Tawi Lodge

Tawi Lodge is located on a private conservancy of 2 400 ha, just fifteen minutes from Kimana Gate, the eastern entrance to Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro the worlds’ largest free-standing mountain. The community-run conservancy, promotes and maintains a harmonious environment for the wildlife and the Maasai people along the corridor between Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills.

In the dry South Kenya landscape, the lodge is hidden in the middle of indigenous trees, plants and garden all contributing to its oasis feel. Under the umbrella shade of the enormous Tortillis acacia trees, you have an extensive view of Kilimanjaro and the wetlands where the animals come to drink and play. It is such a fantastic experience to enjoy your favourite drink while witnessing the life of the big elephants playing in the mud just a few meters away.

The water hole at Tawi is visible from all facilities, including the main lodge, bars, dining room, lounges and spa, and is very popular among elephants, zebra, impala, kudus, gerenuk and the other wildlife. Some of the 400+ bird species in the Amboseli ecosystem nest in the trees around the lodge.

Tawi style is a harmonious combination of modern comfort and African tradition. Four different lounges with deep comfortable sofas, safari chairs, recliners serviced by two bars for a drink, a read, relaxing……by the fireplace or the wildlife water hole, day or night. You can also choose the “bush lounge” for a magical sundowner drink and nibbles.

Tawi has a gold rating awarded by “Eco-Tourism Kenya” and was awarded the prestigious Eco-tourism Kenya’s “Eco-Warrior lodge of the year 2016”. Tawi takes maximum care of the environment and its people, without compromising the comfort of its guests. The luxury cottages come with four post beds and comfortable mattress, private wooden deck, fireplaces, showers and Victorian baths. Your stay will also be enhanced by the gourmet cuisine throughout, accompanied by fine wines from the cellar

Tawi has 13 individual guest cottages, creatively spread out to allow for privacy and on either side of the main lodge building; each cottage has its own spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Tawi can accommodate up to 30 guests.

A fabulous view of the highest mountain in Africa, even from the comfort of your bed or your bathtub. You can even choose your comfort from a pillow menu! Each cottage has its own wooden-deck veranda. Double or twin cottages, all have en-suite bathrooms fitted with both a bath and shower. Each cottage has its own fireplace. Lighting and water systems are solar powered.

The attention to detail and the excellent and friendly service is particularly noticed whilst dining. European influenced chefs will use some of the fresh organically grown produce and the local community’s products to offer you a blend of African-Swahili and European gourmet three course lunches and four course dinners. Your senses will be delighted by a blend of spices from the Swahili Coast. Regular food & wine paring events are taking place and the traditional African dinner in the “boma” with barbecue and Maasai traditional dances. If you like your privacy then you will prefer a candlelit dinner on your veranda. Breakfast or dinner in the bush are also unforgettable experiences you should try.

Before and after dinner, relax by the campfire, or at the very special tree-bar, sit on the sundowner couch and listen to the magical sounds of the African bush- all this under the spectacular African sky where the stars seem brighter than anywhere else.

Amboseli’s delicate and beautiful ecosystem displays a magnificent variety of wildlife, with more than 50 mammal species. The elephants are no doubt the kings of the park and they are available in big numbers. The elephants in Amboseli, which are also considered to be among the biggest in the country, mainly enjoy the swamps, in which they get cool waters that they share with hippos that hide beneath the papyrus.

A large resident population of wildebeest together with Burchell’s zebra, also have a home in the park. Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, buffalo, warthog, black rhino, Maasai giraffe, impala, waterbuck and dik-dik, are also among the grass-eaters there. Lions, spotted hyenas, wild cats, jackals and caracals represent the carnivores. Cheetah and leopards are not so common.

Tawi is a five-hour drive by road from Nairobi and there are twice daily scheduled flights from Wilson Airport.