It’s become a tradition to travel somewhere special to celebrate my birthday. This year, we took the celebrations to Tawi Lodge, a beautiful oasis situated just outside Amboseli National Park. We have visited Amboseli before and had such a wonderful experience.
When I said I would jump at the opportunity to revisit, I meant every word! It remains one of my favourite safari experiences in Kenya to date.
With a public holiday creating a perfect three-day weekend, we decided to extend the birthday celebrations, and I was thrilled when Mark secured last-minute availability at Tawi Lodge.
Getting to Tawi Lodge, Amboseli
We left Nairobi on Saturday morning and enjoyed a smooth 4-hour drive to the lodge. For those preferring train travel, the SGR to Emali Station is an alternative option, followed by a two-hour drive that the lodge can arrange.
However, driving worked perfectly for us. We enjoyed gorgeous views of the Kenyan countryside and those of Mount Kilimanjaro, which lay majestically ahead of us as we got closer to our destination.
As with our previous visit, we spotted some wildlife along the way, a magical experience that never grows old. To our delight, we also discovered a large sunflower field off the highway. We drove directly to the lodge first to settle in, but made sure to return to the sunflower field later. It proved to be such a beautiful stop, and the photos turned out wonderfully.
First Impressions of Tawi Lodge, Amboseli
Upon arrival at the lodge, we received a warm welcome, complete with refreshing drinks and a helpful briefing from the staff before being shown to our cottage. Due to availability, we experienced two different accommodations during our stay: a standard cottage and a suite. Both were beautifully furnished and provided exactly the splendid experience we were hoping for.
The best part, all room types in Tawi Lodge seemed to have views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the savannah. We could see the majestic mountain, zebras and giraffes right from the porch and bathtub!
After settling in, we headed out to the common lounge area for lunch. It was a tasty three-course meal, and once we were done, we sat by the pool watching wildlife come and go at the waterhole. We could have gone for a quick evening drive, however we chose to enjoy our time at the lodge leisurely.
Our choice paid off when a tower of giraffes came by. It was such an exciting sighting for me, because as you know, giraffes are my favourite wildlife. First came one, which was already a splendid sighting, then two, and before I knew it, there were over 10 giraffes in the area!
Watching Wildlife at Tawi Lodge Waterhole…
I have been on several safaris, and I have never seen this many giraffes concentrated in a single place. We were visiting Amboseli at the end of the rainy season, so I didn’t expect much wildlife viewing from the lodge’s waterhole. This was a most pleasant surprise.
Later, as dusk came in, we headed to the restaurant for dinner, which featured a splendid three-course meal as well. I half expected the staff to ‘surprise me’ with a birthday cake, since they had asked if we were celebrating any special occasion, but that didn’t happen.
It didn’t ruin the dining experience, though it is the kind of attention to detail I would expect from a luxury lodge. Regardless, we enjoyed our meals, and the tiramisu dessert was the perfect ending.
After our hearty dinner, we returned to our cottage and settled in for the night. The next morning, we signed up for a guided safari in the park. Amboseli National Park allows self-drive game drives, which was what we did last time. This time around, we opted to be chauffeured in a proper safari vehicle, deciding we could do a self-drive later in the day.
Morning Safari at Amboseli National Park
Going with the guide was a great choice. It didn’t take long after we entered the park to spot our first large herd of elephants. Henry informed us that the elephants make their way to a nearby swamp twice daily.
Just like with the giraffes, I have never seen this many elephants in a single place. I had read that Amboseli is famous for large elephant herds, but I never imagined seeing this many. It was outstanding!
As we drove around the park, we saw a few other animals, however, it was the large elephant herds that dominated the landscape. We were also thrilled to get a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The last time we were here, the mountain was completely shrouded in clouds. So far, we had been treated to stunning views along the journey, at the lodge and now in the park. We even got to see the famous Amboseli scene in real life: elephants against a backdrop of the mountain! Safe to say, it was a successful outing.
Back to Tawi Lodge…
Back at the lodge, we settled down for a late breakfast before switching to our new room, which was just the epitome of luxury! The room was large, with a spacious bathroom. The porch had a plunge pool and overlooked a waterhole.
Tawi Lodge Suites…
We didn’t have to wait long to spot our first wildlife, as a few giraffes were the first arrivals. Later on, we would watch impalas, warthogs, wildebeests and a variety of birds come by, right from the comfort of the bed and bathtub!
Given our comfortable new surroundings, the afternoon self-drive took a backseat as we enjoyed the facilities of our room. It was the most relaxing afternoon.
But you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and what a good time we had at Tawi Lodge! From the elephant herds in the park to the giraffe tower at the lodge’s waterhole, from our cosy cottage to the luxurious suite, every single moment met our expectations.
Once again, Amboseli was a delight to visit, and I would say if I get a chance to revisit, I will certainly take it!
Let’s end with some FAQs:
Is Amboseli Worth Visiting?
Yes, I would say that it is, especially if you’re interested in elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro views. If you are an international visitor, it is worth considering a combination of other parks like Masai Mara or Tsavo for a complete Big Five experience.
What is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park?
The best time to visit Amboseli National Park is during the dry season from June to October and January to February. During these months, wildlife gather around water sources, making animals easier to spot, and you’ll have clearer views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The dry season also offers better road conditions and less rainfall, ideal for game drives and photography.
What animals can you see in Amboseli National Park?
Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds (over 1,000 elephants), offering some of the best elephant viewing in Africa. You can also see lions, cheetahs, leopards, cape buffalo, Maasai giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, spotted hyenas, and over 400 bird species.
How far is Amboseli National Park from Nairobi?
Amboseli National Park is approximately 240 kilometres from Nairobi, taking about 4-5 hours by road. You can also fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Amboseli Airstrip in under an hour, or take the SGR train to Emali Station, followed by a 2-hour road transfer. Tawi Lodge can arrange this transfer on your behalf at a cost.
Can you see Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park?
Yes, Amboseli offers the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Kenya. The snow-capped peak of Africa’s highest mountain (5,895m) provides a stunning backdrop for wildlife photography. However, Kilimanjaro is often cloud-covered, so you’ll need to time your visit properly.
How much does it cost to visit Amboseli National Park?
International visitors typically pay $60 per day, while Kenyan residents and citizens pay 860 ksh (~$7). The fees must be paid via the eCitizen website. You may visit the KWS website via this link
Is Tawi Lodge located inside Amboseli National Park?
No, Tawi Lodge is located on a private 6,000-acre conservancy just 5-10 minutes from Kimana Gate, the eastern entrance to Amboseli National Park.
Until next time!
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. If you’ve been to Amboseli National Park or stayed at Tawi Lodge, I’d love to hear about your experience. Please feel free to share it in the comments below! Also, if you’re planning a trip and have questions, drop them in the comments section, and I’ll be happy to help!
