Reviews of Tassia Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
3 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Tassia Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
"oh my god it's amazing here!!!!!"
there are not the intense animal sightings you will have elsewhere in Kenya, and for us, due to the rain, we were not able to go as far as we might have to look. Our guides were lovely friendly people ( our main guide was Isaiah). showing patience and interest. Nothing but kindness and knowledge. the food was terrific, and we ate in the dining area, up on the roof, out in a meadow; we were going to have a surprise breakfast out in the bush, but the surprise was that it poured
Martin was there while we were there, and he is an amazing individual - with many many abilities and accomplishments. A few of them are his passion for the place, for helping/changing things for the people (as they want them changed), for the flora and fauna, and especially for raptors, and he is a captivating story teller and a great listener.
although the weather prevented or interrupted a number of the usual activities, we had a great time, and still did lovely things - dinner in a meadow, or on top of the main lodge area, Masai Olympics, the hyrax in and out of our room. All the elephants, the rain coming sideways thru the window openings. And, oh yes, you should definitely have a massage from Lucy, not at all expensive and very well done - she's had good training, is deeply caring and a lot of fun. The food, designed by Antonia, and prepared by Geoffrey the chef, was terrific, better than anywhere else we were (all of which was good).
All the places we stayed were very good; this is the place that touches your soul." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Tassia Lodge review"
I arrived from Los Angeles and my first camp extremely tired and needing some TLC. The folks at Tassia seemed to read my mind and provided four days of much needed rest, massage, swimming, and informative walks. One does not feel pressured into anything and yet the staff is ever ready to make suggestions should you inquire about an activity.
Isiah and Michael are amazing guides and I learned so much from them. Martin Wheeler's bird rehab center is remarkable and a testament to how much he truly cares for these majestic creatures. Antonia Hall is also exceptional in the work she is doing with the local village ladies with her bead program.
The rooms are beyond comfortable and the views from each room beautiful. The food is delightful and dinners on the rooftop under the stars one of my favorite parts. Highly recommend!" See all these reviews: 5n in Kenya
"A 'rare gem' indeed"
Expert Africa's description of Tassia as 'a rare gem' is, in our view, totally justified. Managed with great expertise and warm hospitality by Antonia and Martin on behalf of the local community, it genuinely warrants 'excellent' ratings across the board.
Our sleeping accommodation was very comfortable, great views across the plain (especially from our tower) and good bathroom facilities. The lounge area is spacious and comfortable. We took meals in a number of different locations around the camp, which was fun, sometimes with other guests, sometimes by ourselves, which was a nice mix. And the food itself was first class, consistent with Antonia's well-deserved reputation (and the camp's own cook book).
In addition to her camp-based work, Antonia is involved in a number of important income-generating projects with the women of the local community, including high-end bead work (handbags etc), which are well worthy of support. The commitment of both Antonia and Martin to the objectives of the project is impressive, as is the expertise which they both bring to their role.
Needless to say, as birders we also commend very highly Martin's work at his raptor rescue centre based at the camp and well worth a tour in its own right.
Our main activity was again walking/birding (indeed, the camp does very little by way of drives - although it does have horses and camels, consistent with the strong focus on eco-friendliness). Especially considering how close Tassia is to Il Ngwesi, we were struck by some significant differences in the local bird population, which made combining the two locales all the more interesting (ie in addition to comparing the way in which the Tassia project runs with Il Ngwesi and, later, Sarara). We did particularly well for raptors.
The major exception to walking was the day trip we made across the mountains behind the camp to Borana Ranch on the Laikipia plateau, where we boosted both our bird (notably water birds) and mammal (notably lion and black rhino) count significantly. Even though time did not permit us as long a walk in the cloud forest on the mountains themselves as we had hoped, this was an excellent day.
We also devoted an evening walk to local culture, visiting the caves which provided shelter to many Masai for much of the 20th century, learning a good deal more about their history and culture in the process.
We were guided at various times by Martin himself (brilliant, especially on birds) and by two Masai, Michael (very good on birds) and, in particular, Isaiah (solid all-rounder), learning a good deal from all three not only about the wildlife and environment but also about the Masai generally, their history and the project.
In sum, we have no hesitation in strongly recommending Tassia both in its own right and as part of a wider tour of the Laikipia region." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.
Other lodges in Laikipia
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kicheche Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia is the most luxurious tented camp of the handful of places to stay in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Laikipia.
Laikipia Wilderness
Laikipia Wilderness is a rustic owner-managed bush camp, in excellent wild dog territory, offering outstanding guiding.
Lewa Safari Camp
Lewa Safari Camp is a comfortable and homely tented lodge, located in the Lewa Conservancy and offering a relatively exclusive safari away from mass tourism.
Sosian
Sosian Lodge is a distinctive, estancia-style ranch house on a former cattle ranch, with great opportunities for riding, relaxing and seeing wild dogs and other savannah wildlife.
Lewa Wilderness
Lewa Wilderness is a comfortable, fenced safari lodge with nine cottages, great views and a huge range of activities.
El Karama Lodge
El Karama is a comfortably rustic, very personal, riverside eco-lodge on a game-rich private ranch in Laikipia, an hour’s drive north of Nanyuki airport.
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is a simple camp, with comfortable tents, delivering an authentic wilderness experience backed up by good food and guiding.
Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge
The community-owned Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge sits atop a small hill in the remote Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, a two-hour drive north of Lewa Conservancy in north-eastern Laikipia.
Sirikoi
Sirikoi is a small, very high-quality safari camp with excellent service and food and a wide selection of activities.
Borana
Borana is a comfortable and striking lodge on the Borana Conservancy in eastern Laikipia, offering pleasant accommodation with good food and service and a very wide range of activities.
Porini Rhino Camp
Porini Rhino Camp is a small, simple, well established tented camp, with a keen focus on sustainable and low-impact tourism.
Lewa House
Lewa House is a very comfortable, boutique safari lodge located on the Lewa Conservancy, north of Mount Kenya.
Solio Lodge
Solio Lodge is an exclusive and luxurious bush lodge set in the private Solio Game Ranch in southern Laikipia.
Loisaba Tented Camp
Loisaba Tented Camp is a luxury safari base of tented rooms, ranged along a ridge in the Loisaba Conservancy, facing Mount Kenya. The camp was completely rebuilt in 2016.
Kifaru House
Kifaru House is a small, stylish safari lodge in the Lewa Conservancy, with beautiful views across the landscape.
Loisaba Star Beds
Loisaba Starbeds is a simple camp of 4 rooms with pull-out, open-air 'star beds', located near a dam in the Loisaba Conservancy, in northwestern Laikipia.
Sandai
Sandai is a pretty, owner-run homestay, set between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya, offering a range of activities at extra cost.
Karisia Walking Safaris
Karisia Walking Safaris operates camel assisted, multi-day walking safaris from its main camp, Tumaren, set in a remote part of Laikipia.
Sweetwaters Serena
Sweetwaters Serena is a large, older tented camp – the largest camp in the Laikipia region – in the eastern part of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Lodo Springs
Lodo Springs is a spectacularly located luxury lodge in a remote spot in the Loisaba Conservancy, sister lodge to Loisaba Tented Camp and Loisaba Star Beds.
Sanctuary at Ol Lentille
The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is an unusual safari lodge in northern Laikipia, consisting of three exclusive villas, and offering a huge range of activities.
Governors' Mugie House
Governors' Mugie House – a substantial, luxury safari lodge – is one of only two properties in the Mugie Conservancy in northwestern Laikipia.
Thomsons Falls Lodge
Thomsons Falls Lodge is a simple hotel dating back to the colonial era, located above the falls of the same name, near the western Laikipia town of Nyahururu.
Ekorian's Mugie Camp
Ekorian's Mugie Camp is a pleasant, family-friendly safari camp in a remote location in northwestern Laikipia.
