Kipalo Hills
Convent Drive, Tsavo, Tsavo National Park West Kenya
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About
#3 of 15 Specialty lodging in Tsavo
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
5.0
Value
4.9
Kipalo Hills and it's eight rooms enjoy extensive views across Tsavo to the Ngulia Mountains and Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance. It is situated in the private 12,000 acre Mbulia Conservancy directly bordering the stunning Tsavo West National Park with easy access to Tsavo East National Park as well. Mbulia Conservancy is an important dry season dispersal area for elephant and other wildlife including buffalo, African wild dog and cheetah. It is a fabulous birding area and there are many fun activities to enjoy from bush walking and game driving to fly-camping in the Tsavo National Parks.
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Property amenities
Free private parking nearby
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Archery
Hiking
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Kid-friendly buffet
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Archery offsite
Walking tours
Manicure
Massage
24-hour security
Concierge
Convenience store
Gift shop
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
24-hour check-in
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Dining area
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Seating area
Separate dining area
Walk-in shower
Complimentary toiletries
Sofa
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
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Room types
Mountain view
Bridal suite
Family rooms
Good to know
Languages Spoken
English, Arabic, German, Italian and 1 more
Location
Convent Drive, Tsavo, Tsavo National Park West Kenya
Getting there
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See what other travelers are saying
- Sara HAliquippa, Pennsylvania99 contributionsAmazing!!We stayed here for two days while exploring Tsavo East and West. It was absolutely incredible! After our long drive from Nairobi, we were met with cool towels soaked in eucalyptus oil to clean our hands and faces. My husband and I were the only ones at the camp for both days, so we essentially had a personal staff that saw to our every need. We had the big suite camp with an amazing view of Tsavo West, a king size bed, and a shower and open air bathroom. Daniel the chef attended to our every need, preparing a personalized menu for us when we were ready to eat. Mustafa was also amazing, making sure we always had a full glass of wine and were comfortable. After safaris in Tsavo East and West (where we came up close to elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and a whole host of other animals), Mustafa would arrange the bean bag chairs for us on the cliff overlooking Tsavo West, pour us a sundowner glass of wine, and bring us a snack to enjoy while we watched the sunset. On our second night there, they placed our dinner table on the patio overlooking a watering hole so that we could watch the elephants drink while eating. This place is amazing. I can’t even begin to describe how welcomed and at home we felt here. Totally worth visiting.Goodness Sarah, thank you so much! What a wonderful review. We hope that you journey home wasn't too long and you are well rested. Take care and best regards from the team!Written May 25, 2022This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Date of stay: April 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten May 7, 2022
- Sue CLiverpool, United Kingdom10 contributionsWhat an amazing location and propertyWhat an amazing location and property From the personalised welcome from Nikita, to the front of house staff, Rangers, and Kitchen crew - everyone we met were lovely Accommodation, big clean comfortable bed, great bathroom with Safari Shower, Tea and Wake up calls, fantastic food - the Chef Frank comes and discusses the menu with you each meal time. Nothing was too much for them to organise. Evening Water hole activity very exciting - Lots of Elephants when we were there. View from the lounge area across Tsavo was beautiful. I have no hesitation in recommending this property and hope to visit again in the future xOMG Sue, thank you for taking the time to write this amazing review! We are pleased to read that you had a great time at Kipalo Hills. We look forward to hosting you again very soon :) Warm regards, Nikita - Secluded AfricaWritten August 13, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Date of stay: January 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 23, 2023
- AnnaSt. Andrews, United Kingdom15 contributionsOne of the best places in Kenya!We just got back from an amazing trip to Kipalo Hills. It is an incredible location in a brilliantly run conservancy. The lodge is one of the most beautiful places we've stayed and the team working at the camp are lovely. Daniel's food was delicious, particularly the lamb cooked over the fire by the waterhole. The perfect combination of luxury and friendly - a difficult balance. Would come back in a heartbeat. Thank you to everyone who made our stay so special.Dear Anna, thank you so much for your review and choosing Kipalo Hills for your vacation. Your review means so much to us and says what we have not been able to put into words. We hope to welcome you again soon. Happy New Year!Written January 6, 2022This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Date of stay: June 2021Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
What an amazing location and property From the personalised welcome from Nikita, to the front of house staff, Rangers, and Kitchen crew - everyone we met were lovely Accommodation, big clean comfortable bed, great bathroom with Safari Shower, Tea and Wake up calls, fantastic food - the Chef Frank comes and discusses the menu with you each meal time. Nothing was too much for them to organise. Evening Water hole activity very exciting - Lots of Elephants when we were there. View from the lounge area across Tsavo was beautiful. I have no hesitation in recommending this property and hope to visit again in the future x
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Secluded Africa Management, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Aug 13, 2023
OMG Sue, thank you for taking the time to write this amazing review! We are pleased to read that you had a great time at Kipalo Hills. We look forward to hosting you again very soon :) Warm regards, Nikita - Secluded Africa
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed in this nicely located mid range camp for 5 nights when visiting Tsavo East. Since we were a group of 3 adults we confirmed with the camp managing company Secluded Africa that our tent would be comfortable enough for such an extended stay. Unfortunately we were assigned a very small, outdated and poorly furnished tent that could barely fit our 3 beds. Once there we learned that the camp has only one larger modern tent that was not available at the time. Knowing this ahead of time we would definitely have shortened our stay there. There was also a shortage of safari land cruisers at one point so we had to use our own SUV for the game drive despite that we were promised and paid for 2 game drives a day. Food was adequate, nicely presented and all of the staff made sure that our stay was as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. What makes this camp attractive is its high ground, secluded location with beautiful views over the surrounding bush. With some improvements to the accommodation and better management skills this could be a a real gem.…
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Date of stay: December 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Ask for the family tent if available.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Secluded Africa Management, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Aug 14, 2023
Dear Bozena, thank you for taking the time to write your review. We have taken in all your thoughts and are working towards making it more comfortable for your next visit. Hoping to see you soon again. Best wishes Secluded Africa
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The excellent location of the Kipalo Hills Lodge deep inside Mbulia Conservancy almost makes up for the shortcomings in quality of the accommodation and management. Tents have great views but except one family tent the rest of them is rather on the small side, outdated and poorly decorated. Food was no frills but made with great dedication by the chef. There is a waterhole at the base of the camp where you can observe elephants drinking almost every evening, otherwise game drives within the conservancy are rather uneventful since the whole area is densely overgrown and spotting the game is very difficult. We had a very nice sundowner at the top of the hill and surprise breakfast in the bush. It takes a 25 min drive through the conservancy on a bumpy dirt road and additional 10 min on the very busy Mombasa road before you reach the gate of the Tsavo East NP where you can see a variety of wildlife. Highly recommend this park, where we spotted plenty of elephants, giraffes, and lions on every drive. To reach the Tsavo West gate you have to drive for one hour from the camp. Like the conservancy, Tsavo West is also densely overgrown but you may occasionally spot elephants there and visit the rhino sanctuary that is located inside the park. Fair warning, when we went there were no rhinos to be seen. In conclusion, a nice albeit not luxurious camp with great potential due to its unique location.…
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Date of stay: December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Secluded Africa Management, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Aug 13, 2023
Dear Witold, thank you for taking the time to write your review. We have taken in all your thoughts and are working towards making it more comfortable for your next visit. Hoping to see you soon again. Best wishes Secluded Africa
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We stayed here for two days while exploring Tsavo East and West. It was absolutely incredible! After our long drive from Nairobi, we were met with cool towels soaked in eucalyptus oil to clean our hands and faces. My husband and I were the only ones at the camp for both days, so we essentially had a personal staff that saw to our every need. We had the big suite camp with an amazing view of Tsavo West, a king size bed, and a shower and open air bathroom. Daniel the chef attended to our every need, preparing a personalized menu for us when we were ready to eat. Mustafa was also amazing, making sure we always had a full glass of wine and were comfortable. After safaris in Tsavo East and West (where we came up close to elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and a whole host of other animals), Mustafa would arrange the bean bag chairs for us on the cliff overlooking Tsavo West, pour us a sundowner glass of wine, and bring us a snack to enjoy while we watched the sunset. On our second night there, they placed our dinner table on the patio overlooking a watering hole so that we could watch the elephants drink while eating. This place is amazing. I can’t even begin to describe how welcomed and at home we felt here. Totally worth visiting.…
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Robyn Henry, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded May 25, 2022
Goodness Sarah, thank you so much! What a wonderful review. We hope that you journey home wasn't too long and you are well rested. Take care and best regards from the team!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The beautiful lodge is located in perfect nature with a stunning view and abundant wildlife. Attention is given to all details. The hospitality was great: we were really spoiled! Daniel conjured up great menus. Richard and his team were attentive hosts in every respect. No wishes remained unfulfilled! The place near Voi and between the two Tsavo National Parks is also particularly suitable for relaxing a few nights in a small paradise on the way from Nairobi to the coast.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Robyn Henry, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Mar 28, 2022
Dear G3825MDmanuela, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are incredibly grateful for your kind words and support. The conservancy has come a long way since first being formed, which makes us even happier to hear that you experienced "abundant wildlife", a sign of the conservancies successful endeavours. We hope to welcome you to any of our safari & beach hideaways again soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just got back from an amazing trip to Kipalo Hills. It is an incredible location in a brilliantly run conservancy. The lodge is one of the most beautiful places we've stayed and the team working at the camp are lovely. Daniel's food was delicious, particularly the lamb cooked over the fire by the waterhole. The perfect combination of luxury and friendly - a difficult balance. Would come back in a heartbeat. Thank you to everyone who made our stay so special.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Robyn H, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Jan 6, 2022
Dear Anna, thank you so much for your review and choosing Kipalo Hills for your vacation. Your review means so much to us and says what we have not been able to put into words. We hope to welcome you again soon. Happy New Year!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a wonderful time at Kipalo Hills, probably our best trip of many fantastic ones in Kenya. The views are beautiful, the food is delicious, and the tens are superb. There is fantastic wildlife in the conservancy itself - we saw many Elephants and Wild Dogs- and it's also a brilliant location to get to Tsavo west and east. The conservancy does fantastic work protecting the wildlife and benefiting the local community and we learned lots on our visit. There were so many highlights including watching elephants at the waterhole while we had dinner by the fire, and enjoying sundowners by the beautiful pool. Best of all was the incredibly welcome we received from Richard, Shasa and his wonderful team. We were treated like friends rather than guest.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Robyn H, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Jan 6, 2022
Hi Lawrence! Wow! Thank you for such a brilliant review! The wild dogs are indeed a special experience that we hope everyone is able to enjoy when they visit. We hope to welcome you again some day soon. Happy New Year!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here recently for three nights and enjoyed the superb hospitality and location so much that I extended my stay by a day. Located in the Mbulia conservancy adjacent to Tsavo West national park the lodge has wonderful views across Tsavo West to Kilimanjaro. Aside from the very impressive conservation work being done by the owners, the team at the Lodge and the very hard working team of Conservancy rangers the Lodge itself is extremely well managed, very comfortable and the food produced by the kitchen is very impressive. I am in the process of planning my next trip to Kipalo Hills and would highly recommend it to anyone and to those seeking an alternative to the usual stops in Tsavo West or East.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Robyn H, Marketing at Kipalo Hills
Responded Jan 6, 2022
Hi Kisukali, thank you so so much for your review. We are thrilled that you had a wonderful stay and cannot thank you enough for choosing us. We hope to welcome you again soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We only had one night as an overnight stop to the coast here. I think it warrants more than that to discover its beauty and active options. We enjoyed a short bush walk with sundowner and the food was good. Tent simple but correct. Our friends had the family tent which was beautiful and spacious.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
This stop. This camp. Where do I begin. Glad to write this review while the memories are so fresh in my mind. Home for two weeks after having the rare opportunity to travel with a small group, fellow curious travelers with Wow Travel club. Stayed on #Secluded Africa properties exclusively, and although the different sceneries kept your jaw dropping from the surreal beauty all the way, this place was a sharp contrast from the other two green lush landscape. The color of the soil was a red, that can only compared to Mars. Not your typical red clay. Copper rich, and with the mostly brown landscape you feel like you are on a different planet. The consistency between the three lodges we visited was the well trained, professional staff. From the rangers, to the spotters, the Chef, the people who brought your water for your bucket showers, did their job with the biggest smiles you'll ever see in service. We have a lot to learn from them, here, in the US. Firsts: I chose to stay at their "fly camp". I have never camped before. Ever. The pull of nature, the open fire all night, the rustic setting were too tempting to say no to. It was adventurous, romantic, exhilarating. Sitting by the fire before turning in for the night, watching the blood red sunset, listening to the sounds of the savanna was both intimate and invaluable learning experience. I am more of a fine hotels person, this was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. Go figure, that became one of the highlights of my visit. Felt safe, armed guards protect your sleep, and they ask what time would you like your morning wake up: They show up with your choice of hot beverage and delicate ginger cookies to wake you with. A mile away from camp. Take a bucket shower smiling at the Upside down tree (Baobab), listen to stories from your guides-hosts, and your soul is touched in a new way. Visiting the well trained ranger's station was eye opening. Sundowners overlooking the savanna with an occasional visit to the watering hole by elephants. Rustic beauty surrounds you everywhere, another eco chic lodge. Walk in safaris, driving safaris, check. Hyraxes will pop their little heads in, and the occasional visit by black face velvet monkeys will keep you in awe. Hardest goodbyes. Asante Sana beautiful Kipalo Hills. You are in for a rare treat staying here. #SecludedAfrica, you have created magic.…
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Date of stay: September 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Want the real adventure? Go fly camping.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from SecludedAfrica, Public Relations Manager at Kipalo Hills
Responded Oct 4, 2019
Dear WanderlustGab, I cannot tell you how much we appreciate seeing yet another review from you. It is absolutely heartwarming, humbling and gives us a huge injection of passion and energy to keep creating moving experiences. Kipalo Hills (Kipalo in Taita means "to return again and again") is a magical place. Elephants return no matter what season it is as it is along the ancient elephant path. You have experienced its driest time. After the rains, it is a lush, green, scent-filled paradise with all animals making the conservancy come alive. I hope you could return one day to experience it's greener side. We wish you all the best! Kind regards, Robyn
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Tsavo area.
PRICE RANGE
$673 - $750 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
KenyaCoast ProvinceTsavo National Park WestTsavo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kipalo Hills
What are some of the property amenities at Kipalo Hills?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Kipalo Hills?
Top room amenities include a dining area, a view of the mountains, and a seating area.
What food & drink options are available at Kipalo Hills?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Kipalo Hills?
Yes, free private parking nearby is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Kipalo Hills?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Kipalo Hills have airport transportation?
Yes, Kipalo Hills offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Kipalo Hills?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, German, Italian, Arabic, and Swahili.