The best and strategically positioned along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road. At the footsteps of the aberdare ranges, the widespread ranges in the central parts of the country. The ranges are as a result of the down warping and up warping of the land mass. The iconic Rhino Watch lodge is a perfect destination for honeymoons, anniversaries, and celebrations, offering private bush dinners, champagne sundowners, and special wildlife experiences like black rhino tracking.
It is a sunny afternoon on a Wednesday after finalizing on a booking for my clients over the weekend. All things are set and looking forward to the great day. I send reminders to all on the WhatsApp Group we’ve created. Two-day countdown begins. Finally, the long awaited day is here and we meet at a central point in town where we get inside our 3 land cruisers – that are fully branded in the company logos. I ensure everyone who booked has arrived and we begin our journey. The group is made up of close friends who are in their early 20s.
We depart at 8am for our road trip since the lodge is not so far away. As we transit clients are chatting and enjoying the historic stories of the various towns we pass from the driver guide. Our first stop is at Sagana to allow for a quick break and shopping for the ones who wish to purchase any amenities. We are here for 20 minutes and we the leave for our final destination. The drive is 1 hour away, google maps really doing it’s very best.
When we get to the lodge, we are welcomed by the well-dressed smiley faced individuals. The vehicles are parked near the entrance of the lodge- we alight and we are given a welcome drink – which looks like a mock tail cold and very sweet. The head of the front office takes charge and we are welcomed to the lodge. With a small brief, we then get issued with our room keys. The group is occupying single tents and others double tents.
The Rhino Watch Safari Lodge has different accommodations for different requirements. In the upper area of the complex, there are 5 double chalets and 2 family chalets. These are pure feel-good accommodations where you also like to stay, relax, and enjoy. In the lower area, there are 9 exclusive safari tents that were lovingly built in a bush forest. In the middle of the lodge, there is a pond where weaver birds like to nest. Right next to it there is a library with a small sunset bar. On the roof, you have a great view and you can watch birds in the roofs of the trees.
The experienced staff and complete kitchen allows them to offer virtually any type of food. The menu includes vegetarian dishes, children´s menu, fresh fish from the mountain streams of the Aberdares, the best quality beef from the pastures of the central highlands, and Indian rice dishes. Every day they serve a delicious selection of fresh fruits and vegetables from the fertile gardens of the surrounding area.
After checking into our rooms, we had a group head straight to the swimming pool for a late afternoon dive. The pool is huge and accommodates most of the clients comfortable. This is an infinity pool – on a clear day- you can see the peak of Mt. Kenya from a far. The clients enjoy the swim as others are resting in their rooms waiting for dinner time. The restaurant is well set and lit with one table set for all the clients. Dining together brings them all close together.
The buffet menu has a variety of options to choose from starches, proteins and delicious pastries as dessert. The food looks delicious and all clients serve and settle in the restaurant and for a minute, we could only hear the cutlery clutter. After dinner we have time for chilling by the bonfire. The bonfire is lit outside one of the tents and we engage with the clients sharing our different travel experiences. Some of the best being from repeat clients who have enjoyed travelling with us.
It’s almost midnight and only few people are at the bonfire. We retire to bed and we are ready for a full day travel to Solio Ranch, Aberdares National Park and a walk with the giraffes. Clients will be experiencing any of the optional activities from the lodge. The night is too short and the sun rays into the tent definitely serve as a wakeup call. We freshen up and head for breakfast which is served in the a-la-carte restaurant. Some clients have already had their meal.
By 10am, the drivers are ready to take the clients to their day’s activities and the ones left in the lodge spend the day swimming, biking and learning about the hotel. By evening the group is back to the lodge and they freshen up and join the rest for dinner. This night only countable individuals are at the bonfire, the rest choose to sleep early waiting for their safari back to Nairobi.
Its’ the last day and we check out of the hotel after the breakfast. Hit the road and we are ready to return back to Nairobi. The two nights’ experience is ideal to allow individuals to get away from the busy city. Rhino Watch Lodge is one of the best places to escape to.
