Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge was built from local volcanic stone beneath the green slopes of the Chyulu Hills and was one of the first lodges in Kenya’s national parks. In 2018, it became Kenya’s first fully solar-powered lodge and earned a Gold Eco-Rating from Ecotourism Kenya.
At its heart is a waterhole where wildlife comes and goes throughout the day. Elephants arrive with their young, buffalo come down to drink and giraffes wander past, all in view of the dining terrace. On clear days, the snowy dome of Mount Kilimanjaro rises on the horizon.
Buffet meals in the central dining room use fresh ingredients from communities around Tsavo, with Kenyan favourites such as nyama choma and sukuma wiki alongside barbecue grills and Mongolian stir-fry. The stone-built bar looks out across the Chyulu Hills.
Mornings can begin with breakfast on Lion Rock, a volcanic outcrop once used as a lookout by Tsavo’s infamous man-eating lions. Evenings can end there too, with sundowners as the plains turn gold. Between game drives, there’s a swimming pool, a garden sundeck and Maisha Spa treatments.
ACCOMMODATION
Rooms are spread across three wings: a two-storey block facing the waterhole, a cluster of stone cottages and a private suite enclave. Interiors pair stone and wood with earthy tones and locally inspired details, and every room opens onto a private balcony overlooking the waterhole or the Chyulu Hills. The Kilaguni Suite enjoys the lodge’s highest vantage point, with a separate sitting room and a bathroom with both a bath and a shower. Family and interconnecting rooms are available on request, and all rooms have mosquito nets and ceiling fans.
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge lies in Tsavo West National Park, beneath the Chyulu Hills with Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon. It is about 280 km from Nairobi, roughly four hours by road, and around 240 km from Mombasa, so it pairs easily with a stay on the coast. Flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport take about an hour and land at an airstrip less than one kilometre from the lodge. Mzima Springs and the Shetani lava flows are both close enough for a morning excursion.
Speak to a specialist for availability and pricing.
