3 Days 2 Nights To Sarova Saltlick And Taita Hills

Sarova Salt Lick is one of Kenya’s most unusual safari lodges, with its rooms set high above a waterhole in the Taita Hills. You get two nights of full-board accommodation, three game drives, and a private vehicle journey from Nairobi, all wrapped into a compact safari.

I like the waterhole views, which let you watch animal activity without sitting in a vehicle. I also like the chance to request a van or Land Cruiser, plus the thoughtful service shown by birthday room decoration and a cake arranged for one family.

The main drawback is the long first and final driving days. Nairobi to the lodge takes about six hours, and the price of $929.24 per person is a serious outlay for just two nights, especially since drinks, tips, and the return lunch are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A six-hour road journey links Nairobi with Taita Hills, so this is best for people who accept long transfers in exchange for a short safari.
• Three game drives are included, an evening drive on arrival, a full morning drive on Day 2, and another morning drive before departure.
• The lodge overlooks a waterhole, giving you wildlife viewing time even when you are not in the vehicle.
• Full board covers two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners, with water supplied during the safari.
• The tour is private, so only your own group takes part, with transport in either a van or Land Cruiser.
• A skilled ranger can make a major difference, and Alfred Chilango is specifically named as one of the safari guides.

Why Salt Lick makes a memorable base

The appeal here is not only the animals. Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge is built around the safari setting, with accommodation overlooking a waterhole and the broad Tsavo plains. That gives you two ways to spend your time: watching for wildlife from the lodge or heading out for a drive through the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

I like this arrangement because a safari does not stop when the vehicle returns. You can have lunch, rest by the pool, and still keep an eye on the waterhole. For anyone who enjoys photography, the lodge’s unusual design and raised views add another subject beyond wildlife.

The two-night stay also keeps the pace manageable. You do not have to pack and unpack each night, and you get a proper full day at the lodge between the arrival and departure drives. That said, the short stay means timing matters. You leave Nairobi at 7:30am on Day 1 and reach the lodge at about 1:30pm, so the first game drive does not begin until late afternoon.

Day 1: Nairobi to the 4pm evening game drive

Your pickup point is The Clarion Hotel on Moi Avenue in Nairobi, with departure set for 7:30am. The journey to Salt Lick takes roughly six hours, and the schedule places arrival around 1:30pm.

That is a substantial road transfer, so you should think of Day 1 as part travel day and part safari day. The benefit is that your park entry, transport, accommodation, and game drive are already arranged. You do not need to organize a separate transfer or find your own way to the sanctuary.

After check-in, you have lunch and time to relax at the pool. This pause is useful. You have just spent much of the morning on the road, and rushing straight into another activity would make the day feel crowded. Use the break to settle into the lodge and enjoy the setting before heading out.

The evening game drive begins at about 4pm and lasts roughly five hours according to the scheduled timing. The late start gives you a chance to see the sanctuary as the day cools. Your guide will determine the route and wildlife stops, so sightings cannot be promised, but the waterhole and open Tsavo plains provide strong reasons to keep your eyes moving.

One of the most useful details about this private arrangement is that your group is not combined with other people. That can make the drive easier for families, couples, or a group with its own pace. It also gives you a better chance to discuss sightings and timing with your guide.

You return to the lodge for dinner and your first overnight stay. The day is long, but the evening drive makes the arrival day feel worthwhile rather than merely a transfer.

Day 2: The full safari day at Taita Hills

Day 2 is the heart of the trip. After breakfast, you set out for a morning game drive, then return to the lodge for lunch and a quieter afternoon. Dinner and another night at Salt Lick follow.

The morning drive is valuable because you have a full day ahead and no Nairobi transfer hanging over you. You can focus on the sanctuary, rather than watching the clock. Morning conditions may also offer a different setting from the previous evening, though wildlife sightings remain unpredictable.

The schedule leaves time to enjoy the lodge itself. That matters because the accommodation is a major part of the price. If you treat the property as only a place to sleep, you lose part of what makes this experience distinctive. The pool, waterhole outlook, meals, and elevated position are all part of the safari stay.

A named ranger, Alfred Chilango, is associated with particularly strong guiding on this route. A guide can shape your experience through animal tracking, patience, and good decisions about where to stop. One especially dramatic sighting recorded on this trip involved a lioness killing a baby buffalo. You should not expect that exact event, but it shows the kind of raw wildlife moment that can occur in the sanctuary.

After the drive, lunch provides a proper break. The afternoon is not packed with another scheduled activity, which gives you freedom to rest, sit near the waterhole, or use the pool. I consider this a good balance for a two-night safari. Three full drives in quick succession can become tiring, especially after the long approach from Nairobi.

Dinner is included, as is the second overnight stay. Restaurant service is part of the experience, and John is specifically noted for attentive work in the dining room. The details matter on a lodge stay, where friendly staff can make the difference between a merely functional visit and a comfortable one.

Day 3: One last drive before Nairobi

You have breakfast, check out, and set off on a final morning game drive. This is your last opportunity to look for wildlife in the sanctuary, so keep your camera ready and allow yourself time to enjoy the setting even if sightings are limited.

The return schedule includes lunch en route, with arrival back in Nairobi planned for about 5pm. The supplied inclusions list covers two lunches, while the notes say that the return lunch is not included. You should therefore confirm the lunch arrangement before departure and budget for it if needed.

The final day is another long one. From breakfast through the game drive, road transfer, and return to The Clarion Hotel, you spend much of the day moving. This makes the tour more suitable for someone with limited holiday time who wants a concentrated safari than for someone seeking a slow, unhurried stay.

The activity ends back at the Nairobi meeting point. That is convenient if you are staying in the city and want a direct return, but the schedule leaves little room for delays. Keep important evening plans flexible.

What the $929.24 price really covers

At $929.24 per person, this is not a budget safari. The value depends on how much you use the included services and how much importance you place on a private trip and lodge setting.

The price includes:

• Park entry fees
• Two nights in a double room
• Full-board accommodation
• Two breakfasts
• Two lunches
• Two dinners
• Water during the safari
• Transport in a van or Land Cruiser
• Three scheduled game drives

That is a useful package. Park fees can add up, and the accommodation includes meals rather than leaving you to pay separately at the lodge. Private transport is also meaningful. You are not simply joining a large shared group and following someone else’s schedule.

Still, you should calculate the full cost. Tips are not included, with customary guidance of $10 per person per day. Drinks are extra, and the return lunch is also excluded according to the tour notes. These additions will not usually change the nature of the trip, but they do affect the final amount.

The strongest value comes if you want a private, all-in-one arrangement from Nairobi. If you only want the cheapest possible way to see wildlife, this will feel expensive. If you value the lodge, private group, park fees, meals, and reduced planning, the figure is easier to justify.

Van or Land Cruiser: a practical choice

Transport is provided in either a safari van or a Land Cruiser. The information does not promise which vehicle you will receive, so ask when booking if the vehicle type matters to you.

A private tour is useful in either case. Your own group can focus on its preferred pace, and you can raise questions directly with the driver-guide. The vehicle choice may matter to people who care about safari comfort, photography, or road conditions, so it is sensible to confirm the arrangement rather than assume.

Water is supplied during the safari. You should still allow for drinks at the lodge, since drinks are not included. The trip begins near public transportation, but the tour itself starts at The Clarion Hotel, so plan your arrival there before 7:30am.

Personal touches that make the stay feel special

The strongest service detail is the way the lodge handled a birthday. A room was decorated and a birthday cake was arranged for a daughter travelling with her parent and a friend. If you are marking a birthday or another occasion, tell the provider before the trip. That does not guarantee a particular arrangement, but it shows that special requests can be considered.

The staff experience also received clear praise from the people involved in the stay. Alfred Chilango is named for guiding, while John is named for restaurant service. Those details are useful because safari quality depends on people as much as scenery. A good guide helps you make sense of animal behavior, and reliable dining service matters when meals are part of the package.

The accommodation itself received strong approval, especially the rooms and the setting. A six-kilometre drive connects Sarova Salt Lick with Sarova Taita Hills, with clear directions through the park. That detail may interest you if you are considering both properties, but this three-day plan centers on Salt Lick.

Who should book this three-day safari

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A private safari rather than a shared group tour
• A lodge with a waterhole view
• Full-board accommodation and organized park access
• Three game drives in a short break
• A birthday or family occasion with possible special arrangements
• A direct Nairobi return after the safari

It suits couples, families, and small groups that prefer having their own vehicle arrangement. The private format is especially useful if your group has different ages or energy levels, since the schedule is not built around strangers.

I would think twice if you dislike long road transfers. The first journey takes about six hours, and the return to Nairobi also occupies most of Day 3. You should also consider the price carefully if your main goal is simply to spend time in the bush at the lowest possible cost.

The itinerary includes enough rest to avoid turning every hour into an activity, but this is still a compact trip. You get only two nights, and the first and final days are tied closely to driving times.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is provided when you book, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

This is a private activity operated by Panda Tours and Safaris Ltd. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Before paying, I would confirm the vehicle type, the return lunch arrangement, and any special request such as a birthday cake or room decoration.

Should you book Sarova Salt Lick and Taita Hills?

Book it if you want a polished, private safari package with a distinctive lodge, three game drives, meals, park entry, and a simple Nairobi pickup and return. The waterhole setting gives you something to enjoy between drives, while the full-board plan keeps daily decisions to a minimum.

Skip it if $929.24 feels high for two nights or if you want to avoid long road journeys. For the right buyer, the package offers a strong mix of wildlife time, lodge comfort, and personal service. Just budget for tips, drinks, and the return lunch, then confirm the vehicle and special arrangements before you go.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at The Clarion Hotel, PR9C+H85, Moi Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya.

What time does the tour depart?

Departure is scheduled for 7:30am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts three days and includes two nights at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge.

What meals are included?

The package includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners on a full-board basis. The return lunch is not included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group takes part in the activity.

What happens if I cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.