Tassia Lodge is a great community-owned lodge which opened in June 2002 in Laikipia. Tassia Lodge is set in 60,000 acres of lowland plains and hills of the Mokogodo Escarpment.
There are 6 very comfortable and attractive rooms (all en-suite with flush toilets), and a children''s bunkhouse (which looks like a termite-mound from the outside!). One of the double rooms has a tower with hammocks from which you can chill out whilst surveying the African landscape. The architecture is very organic, using local stone, wood and mud, and very much fitting into the surroundings.
There is a lovely infinity pool at Tassia, and a sitting/dining area with fantastic views. There is also a bar, chill out area, deck and shop.
Activities here include game drives and guided walks. These include botanical walks, cave walks and bushwalks. The lodge can arrange bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and bush dinners. There is also a non-touristy Maasai cultural village which is very popular with guests. There is good wildlife here, including elephants, giraffe, dik dik, kudu, buffalo, antelope, zebra, and even wild dogs in the hills. You can see rhinos in the neighbouring Il N'gwesi or Lewa. The Mokogodo Forest behind the lodge is excellent for walks and for butterfly and bird-watchers. Fly camping, camel safaris, fly fishing and horse riding from nearby Borana ranch can all be organised, though these activities need to be booked in advance.
Fair Trade / Responsible Travel
All profits from Tassia Lodge go to the Maasai community of Lekurruki, which numbers about 500 households (about 6500 people). So far the benefits have been: radio contact with all villages for emergencies, visits from a mobile clinic and school bursaries. The lodge is eco-friendly, with solar panels and paraffin heaters, and economic use of wood for hot water.
