🌍 Introduction
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is a premier safari lodge perched along the Lion Hill ridge, offering sweeping views of Lake Nakuru National Park and its shimmering lake below. Nestled in a prime location within the park, the lodge blends luxury with nature, offering guests a front-row seat to spectacular birdlife, flamingo-filled waters, and encounters with both black and white rhinos, lions, and other iconic wildlife.
It is one of the most family-friendly and well-established lodges in Nakuru, operated by the reputable Sarova Hotels chain — known for its consistent hospitality, comfort, and culinary excellence.
📍 Location & Accessibility
- Park: Lake Nakuru National Park, Rift Valley, Kenya
- Distance from Nairobi: Approx. 160 km (2.5 to 3 hours by road)
- Closest Airstrip: Naishi Airstrip (inside the park)
Getting There:
- 🚗 By Road: Easily accessible via the Nairobi–Nakuru highway
- ✈️ By Air: Chartered flights from Wilson Airport to Naishi Airstrip, with lodge pick-up
🛌 Accommodation
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge offers 67 chalets, including suites, deluxe, and standard rooms — all set amidst landscaped gardens with views over the park and lake.
Room Categories:
- Standard Rooms:
- Comfortable twin or double beds
- Private patios overlooking the gardens or lake
- En-suite bathrooms with solar-heated showers
- Deluxe Rooms:
- Upgraded furnishings and better locations with enhanced views
- Larger living areas, ideal for couples or small families
- Suites (Ziwa and Chui Suites):
- Luxurious interiors, private lounge, larger balconies
- Premium lakefront location with uninterrupted panoramic views
Room Features:
- Mosquito-netted beds
- En-suite bathroom with hot water
- Writing desk, luggage racks, and wardrobes
- Coffee/tea station
- Wi-Fi available in public areas
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Flamingo Restaurant:
- Buffet-style dining with a mix of African, international, and Indian dishes
- Outdoor terrace seating with views of the garden and park
Rift Valley Bar:
- Lounge-style bar offering wines, beers, cocktails, and sundowners
- Fireplace and panoramic windows for indoor relaxation
Bush Meals:
- Breakfasts and sundowners can be arranged at scenic park viewpoints
- Private bush dinners available for couples or groups (on request)
🛠️ Facilities & Amenities
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Spa and wellness center offering massages and beauty treatments
- Gift shop with souvenirs, local crafts, and essentials
- Business center and conference facilities
- Outdoor bonfire area and live evening entertainment (select nights)
- Laundry service
- Free parking and 24-hour reception
🐘 Safari & Activities
Lake Nakuru National Park is a wildlife-rich sanctuary and a UNESCO-recognized Ramsar wetland site.
Activities from Sarova Lion Hill:
- Morning and evening game drives in lodge vehicles or self-driven 4x4s
- Birdwatching safaris — the lake is famous for flamingos, pelicans, and over 450 other species
- Visit to Makalia Falls, Baboon Cliff, and Lion Hill viewpoints
- Rhino sightings — Nakuru is a stronghold for endangered black and white rhinos
- Photography safaris
- Nature walks and wellness sessions within the lodge grounds
Sarova Lion Hill Accommodation Options & 2025 Non-Resident Rates (Full Board)
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge employs a well-calibrated seasonal pricing strategy that aligns with demand patterns and traveler behavior throughout the year. During low seasons such as April to June and November, rates for standard double rooms drop to around $250, offering excellent value for travelers seeking a premium lodge experience on a budget.
In contrast, high-season pricing (July to September, and Christmas holidays) reflects peak demand with double rooms priced at $530–$585 and suites reaching up to $1,200 per night. Despite these seasonal shifts, the full-board model ensures strong value, especially when considering the lodge’s prime location inside Lake Nakuru National Park, scenic lake views, and full access to amenities like bush dining, a wellness center, and family-friendly infrastructure.
🛏️ Standard Rooms (Per Night)
| Dates | Single (1 Guest) | Double (2 Guests) | Triple (3 Guests) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan – 31 Mar 2025 | $250 | $350 | $460 |
| 1 – 17 Apr 2025 | $130 | $250 | $340 |
| 18 – 21 Apr 2025 | $250 | $350 | $460 |
| 22 Apr – 15 Jun 2025 | $130 | $250 | $340 |
| 16 – 30 Jun 2025 | $250 | $350 | $460 |
| 1 Jul – 15 Sep 2025 | $400 | $530 | $700 |
| 16 Sep – 31 Oct 2025 | $250 | $350 | $460 |
| 1 Nov – 22 Dec 2025 | $185 | $290 | $390 |
| 23 Dec 2025 – 3 Jan 2026 | $445 | $585 | $770 |
Standard Rooms:
- Chalet-style accommodations with private terraces overlooking the park.
- Rooms are designed with a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics, providing comfort amidst nature.
🛌 Suite Options (Per Night)
Suites:
- The Chui and Faru Suites offer spacious interiors with separate lounges and enhanced amenities.
- The Ziwa Suite is the presidential suite, featuring an expansive living area and panoramic views of Lake Nakuru.
| Dates | Chui/Faru Suite (1BR) | 2BR Suite | Ziwa Suite (2BR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan – 31 Mar 2025 | $420 | $710 | $1,030 |
| 1 – 17 Apr 2025 | $310 | $540 | $570 |
| 18 – 21 Apr 2025 | $420 | $710 | $1,030 |
| 22 Apr – 15 Jun 2025 | $310 | $540 | $570 |
| 16 – 30 Jun 2025 | $420 | $710 | $1,030 |
| 1 Jul – 15 Sep 2025 | $550 | $1,050 | $1,200 |
| 16 Sep – 31 Oct 2025 | $420 | $710 | $1,030 |
| 1 Nov – 22 Dec 2025 | $370 | $650 | $700 |
| 23 Dec 2025 – 3 Jan 2026 | $580 | $1,100 | $1,200 |
🍽️ Meals & Dining
Full board includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additional meals are available at:
- Breakfast: $30 per person
- Lunch: $35 per person
- Dinner: $40 per person
- Packed Lunches: Standard – $25 | Premium – $30
🧒 Children Policy
- 0 – 2.99 years: Free of charge when sharing with adults
- 3 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult rate when sharing with 1 or 2 adults
- 12 – 16 years: 75% of adult rate when sharing with adults
- Children in own room (up to 16 yrs): Charged 75% of applicable single/double/triple rate
🎉 Special Experiences & Supplements
Optional upgrades and experiences:
- Boma Dinner: $50
- Bush Dinner: $70
- Bush Lunch: $60
- Bush Breakfast with Bubbly: $60
- Bush Lunch by the Mara River: $95
- View Deck Dinner (min. 2 guests): $50
- Sundowner & Dinner: $105
- Birthday/Honeymoon Cakes:
- 0.5 kg: $20
- 1 kg: $40
My Take on Lake Nakuru’s Sarova Lodge:
What sets Sarova Lion Hill apart is its traveler-focused flexibility—especially for families and groups. With generous child discounts (free for under 3s, 50% off for children 3–11.99, and 75% for 12–16-year-olds sharing with adults), as well as reasonably priced meal extras and optional upgrades like bush dinners and sundowners, guests can enjoy a tailored safari experience without overspending. Compared to other Nakuru lodges, Sarova offers a balance of affordability, scale, and trusted hospitality, making it an ideal choice for short safaris from Nairobi, family vacations, or relaxed wildlife getaways in the Great Rift Valley.
✅ What’s Included in Full Board Rate
- Accommodation in selected room category
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water in room
- Use of swimming pool and lodge amenities
- Evening entertainment (if scheduled)
❌ What’s Not Included
- Park entry fees
- Game drives (can be booked separately)
- Spa treatments
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry and personal items
- Transfers to/from Nairobi (available on request)
👨👩👧👦 Family & Group Friendly
Sarova Lion Hill is ideal for:
- Families with young children (family rooms, kids’ menus, swimming pool)
- Groups (corporate, conferences, reunions)
- Honeymooners (suites with private experiences)
- Birdwatchers and nature photographers
🌟 Why Stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge?
- 🐦 Best views of Lake Nakuru’s birdlife and flamingos
- 🦏 Close access to rhino sanctuary and lion territories
- 🛏️ High comfort and professional service with traditional hospitality
- 📸 Ideal base for photographers, birders, and first-time safari-goers
- 🧖♀️ Great for relaxing with wellness offerings, fine dining, and quiet nature
🧭 Sample Itinerary – 2 Nights / 3 Days Safari from Nairobi
Day 1:
- Depart Nairobi by road in the morning (option for private transfer or shared vehicle)
- Arrive at Lake Nakuru by noon, check in at Sarova Lion Hill
- Lunch at the lodge, followed by a relaxed afternoon
- Evening game drive inside the park
- Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 2:
- Early morning game drive to catch predators and rhino activity
- Breakfast at the lodge
- Optional spa treatment or guided bird walk
- Afternoon game drive with stops at scenic points like Baboon Cliff
- Bush sundowner experience followed by dinner
Day 3:
- Morning breakfast and optional final drive
- Check-out and drive back to Nairobi