Safari travellers and photographers wanting an in-park base, families, honeymooners, birders, wellness seekers, conferences and retreats
There are places where a safari begins the moment you arrive. Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is one of them. Set on the slopes of Lion Hill inside Lake Nakuru National Park, the lodge enjoys an elevated position overlooking the lake, surrounding acacia woodland and the wildlife-rich landscapes of the Rift Valley. From its chalet-style accommodation to its panoramic terraces, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge combines classic safari character with comfortable facilities, making it an inviting base for exploring one of Kenya’s most distinctive national parks.
The lodge is particularly well placed for travellers interested in rhino conservation, bird watching and classic East African wildlife. Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned for its white and black rhinos, while lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos and numerous bird species can also be encountered during game drives. The lake itself remains one of the defining features of the destination, creating beautiful scenery throughout the day as light changes across the Rift Valley.
For guests seeking a comfortable safari lodge rather than a purely rustic camp, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge offers a balance between wildlife adventure and relaxation. Guests can enjoy game drives in the park, unwind beside the temperature-controlled swimming pool, book a treatment at Tulia Spa, explore the organic garden or simply relax with a drink while taking in the views.
Location: Lake Nakuru National Park, Nakuru County, Kenya
Setting: Elevated position on Lion Hill overlooking Lake Nakuru
Accommodation: Chalet-style rooms and suites with private patios
Room options: Standard rooms, family/interconnecting rooms and suites
Main restaurant: Flamingo Restaurant
Bar: Rift Valley Bar
Wellness: Tulia Spa & Wellness
Swimming pool: Temperature-controlled outdoor pool
Family friendly: Yes
Wildlife: Rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo and diverse birdlife
Main activities: Game drives, bird watching, nature walks, swimming, spa treatments, archery, organic garden experiences and cultural entertainment
Distance from Nairobi: Approximately 160 km, around 2½–3 hours by road
Air access: Naishi Airstrip, approximately 30 minutes from Nairobi by chartered flight
Coordinates: Approximately -0.3464, 36.1217
The location is one of the defining qualities of Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge. The property is positioned on an elevated section of Lion Hill within Lake Nakuru National Park, giving many of its rooms and public areas views across the lake and surrounding park. The elevated setting also creates a refreshing sense of space, with landscaped gardens, mature vegetation and natural surroundings forming an important part of the lodge experience.
Rather than functioning simply as a place to sleep between game drives, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge provides a range of facilities designed for guests who want time to relax at the lodge as well. The property combines its safari setting with a swimming pool, wellness facilities, gardens, recreational activities, dining areas and evening entertainment.
The lodge is also suitable for families. Its accommodation includes interconnecting options, while its Ozone Kids Club and supervised children’s activities provide younger travellers with additional ways to enjoy their stay.
Accommodation at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge follows a distinctive chalet-style design, with rooms arranged to blend into the natural slope of Lion Hill. Private patios provide an outdoor space from which guests can enjoy views of the gardens, lake or surrounding landscape. The current official accommodation information lists standard rooms together with family/interconnecting accommodation and suites.
The standard rooms are available in single, double, twin and triple configurations, making them suitable for couples, solo travellers, friends and small families. Each room has its own private terrace or patio, en-suite bathroom, hot and cold running water, mosquito nets, hairdryer and tea or coffee-making facilities. The patios are designed to make the most of the surrounding natural views.
For families travelling together, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge offers interconnecting accommodation. This provides additional flexibility for parents travelling with children while retaining the privacy of separate sleeping areas. The lodge’s family-friendly character is reinforced by its children’s activities and Ozone Kids Club.
The Chui and Faru Suites are named after two of the park’s most sought-after animals: leopard and rhino. These adjacent two-bedroom suites feature private terraces, separate lounge areas, fireplaces, lake views, bathtubs and other enhanced amenities. They provide a spacious option for families or guests looking for additional comfort and privacy during a Lake Nakuru safari.
The Ziwa Suite, meaning “lake” in Swahili, is the lodge’s presidential suite. It occupies a more secluded position and features a large private terrace and dining area with panoramic views. The suite also includes a separate lounge, fireplace, minibar, bathtub and lake-facing views, making it particularly suited to special occasions and private stays.
The greatest attraction of Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is its position inside Lake Nakuru National Park. Game drives provide opportunities to explore the park’s varied habitats, from the lake shoreline and open grasslands to woodland areas and rocky viewpoints.
Lake Nakuru is particularly significant for rhino viewing. Both white and black rhinos can be found within the park, while other wildlife includes buffalo, lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, hippo, waterbuck, impala and warthog. The park is also an important birding destination, with flamingos and numerous other waterbirds and terrestrial species occurring around the lake and surrounding habitats.
Leopards and tree-climbing lions are among the more exciting wildlife possibilities for visitors, although sightings of these animals are naturally unpredictable. Game drives are best approached as opportunities to explore the entire ecosystem rather than as a guarantee of seeing particular species.
The lodge can facilitate game drives within the park, either using guests’ safari vehicles or guided open-top vehicles, depending on arrangements.
Bird lovers will find plenty to enjoy around Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge. Lake Nakuru’s combination of open water, shoreline, woodland and grassland habitats attracts a wide range of species. Flamingos may be seen at the lake at different times of the year, while pelicans, waders and other water-associated birds are also among the park’s attractions. Sarova notes that more than 400 bird species have been recorded in the Lake Nakuru area.
Bird feeding around the lodge, nature walks and the landscaped gardens provide additional opportunities to observe smaller species without leaving the property.
A stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge does not have to revolve entirely around game drives. The lodge offers a broad selection of activities for guests who want to combine wildlife with relaxation and recreation.
Game drives through Lake Nakuru National Park remain the principal experience. Early morning and late afternoon are particularly rewarding times to explore the park, when wildlife is often active and the changing light creates excellent photographic conditions.
Guided nature walks around the lodge allow guests to learn about local flora, fauna and the surrounding ecosystem. These walks provide a slower-paced alternative to vehicle-based safari and can be especially enjoyable for travellers interested in plants, insects and smaller wildlife.
The lodge’s temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool provides a relaxing place to spend time between game drives. Guests can also participate in organised pool activities such as water polo, water aerobics and other recreational games.
Tulia Spa provides a tranquil wellness setting overlooking the gardens and surrounding landscape. Treatments include massage therapies, facials, body treatments and reflexology, offering guests an opportunity to unwind after long hours on safari.
One of the more distinctive experiences at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is its organic garden. Guests can explore the garden, select vegetables and herbs and, where arranged, combine the experience with a cooking lesson or garden lunch. The lodge also uses produce from its garden in its culinary programme.
Guests can also enjoy archery, badminton, volleyball, soccer, darts, table tennis, pool and board games. The lodge maintains a jogging track for travellers who want to remain active during their safari.
Evenings at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge can include traditional performances, live guitar music, storytelling and other entertainment. These activities provide a relaxed way to end a day of wildlife viewing without requiring guests to leave the property.
Dining is centred around the Flamingo Restaurant, which takes advantage of the lodge’s elevated setting and views. The restaurant serves a range of international and continental dishes, with fresh produce supported by the lodge’s own vegetable and herb garden. Guests can dine indoors or on the covered outdoor areas overlooking the gardens, pool and lake.
The Rift Valley Bar provides another relaxing setting, opening towards an amphitheatre where cultural performances can take place. It is an ideal place for an afternoon drink, evening cocktail or relaxed conversation after a game drive.
For a more memorable safari meal, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge also offers experiential dining. Depending on arrangements, guests can enjoy bush breakfasts, private hilltop sundowners and meals connected with the organic garden experience. These settings transform an ordinary meal into part of the safari itself.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is well suited to family safaris because it combines a wildlife setting with facilities and activities for different age groups. The lodge welcomes children, offers family and interconnecting accommodation and operates the Ozone Kids Club for children aged 4–12 years. Supervised indoor and outdoor activities are designed to keep younger guests engaged while parents enjoy their own safari experiences.
Families can also combine game drives with swimming, nature walks, garden experiences, board games and outdoor recreation. This makes the lodge a practical option for travellers who want a Lake Nakuru safari without every hour being dedicated to wildlife viewing.
The natural setting of Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge also lends itself to romantic escapes and special celebrations. The lodge has spacious lawns, scenic views and private dining possibilities that can be arranged for occasions such as engagements, weddings and honeymoons.
Couples can also arrange private dining or a special outdoor meal, while the Ziwa Suite provides a more secluded accommodation option with its own large terrace, dining area and fireplace.
Staying at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge gives travellers an excellent base from which to explore Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is compact enough to explore during short safari stays while offering a surprisingly diverse combination of wildlife habitats and scenic viewpoints.
Beyond wildlife, the wider Nakuru region offers opportunities to visit viewpoints, explore the Rift Valley landscape and combine the safari with other destinations such as Lake Naivasha, Lake Elementaita or the Masai Mara.
For travellers following a longer Kenya safari circuit, Lake Nakuru can work particularly well between the central Kenya region and the Masai Mara. This allows guests to experience a different ecosystem before continuing towards the Mara.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is approximately 160 kilometres from Nairobi and can be reached by road in around 2½ to 3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The lodge is accessed through Lake Nakuru National Park, with Lanet and Nderit gates providing access according to the route and current park arrangements.
Travellers flying from Nairobi can also use Naishi Airstrip, with the lodge’s official fact sheet indicating an approximately 30-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport by chartered aircraft.
The lodge’s approximate coordinates are -0.3464, 36.1217, placing it on the Lion Hill side of Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru enjoys a relatively moderate highland climate. Days are generally comfortable while temperatures can become cooler in the evening and early morning. The region experiences rainfall during several periods of the year, with the lodge’s current fact sheet identifying April, May, June and October to November as wetter months.
Wildlife viewing is possible throughout the year, so the best time for a stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge depends on the wider Kenya safari itinerary and the experiences you want to prioritise. Dry periods can provide easier driving conditions, while the greener months can produce attractive landscapes and excellent photographic conditions.
Flamingo numbers can also vary considerably because the birds move between Rift Valley lakes depending on food availability and environmental conditions. Sarova notes that flamingos may be seen at Lake Nakuru at different times of the year, with sightings often occurring between July and November.
For most safari itineraries, two nights at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge provides enough time to enjoy the lodge and experience Lake Nakuru National Park through several game drives.
A one-night stay can work for travellers following a tight itinerary, especially when Lake Nakuru is being used as a stopover between Nairobi and the Masai Mara. However, two nights allow a more relaxed schedule with time for morning or afternoon game drives, bird watching, spa treatments and leisure at the lodge.
For families, two nights are particularly useful because they allow children to enjoy the swimming pool, Ozone Kids Club and recreational activities without making the safari feel rushed.
What distinguishes Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is the combination of its elevated lake views, chalet-style accommodation, extensive facilities and location within the Lake Nakuru safari environment.
Some travellers choose accommodation primarily for its proximity to the park, while others prioritise privacy, wilderness atmosphere, family facilities or a more intimate camp experience. Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge occupies a middle ground by providing a full-service lodge experience while maintaining strong connections to the surrounding wildlife landscape.
Its family accommodation, swimming pool, spa, children’s programme, recreational facilities and varied dining experiences make it particularly versatile for families and mixed-interest groups.
The natural setting of Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge places environmental awareness at the heart of the guest experience. Activities such as tree planting and the organic garden provide opportunities for guests to participate in conservation-minded experiences during their stay.
The organic garden also connects the lodge’s dining experience with local food production, allowing guests to see how fresh herbs and vegetables can contribute to the meals served at the property.
The lodge’s location within Lake Nakuru National Park also means that guests stay directly within an important wildlife landscape, where responsible behaviour, respect for wildlife and adherence to park regulations remain essential.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge works particularly well as part of a wider Kenya safari itinerary. A common route can begin in Nairobi before continuing to Lake Nakuru, followed by the Masai Mara. This creates a gradual transition from the central Rift Valley landscape into the extensive grasslands of the Mara ecosystem.
The lodge can also be incorporated into itineraries that include Lake Naivasha, Amboseli or other Kenyan destinations. Its relatively accessible position from Nairobi makes Lake Nakuru one of the easier national parks to include without adding excessive travel time.
For travellers who want to combine wildlife with comfort, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge provides an opportunity to experience the park while retaining access to a swimming pool, spa, comfortable accommodation, varied dining and family-friendly activities.
The cost of staying at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge depends on the season, room category, number of travellers, meal arrangement and whether the accommodation is combined with a private safari package.
Peak travel periods generally attract different rates from low or shoulder seasons, while suites and family accommodation are priced differently from standard rooms. Safari packages can also include accommodation, meals, park fees, transportation, game drives and guide services within one quotation.
For an accurate quotation, Afrikan Accent Adventures can combine Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge with the other destinations on your Kenya itinerary and provide a package based on your preferred travel dates and accommodation category.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge offers a well-rounded Lake Nakuru safari experience built around location, scenery and convenience. Its elevated position provides attractive views across Lake Nakuru, while the chalet-style rooms create a comfortable private base after game drives.
The combination of wildlife, family facilities, wellness, dining and recreational activities makes the lodge suitable for couples, families, first-time safari travellers and guests incorporating Lake Nakuru into a longer Kenya itinerary.
For wildlife enthusiasts, the opportunity to explore a rhino-rich national park while staying within the park itself is one of its strongest attractions. For families, the children’s activities, interconnecting rooms and swimming pool add flexibility. For couples, the suites, spa and private dining options provide opportunities for a more relaxed and romantic stay.
Booking Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge through Afrikan Accent Adventures allows your stay to be incorporated into a professionally planned Kenya safari rather than treated as an isolated hotel reservation.
We can coordinate road transfers, safari vehicles, professional driver-guides, park activities, accommodation and onward travel while matching the lodge with destinations such as Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and the Masai Mara.
Our team can also help select the most suitable room category based on whether you are travelling as a couple, family, group or private safari party. We can structure the itinerary around wildlife priorities, preferred travel pace, accommodation standards and budget.
A stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is particularly rewarding when enough time is allocated to experience both the park and the lodge itself. Begin with a game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, spend time searching for rhinos and other wildlife, return for breakfast or lunch overlooking the lake, then relax beside the pool or enjoy a treatment at Tulia Spa.
In the afternoon, another game drive can take you towards different sections of the park before returning to the lodge for sunset views and dinner. The following morning can be used for another wildlife drive, bird watching, a nature walk or a leisurely breakfast before continuing to your next destination.
For a Kenya safari itinerary that combines wildlife, scenic landscapes and comfortable accommodation, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge provides a memorable base from which to experience Lake Nakuru.
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge brings together the defining ingredients of a Lake Nakuru safari: wildlife, spectacular Rift Valley scenery, comfortable accommodation and easy access to one of Kenya’s most important rhino habitats. Its elevated location overlooking the lake adds a strong sense of place, while the chalet-style rooms, swimming pool, spa, dining facilities and family activities make the lodge more than simply a base for sleeping.
Whether you are planning a short Lake Nakuru stopover or incorporating the park into a longer Kenya safari, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge offers a comfortable and versatile setting from which to explore the landscapes, wildlife and birdlife of this remarkable part of Kenya.
Cosy chalet-style rooms with a private terrace facing the park, en-suite bathroom, minibar and tea/coffee station. Ideal for couples and solo travellers.
More spacious rooms with enhanced positioning and views over the lake, offering added comfort without moving to a suite. Sleeps 2 adults + 1 child
Two-bedroom suites with a lounge area and superior views, ideal for families or guests wanting extra space and luxury.
The lodge's presidential suite, offering maximum privacy, a separate lounge and the finest panoramic views over Lake Nakuru. Sleeps 2 adults (+ children on request).
Lake Nakuru National Park
This property is included on the following Afrikan Accent journeys — book the safari and we handle the rest.
👩👩👧👧🌍Women Only Safari
👩👩👧👧🌍Women Only Safari
👩👩👧👧🌍Women Only Safari
Tell us your dates and we’ll craft the whole journey — flights, game drives and every detail — around a stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge.
