Tawi Lodge, Kenya

About This Property

Tawi Lodge is a small, intimate safari lodge in the Amboseli area of southern Kenya, set on its own private conservancy at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is particularly attractive for the combination of excellent Kilimanjaro views, elephants and a quieter private-conservancy experience.

The lodge has just 13 individual cottages, accommodating around 30 guests, so it has a much more personal feel than a large safari hotel. The cottages are described as elegantly rustic, with en-suite bathrooms, fireplaces, four-poster beds and private verandas, all oriented towards Kilimanjaro. There is also a larger suite suitable for families or two couples travelling together.

One of Tawi's strongest features is its 3,000-acre private conservancy, which sits only about five minutes from Kimana Gate, the eastern entrance to Amboseli National Park. This gives guests the advantage of having the conservancy for activities while still being very close to the national park. The conservancy is also part of an important wildlife corridor used by elephants moving between the Amboseli ecosystem and the wider Tsavo/Chyulu Hills region.

Wildlife-wise, elephants are the star attraction. Amboseli is famous for its large elephant population, and Tawi's location can provide some wonderful encounters. The lodge itself has a waterhole and extensive gardens, attracting wildlife and more than 150 bird species. Elephants can sometimes pass close to the cottages, which is a particularly nice aspect of staying there.

The overall style is comfortable rather than ultra-luxury. I would describe Tawi as understated, authentic and characterful rather than slick or contemporary. Meals are served in the main lodge, garden or outdoors, with the kitchen making considerable use of fresh produce from the lodge's own gardens.

Access is straightforward. There are flights from Nairobi Wilson to Amboseli Airstrip, charter flights can use Tawi's private airstrip, and driving from Nairobi takes roughly five hours. There is also an option to take the SGR train to Emali and transfer by road from there.

For 2–3 nights, I think Tawi makes particular sense if you want a quieter, smaller-scale Amboseli stay with a strong sense of place. Its biggest appeal is really the Kilimanjaro setting + elephants + intimate lodge + private conservancy, rather than having a long list of resort facilities.