Why Spectacular? Simplicity and setting. A safari lodge built in keeping with its stunning, natural environment, making the most of the remote location.
Accommodation Summary: Six well-spaced permanent rooms with en suite bathrooms. Swimming pool area, lounge and dining area.
Maximum number of guests: 12
Where: Laikipia (East Laikipia, incorporating Il Ngwesi Valley)
Price Guide: £325 p.p.p.n. 
Overview: Tassia is for the intrepid explorer looking for unspoilt Africa. The distinctive architecture is of Maasai origin and inspired by the surrounding area, which generates a real sense of belonging. It sprawls gently over the Mokogodo Escarpment and overlooks a stunning wilderness area, where you will not encounter another car or person other than the Maasai from the community. There’s something about the way this lodge is designed, built and run that allows you to feel comfortable and well looked after and yet young and excited at the same time.
This lodge is all about where you are. Its setting, how it’s designed and built, how it’s set up and how it’s run all proudly shout out that you are in the middle of the wilderness in the heart of Kenya. Not so many places seem to make such a statement and Tassia really stands out for doing so.
The setting, perched high up on an escarpment with uninterrupted views of the 60,000 acre Maasai group owned ranch, is as spectacular as you’ll find anywhere. It is built and designed to be in keeping with the area so is intentionally simple and authentic which keeps your focus on the views, as it should. The well-spaced en-suit rooms, with thatched roofs and stone floors make use of these views with open windows that are shaped to match the contours of the landscape you see through them. The artifacts and furniture within each room is natural and basic but comfort is never overlooked. The large beds have netting and soft sheets and pillows and there is always somewhere nearby, be it in your room, on your balcony or in the main areas where you can sit down in some relaxing cushions or chairs and take in the scenery. The open plan sitting and dining area also offers a spectacular vista over the natural rock swimming pool.
Your hosts Martin Wheeler and Antonia Hall have a calmness about them that seems in keeping with everything about the Lodge but belies a professionalism required to run such a place and keep guests so expertly fed, watered and entertained.
We agree with their view that exploring on foot is the best way to discover the wonders of the wilderness and here is a perfect spot to do just that. There are fantastic bush walks, scrambling up mountains, some of which may only have ever been climbed by the Maasai, or more sedate ones along the dry riverbeds. Their guides who have a deep knowledge and empathy with the area can also offer botanical walks, where you will discover the traditional and medicinal uses and names of all the plants and trees.
But if bush walks aren’t for you they offer game drives, forest excursions, camel safaris, fly camping, bush breakfasts, picnic lunches by the river or visits to a Maasai manyatta, where some of the lodge staff live with their families.
The game you are likely to encounter at Tassia is dependent on the water in the area but includes giraffe, Grater and Lesser kudu, gerenuk, elephant, waterbuck and Buffalo. There have also been sightings of cheetah, leopard, wild dog and hyena.
Sustainable Rating: 
Tassia was built for the Mokogodo Maasai, allowing a symbiotic relationship with community and conservation. It is built entirely from low impact local materials. The entire lodge is run on solar power.
