Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Imagine a private wilderness where wildlife gathers at a floodlit waterhole right beneath your room, where you can stay in a lodge built on stilts above the plains, and where game drives roam free of the crowds — this is the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Kenya’s most exclusive and rewarding safari destinations. Nestled between the vast expanses of Tsavo East and Tsavo West, this private 28,000-acre reserve offers an intimate, luxurious alternative to the busier public parks — a hidden gem where exceptional wildlife meets warm hospitality and unforgettable scenery.

As a private sanctuary, Taita Hills offers a safari experience that the larger parks simply can’t match. With far fewer vehicles and the freedom of off-the-beaten-track game viewing, visitors enjoy a sense of seclusion and exclusivity, often with the wildlife entirely to themselves. The sanctuary supports an impressive diversity of animals, including elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope, and over 300 species of birds, all thriving across its varied landscape of open plains, acacia woodland, and seasonal wetlands.

The crown jewel of the sanctuary is the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge — one of Africa’s most architecturally unique lodges. Built as a cluster of thatched towers raised high on stilts and connected by elevated walkways, the lodge rises above a natural waterhole and salt lick that draws a constant procession of wildlife. From your balcony or the dining areas, you can watch elephant, buffalo, and antelope gather just below — often at eye level — while a floodlit waterhole offers extraordinary game viewing late into the night. It is a setting so magical it feels almost dreamlike, found nowhere else in Kenya.

Beyond the wildlife, Taita Hills is rich in atmosphere and history. The surrounding Taita Hills rise dramatically from the plains, cloaked in mist and home to rare endemic birds and lush cloud forest, while the sanctuary itself carries echoes of the colonial and wartime past of this storied region. Sundowner drives, guided bush walks, and visits to the nearby hills add depth and variety to every stay, making Taita Hills as much an experience as a destination.

Perfectly positioned on the route between the Tsavo parks and Kenya’s coast, the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal addition to a bush-and-beach safari, blending exclusive game viewing with effortless comfort. Whether you’re watching elephants gather beneath your stilted lodge, drifting to sleep to the sounds of the African night, or exploring a private wilderness all your own, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary offers a safari experience of rare intimacy and charm.

At Savanna Sojourns Safaris, we’ll bring this exclusive sanctuary to life — with expert guides, iconic lodges, and a journey crafted around your perfect Kenyan adventure.