Safari and the Beach – Part 2: The Hildana Lodge

I found The Hildana Lodge by chance while seeking a place to stay after visiting Diani Beach. I had decided to head to the Kenyan Coast on a whim for a change of scenery and thought combining a beach holiday with a safari in Tsavo National Park would be great.

While finding accommodation in Diani was fairly easy – I simply plugged in my dates into Booking.com – I couldn’t quite figure out the best place to stay for a visit to Tsavo. I did have my sights set on two places – one property’s luxury price tag far exceeded my budget, while the other was fully booked during my intended dates.

Then I found The Hildana Lodge and it was love at first sight!

Within a few hours of finding this lodge, I had emailed them and secured my two-night stay. I was happy to find that The Hildana Lodge had a resident’s rate that was within my budget and, more importantly, it was solo traveller friendly, in that I did not need to pay an extra single supplement fee.

First Impressions of The Hildana Lodge

After spending three nights in Diani, I caught the afternoon train from Mombasa to Voi Terminal. The hour-long journey was followed by a seamless pickup – the lodge’s arranged driver was waiting for me at the station. After a 45-minute drive to the property, I received a warm welcome complete with a refreshing cold towel and glass of pineapple juice.

While a staff member handled my bags, I sat with the owner who gave me a brief orientation about the lodge and the activities included in my stay. Soon after, I was shown to my room.

A Quick Look at My Room at The Hildana Lodge

The tastefully furnished space featured rustic chic furniture that perfectly matched the lodge’s character. The bathroom was spacious, complemented by an equally generous and comfortable bed. Later on, I came to appreciate the attentive morning and turndown room service, where staff meticulously prepared the bed and adjusted the tent’s openings throughout the day.

The room was also connected to a large balcony that offered a serene retreat, though I found myself drawn to the lodge’s beautiful lobby instead. I spent a good portion of my days there, soaking in the pool, and waiting for elephants to arrive at the watering hole.

Though elephants were absent from the watering hole due to recent heavy rainfall, other wildlife kept the scene lively – zebras, warthogs, and a large herd of impalas made regular appearances. While I missed seeing elephants there, we encountered them during our morning and evening safaris, including one heart-pounding moment when an elephant charged our vehicle!

Stays at The Hildana Lodge include two daily safaris, a sundowner experience, and full board meals. Since I arrived shortly after the afternoon safari had departed, I eagerly anticipated my first safari at sunrise the following day.

Safaris at The Hildana Lodge

The adventure began with a wake-up call, complete with tea and biscuits to start the morning. At 6 am, I met two other guests in the lobby before setting out on our safari. As we drove through the park, we were treated to a stunning sunrise, and soon enough, we had our first elephant encounter!

Seeing one of the famous “Tsavo Red Elephants” up close was surreal. Having always searched for them from the train while passing through the park, encountering one right in front of me felt like a celebrity sighting. One of the gentle giants strutted shyly in front of our vehicle before vanishing into the savannah. We were amazed at how such a massive creature could move so quietly and swiftly!

Throughout the drive, we encountered a variety of wildlife and birds – giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, and hartebeests. The evening safari brought us face to face with a larger herd of elephants, perhaps a bit too close for comfort!

After the afternoon safari, our guide drove us to Vista Point for a sundowner overlooking a watering hole. While the heavy rains meant no elephants at this spot – they’re apparently frequent visitors during the dry season – the spectacular sunset and great company more than made up for it.

A Relaxing Time at The Hildana Lodge

Between safaris, I enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge, and treated myself to a relaxing massage. Initially, I wondered if I should have saved the beach for after the safari, thinking it would be a more relaxing way to end the trip. Surprisingly, the lodge turned out to be even more peaceful than my beach stay – I suppose that’s what luxury travel does to you! 🙂

My stay at The Hildana Lodge was everything I could ask for from a Kenyan holiday. Overall, this stay exceeded expectations in every way. From the warm hospitality and attentive service to the exciting safari encounters and peaceful moments between adventures, it proved to be the perfect getaway.

Although I missed the chance to see elephants at the lodge’s watering hole, the exhilarating wildlife encounters during our safaris—especially the heart-pounding moment when we faced a charging elephant—more than compensated for it. These experiences created unforgettable memories and left me eagerly planning my return for the dry season!