🗺️ Overview
Tawi Lodge is a boutique luxury eco-safari lodge located in a private 3,000-acre conservancy adjacent to Amboseli National Park, Kenya. It blends understated elegance with a raw, immersive wilderness feel, offering spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, abundant wildlife sightings, and a tranquil atmosphere away from the busier parts of Amboseli.
It’s especially ideal for honeymooners, photographers, conservation-minded travelers, and those seeking luxury with minimal footprint.
📜 History & Concept
Tawi Lodge was developed with a vision to offer guests the freedom of a private conservancy experience while maintaining easy access to Amboseli National Park. The lodge is a strong proponent of sustainable tourism, integrating local Maasai community partnerships, green building practices, and wildlife conservation initiatives into its operation. It has earned accolades for its eco-design and conservation ethic, including from EcoTourism Kenya.
📍 Location & Accessibility
Coordinates: Southeast of Amboseli, near Kimana Gate
Conservancy: Tawi Conservancy (3,000 acres)
Distance to Amboseli NP: 10–15 minutes’ drive to the park boundary
🚗 How to Get There:
- By Road: ~4.5 hours from Nairobi via Emali-Loitoktok Road
- By Air: Daily flights from Nairobi Wilson to Amboseli Airstrip (approx. 45 minutes), followed by a 15-minute drive to the lodge
- By SGR Train: Nairobi to Emali Station, then 2.5–3 hours by road
Transfers can be arranged by the lodge on request.
🛏️ Accommodation: Room Types & Features
Tawi Lodge features 13 individual guest cottages, each built with wood, stone, and canvas, allowing guests to feel deeply connected to the surrounding landscape without sacrificing comfort.
Room Highlights (Standard Across All Units):
- Large private wooden deck verandas with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Open-plan en-suite bathrooms with bathtub and rain shower
- Fireplace for cozy evenings
- King-size or twin beds with luxury linen
- Mini-bar and tea/coffee station
- Robes, slippers, and organic toiletries
- In-room safe and 24-hour solar lighting
Each cottage is secluded for privacy, making it perfect for couples and honeymooners.
💰 2025 Rates & Packages (Per Person, Per Night)
🏷️ Accommodation (Full Board + Conservancy Activities)
| Season | Rate (Per Adult) | Child Rate (Aged 3–11) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Season (Jul–Sep, Dec 21–Jan 5) | $818 | 50% if sharing |
| Mid Season (Jan–Mar, Jun, Oct, Dec 1–20) | $684 | 50% if sharing |
| Low Season (Apr–May, Nov) | $540 | 50% if sharing |
🧒 Children under 3: Free
🏡 Exclusive Use: Group or family bookings can arrange to book multiple cottages or request special dining setups.
✅ Inclusions
- Full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- All drinks except premium wines/spirits
- Guided game drives in the Tawi Conservancy
- Night drives (exclusive to the conservancy)
- Sundowners, bush breakfasts, and bush dinners
- WiFi in common areas
- Laundry (limited)
- Government taxes and conservancy fees
❌ Exclusions
- Park entrance fees to Amboseli National Park
- Premium wines & imported alcoholic drinks
- Extra spa services
- Additional transfers (if not arranged in advance)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
🦁 Wildlife & Activities
Tawi Lodge offers access to both Amboseli National Park and its own private conservancy, allowing for a broader range of experiences than lodges inside the park.
🌿 Activities Offered:
- Day & Night Game Drives (private conservancy allows night drives)
- Guided Bush Walks with Maasai trackers
- Camel Rides around the conservancy
- Birdwatching – over 400 species recorded
- Sundowners in scenic locations
- Bush breakfasts/dinners arranged upon request
- Cultural Visits to Maasai communities
- Tree planting for conservation-minded guests
💆 Amenities & Facilities
| Amenity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming Pool | Infinity pool overlooking a watering hole |
| Spa & Wellness | Massages, reflexology, facials, pedicures |
| Bar & Lounge | Open-sided deck with fireplace and Kilimanjaro views |
| Library & Board Games | Small reading corner and lounge space |
| Gift Shop | Local crafts and branded lodge merchandise |
| Hot Tub | Open-air Jacuzzi near the spa area |
| Eco-Infrastructure | Solar power, greywater recycling, locally sourced building materials |
🌟 Guest Reviews Summary (Based on Common Feedback)
✅ Pros:
- Breathtaking Kilimanjaro views from every cottage
- Night game drives are a major highlight (not possible in Amboseli NP)
- Organic, locally sourced meals with fine-dining standards
- Exceptional service — personalized, warm, and attentive
- Tranquility and exclusivity with limited guest numbers
- Great for photographers, couples, and eco-conscious travelers
❌ Cons:
- No direct location inside Amboseli NP (though the gate is very close)
- Premium pricing compared to other lodges
- WiFi may be spotty in cottages (available in main areas)
- Limited group activities — better suited to couples or small private groups
❤️ Why Choose Tawi Lodge?
You should book Tawi Lodge if you’re looking for:
- A private, low-impact safari with exclusivity and quiet
- Eco-luxury with heart — where your stay supports local conservation and Maasai communities
- A mix of traditional safari activities and unique options like night drives, camel rides, and spa services
- A romantic escape with privacy and awe-inspiring scenery
It’s one of the few Amboseli lodges offering a private conservancy experience, which means off-road driving, walking safaris, and fewer crowds.
🧾 Quick Summary Comparison Table
| Feature | Tawi Lodge | Ol Tukai Lodge | Satao Elerai Camp | Serena Safari Lodge | Kilima Safari Camp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Tawi Conservancy (Private) | Inside Amboseli NP | Elerai Conservancy (Private) | Inside Amboseli NP | Near Kimana Gate |
| Mt. Kilimanjaro View | Full view from all cottages | Iconic view from most rooms | Panoramic view | Partial (some rooms) | Great view from upper rooms |
| Night Drives | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Walking Safaris | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Park Access | 15 mins to Kimana Gate | Inside park | 25 mins to park gate | Inside park | 3–5 mins to Kimana Gate |
| Private Conservancy | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Spa Services | ✅ Full-service spa | ✅ Massage & wellness | 🚫 Basic massages only | ✅ Spa & beauty treatments | ✅ Small spa |
| Swimming Pool | ✅ Yes (with waterhole view) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ 2 pools |
| Dining Style | Gourmet, farm-to-table | Buffet + themed dinners | Gourmet, private dining | Buffet with local flair | Buffet & a la carte |
| WiFi | Lobby/main area only | Lobby + rooms (varies) | Limited to lounge | Main areas + some rooms | Lobby + some rooms |
| Sustainability | 🥇 Eco-award winning | Green initiatives | Fully solar + conservation | Eco-certified | Basic green practices |
| Best For | Couples, eco-luxury, privacy | Families, photographers | Honeymooners, privacy seekers | Groups, mid-luxury travelers | Families, mid-range luxury |
💰 Price Comparison (2025 Estimates – Per Person, Full Board)
| Season | Tawi Lodge | Ol Tukai Lodge | Satao Elerai | Serena Lodge | Kilima Camp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $540 | $260 (rack) | $360–$400 | ~$280 | ~$250 |
| Mid/High | $684 | $290–$330 | $460–$500 | ~$310 | ~$280–$300 |
| Peak | $818 | $330–$360 | $560+ | ~$360 | ~$330 |
📝 Note: Satao Elerai and Tawi include conservancy activities, which add value for guests not just looking for park drives.
🏆 Who Should Stay Where?
| Traveler Type | Best Lodge | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Eco-Tourist | Tawi Lodge | Sustainability + comfort + private land |
| Photographer | Ol Tukai / Satao Elerai | Best Kilimanjaro + elephant vantage |
| Honeymooners | Tawi Lodge / Satao Elerai | Private, romantic, premium feel |
| Families with Kids | Ol Tukai / Kilima / Serena | Pools, buffets, proximity to park |
| Adventure Seekers | Tawi / Satao (for night walks) | Walking safaris, camel rides, sundowners |
| Budget-Conscious Luxury | Kilima Safari Camp / Serena Lodge | Lower price point with luxury touches |
🧭 Final Verdict
| Lodge | Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Tawi Lodge | Those wanting the best of privacy, eco-luxury, and diverse activities outside the crowds |
| Ol Tukai Lodge | Anyone wanting to be inside the park with epic elephant and Kilimanjaro views |
| Satao Elerai | Guests seeking a luxury retreat with meaningful conservation impact |
| Serena Lodge | Great all-rounder for groups, mid-range luxury, and first-time safari-goers |
| Kilima Camp | Affordable comfort with excellent views and family-friendly amenities |
📞 Contact & Booking Info
- Phone: +254 733 657 610
- Email: sales@tawilodge.com
- Location: Tawi Conservancy, near Kimana Gate, Amboseli
- Check-in: 12:00 PM | Check-out: 10:00 AM
🧭 Final Take
Tawi Lodge offers a perfect blend of luxury, intimacy, and adventure, with a conservation ethos at its core. It’s one of the few places in Amboseli where you can enjoy a five-star experience while also giving back to the ecosystem and communities that make this place so special.