The choice between Ashnil Aruba and Voi Safari Lodge for a Tsavo East safari hinges on one key difference. Voi Safari Lodge provides a classic hillside stay with a unique underground photo hide for ground-level viewing.
Ashnil Aruba offers a contemporary tented camp experience beside the wildlife-rich Aruba Dam. Understanding these distinct location and accommodation styles is the first step for UK travellers selecting a base for a safari, Kenya honeymoon, or family safari holiday.
How Wildlife Viewing Compare at Ashnil Aruba and Voi Safari Lodge
The primary distinction between the two lodges is how guests experience Tsavo East's wildlife. Each property's location and design create a fundamentally different game-viewing perspective.
| Feature | Ashnil Aruba Lodge | Voi Safari Lodge |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Viewing Focus | Water-based wildlife at Aruba Dam. | Animals at a man-made watering hole. |
| Unique Feature | Direct proximity to the vast Aruba Dam. | Underground "Photo Hide" tunnel. |
| Viewing Experience | Open, expansive plains view with a high concentration of animals. | Elevated, panoramic view plus a unique ground-level perspective. |
Wildlife Viewing at Ashnil Aruba
Ashnil Aruba’s position next to the Aruba Dam ensures highly consistent wildlife sightings, especially during dry seasons. The dam, constructed on the Voi River, serves as a major water source for large herds of elephants, buffalo, and various plains game.
This location is an excellent choice for families and photographers who value reliable and accessible game viewing directly from the lodge grounds.
Wildlife Viewing at Voi Safari Lodge
Voi Safari Lodge sits on a rocky hill overlooking its own dedicated watering holes along historical elephant migratory routes. The lodge's standout feature is an underground tunnel leading to a "Photo Hide."
This bunker-style room provides a safe, ground-level window just metres from the water. The hide offers an intimate, low-angle photographic opportunity for capturing detailed images of drinking elephants and other wildlife.
Accommodation Styles Offered by Ashnil Aruba and Voi Safari Lodge
Your choice of lodge determines the style of your accommodation. Ashnil Aruba provides a modern tented experience, while Voi Safari Lodge offers traditional safari lodge character.
Rooms and Facilities at Ashnil Aruba
Ashnil Aruba features well-appointed tented rooms. These are permanent structures with solid floors, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas.
The design provides the atmosphere of a classic tented camp with modern hotel comforts. The main lodge area, including the pool and restaurant, has a contemporary feel that integrates with the surrounding flat plains.
Rooms and Facilities at Voi Safari Lodge
Voi Safari Lodge has a more established, classic character. The rooms are constructed from stone and are part of the main lodge structure, offering a solid and secure feel.
The infrastructure is older but well-maintained, providing a sense of safari history. Facilities like the cliff-side swimming pool and bar are designed to take full advantage of the lodge's elevated position and its sweeping views.
What is the Atmosphere Like at Each Lodge?
The atmosphere at each property is a direct result of its design and location. Ashnil Aruba feels open and immersed in nature, while Voi Safari Lodge feels grand and focused on the expansive landscape.
Ashnil Aruba's spacious layout on the plains creates a relaxed and open atmosphere. The proximity to the dam means wildlife is a frequent and visible presence around the lodge. The grounds are easy to navigate, making the lodge well-suited for families who value immediate and safe wildlife viewing.
Voi Safari Lodge's position on a hill gives it a commanding feel, with a focus on panoramic scenery. The main bar and viewing terraces are active areas where guests gather to watch animals at the watering holes below.
The experience centres on observation from a distance, which is then complemented by the close-up encounters available from the photo hide. This combination appeals to couples and honeymooners who appreciate dramatic views.
How the Locations Affect Safari Logistics
Both lodges offer good access to Tsavo East's game drive circuits, but their locations favour different park areas and access points. Voi Safari Lodge is positioned for easy entry, while Ashnil Aruba is located more centrally within a prime game-viewing area.
Voi Safari Lodge is situated just a few kilometres from the Voi Gate, a main park entrance. The location makes the lodge highly accessible for visitors arriving by road from Nairobi or the coast. The lodge also provides quick access to the game circuits in the southern part of Tsavo East.
Ashnil Aruba is located more centrally within the park, right beside the Aruba Dam. A longer drive from the main gates is required to reach the lodge. However, its position places guests directly in a wildlife hotspot, allowing game drives to commence immediately upon leaving the lodge.
Cost and Value Comparison for UK Travellers
For UK travellers planning a safari, both lodges occupy a similar upper mid-range price bracket, with rates that fluctuate by season. A typical booking includes full-board accommodation covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Travellers should budget separately for park entry fees, drinks, and optional activities. Game drives are usually included in a tour operator package but are an additional cost for accommodation-only bookings.
The value of Ashnil Aruba is centred on its modern comforts and the high probability of excellent wildlife viewing from its location. The value of Voi Safari Lodge is derived from its spectacular views and the exclusive experience of the underground photo hide, a rare feature in the park. Which lodge provides better value depends on a traveller's specific priorities.
Lodge Best Suited for Your Travel Style
Matching your preferences to the right lodge is key to a successful safari. One lodge is not better than the other; they serve different traveller needs.
Ashnil Aruba Lodge is an excellent choice for:
- Families with Children: The swimming pool, reliable wildlife at the dam, and comfortable rooms are practical and rewarding.
- First-Time Safari-Goers: The consistent game viewing provides a fantastic introduction to Kenyan wildlife.
- Travellers Seeking Modern Comforts: Guests who prefer a contemporary feel will appreciate the lodge's design.
Voi Safari Lodge is ideal for:
- Keen Photographers: The unique, low-angle perspective from the photo hide is a significant attraction for creating exceptional images.
- Honeymooners and Couples: The panoramic views and dramatic setting supply a romantic and memorable backdrop.
- Repeat Visitors to Tsavo: The unique hide offers a new way to observe wildlife for those who have already had a standard safari experience.
Choosing Between Ashnil Aruba and Voi Safari Lodge
To make the best choice for your Kenya safari, use this checklist to prioritise what matters most for your trip.
- Wildlife Viewing Style: Do you prefer reliable, open-plains viewing at a major water source (Ashnil Aruba) or elevated views combined with a unique hide (Voi Safari Lodge)?
- Accommodation Preference: Are you drawn to a modern tented room (Ashnil Aruba) or a classic stone room in an established lodge (Voi Safari Lodge)?
- Holiday Type: Is your priority family-friendly accessibility (Ashnil Aruba) or a unique experience for a couple or photographer (Voi Safari Lodge)?
- Location Logistics: Do you value quick access from the main park gate (Voi Safari Lodge) or being located centrally in a wildlife hotspot (Ashnil Aruba)?
- Core Feature: Is the highlight watching herds by a dam (Ashnil Aruba) or capturing an elephant photo from a ground-level hide (Voi Safari Lodge)?
After considering these points, discussing your preferences with a UK-based safari specialist is an invaluable final step. An expert can offer tailored advice, confirm availability, and build your chosen lodge into a fully protected and seamless itinerary.
[Talk to a Kenya safari specialist]
Key Planning Steps for a Tsavo East Safari
The best wildlife viewing in Tsavo East occurs during the dry seasons, from June to October and January to February. During these periods, animals congregate around water sources like the Aruba Dam and the Voi watering holes.
UK citizens must confirm the latest entry requirements for Kenya, as an Electronic Travel Authorisation or visa must typically be secured online before travel. You should also consult your GP regarding recommended vaccinations.
Booking through an ATOL-protected tour operator in the UK provides financial protection for your holiday. Tsavo East combines well with its sister park, Tsavo West, or a beach stay on the Kenyan coast near Mombasa or Diani. This safari-and-beach itinerary is a popular choice for UK travellers, offering a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.