Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is a luxury Safari Lodge situated in Tsavo West National Park, a 30-minute drive from the main Mtito Andei Gate. The lodge is located 260 km southeast of Nairobi and 240 km northeast of Mombasa on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Transfers by road from Nairobi take approximately 4 hours.

Set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and the rolling Chyulu Hills, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is a pioneer in Kenya’s safari scene — the first lodge ever built in a Kenyan national park.

It offers unforgettable views of wildlife gathering at its waterhole. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned safari-goer, Kilaguni provides the ideal blend of comfort, game viewing, and natural beauty.

Location & Accessibility

Kilaguni Serena is located inside Tsavo West National Park, near Mtito Andei Gate, making it one of the most accessible safari lodges for those traveling between Nairobi and Mombasa.

How to Get There

By Road:

✓ From Mombasa: Approximately 4 hours (240 km) via the same highway.
✓ From Nairobi: Approximately 5 hours (270 km) via Mombasa Highway to Mtito Andei Gate, then 30–40 minutes to the lodge.

By Air:

✓ Transfers from the airstrip take only 5–10 minutes.
✓ The lodge has access to the nearby Kilaguni Airstrip, serviced by charter and scheduled flights.

By Rail:

✓ SGR (Madaraka Express) passengers can disembark at Mtito Andei Station, with lodge-arranged transfers available (approx. 20 km from the station).

Accommodation

As you enter your room or suite at Kilaguni Serena, you feel the ancient stillness of Tsavo West wash over you. The 56 guest rooms, including five suites, are located in volcanic stone cottages or a two-storey block overlooking the waterhole or the Chyulu Hills.

Each room is designed for families, couples, and groups, featuring natural stone walls, locally inspired décor, and a strong connection to nature.

Room Categories:

✓ Family Rooms: Interconnected options for families with children
✓ Standard Rooms: 25 rooms with traditional Kenyan ambiance and modern comfort
✓ Deluxe Rooms: 23 spacious rooms with waterhole views and king or twin beds
✓ Presidential Suite (Kilaguni Suite): Panoramic views of the waterhole and Chyulu Hills

In-Room Amenities:

✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi
✓ Private verandas or balconies
✓ Penhaligon’s luxury toiletries
✓ 24-hour room service
✓ Ceiling fans and screened windows
✓ Writing desks, wardrobes, mosquito nets

Dining & Cuisine

The central dining room and open-air rock-built bar are perched above the waterhole and offer majestic views of the Chyulu Hills. The culinary experience fuses local Kenyan flavor with international inspirations, using fresh ingredients sourced from nearby communities.

Meal Highlights:

✓ Full English breakfast (complimentary) and European options
✓ Buffet-style lunch with diverse dishes
✓ Table d’hôte dinners with multi-course options
✓ Theme Nights: BBQ, Mongolian stir-fry, Kenyan favourites like Nyama Choma, Sukuma, and Posho

Special Dining Experiences:

✓ Sundowner Cocktails: Served on Lion Rock with full bar service
✓ Breakfast on Lion Rock: Enjoy a sunrise meal on a historic lion haunt
✓ Bush Dinner: Lantern-lit meal with Maasai or Akamba cultural performance

Activities & Experiences

Kilaguni Serena offers access to Tsavo West’s rugged beauty and wildlife diversity. Whether on a drive, a walk, or enjoying the view from your balcony, adventure is always close.

Game Drives:

✓ Morning, afternoon, and evening game drives
✓ Over 600 bird species, including kingfishers and hornbills
✓ View elephants, lions, buffalo, cheetahs, giraffes, and more
✓ Visit Mzima Springs, Roaring Rocks, and the Shetani Lava Flow

Signature Excursions:

✓ Roaring Rocks: Elevated viewpoint with a history of rhino protection
✓ Mzima Springs: Underwater viewing tank to see hippos and crocodiles in a lush oasis
✓ Shetani Lava Flow & Caves: Explore eerie volcanic terrain named after the Swahili word for “devil”

Facilities

✓ Garden swimming pool and sundeck
✓ Central dining and bar with waterhole views
✓ Gift shop and business centre
✓ Free Wi-Fi throughout the lodge
✓ 24-hour on-call medical services
✓ Dedicated conference centre

Conference Facilities

Chyulu Hall

✓ Size: 644 m²
✓ Theatre: 120 | Banquet: 70 | U-Shape: 50 | Boardroom: 40

Mzima Room

✓ Size: 246.4 m²
✓ Theatre: 40 | Banquet: 20 | U-Shape: 20 | Boardroom: 16

Ideal for corporate retreats, seminars, and exclusive events.

What’s Included

✓ Full board meals
✓ Bottled water in rooms
✓ Use of all lodge facilities
✓ Daily housekeeping and laundry
✓ Accommodation in selected category
✓ Evening entertainment on select nights

Not Included

✓ Spa or massage services
✓ Tsavo West Park entry fees
✓ Personal expenses and tips
✓ Transport to/from the lodge
✓ Alcoholic and premium beverages
✓ Game drives (unless part of a package)

Wildlife & What to Expect

✓ Elephants in large herds
✓ Lions are often heard at night
✓ Hippos and crocodiles at Mzima Springs
✓ Zebras, giraffes, buffalo, hartebeest
✓ Cheetahs, leopards, hyenas (on lucky drives)
✓ Abundant birdlife, including eagles and weavers

Family & Group Friendly

✓ Interconnecting family rooms
✓ Children’s menus and flexible dining
✓ Board games & entertainment
✓ Safe swimming pool and garden areas

Why Choose Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge?

✓ Historic — first lodge in a Kenyan national park
✓ Unparalleled wildlife viewing from the lodge itself
✓ Ideal base to explore Tsavo West’s major attractions
✓ Serena Hotels’ renowned service and eco-conscious values
✓ Welcoming to families, couples, small groups, and photographers

Non-Residents Accommodation Rates Per Night Include;

Full Board Accommodation

Notes

* Request for discounted resident rates
* Extra Meals 40 US Dollars per person
* Picnic Lunch 35 US Dollars per person
* Half Board reduction of 15 US Dollars per person
* Kilaguni Deluxe room supplement – 50 US Dollars per room per day
* Children ages 3 to 12 years are charged 50% of the per person, adult twin rate
* Young adults 13 to 17 years are charged 75% of the per person, the adult twin rate
* Children in their own room are charged 75% of the per-person adult twin rate. Minimum 2 children in a room
* Park fees are not included in the rates (payable at the gate if arriving on the road and at the lodge if arriving by air 
* Children under 2.99 years sharing a room with an adult will be accommodated complimentary (maximum two) whilst sharing a room with one or two adults

Extra Activities at an Extra Cost

* Lunch only (Per person) – 40 US Dollars
* Rock Breakfast with “Bubbly” – 45 US Dollars
* Nature/Bird walk (Per person) – 40 US Dollars
* Bubbly Sundowner at ‘Lions Rock’ – 55 US Dollars
* Visit to Mzima Springs (Per person) – 40 US Dollars
* Bush Barbeque Dinner (Exclusive beverage) – 50 US Dollars
* Bush Barbeque Dinner (Inclusive beverage) – 70 US Dollars
* Traditional Dancers (Per group performance) – 280 US Dollars

Game Drive & Transfers

* Day game drive (Per person, Seat basis) – 120 US Dollars
* Night game drive (Per person, Seat basis) – 140 US Dollars
* Finch Hattons Airstrip transfer (Per person each way) – 100 US Dollars
* Mtito Andei Train Station transfer (Per person each way) – 70 US Dollars
* Finch Hattons Airstrip transfer (Per vehicle each way) – 150 US Dollars
* Mtito Andei Train Station transfer (Per vehicle each way) – 140 US Dollars

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge has 56 rooms, of which 51 are standard, and 5 Suites (all non-smoking) have their verandas, some overlooking the waterhole, some the Chyulu Hills, which are one of the world’s youngest volcanic ranges.

Tsavo National Park has plentiful wildlife and beautiful landscapes to offer, and that is what Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge has for you in store. Kilaguni’s waterhole is considered to provide the finest terraced savannah game viewing in Kenya. At night, you can listen to the sounds of herds of buffalo and elephants grazing outside your bedroom.

The central dining room and the alfresco rock-built bar at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge were beautifully designed and decorated in the local style to offer an unforgettable dining experience. The dining room features a stone terrace overlooking the wildlife-filled water hole, and the bar provides comfortable day beds with majestic views of the rolling Chyulu Hills.

There’s also the option of just lazing by the pool, or treating yourself to a luxurious body treatment, or picking up some souvenirs in the extensively stocked Africana Gift Shop. There is a rock-paved swimming pool in the lush gardens, and games to keep children occupied.

Activities Available at the lodge include; game drives, guided walks, bush breakfasts, a Bush BBQ Dinner, a Visit To The Shetani Caves And Lava Flows, Visit To The Shetani Caves And Lava Flows, volcano climbs and trips to Mzima Springs, a set of crystal-clear ponds, fed by the meltwaters of Mount Kilimanjaro, in which the many hippos can be viewed from a submerged chamber.

Poacher’s Lookout, with a great view of Kilimanjaro, is 15 km from Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge. Roaring Rocks viewpoint is 10 km from the property, while Mzima Springs are within 15 km.

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com