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Tree Tops Lodge Safari Kenya

Treetops:
The treetops, found in block hotels is the most popular, historical and unique of all Kenyan hotels, permission given from the Norfork in Nairobi. The Treetops was constructed in 1932 near a water hole in the area presently known as the salient. The Treetops site is a suitable location where the mountains give way to a high plateau that provides a very exciting and explosive view of the surrounding highlands. In clear days, which seldom happens, the snowy peaks of Kenya mountain are seen.

Originally, Treetops was nothing except a two-tree house sitting on top of a fig tree. The very brave travellers reached on foot accompanied by hunters that protected them form wild animals while on the walk. Travellers were left alone with only a picnic supper and some oil lamps. At dawn, the hunters came to accompany them back, after a wonderful night in the middle of the forest watching the wildlife walking around below their feet.

Treetops was extended for a royal tour from Princess Elizabeth and her husband Philip, in 1952. A third room was added and a small cabin for the hunter on duty was attached.
A wood stove was put in the large room in the house, to help make less serious the Aberdare night’s freezing cold. During their stay overnight, the young princess and her husband saw an exciting fight between two waterbucks, where the repercussion was, one of the bucks laying dead on the damp soil.
But that night would become memorable, reasons being, far away from Aberdare the Princess’s father, King George VI, expired in London. Even if the Princess did not know about the sad news till her next stop at Sagana, the morning she descended from Treetops, she had become the Queen of England.

Two years later, the hotel was burnt down to ashes by the Mau-Mau, however, it was reconstructed in 1957 at the opposite side of the waterhole. The modern building, enlarged many times and ever since, it is a pillared wooden house embracing the branches of a chestnut tree. Another water hole was artificially opened at the back side of the building, to suit wildlife gathering in the area, though for certain reasons the animals prefer the former pond. The workers often lodge spread salt on the soil, which animals lick with enjoyment. Though presently Treetops have little similarity, if at all, with the primigenic tree house, nevertheless is keeps a touch of charm and romanticism, making it a compulsory visit for all tourists in Kenya.

Going to Treetops is done in groups from the Outspan Golf and county club, in Nyeri. The last bust leaves at 5:00pm. Because of the particular conditions at Treetops, children below 7 are not allowed at the lodge. The 50 cabins are very small, an explanation for leaving bulky luggage overnight at Outspan and allowing just one handbag to each person.
Nights at Treetops are very cold and there is no heating, therefore, endeavour to put a few clothes for warmth in your luggage. Some of the small houses have a private bathroom, while the rest share showers and toilets. At the front desk, there are extra blankets available.

In the afternoon, travellers can rest looking at wildlife from one of the observation decks, either the open-air rooftop or the ground level bunker.

The old 5 o’clock tea, previously served with pancakes accompanying, is not served anymore. Definitely, tea and coffee are there, but paid for. In the evening, supper is served at the dining room.

When the sun sets, you can sit and look at wildlife if at all you want, since the lights of the lodge keep the area floodlit at night. Elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, mangroves and warthogs are common visitors to the Treetops water hole. Sometimes some rhino would step out of the darkness and come into the light, however, presently the possibility to view any of the many Aberdare’s animal eaters is fairly remote.

Small mammals, fro example, bush babies and genets, that used to daringly fall on the rooftop attracted by the food left for them by the workers of the lodges, were previously a pleasure for those who resisted that cold night at the open air, but currently they can not be traced. If you prefer sleeping, each cabin has a buzzer, which the hunter on duty will use to warn guests about any approaching elephant, rhino or cat. Lastly, at 7:30 the following morning, with the mountains damped by a thick mist, guests are brought back to town. Breakfast, which is part of the price, is offered at the Outspan.

Section: aberdare-safari-kenya |

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