Aberdares
- The Ark
Opened in November 1969 The Ark overlooks the Yasabara waterhole, perhaps the largest salt-lick in the Aberdare Mountains and the haunt of a variety of forest game unequalled in Africa. This tree-lodge is uniquely shaped to resemble the actual Ark, designed with decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for viewing the animals visiting the salt-lick and waterhole. A ground-level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities, and the Yasabara waterhole is floodlit by night to enable all-night viewing of game. A "Resident Hunter" is always on hand to elucidate on the wildlife and landscape.
Access to vehicles is limited to conserve and protect the environment which hosts wildlife such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, bush bucks, giant forest hogs, Sykes monkey, leopard, and bongo. After lunch at The Aberdare Country Club guests take a 45-minute game drive within the National Park arriving at The Ark in time for afternoon tea. - The Treetops Hotel
Treetops is the most famous game viewing lodge in the world. It overlooks a water hole and salt lick, high in the Aberdare National Park Salient. Solely dedicated to game viewing, the accommodation is compact and cosy.
From the comfortable lounge which features picture windows and trees growing through the building, this original tree lodge is legendary for its historical royal connection. In February 1952, Treetops is where Princess Elizabeth became Queen on learning of the death of her father, King George VI. This four decks lodge, rising straight out of the ground on stilts has a rooftop viewing platform. The platform provides a breath taking view of the visiting rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, bushbuck, waterbuck and many other species.
The excitement of Treetops stems from the fact that although the animals realize you exist they still approach fearlessly. Not only is this the closest you can get to wildlife, but it makes a welcome change to have animals come to you instead of the other way round.
Is world famous for its historical royal connection. Princess Elizabeth learnt of her father King George V death while on her honeymoon at Treetops.
It is also famous for game viewing and has been patronize by famous dignitaries from around the world including several heads of state. - Mountain Lodge
Located at 2,194 metres on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Serena Mountain Lodge is surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds that make the African bush so special and exhilarating.
Considered the most spectacular forest waterhole in the Aberdares, the lodge’s waterhole presents a constant ballet of wildlife.
Just two and a half hours by car from Nairobi, this stunning area is towered over by the rocky peaks of Mount Kenya and prides itself in having one of the most consistently high records of big game ‘visits’ and sightings. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and waterbuck are regular sights on the evening and day game drives.
At any other time of the day you can spot game in the specially-constructed viewing bunker that is connected to the lodge by a short tunnel. Here you will get spectacularly close to the animals that feed at the waterhole. The lodge has 42 attractive bedrooms furnished with indigenous wood and African art, each with private bathroom. A spacious verandah also overlooks the waterhole where there is never a dull moment. Arrangements can be made for forest walks that are a unique experience with their on-foot sightings of game and bird life. These walks can even be prolonged to the top of Mount Kenya for the very daring and sporty. - Aberdare Country Club
Nestling on the slopes of Kamatongu Hill, the cottages of the Aberdare Country Club offer splendid views of the plains below with the Aberdare range of mountains to the West and Mt Kenya to the East. Originally the private residence of a wealthy English family, the house was called “Steep”, the main building consisting of the present dining room, lounge and bar, built in the early 30’s with a total of 6 bedrooms.
The Club now has 46 guest rooms, and is situated on 1,300 acres of now electrically fenced private land, home to several species of plains game. To be found in this beautiful sanctuary are eland, waterbuck, giraffe, zebra, impala, ostrich, warthog, bush pig and two leopards. The Aberdare Country Club is a haven of unhurried charm, set in gardens bursting with the profuse colour of over one hundred species of flowers. Tables are scattered, and the numerous birdbaths dotting the grounds are visited by many different varieties of birds.
The Club has a total of 46 en-suite rooms, of which 19 are double bedded and 29 are twin bedded. 38 of the guest rooms are in cottages with 2 bedrooms with interconnecting doors. Most guest rooms have fireplaces. Some of the guest rooms can be converted to triples. 9 extra beds are available. “Honeysuckle Cottage” set above the main building comprises of one double-bedded room, one twin-bedded room and one single room, in a cottage on its own, with two separate bathrooms.
Each room is furnished with bedside tables, dressing tables, built-in wardrobes, rugs, coffee tables and lounge chairs; telephone; water flasks and drinking glasses; umbrella; tea and coffee making facilities; bible. Each bathroom has 115\240 v shaving socket; shower stall, separate bathtub, washbasin and flush toilets. Room 1 and rooms 7 to 17 have baths with shower attachments (no separate shower stalls); shampoo, bath and shower gel; freshly laundered towels; hot and cold running water.
