Lions Bluff Lodge: Information from the owner

Luxury Suite

Equipped With: King-size bed En-suite bathroom Indoor & outdoor shower Bespoke organic soaps and care products Hair dryer Mini Fridge Tea & Coffee making facilities Filtered Water station Desk Panoramic outside deck with seating

Two-Bedroom Family Units

Equipped With: King-size bed Separate room with an additional 2 single beds En-suite bathroom Indoor & outdoor shower Bespoke organic soaps and care products Hair dryer Mini Fridge Tea & Coffee making facilities Filtered Water station Desk Panoramic outside deck with seating

Battlefield Tour

A great deal of the World War 1 war fought, won and lost by the European super powers and their allies in our backyard. Lions Bluff is situated close to the strategic arena in the East African campaign of World War 1. All that remains of this bitter and bloody campaign are the gravestones of soldiers in the Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Maktau and Voi together with the detritus of war on the remains of nearby hilltop forts and camps. The tour includes a visit to the Taita Museum, a walk and sundowners at the battlefield area where you can enjoy a drink listening to the WW1 stories narrated by our guides and rangers that have been trained by great historians.

Cultural Visit to Taita Village

As part of our extensive eco-interface, we offer cultural visits to local villages. Our visitors are invited to enter a typical ethnic home, watch a dance display, or beading and handicrafts being done. You will have the opportunity to see how the farmers manage diverse crops such as dry land beans, and Aloe Vera plants, and pastoral activity, such as cattle and goat maintenance. Often they will also be invited to purchase locally-made items- much more authentic than those available in the usual gift shops. If you are ready to go further you can be driven to Wundanyi, about an hour and a half from Lions Bluff, to explore the skull caves. The caves are collapsing but the skulls remain; the youngest dates back to the 1920s. Nearby one can visit the small waterfalls and enjoy the beautiful landscape dubbed 'Little Switzerland' because of its stunning hilly terrain and breathtaking views. Drive an extra half hour to reach Ngang'ao forest, an untouched rainforest where one can be guided through thick, dripping vegetation in the hope of seeing rare birds and butterflies which only exist here.

Drum It!!

Experience the essence of Taita culture through our interactive drumming session. Uncover the significance of drumming in Taita life, where rhythms narrate tales of the land and its people. Acquire ancient drumming techniques directly from a Taita drummer, delving into the rich traditions passed down through generations. Lessons are subject to availability and need to be booked in advance at the reception.

Guided Bush Walk

Awake with the African Sunrise and take a drive in our 4x4 vehicle to an area where it is safe to walk in the wilderness. Accompanied by Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary’s skilled rangers, walk amongst the tracks, signs, flora, and fauna of this protected area. This is a gentle ramble, suitable for all ages for those with an enquiring mind about the world around them. Allow our rangers to enjoy showing you the environment in which they grew up, and their intimate knowledge of the insects, birds, tracks, and signs. Learn which bushes are used to cure tummy aches, which store water underground and how to light a fire without using matches. Our vehicle will follow you at a discreet distance so that, should you tire, you can simply return to the lodge. Children over 12 years of age are welcome.

Hike Taita Hills

Climb the beautiful Taita Hills. Drive through lush, mountainous Taita where the climate is perfect and the views stunning over what is known to the locals as ‘ little Switzerland’. The highest, Vuria (2,300 meters above sea level), is easily identified by the mobile phone mast on top. It is possible to drive to this point. Eyale is lower and can only be climbed on foot. About 45 minutes of steep walking from where you leave your vehicle, to where the view is panoramic. The vegetation is montane forest and here you can spot the rare Taita Apalis, the Ross Turacos, the Cabanis Greenbul, Syke monkeys among other mammals. A packed picnic meal is provided on request.

Nature Trail around Lions Bluff

Discover the flora and fauna of the LUMO sanctuary while on foot. Nature walks around the lodge are especially interesting to children, guided by a ranger and our resident Taita naturalist, meander around Lions Bluff and discover tracks and signs of the bush. Learn which roots and leaves are edible, which are used by the local people to treat tummy aches or put spells on your enemies. Examine spider nests, collect quartz rock, or leaves to make a refreshing tea. Identify birds by their call and watch them in the bush.

Night Game Drive

Discover various nocturnal species on a night game drive after stopping for a sundowner to enjoy the stunning sunset with your drink of choice in hand. You can also head out for your night game drive after dinner with warm Shukas (Maasai blankets). This is the exclusive domain of hunters such as lions and leopards and the only time you may catch a glimpse of such elusive nocturnal creatures as aardvark and Lumo's melanistic serval cat. Your vehicle will also be equipped with a powerful hand-held lamp, which can be used to sweep the bush for sightings. Children over 5 years old are welcome and enjoy this exciting glimpse of what happens when they are usually in bed.

Ornithological Walk

With over 1,070 species of birds, Kenya has the second-highest country bird list in Africa, while the area around Tsavo West boasts 600 recorded species. Ranging from giant herons to tiny sunbirds, the diversity of African bird life is startling in its color and vibrancy. Additionally, the Lions Bluff area boasts a number of endemic species, such as the globally threatened Taita Thrush, Taita White-eye, Taita Apalis, Abbott's starling, and the Southern Banded Snake Eagle. For the amateur and serious ornithologist alike, we offer a range of half or full-day outings that can be custom-tailored to the interests of your ornithological party. The services of a professional ranger and up-to-date bird checklists are included, and picnics, bush lunches, camp suppers, and sundowners can be scheduled to suit your needs.

Private Bush Breakfasts

Ideally, a bush walk or an early morning game drive culminates in the best meal of the day being enhanced by being served under a tree, enjoying one of our many stunning views within the Sanctuary. Fresh fruit, juice, tea, and coffee and a cooked breakfast to your requirements will be freshly prepared under a nearby tree, while you relax and soak up the atmosphere of the bush through which you have just meandered.

Sunset Safari in customized 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Enjoy a Sunset Safari, where the boundaries between day and night blur, and nature's spectacle unfolds before your eyes. From 5 PM to 8 PM, this journey will take you through the wilderness with an expert guide and spotter, allowing you to witness the transition from golden dusk to velvet darkness. Around 6:30 PM, the Safari pauses at a strategic spot for a Sundowner, inviting you to toast to the breathtaking sunset. As twilight gives way to night, a spotlight reveals the hidden world of nocturnal creatures, from prowling predators to elusive night birds. With each sighting, you're immersed deeper into the magic of the wild. Selected drinks included.

The Game Drive Experience

Enjoy a full or half day discovering the different animals and plants of the Tsavo West eco-system in the company of your guide and tracker, who will be sure to follow the route that offers the best wildlife viewing. With warm temperatures during the afternoon, the animals are most active in the early morning; we, therefore, suggest you get an early start with a mid-morning picnic breakfast on the LUMO plains. Head back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta, or continue your day game spotting after a traditional bush lunch under a tree.

Underground Photographers Hide

As a professional photographer and an avid safari traveler, the quest for the perfect shot is never-ending. Our Photographic Hide offers an optimal photographic experience through meticulous design. Elevated slightly above ground level, the Hide provides a unique vantage point, putting photographers at eye level with their subjects. This perspective creates intimate and powerful images that immerse the viewer in the animals' world. The viewing slots allow a 180-degree panoramic view of the watering hole and the surrounding landscape. In addition, the Hide is equipped with comfortable seating and ample space for tripods and other equipment, ensuring photographers can focus on capturing the perfect shot.

Visit Shetani Lava Flow & Mzima Springs

Mzima Springs are a series of four natural springs in Tsavo National Park, that produces an incredible 250 million litres of fresh water a day. The source of the spring rises in the Chyulu Hills and provides the bulk of Mombasa’s fresh water. The springs are resident to hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife. There’s an underwater viewing chamber, where you can see the fish, in the clear waters. ‘Shetani’ means ‘devil’ in Kiswahili. The flows were formed a few hundred years ago. The local people believe that it was the devil himself emerging from the earth. This vast expanse of folded black lava spreads for 50 kilometers across the savannah near the Chyulu Hills. The last major eruption here is believed to have taken place around 200 years ago. Nearby are the Shetani Caves, which are also the result of volcanic activity. Picnic lunch included. Park fees are payable direct and not included.