Voi Safari Lodge occupies a hilltop on the face of a cliff in the eastern section of Tsavo East National Park, about ten kilometres from the town of Voi. Opened in November 1967, it is one of the first hotels established in this part of the park and a member of Kenya Safari Lodges & Hotels.

Why stay at Voi Safari Lodge

The lodge stands out for its vantage point overlooking the plains: from the rooms, restaurant or pool, you can observe herds coming to drink at the water holes below. An underground corridor built beneath the main building allows you to approach wildlife up close, at eye level, for photography without being seen. Tsavo East is home to Kenya's largest elephant population, which makes this observation post particularly active.

The lodge also serves as a logical stopover between Nairobi and the coast of Mombasa, making it a relevant stop on itineraries combining safari and beach.

Architecture and atmosphere

The main building features a hinge-like form that follows the contours of the cliff face. The restaurant, spherical and in African style, stands out with its exposed wooden beams and a large lateral opening that frames the park's landscapes. The pool, carved directly into the rock, extends this philosophy of integration with the site. The entire complex emphasizes proximity to the bush rather than standardised hotel comfort.

Rooms

The lodge has 53 rooms distributed throughout the hinge-shaped building, all facing towards the Tsavo East plains. Depending on configuration, you can have twin, double or triple beds. Each room includes a private bathroom with toiletries and hair dryer, a seating area, a small desk and electric fans. A refrigerator and coffee/tea machine can be provided upon request. WiFi covers all rooms.

Dining, bars and services

The restaurant offers à la carte service as well as buffets. It is possible to order a packed lunch for a picnic or arrange a meal in the bush, particularly at the foot of Mudanda Rock where breakfast and dinner under the stars are often held.

The lodge has three bars: one on the terrace, one by the pool and the Hyrax bar, reserved for private receptions. A conference room with a capacity of 30 to 50 people hosts professional events. Entertainment options include board games, traditional dance and music performances, acrobatic shows and evenings around a campfire.

Safaris and exploration

The lodge's guides organise outings into Tsavo East. In addition to elephants, the park is home to giraffes, impalas, gazelles, zebras, buffalo, lions, leopards and cheetahs. Several remarkable sites are accessible from the lodge:

• Mudanda Rock, with its natural dam below where elephants gather daily.
• Lugards Falls, where the Galana River weaves through a series of channels carved into striped rock.
• The Yatta Plateau, which stretches for approximately 300 km: it is the longest known lava flow on Earth.
• The Aruba Dam, another wildlife observation point.

Access and location

The lodge is located approximately 10 km from the town of Voi, within the park. From Mombasa (160 km), access is via the Bachuma gate then via the Aruba Dam. From Nairobi (360 km), entry is via Voi Gate or Manyani Gate. An airstrip is located 4 km from the lodge for charter flight passengers; shuttle transfers can be arranged.

Nearby in Kenya

To extend or begin an itinerary, several establishments complement a stay in Tsavo well:

• Hotel Papillon Lagoon Reef on the south coast, to combine safari and beach.
• Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, to extend the circuit towards the Rift Valley.
• Hillpark Hotel or Karen Inn Hotel in Nairobi for a night before or after the safari.
• 67 Airport Hotel, convenient for arrivals and departures at Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

To build a complete itinerary including Tsavo East, consult our Kenya trips.