Swara Acacia Lodge

The location was superb. Inside a conservancy. I liked the fact that one can see grazers such as antelopes and giraffe while driving to the hotel. I did like the level of cleanliness. The swimming pool wasn't as clean as one would expect. It is an okay place for budget travelers.

This hotel has a lot of potential, but the service really needs significant improvement. We arrived on Monday, which unfortunately seemed to be a day when all the good service was off-duty. There was no bartender available, which meant lost revenue for the hotel, and the bar was noticeably understocked—surprising given that guests were expected. Restaurant service was slow and appeared untrained. To make matters worse, I was served an overcooked burger (I forgot to take a photo). To their credit, they did take it back and redo it. The showers are also in need of a serious upgrade. The only positive experiences were with the receptionist (whose name I unfortunately can’t remember) and Dhilon, who was exceptionally helpful and friendly. Aside from them, I wouldn’t recommend this hotel, as there are many other options at the same price point that offer much better quality and service.

Swara Acacia Lodge offers a perfect escape just outside Nairobi, set within the Swara Plains Conservancy where wildlife roams freely. Guests enjoy rustic yet comfortable cottages, great food, and a wide range of activities from game drives, bike rides, and nature walks to children’s programs and team-building experiences. Its peaceful setting under acacia trees combines natural beauty with warm hospitality, making it ideal for families, couples, or groups. With easy access from the city yet a true “out-of-town” feel, the lodge blends relaxation, adventure, and authentic Kenyan charm in a serene, family-friendly environment.

This was our third visit to Swara and standards have definitely slipped. The rooms are comfortable and as good as before. Samuel, who showed us to our room, was his usual lovely self and it was good to see him again. The receptionist was pleasant enough but tried to tell us we had to check out at 11 even though our tour operator ad booked the rooms until we left for our flight home. The staff at the restaurant were very pleasant and helpful but didn't always get the orders right. Now to the food. That has definitely gone down in standard. The menu is the same for lunch as dinner and not very many choices. The quality was not as good as before and lots of things were not available - including amazingly - the salad! Even though bananas were everywhere in the country we were not served one. The fruit offered was watermelon and pineapple. We ordered packed breakfast and lunch when we were going on a day game drive at Nairobi National Park. These were again ordered totally inappropriately from the menu - nothing on there suitable for a packed lunch at all. One of our party's choice didnt turn up at all. We got tea and coffee for the breakfast but no drinks for the lunch! Samosas, salad garnish and dessert all put in the same container meaning the vinegary dressing had leeched into the pastry and the cake. We complained on our return and the assistant manager was very apologetic. I felt sorry for him as the management should have menus for packed lunches/breakfasts as the other lodges do. There have been a lot of posts on social media by the lodge promoting their food. Shame it didn't translate into good food. Will we return? I am not sure. The lodge itself is comfy and the game drives are good there though the guide we had previous trips seems to have been dispensed with and our driver had to find his own way around. Cost cutting?

Our experience at this hotel started off on a rough note. While trying to access the hotel, we missed the turn, and when we reached the security check, the staff member there was quite rude and even threatened not to give us the gate pass. This left a negative impression right from the start. Upon arrival at the reception, however, the staff were polite, and the check-in process was smooth. The room itself was acceptable, and the overall ambience of the hotel was decent, but nothing exceptional. One of the main reasons we chose this hotel was for the promised buffet, but unfortunately, it was not delivered. We were instead forced to opt for à la carte dining, which came with very small portions. On the one day we were offered the buffet, the options were minimal and didn't live up to expectations. As a hotel positioned as a gateway destination, we were hoping for a more satisfying dining experience that would meet our desire for both great food and relaxation, but sadly, it fell short. Overall, while the hotel had some positive aspects, it didn’t meet our expectations, especially in terms of dining and overall service.

We had booked our stay from the 29th to the 1st and were looking forward to a relaxing visit. Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen emergency, we had to check out on the 31st as my husband needed to return to the hospital for a review following a recent leg operation. Upon checkout, my husband—who was still recovering and limping—had to carry our luggage from the room to the car without any offer of assistance from the staff. I am pregnant and was also managing our toddler, which made the situation even more difficult. When we arrived at the reception, we were informed that we needed to pay for the extra night, despite the fact that our early departure was due to a medical emergency. The staff insisted that we wait for the manager, who only arrived after an hour, despite our repeated requests for immediate assistance. When he finally addressed us, he was unapologetic, though he eventually agreed to waive the extra night. We also observed inconsistent service standards during our stay. While new guests of a different ethnicity received immediate assistance with their luggage, we were left to manage on our own. Additionally, food service was consistently slow, which was frustrating. On a positive note, we appreciated the kindness of Viola at the reception, as well as the childminders at the playground who were attentive and friendly. Overall, however, the lack of empathy and professionalism during our stay, especially during a time of personal stress, was deeply disappointing. Unfortunately, we would not consider visiting again.