Ashnil Aruba Lodge is a 40-room safari lodge set on the banks of Aruba Dam, in Tsavo East National Park. Opened in 2008 by Ashnil Hotels Ltd, a Kenyan group with four decades of hospitality experience, the property takes its name from the waterhole that shapes the entire surrounding landscape: a vital resource for local wildlife, and one of the park's finest observation points.

Why stay here

The lodge's principal appeal lies in its location. Aruba Dam attracts elephants, buffalo, antelopes and water birds year-round, and rooms overlook this waterhole directly. You observe wildlife from your balcony without leaving the lodge. Tsavo East National Park, one of Kenya's largest, is home to over 500 bird species and the renowned population of elephants whose coats are stained rust-red by laterite soil.

The lodge suits families (connecting rooms and triple bedrooms available) as well as couples, and offers two rooms adapted for guests with reduced mobility—a configuration still rare in Kenyan safari lodges.

Atmosphere

The setting blends hotel comfort with African inspiration: warm colours, local motifs, dark wood furnishings. Common areas revolve around the pool and an open terrace overlooking the dam, where guests naturally gather for a drink in late afternoon to watch animals coming to drink. The rhythm follows that of safari life: early departures, return for brunch, siesta, then an evening game drive.

Rooms

The lodge comprises in total:

• 40 rooms, of which 8 with connecting doors
• 4 triple rooms (including 1 connecting)
• 6 luxury tents
• 2 rooms adapted for guests with reduced mobility

Each room features a private balcony with views over Aruba Dam. The African-inspired décor, in warm tones and local patterns, sets the mood without veering into pastiche.

Services and amenities

• Restaurant accommodating up to 150 guests, international cuisine and African dishes, special dietary options available upon request
• Bar and lounge in the main building
• Outdoor pool
• Wellness centre with spa
• Free wifi throughout the property
• Room service, free parking, airport shuttle on request
• Gift shop

Game drives are organised by the lodge with English-speaking local guides. Prioritise early morning and late afternoon outings—the most active periods for wildlife.

Location

The lodge sits within Tsavo East National Park, on the banks of Aruba Dam, 30 km from Voi Gate and 40 km from Buchuma Gate. Allow roughly 2 hours' drive from Mombasa and 4 to 5 hours from Nairobi (approximately 400 km). Access is typically by 4x4 vehicle as part of a safari circuit, occasionally by charter flight to Voi airstrip.

When to visit

Tsavo East is worth visiting year-round, but two windows stand out for safari:

• June to October: dry season, wildlife concentrated around waterholes (including Aruba Dam), optimal visibility.
• January to March: short dry season, high temperatures, excellent bird migration passages.

The long rains (April–May) make certain tracks difficult; the short rains (November) are more manageable and offer lush landscapes.

Nearby

Tsavo East often links to other safari or beach stages:

• Tsavo West and its Mzima Springs, west of the park
• Mombasa coast and Diani beaches, roughly 2 hours' drive away
• Amboseli, further northwest, to combine with a stay facing Mount Kilimanjaro—see the AA Amboseli Lodge or Amboseli Sopa Lodge
• Samburu Reserve to the north, another playground of the same hotel chain: Ashnil Samburu Camp

For a transit stop before or after your safari, the 67 Airport Hotel in Nairobi remains convenient.

Planning your Kenya safari

Tsavo East fits naturally into a Kenyan circuit combining several parks and the coast. To build an itinerary matching your pace and interests, explore our Kenya journeys.