Of Chows and Dhows

Happy new year! I hope you are enjoying the year so far. I spent New Years’ at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge and I thought I’d share my experience at the lodge with you. I was stoked about going on a safari vacation because I love safaris and it had been quite a while since my last one at Amboseli.

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Location

Kilaguni Serena is located in Tsavo West National Park which is about 238 km from Nairobi. It is approximately six hours away if driving from Nairobi (factoring in traffic and stop-overs) and about 30 minutes from the park’s Mtito Andei gate. If you are flying, there is an airstrip less than five minutes away from the lodge.

First Impressions

The cool air and lush gardens in the lodge are a welcome change from the hot surroundings.

Right before you enter the lobby there’s a handwashing station and a temperature checking kit. After sanitising, you are warmly welcomed with a cold glass of fresh juice. Kilaguni is the first hotel to be built inside a national park and as soon as you walk in you get a feel of the classic safari vibe. The safari-themed lodge feels like an extension of the park. You will notice elephant, rhino and hippo-inspired pieces woven into the lodge’s decor. Fun fact: Kilaguni is Kamba for “a place of the young rhino”.

Walking towards the restaurant and bar area you are drawn to the breath-taking views of a waterhole, the Chyulu Hills in the distance, and on a clear day, Mt.Kilimanjaro.

Dining

All meals are served buffet-style, with a variety of options catering to all dietary preferences. The grand restaurant overlooks the waterhole and you get to enjoy delicious meals as you take in the spectacular view.

The entire dining area is filled with art pieces showing the types of wild animals that you would most likely spot on a game drive within Tsavo West National park.

My favourite spot in this area was the rock-built bar.

The Rooms

The lodge has 56 rooms. I stayed in one of the double rooms, which has a fantastic view of the watering hole.

The lodge is eco-friendly and I loved that this was reflected through some details in the room such as these reusable glass water bottles.

The bathroom:

In addition to the soaps provided in the bathroom were some insect repellent towelettes which I found very useful as the area has very many insects.

The rooms have incredible views of the waterhole and the Chyulus. There were some impalas grazing right outside our room and the thought that we were moments away from the animals was exciting.

I was lucky enough to spot some buffaloes from my room one evening.

Different types of animals frequent the waterhole, I got to see baboons, a hyena and impalas. I was hoping to see elephants and some predators, especially leopards but unfortunately, they did not pass by.

Things to do in Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

• Swimming

Take a dip in the pool, especially in the hot afternoons.

• Cycling

The lodge has a bike trail and bicycles that you can ride at no extra cost.

• Jogging

Start your day with a brisk walk or jog

• Relax and enjoy a book

There are quite a number of quiet spots in the lodge where you can read. Kilaguni Serena also has a good selection of books at their library.

• Enjoy the view

One of the best things about Kilaguni is the view of the park and the Chyulus. Watch the groups of animals streaming in and out of the waterhole as you have your meals or from the comfort of your room.

The lodge can also organise guided bush walks and bush breakfasts if you fancy.

Rates start from $121 for double and triple rooms.

COVID-19 Protocols

WHO and MOH safety guidelines are observed at the lodge and I felt very safe throughout my stay. Wearing a mask at the communal spaces is mandatory and the lodge provides guests with disposable gloves to use while serving meals. Surfaces and keys are sanitised frequently.

A1 Service

The staff at the lodge were lovely and warm. Service was always prompt and they went out of their way to ensure that we were comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Kilaguni Serena’s decor and architecture may feel outdated to those who prefer modern, sleek finishes but I find that the timeless feel is what gives it its charm. The management has done a good job at maintaining and updating the lodge to fit current standards, considering the place was built in 1962.

The lodge is perfect for families and is very child-friendly. It is also wheelchair accessible. Overall it is an amazing place to relax and commune with nature.

For more information, check out their website.

BOOK YOUR STAY

*This post is not sponsored by Serena Hotels*

Find more information about Tsavo West here and watch the vlog for a virtual tour.

For some BTS from my trip, watch the “Tsavo West” highlights on my Instagram profile and join the OCD Community below for travel resources and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping next time and until next time, tembea Kenya!