Salt Lick Safari Lodge — Hotel in Taita–Taveta

I highly recommend considering another resort. Please read to the end to ensure a fair and honest review. From the start, check in was unwelcoming and chaotic. Unlike the five other camps/resorts we stayed at during our safari there was no personal greetings upon arrival and no resort staff offered to assist with our bags. Our driver was left to unload the bags and add them to the trove of suitcases sitting in the lobby. Due to the volume of guests, check in started outside on a fold out table. The ladies behind the table were professional but very transactional. Unless things change, do not expect a personalized greeting. We were asked to leave our passports with the ladies outside which left us with some concerns considering the disorganized chaos. Since we arrived around 1 we were herded into the restaurant for lunch along with many other guests and I use the word “herded” intentionally because that is exactly how it felt. The dining room is dated and overcrowded. It is buffet style only. If you ever been to the buffet on a cruise at the most busy time you’ll know exactly what we experienced. We were offered drinks when we sat down but no one returned to the table after that. Due to the volume of people using the buffet at the same time heating trays were often left open and food was room temperature at best, average quality for taste and diversity of options. After lunch we were directed to stop by the reception inside to pick up our room key and passports. There were guest in front of us so we waited patiently in line. When it was our turn a couple stepped right in front of us and immediately started talking to the desk staff. Rather than redirecting that couple back into line the desk staff allowed the rude guests to be served in front others. It was incredibly frustrating. As if that was not enough, as we stepped forward to be served we were cut off again by a woman and again the desk staff did nothing to control the situation. The front desk staff is in dire need of additional service and hospitality training! The rooms are small with dated decor and ours smelled of musk. We were registered as a couple but the room was set up with two twin beds. We notified the room attendant and he graciously agreed to have it made into a king later in the day and he made good on that offer. I am including pictures of the conditions of the bathroom so you know what you could expect. At this point we had enough and made the decision we would not be staying at Salt Lick for the second night despite having already paid for the full visit. We notified our travel company, Spirit of Kenya, of our plans and the rationale. At dinner it became clear that Spirit of Kenya had notified the resort and shared our dissatisfaction. During dinner we were greeted by Anish, the chef, and Gideon, part of the management team. They offered the most sincere apology on behalf of the entire resort staff. They asked for details about our experience and listened with what felt like a true desire to learn how things could be improved. This was so refreshing considering our experience up to that point. They offered to move us to a smaller, possibly more comfortable resort close by. We politely declined the offer because we had already made alternative arrangements and we lacked confidence in the overall management of the shared properties. David was our waiter at dinner and breakfast the following morning and he worked hard to provide quality service and we are appreciative for his efforts. The professionalism of these three individuals is deserving of recognition in spite of our overall review of Salt Lick. I hope this review has a positive impact on resort management and conditions and/or saves future guests from having a negative...

Great setting and wonderful food. Saw many elephants, zebras and other animals at the watering hole, and some very up close from the reception view point! The rooms were tired as others say, but very clean. Overall, I highly recommend this experience to those planning on visiting the area.

However, I do want to share a negative experience I had in the hopes that it helps others navigate. When trying to book a night game drive, albeit it last minute, we had a very uncomfortable transaction with the reception staff. Read on if interested-

The main reception staff first indicated that they could accomodate us despite the last minute request. They asked for 140 USD for 2 people. There are signs literally everywhere in the resort that say night game drives are 45 USD per person. Upon mentioning that they said 45 USD pp was ok. They then indicated that we would have take our own driver and car because they were full. When I asked for them to adjust the price because they were not offering the full service intended, they said the price was fixed. For payment, we apparently had to go to a different reception (Salt Lick) that was 8km away. Salt Kick's receptionist insisted that our guide/driver pay cash. They refused to let us pay by credit card or write the cost to our room. When I flat out asked why, the receptionist could not give me a straight answer, and kept picking up the phone to "talk to her manager". Super shady. I finally conceded, and said I would pay cash, but made it very clear that this was a very strange and uncomfortable experience for an establishment of this nature. Once I said that, the price suddenly became 40USD for 2 people.

I have no problen supporting the local tourism economy and have provided tips consistently. But this made us feel like we were being taken advantage of and negatively impacted our...

Pathetic from hour one. We arrived at Taita at 10am, told to wait till 2:30pm for checking in even though our agent told us we'll get our room by 12. We waited in the reception for 4 hours. Now here is when it gets interesting, we won't get transferred to Salt Lick till 3pm. The views were at least worth it in Taita to make it tolerable.

Currently waiting in the reception again because the time we were given for a transfer to Taita again after checking out was 7:30am, however the staff and hotel is here to serve anyone who isn't looking like an average Kenyan or local. We are waiting and it's 8:30am now, the staff has a big white superiority complex. Only foreigners will get served, only their timings will be followed even if it means us few Kenyans waiting in the reception for an hour. No one is hurrying them. NOTHING. Why else would we not use our room which we paid USD 200 for a few more minutes especially when we got it 4 hours late. We barely spent 16 hours in it. Why would we wake up early at 5:30 am in a panic to hurriedly shower and pack and check out and not eat breakfast in peace ???

We are about to be late for our train as well. They will still not make a call for them or arrange a transfer for us.

Now talking about the worth, you'll pay for full board, all inclusive. During meals you get one glass and then when you order a second one , you're hit with a receipt you have to pay for, stayed in other hotels and all inclusive meant ALL INCLUSIVE and not one glass of a drink. Asked for a vegetarian meal in advance, you'll get one item unlike the rest with full course meal hence making the all inclusive feel like a rip off if compared to the hotel had a restaurant we could just order from the menu and have whatever we like.

Anyway I'm glad for some of the friendly staff and drivers who listened to us and agreed how...