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Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge

About Tawi Lodge

Opened in 2009, Tawi Lodge is an independent luxury safari lodge with individual cottages located in the ...

... Amboseli ecosystem. The lodge is located 4km outside the eastern Kimana Gate of Amboseli National Park, in its own 6,000 acre Kilitome Conservancy, where the lodge's guests have exclusive game driving and walking rights.

This small, smart, very professionally run lodge, has beautifully landscaped gardens and very good food. The management and staff are very friendly and attentive, and we found the spacious cottages very comfortable, and the lawns, planted areas and ponds at the heart of the property highly attractive. Tawi is a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the African bush.

Our view

This small, smart, very professionally run lodge, has beautifully landscaped gardens and very good food. The management and staff are very friendly and attentive, and we found the spacious cottages very comfortable, and the lawns, planted areas and ponds at the heart of the property highly attractive. Tawi is a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the African bush.

Parita Masani

Parita Masani

Country manager: Kenya

Accommodation

13 cottages

Children

Best for 10+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Tawi Lodge

13 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


95%
13 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
10
Good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Dr. TVHfromLos Angeles

Arrived 4 Mar 2025, 2 nights

"Tawi Lodge"

"Incredibly friendly and gracious staff. Excellent meals with plenty of options. …" Read Dr. TVH’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

PEfromUSA

Arrived 1 Feb 2025, 5 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"Everything was great. I saw Craig and many maternal herds. It was amazing! …" Read PE’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Jack BfromGuildford

Arrived 30 Jan 2025, 2 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"The real highlight for me,was when my guide, Tom, found Craig,the famous tusker. …" Read Jack B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

S.fromGermany

Arrived 9 Dec 2024, 3 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"A very nice and cozy lodge in Amboseli. Lots of sightings in the National Park. …" Read S.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

RichardfromLondon

Arrived 6 Oct 2024, 2 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"Excellent rooms, grounds and facilities …" Read Richard’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

A&L PolofromUSA

Arrived 26 Dec 2023, 3 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"The staff is friendly and hospitable. …" Read A&L Polo’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

GoodyfromManchester

Arrived 18 Nov 2023, 3 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"Beautiful resort. The cottage was fabulous with great views of Kilimanjaro. …" Read Goody’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs R. fromChicago

Arrived 22 Oct 2023, 2 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"Tawi Lodge was just beautiful …" Read Mr & Mrs R. ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Ms BfromFlorida, US

Arrived 12 Oct 2023, 3 nights

"Tawi Lodge review"

"we were incredibly lucky to have clear views of the mountain on two days …" Read Mr & Ms B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Lucy & RichardfromLondon

Arrived 10 Jan 2022, 3 nights

"Elephant heaven beneath Kilimanjaro"

"Elephant heaven beneath Kilimanjaro …" Read Lucy & Richard’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Tawi Lodge reviews

Tawi Lodge: Our full report

Opened in 2009, Tawi Lodge is an independent luxury safari lodge with individual cottages located in the ...

... Amboseli ecosystem. The lodge is located 4km outside the eastern Kimana Gate of Amboseli National Park, in its own 6,000 acre Kilitome Conservancy, where the lodge's guests have exclusive game driving and walking rights.

Tawi Lodge’s stylish and very welcoming central areas are based around a large, thatched, two-storey building where the reception, lounge, bar, dining area and gift shop are located. Stairs lead upstairs to a viewing deck with comfy sofas and a small library. Outside, under a large covered veranda, is the dining area with pale green upholstered chairs around individual tables. The main building sits in verdant gardens and ponds, overflowing with local plants and trees - a proper oasis in this relatively dry region, and a big attraction for bird and insect life which is ever-present in the grounds. Across the well-kept lawn is a swimming pool, with a smaller kiddies’ pool beside it. On a clear day, you will get uninterrupted views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro – the amount of snow varying with recent rainfall in the area.

The 13 cottages at Tawi are individual terracotta coloured thatched cottages, accessed along a network of gravel footpaths meandering amongst indigenous plants. Although each cottage is constructed of brick and thatch, part of the front wall of each cottage, including the “door” and “windows” is made of canvas, which means it can be completely opened up to make the most of the views. The rooms are comfortable and stylish. Each room has dark wooden floors and either double or twin chunky wooden four-poster beds, surrounded by a mosquito net, as well as comfy armchairs around a fireplace. Through a door is the spacious bathroom with twin basins, a large freestanding bath and spacious shower, with a door leading outside. Toiletries are provided. Outside each room is a private wooden deck, with directors’ chairs and sunbeds, with views over the bush and (cloud cover permitting) Kilimanjaro beyond.

Tawi also has a small spa where you can be pampered between activities. A waterhole in front of the lodge is a great attraction for elephant, impala, zebra, kudu and lots of other local wildlife. The lodge even has two very friendly rescue donkeys which roam around the property.

The whole lodge is surrounded by an unobtrusive electric fence to deter intrusion by elephants and buffalos.

Activities at Tawi include bush walks and game drives, including night drives. The walks in the conservancy are rewarding and Amboseli National Park is only a 15-minute drive away, making it easy to be flexible about your activities which are, by default, conducted on a shared basis with other guests. It’s also possible to visit a local Maasai village at an additional cost.

Geographics

Location
Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
3–4 nights
Directions
Tawi Lodge is one hour drive from Amboseli Airstrip.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
When we last visited we found the food here to be very tasty and imaginative. Each day’s lunch and dinner menus are posted up on a blackboard in the dining area.

For lunch we had a cold cucumber shot served with crackers. The rest of lunch is served buffet-style and we helped ourselves to a selection of pizzas – salami and cheese and tomato and cheese. There was also a green salad, tomato and basil salad and a bean salad. This was finished off with a mango surprise.

Dinner usually consists of a starter, a choice of two main courses and a dessert. We had a delicious starter with asparagus and hollandaise sauce. The main course was either a fish or meat dish. We opted for a sirloin steak with garlic butter and jacket potatoes, served with orange and ginger carrots and green beans. This was followed by a very tasty chocolate dessert.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included
Drinks are included except for premium drinks

Children

Attitude towards children
The lodge accepts children from 2 years old.
Special activities & services
The pool is a great attraction for children in the hot season, but there is no lifeguard so parents need to be vigilant.
Equipment
Baby cots and high chairs are available.
Generally recommended for children
Although the lodge is fenced to deter larger animals, smaller animals are still found in the lodge grounds. Parents need to supervise their children at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Tawi Lodge

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Tawi Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Wildebeest

92% success

Spotted Hyena

82% success

Gerenuk

73% success

Hippo

70% success

Eland

63% success

Lion

60% success

Cheetah

40% success

Leopard

10% success

Oryx

10% success

Pangolin

10% success

Aardvark

0% success

Striped Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
The lighting and water is solar-operated. There is a generator as a back-up.
Communications
Wi-Fi is available only in the lounge (not in the rooms).
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Filtered drinking water is provided at meals and in the cottages.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Dangerous animals
Moderate Risk
Security measures
The camp is fenced, although smaller animals such as antelope are still able to get in. Askaris (guards) are on duty to walk guests to their rooms after dark.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers and sand buckets at each cottage and in the main areas.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included in the rate and returned within 12 hours depending on the weather. Ladies’ underwear is not included for cultural reasons.
Money
At the foot of the bed in each room is a large chest with a padlock. Valuables should be stored here and guests keep the key during their stay.
Accepted payment on location
All credit cards are accepted except for Amex. Cash in Kenya shillings, US dollars and euros is accepted.

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Tawi Lodge's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Tawi Lodge.


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When to go to Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Tawi Lodge in Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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