Salt Lick Safari Lodge and the waterhole
Salt Lick is built on stilts above a floodlit waterhole, with rooms linked by raised walkways and an underground hide reached through a tunnel, which puts you at eye level with elephants just a few metres away. Wildlife comes to drink throughout the day and after dark, so the safari continues long after the last game drive.
The sanctuary’s other lodge, Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa, sits among gardens at the foot of the hills and is the base for the World War I museum. Many safaris lunch at one and sleep at the other.
Game drives and night drives
Game drives in the sanctuary cross open savannah and acacia bush against the backdrop of the Taita Hills, which rise above 2,000 metres and keep the area greener than much of Tsavo. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, lion and many antelope are seen regularly, and night game drives offer the chance of nocturnal animals such as bushbabies, genets and hyenas.
Many coast safaris begin with a game drive in Ngutuni Sanctuary on the edge of Tsavo East before arriving in the Taita Hills, which adds a second wildlife area to a short trip.
World War I in East Africa
The Taita Hills were a front line in the East African campaign of World War I, where British and German forces fought between 1914 and 1916; the Battle of Salaita Hill took place nearby. Trenches and fortifications can still be found in the area, and the museum at Taita Hills Safari Resort tells the story with maps, photographs and artefacts.
For travellers interested in history, it adds a fascinating layer to a safari that most people take simply for the wildlife.
Questions travelers ask
How far is the Taita Hills from Mombasa?
About three to four hours by road, so a one- or two-night safari from Mombasa, Diani or the north coast fits easily into a beach holiday.
What is special about Salt Lick Safari Lodge?
It is built on stilts above a floodlit waterhole, with an underground hide at eye level with the animals, so you can watch elephants and other wildlife drinking day and night without leaving the lodge.
Is the Taita Hills sanctuary part of Tsavo?
It is a private sanctuary between Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and wildlife moves freely between it and the national parks.
Can you do a night game drive in the Taita Hills?
Yes. As a private sanctuary, night drives are allowed, offering a chance to see nocturnal animals rarely met during the day.
