Salt Lick Safari Lodge 2024

Nestled in the heart of the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounded by the magnificent Tsavo West National Park, the Salt Lick Safari Lodge offers a true paradise for nature lovers and a stunning showcase of architectural brilliance. Stretched over 28,000 acres, the prime location of Salt Lick Safari Lodge provides an immersive wildlife experience as it lies within the migratory corridor that links Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks. Previously known as Sarova Salt Lick Safari Lodge, this lodge offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the magnificent wildlife of Kenya.

Renowned for its stunning views and famed for being one of the most photogenic game lodges, Salt Lick rewards its guest with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, and, on clear days, even the majestic peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro can be seen. The lodge’s proximity to significant First World War battlefields makes it a perfect blend of adventure and history.

Design

A view from the balcony at Salt Lick Safari Lodge

Designed by a retired British engineer John Corry Firth, the Salt Lick Safari Lodge seamlessly blends traditional Taita architecture with modern amenities. It features 96 two-level rondavels perched on stilts, each paying homage to the ancestral homes of the Taita people. These rooms offer unobstructed views of a waterhole, where guests can observe wild animals. To add to the excitement of wildlife viewing, the lodge features an underground tunnel, offering a unique and unforgettable perspective of the animals as they come to drink from the water pan.

Amenities

The Sarova Salt Lick Safari Lodge offers a range of modern amenities to enhance the guest experience. Some of the amenities provided by the lodge include, but are not limited to:

Full board accommodation, including lunch, dinner, and breakfast
Bureau de change
laundry service
Free Wi-Fi access
Hair dryers
Ample parking space
Private bathrooms with showers
Electric current: 220 Volts, 50 cycles AC
Shaver outlets with 110/220 volts, 50 cycles AC
Mosquito netting in all bedrooms
Electric fans in all guest rooms
Safe deposit boxes
Gift shop and reception area.
Swimming at the Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa
All-day game viewing tunnel at the Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

Salt Lick Safari Lodge at night — Salt Lick Safari Lodge

Accommodation options at Salt Lick Safari Lodge

The Lodge offers guests three levels of accommodation options: double, twin, or triple beds based on your preferred occupancy. The rooms are all ensuite and offer the privacy and comfort you need for a memorable stay. Children below five years old are not allowed to stay at the lodge.

Activities

The Lodge offers a range of activities for guests to fully immerse themselves in the wildlife and history of the surrounding area. Some of these activities include:

Game Drives: Experience the diverse wildlife in the sanctuary, with over 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds.
Wildlife Talks: Learn about the efforts to protect endangered species from knowledgeable wildlife rangers.
Excursions: Visit local villages, Mzima Springs, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, and Lake Jipe for a deeper cultural and historical experience.
World War I Museum and Battlefield Visits: Explore the history of the area’s significant First World War battlefields.
Salt Lick Special Water Hole Experience: Observe wildlife at the lodge’s waterhole from an underground tunnel.
Bush Breakfasts, Dinners, Sundowner, and Picnic Activities: Enjoy a unique dining experience in the wilderness.
Spa and Swimming: Relax and rejuvenate at the Afya Bora Spa at Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa,

Weather and Climate at Salt Lick Safari Lodge

The lodge boasts a pleasant spring-like climate all year round. The mornings are crisp, the afternoons are warm, and the evenings are cool enough to enjoy a cozy fire. Located at an altitude ranging from 2,475 to 3,960 feet above sea level, the lodge is situated in the lower region of the Taita Hills, part of the Eastern Arc Mountain ranges. This area has been recognized by international organizations such as the International Union for Nature Conservation and the Worldwide Fund for Nature as a globally significant conservation area. The lodge experiences occasional rains from August to September and March to May. The warmest months are January to March, while June to September has a cooler climate.

Getting there

Salt Lick Safari Lodge is approximately 500 kilometers from Nairobi and is easily accessed by road, air, and rail.

By Air: The Lodge is just 8 km from the sanctuary’s private airstrip, served by private charters and helicopters.

By Train: The Madaraka Express train is scheduled once daily and takes 2 hours 41 minutes from Nairobi or 1 hour 25 minutes from Mombasa with a stopover at Voi Terminal. The transfer from the train station to the lodge is a 45-minute drive.

By Road: Driving to the Lodge from Nairobi takes approximately 6 hours and 3 hours from Mombasa. It is a scenic drive through the Highlands of Kenya, experiencing its varied biodiversity. The transfer from Voi station to the lodge takes approximately 1 hour and can be done by taxi. The road is rough but accessible to all vehicles, but using a 4×4 inside the park is recommended. The road from Voi to Taita Hills is well-maintained, as are the roads inside Taita Hills Sanctuary and Tsavo East. However, when departing from Bachuma Gate, there is a 100 km drive to Mombasa on the Mombasa-Nairobi Road, which can be slow due to lofts and single-lane roads in each direction. The new bridge from Dongu Kundu to Likoni is almost complete and is expected to be available for public use in April/May 2023. The bridge is located just behind Mombasa Airport and near the SGR station.

Booking Your Stay at Salt Lick Safari Loadge

Booking your stay at Salt Lick Safari Lodge is a breeze. You can either follow the link to booking.com to see the most current prices, read in-depth reviews from past guests, or give Salt Lick Safari Lodge a call directly to book your stay. Simply select your preferred dates and choose the room that suits you best.