Ngulia Safari Lodge

I've stayed in many Kenyan park lodges over more than seven safaris in the past ten years, from basic camps to fairly comfortable places. This was among the worst by far, and I can only recommend avoiding it. The view from the top is really nice, but you can enjoy that on safari too, so it isn't a reason to stay here. Otherwise the property feels neglected and poorly maintained. Our room wasn't actually dirty and had no bad smell, but it was run down, and the other rooms I saw seemed no better. Paint was peeling from the walls and doors. There was no fan or air conditioning. Mosquito nets hung from the ceiling instead of being fitted to the beds, with big gaps between net and wall, making them almost useless. The food was frankly awful. It stopped us going hungry, but wasn't enjoyable at all. A bottle of Tusker costs KSh 600. There are much better lodges in the parks at similar or even lower prices.

The lodge is old and worn, and yes, the rooms need renovation. The equipment doesn't match what you'd get at a hotel. Still, consider where you are: the safari atmosphere here is unforgettable, the food is good, the drinks are cold, and the staff are incredibly attentive. They manage to do more than you'd expect with simple means, and that's what matters to me. Many thanks to the wonderful team. I did think about giving fewer points, but that wouldn't have been fair to this place and its staff.

The only friendly people we encountered were the cooking staff. Everyone else we've met in Kenya has been so welcoming, which makes Ngulia stand out even more. Game viewing gets overshadowed by the long drive to an old lodge with very basic food and staff who seemed uncaring. The rooms feel like a 1960s roadside motel. At check-in, staff mention a nice balcony for watching animals, but in the room there are no chairs at all, just a bed, desk and bathroom. No desk chair, balcony chairs or fan. Some rooms still have the original chairs, but apparently broken chairs and other things haven't been replaced over the years. With no fan, proper windows or screens, the nights are long and hot. I wouldn't recommend staying here.

At 3000 feet above sea level, Ngulia Safari Lodges sits in Tsavo West National Park. NSL is government owned and is one of the lodges under Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels. The rooms are clean, nice and spacious, with an atmosphere on another level. You can see elephants and baboons from your hotel room. As you travel through the park to your destination, you may come across zebras, antelope, rhinos and elephants. The team is friendly and very courteous, and it feels like a home away from home. If you love game drives, you're covered. Make memories, tembea Kenya, and visit Ngulia Safari Lodges. Definitely a place to revisit.