In the Shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro: Unveiling the Charm of Little Tawi Lodge

As I sit down to write this, I’m struck by a creative block. How do I find a title that does justice to the beauty of this place? Words escape me because the experience here is beyond description. It’s like trying to capture a love story so captivating that you can’t help but picture yourself saying ‘I do’ to an imaginary soulmate—because, let’s face it, there’s no such thing as an imperfectly perfect match.

I remember clearly the drive to Tawi Lodge within the conservancy. Every few minutes, I’d ask Andrew, our brilliant safari guide, to slow down so I could take in another view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Whether it was a glimpse of the mountain’s peak, giraffes grazing under the acacia trees, or a herd of zebras crossing our path, each angle offered something breathtaking. Even though the mountain was somewhat shy at this hour, the beauty was undeniable. And so, that’s how we decided on the perfect phrase: ‘In the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll discover, rediscover, and experience the wonders of little Tawi as you explore Amboseli.

Fun fact

Tawi is home to a resident impala – Cynthia, who would be very happy to hang around the lounge area and keep you company as you fill your taste buds with sumptuous meals the Chefs have prepared just for you! She first came to the lodge and couldn’t get enough of the hospitality around here, she then decided to make this her home and she feels very welcomed, loved and cared for.

Meet Cynthia – a resident impala at Tawi

Location

The gorgeous charming and rustic lodge is located within a 3,000 ha private conservancy in Kenya’s South Eastern part, Amboseli.

Getting here: If coming from Nairobi, there are daily departures from Wilson airport, with either Safarilink or Air Kenya. Flights from Wilson airport land at Amboseli airstrip taking approximately 45 minutes (rates range from Kshs15,500 per person for the resident travelers and are subject to change from one airline to the next) and a 45-1hr road transfer from the airstrip to the lodge with a short game drive enroute.

However, if you are the adventurous type like I am and wish to see the rural Kenya by road, may I suggest you drive through the beautiful and ever changing landscapes to Tawi Lodge.. The scenic drive will take about 5.5hrs, that means you will arrive in perfect time for lunch.

What’s more, if you are even more adventurous and wish to try new things, you could simply hop on the Madaraka express train, populary known to the locals as the “SGR train”. Book your ticket from either Nairobi Terminus or Mombasa Terminus and your next stop should be Emali afterwards you’ll then be transferred to the lodge by road, this will take about 2hrs.

And lastly, if you are Safari hungry and just want to get to your lodge room, freshen up, have a nice meal, a dip in the swimming pool perhaps or a drink by the pool or maybe just an afternoon game drive within the conservancy or the national park. You could take a charter flight to Tawi’s private airstrip.

Why Tawi lodge

The food…. Take us all to a place where we can find great food and the Chefs here do an absolutely fantastic job in the kitchen. Tawi relies on its own organic gardens where fresh ingredients are picked daily to ensure you keep coming back just for a taste of what they can offer. Come very hungry not only for great game viewing experiences but also to enjoy great meals prepared with you in mind

Endless game viewing opportunities… Amboseli is well known for the large herds of Elephants. Whilst staying at Tawi Lodge, you may choose to go on a game drive within the conservancy where they only thing likely to stop you would be a dazzle of zebras crossing the road. Or you may go Go on safar within the Amboseli National Park. (make sure to enquire from your driver/guide how much extra costs you will incur as this is not included in the accommodation rate). Whilst game viewing be sure to spot some members of the big five such as the African Elephant and Buffalo and for better experiences please wake up early to catch up with the big cats, you will also come across towers and journies of giraffes, dazzles of zebras and a wide variety of birdlife. So please keep your binoculars and cameras handy

Breathtaking views.. Set at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tawi offers views for dayyys!! May I please let you in on my little secret, every room around here promises you fantastic views of the mountain. Like you could be taking a shower and Mt. Kilimanjaro will be right there peaking in on you, fun right:)

Exemplary customer service…. You the guest are the king of Tawi and the service you will be accorded will surely meet and exceed your expectations. What the English men would refer to as a WOW experience!!

A swimming pool in the middle of the jungle? Yes please. After lunch you may choose to take a dip or get a drink by the pool and watch wildlife stross nearby.

And when you fill your cup of adventure and ready to return back home, remember to pass by the souvenir shop and get something for your family and friends. This is one way of contributing positively to the Ecotourism triangle and the locals will benefit from this simple gesture of kindness

A few notes ;

Kindly respect the local communities, remember to ask for their consent before taking photos of them/with them.

Respect wildlife and birdlife, this is their home and you are only visiting.

Collect only memories and leave NO TRACE!!

For more information on Tawi Lodge, please feel free to contact them directly or get in touch with the Safari editor thesafarieditor@gmail.com.

Adventures way beyond traditional safaris |Experience Campi ya Kanzi

Experience:

Campi Ya Kanzi has truly won my heart, from the moment you walk in, it feels more like a home rather than an accommodation and the staff treat you just like family!
It is a great place to completely disconnect from the tech world and have real human conversations, immerse in the complete wilderness that is Chyulu hills, if it’s not the game drives within Kanzi conservancy, it is the sundowners on top of Okoikuma cliff – with incredible views of the sunset, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the hills to horseback riding with giraffes and zebras and surprise dinners at the cave or simply chilling back at the lodge in the swimming pool. The walk up to the cloud forest, though my knees may not agree were soul awakening and the views were incredible and Parashi made it even more memorable – he’s an excellent driver/guide!
My most favorite time was the evenings, coming back from a game drive, a beautiful sundowner, and dinner with everyone to the incredible sounds of nature (the crickets were super entertaining I could hear animals grazing outside my tent😊) and during the mornings waking up to chirping birds was amaaaazing!
I so loved my stay from the cave lunch to the outdoor dinner and the bush breakfast and of course great hospitality. I would 100% recommend CYK anyday anytime!!

Quick facts

Location: Campi ya Kanzi is a family-owned eco-lodge, in Southern Kenya in the middle of two national parks – Amboseli N. Park & Tsavo N. Park, enjoys the exclusive use of Kuku Group Ranches, 283,000 acres in the Tsavo Amboseli eco-system. The camp is surrounded by three breathtaking sceneries i.e., Chyulu hills, the granite rocks & the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.

Getting here: CyK is accessible by a 40-minute charter flight from Wilson airport, Nairobi to Kanzi airstrip using the camp’s Cessna 206 and a 20-minute drive to the camp in an open Land Rover. Depending on the size of the aircraft, they might fly you from Wilson to Il Tilal airstrip and 1 hour road transfer to the camp in an open Land Rover.CYK can also be accessed by a road transfer from Mtito Andei, at an extra cost of USD400 per car one way and Tsavo park fees of USD52 per person per day.

Food & style of dining:The style of dining is being hosted by the manageress, but guests have a choice of being hosted or not and the food is mainly Italian cuisine however they are flexible to guests’ preferences and needs

Child-friendly?…. CYK is 100% child friendly, Luca & Antonella’s kids grew up here, plus Emma (the manageress is great with kids and she’s happy to watch them whilst not at work) additionally they have a masseuse who doubles up as a nanny and nanny fees is not included in the rates (request for rates at the time of booking)

WIFI – There is no WIFI at Campi main areas and in rooms, the idea is to disconnect from the world of tech and just have a moment in the bush however for those who wish to access the internet can do this from the office

What to do

Game drives within Kanzi Conservancy: We were not able to see great game at this time as it is the rainy season and wild animals have moved deep into the conservancy and back into the National reserves unlike during the dry seasons when they come back to the waterholes in search of water. We however encountered Maasai Giraffes, Impalas, Common zebras, Wildebeests, hartebeest, Warthog, Dik dik, Baboons, Kudu in the conservancy.

Cloud forest walks: The guided walk up the cloud forest takes about 3 hours, 1 hour drive from the camp and an hour walking up the dramatic hills onto the cloud forest filled with a species of fig trees that are believed to be medicinal, locals often come here to collect herbs for medicinal use. The forest is spectacular, with an immense diversity of trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, and wildlife. Parashi is an excellent guide, he’s lived here all his life and knows the routes well… He’s does his job with a huuuge smile on his face 😊

Horse back riding: CYK has 3 rideable horses for experienced riders, but the guides are happy to guide beginners through horse walking within camp.

Sundowners: There’s no better way to end a Safari than watching the African sun go down with a glass of gin or white wine… We had an amazing evening on top of Okoikuma cliff with drinks i.e., freshly squeezed juices, house wines, beers & local spirits, and snacks.
We drove from camp and had a 15-minute walk up the cliff where the sundowner was set, this spot offers incredible views of the dramatic Chyulu hills, and the major highlight was a blazing ball of fire setting over the hills.

Guided game walks: Campi is great for walks, the scenery is amazing and views breathtaking. Guests who fancy walks are welcomed to do this with the help of the guides – Parashi and/or Pashiet
Walks can be done within camp or inside the conservancy.

Bush meals (breakfast or lunch)/picnics – After game drives, guests come back to bush breakfasts or lunch before heading to camp.

Bird watching – Chyulu hills is a bird’s paradise. Birds spotted include, long crested eagle, Kori Bustard, Kingfisher, lilac-breasted roller (Kenya’s national bird)

Other activities include Stargazing (weather permitting), swimming and a surprise cave dinner or lunch.

Rates

Non-residents rate from USD925 per adult sharing per night and Resident rate from Kshs40,000 per adult sharing per night. NB: Conservation fees not included.

A few notes:

Respect wildlife and the local communities whilst traveling remember you are just visiting.. Leave no trace and collect only memories.

Support the local communities, buy souvenirs from the curio shops to take back home

For more info contact the Safari Editor: thesafarieditor@gmail.com. For direct bookings get in touch with Campi ya Kanzi: bookings@maasai.com

The Safari Editor’s Best Picks | Elerai Camp & Conservancy

In under 30 minutes after arrival at Elerai Camp previously known as Satao Elerai, we watched in awe as a huuuge beautiful Elephant drank from the waterhole just below the lounge area along with spec-tacular views over the Amboseli plains and the major highlight was a blazing ball of fire setting over the swimming pool… Pure magic!! Well Mt. Kilimanjaro was abit shy at this hour but it was still slightly visible

Why Elerai Camp??

Great Food… When you plan your Safari to Amboseli, come hungry for not only great game viewing experiences but also to fill up your stomach with mouth watering bites.

Endless game viewing opportunities.. Whether you set out to the conservancy or sit on the lounge area, you are going to have a great time watching some of the members of the Big 5 drink from the waterhole below. Some of the wild animals you might be lucky to spot include; the African Elephant, giraffes, Zebras, Buffaloes and the Impala. The lodge rooms are are a great way to watch all these from the comfort of your bed, when you book your Safari request to stay in Cottage #1 if it’s not already occupied by the time of your visit 😊

Friendly staff… From the moment you walk in, you feel right at home and everyone treats each other just like family! It’s no place you’d feel homesick.

Breathtaking views.. The major highlight is spectacular views of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, pssssst if you fancy amazing views of the Mountain book the tents as this gives you access to views for days! And if you fancy endless game viewing right from your shower take the lodge rooms which face the plains

Other Activities include;

Use of the swimming pool…

Fun fact: this pool overlooks a waterhole from where Eles drink from very oftenly, quite a show isn’t it!

You’re going to the bush but please remember to pack your swim suit, you may choose to take a dip in the evening to cool off the heat and most importantly the swimming pool overlooks the waterhole (we already know elephants come here more often for their water) This is a great way to enjoy a Magarita as you watch the Eles wallow and send the Zebras off!

Bush walks… The Maasai warriors are happy to take you on a guided bush walk as they share bush secrets with you. This is their backyard and they have lived here all their lives, perfect guides for this kind of adventure

Sundowners…What better way to watch the African sun go down than with a Gin & tonic in hand overlooking the blazing ball of fire set across the Amboseli plains.

Notes;

Elerai Camp is a pioneer in sustainable consumption and production

Leave no trace principle

Respect the privacy of Wildlife, this is their home and you’re just visiting.

Welcome to Elerai Camp, contact the lodge for bookings http://www.eleraicamp.com/ or contact thesafarieditor@gmail.com for discounted rates😊

The Safari Editor’s Best Picks| The Last Village Lodge

A bit of Country, A bit of Luxury

Located in Athi River – The last village or ” Makuti” as the locals refer to it is my most recent favourite favourite lodge, if you are looking for a family friendly hideaway, a Sunday afternoon chillspot with the girls, an escape with your partner away from the kids,a weekend plot with the boys, teambonding with your colleagues or perhaps looking for the parfait spot for your birthday/graduation and even for your garden wedding this is the place for you!!

This charming, rustic and a superbly spacious Swahili style lodge, is exquisitely located in Lukenya promising fantastic views over the remarkable hills. I particulary looove love the cozy and homely atmosphere around here, from the moment you walk in you feel right at home, the attentive and personalized service you are accorded is out of this world. There’s something about breathing fresh air when you are on the country side and I particularly love their conservation efforts – the lodge runs on solar power you guys -:)

Why the Last Village, you ask…..

Food… my heart feels at home where there is great food. It was cooked to order fresh and delectable, the salad was tasty. I will definitely go back for that Mbuzi and you should too.

Delightful staff.… The staff are super friendly and their customer service skills are IMPECCABLE!!

A kids friendly lodge…uniquely equipped with a kids play ground with so many activities the kids can indulge in as you the parents have a good time.

What to do?

Quad biking – I highly recommend quadbiking for a truly memorable and an unforgettable experience, whats more exciting is that you don’t have to be an experienced biker, jump right on and explore 2.5km of the village with nothing infront of you. Kids have not been left out, you will also find mini-quad bikes for them.

Swimming – No, the swimming isn’t heated because “who needs a heated pool in the Eastern side”, when God has done the magic of a close to 24hr solar heat?? The pool is a perfect spot for that afternoon tranquility.

Ziplining – This is the latest and one of my favourite addition in the lodge. For the adrenaline charged experience you might want try this, it’s a must try if you havent already.

Archery – I missed the target thrice….three times, bows and the arrows will be right there, learn a new skill, a friend did mention that archery is one of the many ways of boosting confidence,I don’t know how true that is but we can find out at The Last Village…

It doesnt all end in the outdoors, after all the adrenaline rush and excitement you will experience a bunch of other indoor activites from play station , playing chess to the pool table and darts borads.

For incredible offers contact: thesafarieditor@thesafaripost.com

Points to note: The lodge is 100% cashless

The Last Village Lodge: https://thelastvillage.co.ke/