🌍 Introduction
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. Combining rich history, community engagement, and Sarova’s renowned hospitality, the lodge offers a comfortable, full-service safari base ideal for families, couples, and groups.
With its lush gardens, cultural architecture, and convenient access to game drives, the lodge is a natural starting or ending point for safari circuits through Tsavo West, LUMO Conservancy, and beyond.
📍 Location & Accessibility
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). It’s situated along the Voi–Taveta road, making it accessible for both self-drivers and guided safaris.
🛣️ How to Get There
- By Road:
- From Nairobi: Approx. 6 hours via Mombasa Road and Voi.
- From Mombasa: Approx. 4 hours via Voi.
- Easily accessible for SGR travelers or those on road safaris.
- By Rail:
- The nearest SGR station is Voi, with transfers available on request.
- By Air:
- Taita Hills Airstrip is nearby and serves charter flights. Lodge transfers can be arranged in advance.
🛏️ Accommodation
Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge offers 60 guest rooms, set within lush landscaped gardens. The lodge features colonial-style architecture with modern amenities and a touch of traditional design that reflects the local Taita culture.
Room Categories:
- Standard Rooms:
Elegantly furnished rooms with garden or sanctuary views. - Suites:
Larger, more private accommodations with upgraded amenities and sitting areas — ideal for honeymooners or small families.
In-Room Amenities:
- En-suite bathrooms with rain showers or tubs
- Air conditioning
- Mosquito-netted beds
- Flat-screen TVs and work desks
- Tea/coffee stations and bottled water
- Private balconies or patios (select rooms)
- Room service (limited hours)
💰 Accommodation Rates (Estimated)
Rates are per person per night and vary by season:
- Standard Room (Full Board):
- Residents: KES 10,000–14,000
- Non-Residents: $140–$200
- Suite:
- Residents: From KES 18,000
- Non-Residents: From $250
- Children under 5: Stay free
- Children 5–12: Pay 50% of adult rate when sharing
Rates include meals and lodge facilities. Conservancy fees, game drives, and drinks are extra.
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge features a main restaurant, bar, and lounge, offering a full-board dining experience with international and Kenyan cuisine.
- Breakfast Buffet: Hot and cold options including eggs, fruits, pastries, sausages, and more
- Lunch & Dinner: A mix of African, Indian, and continental dishes; buffet or set menu
- Bar & Lounge: Serving cocktails, wines, beers, soft drinks, and fresh juices
- Theme Nights: Swahili Night, BBQ dinners, and bush meals are available on request
- Special Diets: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options accommodated with prior notice
Guests can also pre-arrange bush breakfasts or dinners in the sanctuary for a wild, immersive dining experience.
🌿 Facilities & Amenities
- Swimming pool with shaded loungers
- Spa services: Massages and wellness treatments available upon request
- Conference and meeting rooms for corporate or group events
- Gift shop offering souvenirs, safari gear, and local crafts
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
- Cultural displays and historic exhibits about the World War I battlefields in the region
🦁 Activities & Experiences
Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge gives direct access to both Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and the broader Tsavo ecosystem.
🚙 Game Drives
- Day and night game drives in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
- Expect to see elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and lesser kudu
- Night drives allow for sightings of civets, genets, owls, and other nocturnal species
- Guided by experienced rangers in custom safari vehicles
🗺️ Cultural Visits
- Visit nearby Taita villages for cultural exchange and storytelling
- Learn about traditional music, crafts, and local cuisine
- Proceeds often support community development and conservation
🌄 Sundowners & Bush Meals
- Enjoy a scenic sunset cocktail at a designated viewpoint
- Romantic bush breakfasts or dinners in the sanctuary can be arranged
🦉 Birdwatching
- Over 300 bird species recorded in the region
- Guided bird walks or relaxed observation from the lodge gardens
- Species include sunbirds, hornbills, eagles, bee-eaters, and starlings
✅ What’s Included
- Accommodation in selected room category
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Use of lodge amenities (pool, gardens, lounge)
- Bottled water and welcome drink
- Cultural entertainment (on select nights)
❌ Not Included
- Game drives and activities (charged separately)
- Conservancy fees (payable at the gate)
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments and massages
- Transfers from SGR station or airstrips (available at a fee)
- Tips and personal expenses
🐘 Wildlife & What to Expect
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is home to:
- Large herds of elephants and buffalo
- Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards (though elusive)
- Giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbuck, and warthogs
- Over 300 bird species, many visible from the lodge itself
Wildlife sightings are excellent year-round, particularly during early morning or sunset game drives.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Group Friendly
- Family rooms and suites available
- Swimming pool and nature walks for kids
- Educational talks and cultural visits suited to all ages
- Group rates for conferences, schools, or photographic tours
- Safe and enclosed lodge grounds
🌟 Why Choose Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge?
- Beautifully landscaped entry point to the Taita Hills Sanctuary
- Offers comfort, accessibility, and Sarova hospitality standards
- Convenient stopover between Nairobi and Mombasa or paired with Salt Lick
- Strong community connection and cultural immersion options
- Ideal for first-time safari-goers, families, and groups
- Stunning views, rich wildlife, and well-maintained facilities
Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge is more than just a safari base — it’s a well-rounded destination that offers culture, comfort, and wildlife in equal measure. Whether you’re staying overnight or beginning your journey through the Tsavo ecosystem, it offers a warm welcome into Kenya’s wild southern heart.