The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park

The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park is a luxury lodge built to resemble Noah’s Ark. It is set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park overlooking the Yasabara waterhole and salt lick. The Lodge is 16 km from the Mweiga airfield, two hours away from Nanyuki Town, and about 197 km north of Nairobi (a 3-hour 30-minute drive). The Yasabara Waterhole, meanwhile, attracts animals from all over the park – notably large herds of elephants. No private vehicles are allowed within the area, guests are brought in by bus from the nearby Aberdare Country Club, which serves as a kind of staging post for the Ark itself.

An expectant hush pervades The Ark. Conversations are whispered, binoculars and cameras head in readiness. There is an early wake-up call – to catch both the wildlife and the first glimpse of the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya. It’s the public viewing areas, however, that give the Ark its utterly unique appeal. Guests can see the animals from three different levels, inside or out. The ground-level photo hide has no glass in the windows – allowing visitors to be feet away from a herd of elephants. Elsewhere, viewing can be done in warmth and relaxation.

Wildlife highlights: colobus monkey, leopard, lion, serval cat, elephant, warthog, black rhino, giant forest hog, reed and bushbuck, buffalo, duiker, suni, eland and the rare bongo antelope. Birds: 250 recorded species.

The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park Accommodation

The Ark offers 60 en-suite rooms or ‘cabins’ on the various decks. Silence is requested to encourage optimum game viewing. Bells in the rooms indicate when the game has come to the waterhole. All rooms have electricity. Laundry is done at the nearby Aberdare Country Club. Disabled access is provided.

Only a lightweight overnight bag and camera equipment are allowed. Excess luggage can be safely stored at the Aberdare Country Club

The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park Vantage points

✔ The catwalk
✔ Game alarm
✔ Open-air balcony
✔ Bird feeding platform
✔ Glass enclave – another glassed-off, non-smoking lounge
✔ ‘D’ deck – photographic hide, non-smoking “bunker” at ground level
✔  ‘A’ deck lounge – glassed-off viewing lounge, overlooking the waterhole
✔ ‘C’ deck enclave – glassed-off lounge, a designated non-smoking area, view of the waterhole
✔ ‘B’ deck with balcony – open balcony just above the salt lick and waterhole, where the spotlights are aimed from

The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park Dining and bars

The Ark has a central dining room with communal tables, serving traditional safari buffet selections. There is also a charmingly rustic bar. Hot drinks are available throughout the night. Picnics are also held in the ‘Salient’ portion of the park. The main lounge has a large stone fireplace, the mounted rhino head is a relic of a fatal fight between it and an elephant, which took place by the waterhole. Tea and cakes are served in the afternoon.

Child-friendly

Children under the age of 7 are not permitted at The Ark unless on special “Children’s Nights”

What to see and do at The Ark Lodge

The Ark has its photo hide. The lodge offers Forex facilities, medical services, a gift shop, raised raised-timbered viewing platform, and presentations by the resident naturalist.

Non-Resident Accommodation Rates Per Night Includes;

Notes

* Game Package rates available on request
* Children under the age of 3 years stay for free
* One Child sharing with one adult shall be charged an adult sharing rate
* Festive season and Public Holiday supplement of 50 US Dollars per person per night applies

This tree lodge is uniquely shaped to resemble the actual Ark, designed with decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for viewing the animals visiting the salt lick and waterhole.  There are 4 decks; Deck A Deck B, Deck C, and Deck D.

The Ark has 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 that pictures of animals on the salt lick only yards away may be taken through the view holes in complete safety.

Ark Tree Lodge Hotel rooms are in Deck A, Deck B, and Deck C. There are 6 single rooms, 37 twin rooms, 10 double rooms, and 7 triple rooms.  Each room is self-contained with an en-suite shower and bathroom. There is a buzzer in every room to alert guests to the presence of animals of special interest visiting the water hole at night.

There is an onsite restaurant that serves only dinner and breakfast, 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 Ark Cellar offers a wide collection of fine wines. 

The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park activities include; wildlife watching, game drives, mountain climbing, nature walks, fishing trips, bird watching, and visiting the Moorlands. In this intimate recess, one can almost, but not quite, pat the animals, hear their sounds, and smell the aroma of the night.

This is a magical corner, where there is close contact with the essence that tells of an unexplored Africa, and where, very often, the visitor may enjoy in the solitary state the beauty of it all.

All cabins at the Ark Tree Lodge have a private bathroom with a shower and are comfortably furnished to enjoy views of the forest or waterhole. Accommodation at The Ark consists of 60 en-suite rooms.

Room layout:

* 9 triple-bedded state cabins
* 37 twin-bedded state cabins
* 6 single-bedded state cabins
* 8 double-bedded state cabins
* 1 courier (single bedded room, not en-suite)

* Dinner, bed, and breakfast are served ‘on board’ The Ark in the main dining room. Located on one of the viewing decks is a bar and lounge which remains open all night for tea and coffee. Other Facilities include:

* Gift Shop
* Medical services
* Bureau de change
* Access for disabled persons
* Laundry at Aberdare Country Club
* Lunch boxes from Aberdare Country Club
* Radio and mobile phone contact with the Aberdare Country Club

* Ark Tree Lodge is one of the few stilted tree-top type lodges where all you have to do is sit and wait for the animals to come to you. The Yasabara waterhole and salt-lick are frequented by great numbers of animals such as elephants, rhinos, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, and Bushbuck, as well as other rare creatures such as the Suni, and Genet Cat.
* Dinner and Breakfast are served ‘on board’ in the main dining room. Located on one of the viewing decks are a lounge and a bar that remains open all night for tea and coffee.

The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park Layout

* ‘A’ DECK Lounge – The ‘A’ Deck has a glassed-off viewing lounge, overlooking the waterhole. Settees enable you to view the game in comfort. Decorated in warm earth tones, the lounge affords guests a modicum of privacy in their viewing experience. Capacity is 10 seated.

* ‘B’ DECK Balcony – The ‘B’ Deck has an open balcony just above the salt lick and waterhole, where the spotlights are aimed. As it is open, it is exposed to a bracing chill and the view is breathtaking. Enjoy viewing the uninterrupted horizon and below you a vista of wildlife at close range. Capacity is 60 people standing.

* ‘C’ DECK Enclave – Just ahead of the main lounge, there is another glassed-off lounge, a designated non-smoking area, which affords a spectacular view of the waterhole. Four o’clock tea is served here. The capacity is 30 people.

* BALCONY – The open-air balcony off the side of the lounge provides guests with an angled view of the waterhole and the small clearing before the advent of the dense forest, one of the routes used by the game on their way to the waterhole. Chairs line the balustrade. The capacity is 25 people, seated.

* ‘D’ DECK (Photographic Hide) – There is a non-smoking ‘bunker’ at ground level through a door leading from a front lounge, from which animals can be seen at close range. As it has an open window guests are placed eye to eye with the game, and photographs taken from here are startling in quality. The capacity is 8 people.

* Glass Enclave – Another glassed-off, the non-smoking lounge is located here. Based on the ground floor level, this viewing area gives guests a life-sized experience of the game. The capacity is 20 people seated.

* The Catwalk – The catwalk is a useful place to observe both animals and birds and is a pleasant place to walk. Birds are fed here every evening at 17:00 hours. Guests are not allowed beyond the gate.

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