Destinations, Experiences & East Africa TravelLumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary is a community-owned conservation area in Taita-Taveta County, near Mwatate, about 220 km (140 miles) from Mombasa. It sits beside Tsavo West National Park and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, and it is one of the quieter, more private ways to see the Tsavo ecosystem. If you are weighing up Kenya’s wildlife conservancies, Lumo is the one that connects the two halves of Tsavo.
This guide explains where Lumo and the neighbouring Taita Hills sanctuary are, what wildlife to expect, how the land came to be protected, how lodges such as Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge fit in, and who this part of Kenya suits best. Where sources disagree, we say so rather than pick a number we cannot check.
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Lumo and Taita Hills at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | Taita-Taveta County, near Mwatate, between Tsavo West and Tsavo East |
| Distance from Mombasa | About 220 km (140 miles) |
| Who owns the land? | Local communities, from the Lualenyi, Mramba and Oza areas |
| Size of Lumo | About 190 km² (73 sq miles) on Wikipedia; other sources give different figures |
| Neighbours | Tsavo West National Park and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Known lodging | Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge, Soroi Cheetah Tented Camp, Soroi Leopard Lair Cottages and Lion Rock Tented Camp |
| Best for | Travellers who want Tsavo’s wildlife with fewer vehicles, and a quiet stop between the coast and the big parks |
Where Lumo and the Taita Hills sanctuary are
Tsavo is Kenya’s largest park system, and it is split into Tsavo West and Tsavo East. Lumo and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary lie in the country between and beside them, in Taita-Taveta County. Lumo is next to Tsavo West National Park and next to the Taita Hills sanctuary. That position matters, because animals do not respect park boundaries. Travel guides describe Lumo as part of a wildlife corridor linking Tsavo East, Tsavo West, the Taita Hills sanctuary and Tanzania’s Mkomazi National Park.
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a separate, privately run area. Sarova Salt Lick Lodge stands in it, and the lodge is known for its waterhole viewing. The sanctuary is also next to Tsavo West. Published sizes for the sanctuary vary a great deal, so we do not give one here. Ask your planner for the current figure when you request a quote.
For the national parks themselves, read our complete guide to Tsavo East and West. This article covers the private land around them.
How Lumo came to be protected
The name Lumo comes from the three community areas that were joined to form it: the Lualenyi Ranch, the Mramba Communal Grazing Area and Oza community land. Instead of dividing the land into farms or leaving it to overgrazing, the communities set it aside for wildlife and tourism. Visitors who stay in the lodges on the sanctuary support the communities and the upkeep of the area.
Sources disagree on the date. One travel source dates the sanctuary to 2001 and another to 1993, and a third gives 1996. Wikipedia cites a 2007 source and gives no founding date. We would rather tell you that than state one date as settled.
The size is also disputed. Wikipedia gives 190 km². Other travel sites give figures from 125 km² up to 657 km². A figure of about 48,000 acres (roughly 194 km²) appears on one listing and fits the Wikipedia number, so we treat roughly 190 km² as the best working figure.
Wildlife you can expect
Lumo is Tsavo bush country: dry thorn scrub, open grassland and rocky outcrops, with the Taita Hills rising nearby. Travel guides describe it as good for elephants and for predators. We have no published population counts for Lumo, so we will not give any. What you can fairly expect on game drives is a mix of the following.
- Elephants. Tsavo’s elephants are well known, and they move across this area.
- Lions. Lions are the reason one of the lodges carries the name. Sightings are never guaranteed anywhere in Africa.
- Other predators. The names of the lodges point to cheetahs and leopards in the area.
- Plains game. Look for antelope, giraffe and zebra on open ground and near water.
- Birds. Lions Bluff is listed among birding places in Kenya, so bring binoculars.
Bush this dry rewards patience. Animals gather at waterholes and in the cooler hours, so early starts and late afternoon drives usually give the best results.
Staying at Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge
Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge sits within the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, on the route between Tsavo West and the coast. It is the property that appears on several Entice Africa Safaris itineraries that pass through Tsavo, so it is the one we know best in this area. Soroi also runs Cheetah Tented Camp and Leopard Lair Cottages on the sanctuary, and Lion Rock Tented Camp is listed as part of Lumo.
We do not quote lodge rates in this article because we have no published figure to cite. Your free quote shows the accommodation line by line.
Why stay on a conservancy instead of in the park
- Fewer vehicles at each sighting, because the lodges control access to their own land.
- A different style of day, with game drives, time at the lodge and views over the plains.
- Part of what you pay supports the communities who own the land.
Lumo and the national parks compared
| Lumo community sanctuary | Tsavo West and East national parks | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Community-owned | Government-managed national parks |
| Crowds | Usually fewer vehicles | Busier at well-known spots |
| Size | Small, around 190 km² | Very large, with long drives between areas |
| Fees | Set by the lodge or sanctuary | Published park fees |
| Best use | A quiet stop, or a base for Tsavo West | Long game drives across big landscapes |
The two work well together. A common plan is a night or two on the sanctuary for a calmer start, then a day or more in the national park. Fees last verified: October 2026 for park-level fees; confirm sanctuary charges at the time of booking.
Getting there
Lumo is reached by road. From Mombasa the sanctuary is roughly 220 km (140 miles) away, near the town of Mwatate. Drive times depend on traffic and road works, so ask your planner for the timing on your exact day. Most visitors reach Lumo as part of a longer trip that links the coast, Tsavo and either Amboseli or the Masai Mara.
If you are building a trip that ends at the ocean, our guide to combining a safari with a beach holiday shows how the stages fit together.
Safaris that fit this guide
10-Day Best of Kenya by AirAmboseli, Lumo and Diani Beach10 days · from $4,375 ppView trip →
8-Day Southern Kenya Bush SafariTsavo and Amboseli from the coast8 days · from $5,840 ppView trip →
14-Day Kenya Safari and Diani BeachMara, lakes, Amboseli, Tsavo, then the beach14 days · from $4,860 ppView trip →Every trip is private and can be changed to suit you. Get a free, tailor-made quote in 6 hours →
When to go
Tsavo is dry for much of the year, which helps wildlife viewing because animals concentrate near water. The long dry months usually run from June to October, and a shorter dry period from January to February. The long rains normally fall in April and May, and the short rains in November. Rain turns the bush green and makes photography lovely, though some tracks can be slow. These are general Kenyan patterns, so check the forecast for your dates.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| January to February | Dry and warm, good visibility |
| March to May | Rains build, green bush, fewer visitors |
| June to October | Driest months, wildlife near water |
| November to December | Short rains, then drier again |
Two ways to include Tsavo’s private side
10 Day Best Of Kenya Flying Package. For travellers who want several of Kenya’s best areas without long road days. From USD 4,375 per person.
14-Day Kenya Safari & Diani Beach Holiday. For travellers who want safari days followed by time on the coast. From USD 4,860 per person.
Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice. They are based on midrange lodges in low season for two people sharing.
What to pack
- Neutral clothing in khaki, green or brown. Avoid bright white and dark blue.
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, because the bush is open and hot.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens.
- A light jacket for early morning drives.
- Closed shoes and insect repellent.
Who Lumo suits
Lumo suits travellers who want wildlife without the crowds of the best-known circuits. It works for couples, families with older children and photographers who like quiet light. It is also a good choice if you are heading to or from the coast and want a proper safari stop on the way.
It is less suited to people who want a very large area to cover in one stay. The sanctuary is small compared with Tsavo itself, so we normally recommend combining it with a national park day.
Photographers who want a more specialised trip can ask us about the 11-Day Best Of Kenya Photography Hide Safari. It has no published price, so we prepare a tailor-made quote.
Other conservancies to compare
Lumo is one of many community and private conservancies across Kenya. If you want to compare it with the Masai Mara options, read about Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Naboisho Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy. For the north, see the Samburu community conservancies, and for the south, the Amboseli conservancies.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Lumo Conservancy?
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary is in Taita-Taveta County, near Mwatate, about 220 km (140 miles) from Mombasa. It lies next to Tsavo West National Park and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
How big is Lumo?
Wikipedia gives about 190 km² (73 sq miles). Other sources give anything from 125 km² to 657 km², so the figure is not settled. We use roughly 190 km² as the working number.
Which lodges are on Lumo?
Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge, Soroi Cheetah Tented Camp and Soroi Leopard Lair Cottages are listed on the sanctuary, and Lion Rock Tented Camp is also described as part of Lumo.
Is Lumo owned by the community?
Yes. It was formed from the Lualenyi Ranch, the Mramba Communal Grazing Area and Oza community land, and the communities are involved in running it.
Can I see lions at Lumo?
Lions are part of the story here, but no sighting can be promised. Your chances improve with early and late drives and an experienced guide.
Can I combine Lumo with the coast?
Yes. Lumo sits on the way between Tsavo and the coast, so it combines well with a beach stay. Our 14-day Kenya safari and Diani beach trip is one example.
How much does a safari including Tsavo cost?
It depends on season, group size and lodge choice. Our published from-prices are in the trip cards above, and a free quote gives an itemised price for your dates.
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