Ark Tree Lodge Hotel

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Ark Tree Hotel is a luxury lodge set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park overlooking a flood-lit waterhole and salt lick. The Lodge is 16 km from the Mweiga airfield, two hours away from Nanyuki Town, and about 170 km from Nairobi – 3 Hours by road

Ark Tree Lodge Aberdare was opened in November 1969 and it overlooks the Yasabara waterhole, perhaps the largest salt-lick in the Aberdare Mountains and the haunt of a variety of forest game unequaled in Africa.

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 are brought in daily from the village. The Ark Cellar offers a wide collection of fine wines. 

The Ark Tree Lodge Hotel activities include; wildlife watching, game drives, mountain climbing, nature walk, fishing trip, bird watching, and visit 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.

Non-Resident Accommodation Rates Per Night Includes;

Full Board Accommodation + inclusive of VAT, Government levy, and service charge

Notes

* One Child sharing with one adult shall be charged an adult sharing rate
* Children under the age of 7 are not permitted at The Ark unless on special ‘Children’s Nights’
* Two Children (7 Year to 12 years) sharing in own private room shall be charged 75% of room rate
* Children sharing with an adult, 7 to 12 Years shall be charged 50% of adult rate but a maximum of 2 in a room
* Christmas supplement of 50 US Dollars on the 24th, 25th, 26th & 31st and 1st of January per person per night applies

Resident Accommodation Rates Per Night Includes;

Full Board Accommodation + inclusive of VAT, Government levy, and service charge

Notes

* Children in their own rooms up to 18 years accompanied by parents pay 50% of the room rate
* Christmas supplement of 3,000 Kenya Shillings Per Person on the 24th, 25th, 26th & 31st and 1st of January 2016 of per person per night applies

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, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, 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.

Ark Tree Lodge 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 from. As it is open, it is exposed to a bracing chill and the view is literally 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 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.