Lodges
Voi Safari Lodge PO Box 565, Voi Tel: +254 (0)43 30 019/27 Fax: +254 (0)43 30 080
Shompole
Treetops
Email: voilodge@kenya-safari.co.ke www.voilodge.kenya-safari.co.ke
PO Box 14815, 00800 Nairobi
Built high on a hillside overlooking the Tsavo East National Park is Voi Safari Lodge, one of the most innovatively constructed wildlife retreats in the whole of Kenya.
Tel +254 (0)20 445 2095-9 Fax +254 (0)20 445 2102 Mob: +254 (0)722 207 761
PO Box 10665, 00100 Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 204 8610; 204 8621 Fax: +254 (0)20 884135
The Ark
Email: info@aberdaresafarihotels.com www.aberdaresafarihotels.com
Email: reservations@theartofventures.com www.shompole.com
c/o Harry Thuku Road, PO Box 58581 00200 CSQ Nairobi
Located in the heart of a dense forest in the Aberdare National Park, overlooking two waterholes and with views of Mount Kenya, the famous Treetops began in 1932 as a humble two-room dwelling supported by a wild fig tree.
Shompole is a luxury lodge with six spacious villas located on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, with spectacular views. It was the first lodge to be built by The Art of Ventures group. The lodge has a beautiful design, artfully combining the textures and materials of the local group ranch with the relaxing properties of flowing water and cool pools in each room. The rooms are designed with undulating white walls and multiple textures of natural quartz rock, bulrush thatch and smooth figwood. The camp owes its existence to the Maasai of Shompole Group Ranch, partners in this project, who lend their enthusiasm and culture to this new form of eco tourism. While the camp itself provides guests with an opportunity to relax, the surrounding area offers a range of activities including walking, canoeing, mountain biking, day and night game drives, bush dinners and breakfasts, and bird-watching. Wildlife seen in the area includes lion, leopard, aardwolf, striped hyena, eland, giraffe and bat-eared fox as well as flamingo on Lake Natron.
Tel: +254 (0)20 216 940 Fax: +254 (0)20 216 796 Email: kenya.reservations@fairmont.com www.fairmont.com At the heart of one of Kenya’s greatest national parks, The Ark provides a perfect vantage point to sit and quietly contemplate the beauty of its surroundings. Its biblical name is reflected in its wooden structure, accessible only via a drawbridge and offering cabin-style rooms located on different decks. The lodge overlooks the Yasabara saltlick waterhole – a natural magnet for local wildlife. The intimate dining room atmosphere is the culinary heart of The Ark, serving up a hearty menu of local and international favourites. Enhancing activities are ‘up-close’ and invigorating walking safaris, game drives, hang gliding and organised picnic lunches.
But in 1952 Treetops gained overnight renown as the place where Princess Elizabeth was staying when she learned of the death of her father, King George VI. Since then, for many, no visit to Kenya would be complete without experiencing the Treetops adventure. Treetops is currently involved in the Restore the Bush initiative to rehabilitate 125 hectares of Aberdare National Park. The 50-room Treetops offers comfortable beds in either a single or twin room with plentiful shared bathroom facilities. Two suites with their own bathrooms are also available. From the observation lounges, guests can view and photograph an exciting range of wildlife including rhino, elephant, bushbuck and even lion. Guests can arrange to be woken at night by the professional hunter when one of the ‘big five’ is in view and also book game drives into the Salient in 4x4 vehicles.
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From the comfort of the lodge itself, it is possible to view game ambling to and from two nearby waterholes throughout the day, with a vast canopy of billowing clouds scudding across the African sky above. There is a special hide for camera enthusiasts, enabling photographers to take close-up images of game animals that are quite oblivious to human presence. An underground tunnel allows visitors to view the game at close quarters during the day or night. There are 52 en-suite rooms, two restaurants, two bars and a stunning rock swimming pool. Voi Safari Lodge is located in the Tsavo East National Park about two and a half hours’ drive or 165 km from Mombasa.