Built to resemble Noah’s Ark and set directly over a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, The Ark is one of Kenya’s most distinctive lodges, the safari happens at night here, watched from your room or the lodge’s viewing decks rather than from a vehicle. Elephants, buffalo, rhino, leopard and hyena are all regular visitors to the waterhole after dark, drawn in by the lodge’s own design rather than sought out on a drive.
Access works a little differently than most lodges. Guests first arrive at Aberdare Country Club, about 3 to 4 hours from Nairobi by road, then transfer to The Ark itself by the lodge’s own vehicles, meaning your stay effectively begins at the Country Club before continuing into the park. One long time guest noted the experience held up just as well twenty years later, a good sign for a lodge built entirely around a single, distinctive concept.
What to Expect
Night wildlife viewing. Floodlit waterhole viewing from your room and the lodge’s decks, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and hyena sightings are all genuinely possible after dark.
Dining. Meals served at the lodge, with the waterhole visible through much of the property.
Facilities. A buzzer system in most tree lodges alerts guests when notable wildlife arrives at the waterhole overnight, worth confirming this feature when we book.
Good for. Wildlife enthusiasts wanting a genuinely different kind of safari experience, and families or couples looking for something distinctive to pair with a more conventional game drive itinerary elsewhere.
Good to Know
- Access is via Aberdare Country Club first, then a transfer to The Ark by the lodge’s own vehicles, worth explaining this two-stage journey to guests in advance
- Built specifically around night wildlife viewing at a floodlit waterhole, not a base for daytime game drives
- Consistently high reviews, including from guests returning after many years
Book This Lodge as Part of Your Safari
We include The Ark as an option in your Aberdare itinerary, or can build a custom safari around a stay here specifically. Tell us your dates and we’ll confirm availability and pricing.