It’s an open secret that The Sarova Group has amazing lodges.

I have had the pleasure of visiting all of them except the Sarova Mara Game camp.

But a friend of mine (who is prone to colourful language) described it as a place “Where God let’s His hair down.”

I didn’t know whether to believe him because, after all, I was raised in a Christian family, and we don’t discuss God’s hair.

But here is how eclectic the properties are: Sarova Shaba is a gem in a desert, it sprouts from the forlorn volcanic earth of Northern Kenya and buds into a paradise just next to River Ewaso Nyiro.

And Sarova Salt Lick is a totally charmed hamlet standing on long legs — sexy and quaint.

Then there is the Sarova Taita Hills, unbeatable bush experience... plus a real cool and amiable lodge manager, Willie Mwadio.

There, too, is Whitesands in Mombasa. If the hotel were a city, it would be Cape Town; totally chic.

The beauty of Sarova Lion Hill in Nakuru is that you can drive down there.

The lodge is situated inside Lake Nakuru national park.

The seven kilometre stretch of road to the lodge is good for any regular saloon car.

The lodge sits at the foot of a hill. A long time ago, the hill used to be a home to lions.

They congregated there to shoot the breeze or just pick their teeth after a meal of zebra steak.

From one of the main picnic sites in the park, the hill resembles a sleeping lion. Hence the name.

The lodge is small and intimate. It was built in the midst of many acacia trees and has winding paved walkways all over.

If you take your time to do an experiment you will notice that you can see Lake Nakuru from most points in the lodge; restaurant, swimming pool, the bar (yes, no matter how wasted you might be) and some of their rooms.

From that vantage point, the lake looks like an ice-skating spot. It’s smooth, and it sparkles in the sun.

To top this tableau, you will see a lace of pink running along the lake like choreographed ice skaters.

The flamingoes: It was reassuring to see that the lake looked sizebly bigger, owing to the recent rains. It looked like it was recuperating.

While there, please have a game drive. You will see a lot, especially the white rhinos, hyenas (which I can’t stand), buffalo (moody folk), zebras, eland, hyrax, dik diks and a bunch of other game animals.

There are also leopards (my favourite) but they are hard to spot. So are lions.

I’m not a fan of game drives, that’s because the only animal I would like to see (leopard) is never in the mood to come out.

What I loved most about Sarova Lion Hill is the service. None of their lodges can hold a candle to it, according to me.

And service is everything. At the restaurant, for instance, the waiters had their best feet forward.

The food and beverage manager is Stanley Mbau a towering man who prowled the room, hands respectfully held behind his back.

He asked everyone if they were OK, if they were enjoying their meal.

He smiled. And he was everywhere without being intrusive, making everyone feel like he was glad they were there breaking bread.

That to me beats staring at hyenas any day!

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