🌍 Introduction
Ngulia Safari Lodge is a mid-range safari lodge perched dramatically on the edge of the Ngulia escarpment, offering sweeping views over the Rhino Sanctuary and Tsavo West’s volcanic plains. Built in the 1960s, it is one of Kenya’s original national park lodges and remains a favorite for those seeking affordable comfort, authentic safari atmosphere, and prime access to wildlife hotspots within the park.
With its proximity to Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, and seasonal leopard sightings, Ngulia provides a well-rounded base for exploring the diverse ecosystems of Tsavo West.
📍 Location & Accessibility
Ngulia Safari Lodge is located deep inside Tsavo West National Park, near the Ngulia Hills and Rhino Sanctuary, and just a short drive from the famous Mzima Springs.
🛣️ How to Get There
- By Road:
- From Nairobi: Approx. 5.5–6.5 hours via Mtito Andei Gate.
- From Mombasa: Approx. 5–6 hours via Tsavo River or Mtito Andei Gate.
- A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially during rainy seasons.
- By Rail:
- Via SGR Madaraka Express to Mtito Andei Station. Road transfer to the lodge takes about 1–1.5 hours.
- By Air:
- The lodge is served by the Ngulia Airstrip, located just minutes away.
- Suitable for private charters and scheduled light aircraft.
🛏️ Accommodation
Ngulia Safari Lodge features 52 en-suite rooms, all built to maximize views over the plains, waterhole, and surrounding cliffs.
Room Features:
- Double or twin beds with mosquito nets
- En-suite bathrooms with hot showers
- Private balconies overlooking the savannah or escarpment
- Writing desk, wardrobe, and basic safari furnishings
- Electricity and hot water available throughout the day
- Simple, rustic décor with a vintage safari feel
The lodge’s clifftop position makes every room a viewing deck — especially at sunrise and sunset.
💰 Accommodation Rates (Estimated)
- Residents: KES 6,000–10,000 per adult per night (Full Board)
- Non-Residents: $90–$130 per adult per night (Full Board)
- Children under 5: Stay free
- Children 5–12: 50% of adult rate when sharing with parents
- Group and resident discounts available
All rates include accommodation, meals, and taxes. Park entry fees are charged separately at the gate.
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Ngulia Safari Lodge has a main restaurant and open-air terrace, both offering sweeping views of the plains and nearby waterhole.
- Meals: Served buffet-style with rotating menus
- Cuisine: A mix of Kenyan, Indian, and continental dishes
- Bar & Lounge: Offers local beers, wines, and spirits
- Specials: Bush dinners and sundowner cocktails may be arranged with advance notice
- Packed meals available for full-day game drives
One of the lodge’s most unique features is its evening leopard baiting tradition, where guests may witness leopards (especially in dry seasons) visiting a lighted bait tree near the dining area — an old-school attraction rarely seen elsewhere.
🐘 Activities & Experiences
Ngulia Safari Lodge is an excellent base for exploring the best of Tsavo West, thanks to its central location near some of the park’s major natural landmarks.
🚙 Game Drives
- Morning and evening drives with excellent sightings of:
- Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, lesser kudu, and more
- Drives through Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, home to Kenya’s endangered black rhinos
- Off-road driving is restricted within the park, but sightings are still strong due to the low visitor density
🌊 Visit Mzima Springs
- Crystal-clear springs home to hippos, crocodiles, and shoals of fish
- Underwater viewing chamber just 30 minutes from the lodge
🌋 Explore Shetani Lava Flow
- Black, jagged volcanic landscape formed centuries ago
- Ideal for short photo stops and geological interest
🦜 Birdwatching
- Tsavo West is home to over 600 bird species
- Common sightings: hornbills, weavers, starlings, raptors, kingfishers, and seasonal migrants
- Nearby cliffs offer opportunities to spot verreaux’s eagle, swifts, and falcons
🦏 Rhino Sanctuary
- Ngulia Lodge overlooks the sanctuary dedicated to protecting black rhinos
- Guided visits can be arranged through KWS rangers or private guides
✅ What’s Included
- Accommodation in standard room
- Three meals per day (Full Board)
- Access to lodge amenities (bar, lounge, waterhole viewing area)
- Use of swimming pool (basic, weather dependent)
- Free parking for self-drivers
❌ Not Included
- Tsavo West National Park entry fees
- Game drives and transport (available at extra cost or via tour operators)
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks
- Tips, laundry, and personal items
- Airport or station transfers (available with prior arrangement)
🐾 Wildlife & What to Expect
Ngulia’s location makes it one of the best spots in Tsavo West for diverse wildlife sightings. The waterhole below the lodge is active both day and night, drawing animals regularly.
You may spot:
- Leopards, especially during baiting nights
- Elephants, sometimes in large herds
- Lions, cheetahs, hyenas
- Buffalo, giraffes, zebras, lesser kudu, eland, dik-diks
- Hippos and crocs at Mzima Springs
- Excellent birdwatching in and around the cliffs
👪 Family & Group Friendly
- Family rooms and extra beds available
- Budget-friendly for school groups, birding tours, and researchers
- Safe, enclosed grounds and attentive staff
- Educational content available on request, including wildlife talks or rhino conservation info
🌟 Why Choose Ngulia Safari Lodge?
- Affordable and well-positioned inside Tsavo West National Park
- Overlooks the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
- Known for evening leopard sightings at the bait tree
- Convenient access to Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, and Chyulu Hills
- Ideal for budget-conscious safari-goers, birders, and first-time visitors
- Comfortable stay without sacrificing scenery or access to wildlife
Ngulia Safari Lodge delivers a classic safari experience with a nostalgic feel, perched high above Tsavo’s vast and rugged landscapes. It may not be the flashiest lodge, but it offers everything you need for a rewarding and budget-conscious stay in one of Kenya’s wildest and most scenic parks.