushumbu Conservancy
- Teita Sisal Estate
- Mbulia Conservancy
- Tsavo East National Park
- Ithumba Elephant Nursery
- Yatta Plateau
- Tsavo Springs
- Emusaya Wilderness Arc
- Galdessa Little Camp
- Lugard's Falls
- Mudanda Rock
- Voi War Cemetery
- Lion Hill Lodge
- Kanderi Swamp
- Voi Wildlife Lodge
- Aruba Dam
If you’re searching for unique things to do in Kenya beyond the classic safari circuit, Taita Hills is the perfect destination. It blends stunning landscapes, rare wildlife, cultural encounters, and historical intrigue-all without the crowds.
List of Popular Resorts & Lodges Around Kenya
Here is a list of some other popular resorts and lodges around Kenya:
| County | Resorts & Lodges |
|---|---|
| Baringo County | Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, Soi Safari Lodge |
| Bomet County | Fair Hills Hotel, Sahara Gardens Hotel, The Willis Hotel |
| Busia County | Che's Bay Resort |
| Elgeyo Marakwet County | Kerio View Hotel, Samich Resort |
| Embu County | Izaak Walton Inn |
| Garissa County | Almond Resort |
| Homa Bay County | Rusinga Island Lodge, Takawiri Island Lodge |
| Isiolo County | Shaba Game Lodge, Samburu Simba Lodge |
| Kakamega County | Rondo Retreat, Golf Hotel |
| Kisii County | Kamel Park Hotel, Itibo Resort |
| Kilifi County | Distant Relatives Lodge |
| Kwale County | Baobab Beach Resort, Kimerimeta Lodge, Shimba Hills Lodge |
| Lamu County | Manda Bay Lodge, Shela, Forodhani House |
| Machakos County | Oldonyo Sapuk Resort, Kitonga Garden Resort |
| Makueni County | Hunter's Lodge, Kusyombunguo Hotel, Tsavo Safari Camp |
| Mandera County | The Red Sea Resort |
| Meru County | Rhino River Camp, Alba Hotel |
| Migori County | Treat House Resort |
| Muranga County | Sagana Getaway Hotel, Stanley's Haven, The Tetura Luxury Camp |
| Nairobi County | The Boma, Eka Hotel |
| Narok County | Muthu Keekorok Lodge |
| Nyandarua County | Tafaria Castle, Elmer Resort & Spa, Cedar Retreat |
| Nyeri County | White Rhino Hotel, Outspan Hotel, The Ark, Treetops Lodge |
| Samburu County | Ashnil Samburu Camp, Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ngari Hill Eco-Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge |
| Taita Taveta County | Kilaguni Serena G |
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