2024 Resident Rates

Full Board Rates

Child policy:

• Children below 3 years sharing a room with an adult stay FREE but a maximum of 2 children in a room
• Children sharing with two adults, above 3 years but less than 12 years shall be charged 50% of the adult rate but a maximum of 2 in a room
• Children from 3 to 15 years in their room pay 75% of the Twin / Triple room rate respectively.
• One Child sharing with one adult shall be charged 50% of the adult sharing rate.

About The Ark Lodge

The Ark Lodge is set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, iconic and yes, quirky. The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which attracts a host of awesome wildlife. Resembling and named after Noah’s Ark, The Ark comprises three decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide a superb location for wildlife to be seen. So that you don’t miss any animal sightings, the night guard will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole. The Ark has four viewing areas for observing the ever-present animal activity.
There is also a ground-level bunker – the perfect hideout for the discerning photographer. This is a circular pillbox-like structure, and it is from this vantage point, pictures of animals on the salt lick only yards away may be taken through the view holes in complete safety.

Accommodation

All “cabins” have an en-suite shower and bathroom. Accommodation in The Ark is in the form of cabins that are self-contained with a shower and toilet. The rooms are on three levels – Deck A, Deck B, and Deck C.
Deck  C  is the main deck where all the main lodge facilities are located, including the restaurant, cloakroom, and bar. There is also access to wheelchairs, for those who require them.
From the safety and comfort of all four decks, one can watch the wild animals visiting the water hole in front of The Ark.

• Six single-bedded rooms
• Thirty-seven twin rooms with two single beds in each room
• Ten double rooms with one queen bed in each room
• Seven triple rooms with three single beds in each room

* Please note: The triple-bed cabins are the best rooms for families.

Restaurant & Cuisine

The restaurant offers excellent cuisine for dinner and breakfast, either as a buffet or set menu, depending on the number of guests. Lunch is served at the Aberdare Country Club. However, on advance request, the same can be organized at The Ark.
The food is very fresh with organic vegetables and spices picked from the Aberdare Country Club gardens accompanied by fruit brought in daily from the village. The Chef is always on hand to cater to special dietary requirements. A collection of fine wines is available from The Ark cellar.

Activities

With altitudes ranging from 7,000 feet to 14,000 feet above sea level, the Aberdare National Park is located 260 kilometers (162 miles) from Nairobi. Since 1950s, Aberdare National Park has been a major attraction and continues to be a favorite destination for travelers who love the outdoors and wildlife.
Wildlife
Visitors can observe different animals, such as elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos in the park. These animals come to the waterhole and can be seen from the comfort and secure decks. Elephants dominantly rule the waterholes and salt licks. Other animals come to drink water such as hyenas, which have to contend with elephants chasing them off at great speed. Some animals such as leopards are shy. However, the leopards are often seen in the morning and evening during safari drives. While on game drives or walks through the forest, you may chance upon various monkeys, such as the Colobus and Vervet monkeys, for whom the Aberdare National Park is an ideal habitat. Many birds are also found here. In the forest, there are many animals like the Red Duiker, Suni, Bushbuck, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, etc. The moorland thickets are the home of Bush Duicker and Black-fronted Duiker and also the Black Rhino.
Safari Drive
Half or full-day safari drive to The Salient and The Moorlands in Aberdare National Park. Search the forest for a plethora of animal activities, and capture that perfect photograph to take back home. Game drives to the Solio Sanctuary, a private game reserve that extends between the spurs of Aberdare Mountains and Mt. Kenya are possible too. This 25,000-hectare reserve became famous because of its unique success in the rearing of White and Black Rhinos. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, and zebras can also be spotted in large numbers.
Guided Bush / Nature Walk
Enjoy various guided bush walks through the well-developed trails in the park. Our guides have in-depth knowledge of the local flora, fauna, and wildlife. The KWS rangers will be happy to answer any questions you have about animals or the history of the area. It is mandatory to have a ranger for walks in the park.
Bird Watching
Bird life found in the forest is abundant and varied with over 250 species of bird recorded. The most conspicuous group is the Sunbird, with four abundant species: Tacazze Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, the emerald-green Malachite Sunbird, and the tiny, double-collared Sunbird. Birds can be watched whilst on a safari drive or an organized nature walk.
Visit the Moorlands
At the moorlands, you will see the magnificent waterfalls of River Magura, River Karuru, and River Chania.
Trout Fishing
Up in the moorlands, trout fishing can be done in the moorland’s small rivers, the major one being the River Chania, within Aberdare National Park.
Suggested activities if you have:
2 days – Full-day game drive in salient and Moorlands in the Aberdare National Park.
3 days – Mountain climbing/Nature walk & Fishing trip.
4 days – Visit the Solio sanctuary the home of the white and the black rhino. On the way back take a swim, horse ride, or exercise in the gym at Aberdare Country Club.
Related Hotels

• Rhino Watch Safari Lodge
• Tafaria Castle & Country Lodge
• The Ark Lodge
• Aberdare Country Club
• Basecamp Wilderness Camp