Tour Gallery
Overview
This 3-day tour offers a unique travel experience combining a scenic train journey on the Madaraka Express with a luxury safari at the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. It's an ideal short getaway for those seeking a different mode of transport to a distinctive wildlife destination, all arranged by experienced local operators.
Tour Suitability:
- Traveler Profile: Perfect for individuals, couples, or small groups looking for a novel and convenient way to experience a Kenyan safari, particularly those interested in unique lodge architecture and wildlife viewing.
- Pace of Travel: Moderate, with the train journey adding a relaxed and scenic element to the transfers.
- Interests: Unique lodge experience at Salt Lick, wildlife viewing at a private sanctuary (elephants, lions, diverse birdlife), scenic train travel, and visiting the Taita Hills artifacts museum.
- Comfort Level: Luxury, featuring a stay at the renowned Salt Lick Safari Lodge and comfortable train travel.
- Focus: A distinctive short safari combining rail travel with a stay at an iconic stilted lodge, offering excellent game viewing from the lodge itself.
Key Tour Highlights
- Scenic SGR Train Journey: Travel from Nairobi to Voi via the Madaraka Express train, enjoying views of the Kenyan landscape.
- Iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge: Stay at the unique Salt Lick Lodge, built on stilts and overlooking a waterhole frequented by wildlife, offering exceptional viewing opportunities directly from your room or lodge verandas.
- Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: Explore this private conservancy, home to elephants, lions, buffalos, and a rich variety of bird species.
- Cultural Insight: Opportunity to visit the artifacts museum at Taita Hills Safari Resort, showcasing local history.
- Efficient and Unique Travel: A memorable alternative to road travel for accessing this wildlife area.
Accommodation Style
Your stay will be at the famous Salt Lick Safari Lodge, located within the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. This luxury lodge is renowned for its unique design, with rooms built on stilts connected by suspended walkways, all offering panoramic views of a waterhole and the surrounding plains. The waterhole is floodlit at night, allowing for continuous wildlife observation.
Featured Destinations & Attractions
- Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: A private conservancy known for good wildlife densities, including elephants, zebras, lions, leopards, and over 390 bird species.
- Salt Lick Safari Lodge: The primary accommodation and a major attraction due to its unique architecture and prime waterhole location.
- Madaraka Express (SGR Train): Offers a comfortable and scenic mode of transport from Nairobi to the Voi station.
Itinerary
Please make your way to the Nairobi SGR Terminus by 7:00 AM. Depart Nairobi at approximately 8:00 AM on the Madaraka Express train (economy class) for Voi. Upon arrival at Voi station, your local driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to Salt Lick Safari Lodge in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Check in, enjoy the lodge's facilities, and have lunch. After a short rest, depart for an afternoon game drive in the sanctuary. You may also visit the artifacts museum at the nearby Taita Hills Safari Resort. (Meals: Lunch & Dinner, Drinking water)
Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge.
After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Search for the big cats of Tsavo (as the ecosystem is connected), elephants, rhinos (if present in this specific sanctuary part), hippos, lions, cheetahs, buffalos, and diverse plant and bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch and some leisure time, perhaps enjoying wildlife viewing from the lodge's terrace overlooking the waterhole. In the afternoon, embark on another game drive. (Meals: All meals included, Drinking water)
Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge.
Enjoy a final morning breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards, you will be transferred with an en-route game drive to Voi train station for your return train journey to Nairobi. Pick-up from the Nairobi SGR Terminus can be arranged at an additional fee upon request. This marks the end of your unique train safari adventure. (Meals: Breakfast, Drinks not included)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour).
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Activities (as written in the itinerary)
- Entry fee
- Taxes
- A bottle of drinking water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas