The Ark Lodge

The Ark Lodge is one of Kenya’s most distinctive safari lodges, located deep within the forests of Aberdare National Park in the Central Highlands.

The lodge was designed to resemble Noah’s Ark, with multiple viewing decks overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick that attract wildlife throughout the day and night. Because of this unique design, the experience here differs greatly from the traditional game-drive safari.

Instead of travelling across open plains, guests observe wildlife directly from the lodge’s viewing platforms.

Landscape & Setting

The Aberdare Mountains form a chain of forested peaks, bamboo slopes and deep valleys rising west of Mount Kenya.

Within these highland forests the environment feels cool, misty and completely different from the savannah landscapes typical of many Kenyan safaris. Dense forest surrounds the lodge, while the waterhole below acts as a focal point where animals regularly gather.

Because of the altitude and forest cover, the Aberdares offer a safari atmosphere that feels quieter and more secluded than most other parks.

Accommodation

The Ark Lodge is designed as a multi-level structure with guest rooms overlooking the surrounding forest.

Rooms include:

Comfortable bedrooms with forest or waterhole views
Ensuite bathrooms
Access to multiple wildlife viewing decks
Interior lounges overlooking the waterhole

In addition, the lodge maintains observation areas where guests can watch wildlife visiting the salt lick below.

Safari Experience / Activities

The safari experience at The Ark Lodge centres on wildlife viewing from the lodge itself.

Activities include:

• Watching animals at the floodlit waterhole
• Wildlife viewing from multiple observation decks
• Forest excursions in Aberdare National Park
• Scenic drives through the Aberdare Mountains

Because animals visit the waterhole at all hours, wildlife sightings often continue late into the night.

Wildlife

The forests of Aberdare National Park support a range of wildlife adapted to highland environments.

Animals frequently seen at the waterhole include:

• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Giant forest hog
• Bushbuck
• Hyena

Leopard occasionally appear near the salt lick, while the surrounding forest supports a variety of smaller mammals and birdlife.

When to Visit

The Ark Lodge can be visited throughout the year.

June – October
Cooler dry months offer comfortable forest conditions and consistent wildlife visits to the waterhole.

December – March
Clear days with good mountain visibility.

April – May / November
Rainfall during these months makes the forest especially lush and atmospheric.

Because of the park’s elevation, temperatures are noticeably cooler than in most Kenyan safari areas.

Insider Tips

Wildlife activity at the waterhole often increases during the evening hours when elephants and buffalo arrive to drink.

Because the lodge sits at higher altitude, warmer clothing is useful during the evenings.

In addition, the lodge staff quietly alert guests when rare animals visit the waterhole during the night.

Oloi Shorua Must-Do

Spend an evening watching wildlife from the floodlit viewing decks, where elephants, buffalo and forest animals frequently gather at the waterhole after dark.

Few safari experiences allow such close wildlife observation directly from the lodge.

Oloi Shorua Recommendation

We recommend staying one night at The Ark Lodge as part of a Central Highlands safari, particularly for travellers interested in experiencing the unique forest environment of the Aberdares.

Planning Your Safari

Many journeys include:

You can also explore:

At Oloi Shorua we design bespoke safari journeys that combine the finest lodges across Africa’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes. Speak with us to begin planning your safari.