TAWI LODGE – TAWI CONSERVANCY – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Tawi Lodge is a Gold rated eco-friendly Lodge located just 5 minutes’ drive from Kimana Gate and set within its own private conservancy which borders Amboseli National Park.  This luxurious lodge has just 13 cottages all with the most amazing view over to Mount Kilimanjaro.

The main area is thatched and overlook an oasis of green – its grounds are stunning with well-kept grassy lawns and shady trees looking out to the swimming pool and water hole beyond.  Sit and watch the wildlife at the waterhole during breakfast and lunch from the open veranda with Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance – it is easy to linger longer over a cold drink or coffee.  The lodge is beautifully furnished throughout with comfortable seating areas, bar, library and restaurant overlooking the grounds and pool.

European influenced chefs will use some of the lodge’s fresh organically grown produce and the local community’s products to offer you a blend of African-Swahili and European gourmet 3 course lunches and 4 course dinners.  If you would prefer – the lodge is happy to set up a private candlelit dinner on your veranda or secret spot in the lodge grounds.

LOCATION

Tawi Lodge is located on a 6,000 acre private conservancy just 5 minutes from Kimana Gate, the eastern entrance to Amboseli National Park in Kenya.  Access is by light aircraft either to Amboseli Airstrip or Tawi Airstrip, or a 4 hour drive from Nairobi.

LODGE

Each cottage has its own wooden-deck veranda and a fabulous view of the highest mountain in Africa – even from the comfort of your bed or your bathtub. The double or twin cottages all have comfortable beds swathed in mosquito netting with large ensuite bathrooms fitted with a large Victorian bath and shower.  The cottages have a seating area fireplace, and mini bar. Lighting and water systems are solar powered.

The water hole is visible from the main lodge and dining room and there is a choice of 2 bars, 4 lounge areas with comfortable sofas and safari chairs, a swimming pool and a spa. Sit and watch elephants, zebra, Impala, kudus, gerenuk and the local wildlife come to drink and enjoy some of the 400+ bird species in the Amboseli ecosystem in the lodge grounds.

Before and after dinner you can relax by the campfire or at the very special “mobile” bush bar and listen to the magical sounds of Africa under the spectacular starry sky.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Amboseli’s delicate and beautiful ecosystem displays a magnificent variety of wildlife, with more than 50 mammal species.  The elephants in Amboseli are also considered to be among the biggest in the country and mainly enjoy the swamps areas.  The park has a large resident population of wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, buffalo, warthog, black rhino, Maasai giraffe, impala, waterbuck and dik-dik, gerenuk, baboons and vervet monkeys.

Lions, spotted hyenas, wild cats, jackals and caracals represent the carnivores. Cheetah and leopards are not so common. Birding is superb with approximately 400 species present in the park including pelican, flamingo, kingfisher, African fish eagle, ibis, secretary bird, crowned crane, grey and Goliath herons, cattle egret, black-winged stilt, little grebe, Egyptian goose, martial eagle, pigmy falcon, Maasai ostrich, marabou stork, white-backed vulture, lappet-faced vulture, yellow-necked spurfowl, kori bustard, hornbills and many others. The swamp area attracts a big population of water birds after the rains.

Tawi conservancy is the last existing free and protected corridor between the Amboseli and Chyulu ecosystems.  Since its inception with its anti-poaching initial mission, Big Life has expanded to employ hundreds of Maasai rangers—with more than 40 permanent outposts and tent-based field units, 13 vehicles, tracker dogs, and aerial surveillance—protecting 2 million acres of wilderness in the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem of East Africa.  Just by staying at Tawi you contribute towards this work.

Camel rides – the camel’s slow lanky walk is to the tune of Africa. A perfect way to see the amazing landscape from a slightly different perspective while getting into the relaxed rhythm leading to a perfect sundowner in front of the plains and the Kilimanjaro.

Nature walks – a late afternoon walk is an exciting way to get very close to nature. See, touch and if you are brave, sometimes taste flora. You will see the bird’s nests and hear them from up close, herds of impala and zebra run away, surprised by the encounter. The Maasai guides spot all wildlife without fail before anyone else enabling discreet approaches that are “close enough”.

Day/night game drives – the guides are all local Maasai who contribute their ancestral fauna, flora and general wildlife knowledge to their minimum bronze rating certification. They love sharing their knowledge about the Amboseli ecosystem, wildlife, birdlife and the Masai culture.

Bush Meals – set out on early morning walk or game drive. Arrive at a beautiful shady location for a delicious bush breakfast or picnic lunch – a fantastic way to explore the bush and dine in the shadows of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Sundowners – in the cool of the evening your guide will lead you to a beautiful spot for chilled sundowners overlooking the Amboseli landscapes.

TAWI LODGE IS OPEN YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ANY AGE