Saltlick Elephant Sanctuary
Salt Lick Elephant Sanctuary, also known as Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, is a private wildlife conservancy located next to Tsavo West National Park in southeastern Kenya. It’s one of the most unique safari destinations in the country, famous for its elevated Salt Lick Safari Lodge, built on stilts overlooking a busy waterhole where elephants, buffaloes, and other animals gather daily.
Highlights & Attractions
- Close-Up Elephant Encounters – Watch herds of elephants and other wildlife from the comfort of your lodge balcony as they come to drink and lick natural salt from the ground.
- Rich Wildlife Diversity – The sanctuary is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, elands, and many antelope species.
- Taita Hills Scenery – Set against the backdrop of the lush Taita Hills, the sanctuary offers stunning views, especially at sunrise and sunset.
- Salt Lick Safari Lodge – A world-famous lodge built on stilts, allowing guests to safely observe animals from above, both day and night.
Bird Watching – Over 300 bird species can be found here, including sunbirds, weavers, and hornbills.
Activities
- Day and night game drives
- Guided bush walks and sundowners
- Bird watching
- Visit to nearby LUMO Community Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cultural visits to local Taita communities
Best Time to Visit
- June to October and
- January to February – The dry seasons are ideal for wildlife viewing as animals gather around waterholes.
Accessibility
- From Mombasa: Approximately 4 hours by road via Voi.
- From Nairobi: About 6 hours by road.
- By Air: Charter flights can land at the sanctuary’s private airstrip.