Grogan’s Castle Hotel

Secluded Getaways in Taita Taveta

Grogan’s Castle Hotel: An Explorers Hidey-Hole

Feeling like a Mexican hacienda grafted onto the soils of Africa, this white washed colonial relic has a lovely hilltop perch and is steeped in rich history – the building dates to late colonial era and takes its name from Colonel Ewart Scott Grogan, the influential settler who built it. Known simply as Grogan’s Castle 23 km south-east of Ziwani Voyager Tented Camp, taking the turnoff before that into Ziwani Voyager off A23 Voi Taveta Road, this colossal and striking brick holding was completed in the 1930s, in the then back of beyond, as a residence for the eccentric Grogan, a settler who wore many hats – explorer, colonial administrator, and entrepreneur.

The egressed house was later refurbished, particularly from 2008 when Basil Criticos bought the property and took on renovations. Sequestered, high on a hill, with a monastic quality to it, great for reposeful contemplation with commanding views of the plains, this timeless house, with six cozy room-suites, offers a family-friendly hidey-hole deserving of a weekend escape. Taking a break from the grand views overlooking the plains, Tsavo West and Kilimanjaro, you can tour the old canal system he built in the 1950s. Out on the road it is equidistant to either lakes Chala (north) or Jipe (south). From Voi, direction Taveta, Grogan’s Castle is 121 km.

Noted her his eccentric appearance, Ewart Grogan would be prove to be a man of greatness, brave and gentle, able and wise, who could combine relentless attack on enemies and hostile conditions with an equally relentless love of little children, when he undertook an unrepeatable odyssey. In his youthful years he became the first known person to walk the entire length of Africa, Cape to Cairo, as a fitting test of his character to his stepfather who disapproved of a match with Gertrude Watt. In 1899, aged 24 years, he set out with a small party to walk across Africa aiming to put under his achievement this gallant distinction. Next to winning his ladylove, he was going to do some surveying for British capitalist Cecil Rhodes, who had plans to build a railway and telegraph system spanning the continent.

Around Kenya, there is a collection of rare experiences, in middle-budget secluded hideaways, offering guests intimate encounters with parts of Kenya that rarely get under the limelight. Each getaway, secluded and away from civilization, is rooted in its local community and dedicated to showcasing their cultures.

Index of Secluded Getaways Around Kenya



Baringo County - Samatian Island Lodge, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Samich Resort, Kerio River Lodge, Embu County - Masinga Dam Resort, Homa Bay County - Kisindi Lodge & Spa, Kakamega County - Busambuli Ecolodge, Lamanis Haven, Lamu County - Kizingoni Beach House, Kilifi County - Neem Tree House, Takaungu House, Distant Relatives Ecolodge, Rock and Sea Bubble Ecolodge, Watamu Treehouse, Kite Cottage, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Migori County - Lobby Resort, Kirinyaga County - Castle Forest Lodge, Ndongoro Log Cabin, The Kichachu, Kwale County - Kutazama Lodge, Mandhari Lodge, Betty's Camp Shimoni, Blue Monkey Beach Cottages, Munje Beach Villas, Laikipia County - Mukima Manor, Olepangi Farm, Makueni County - Kilima Kiu Manor, Meru County - Rutundu Log Cabins, Elsa's Kopje, Muranga County - Kimakia Tea Lodge, Muchiri's Resort, Mathioya River Cottages, Nyeri County - Sandai Farm, Nairobi County - Edaala Comfort, Cottage Residence, Nyandarua County - Samawati Lakeside Cottages, Samburu County - Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Camp Ndotto Ngurunit, Desert Rose Lodge, Taita Taveta County - Grogan's Castle, Lake Jipe Eco Lodge, Lions Bluff Lodge, Tana River County - Delta Dunes Lodge, Tharaka Nithi County - Anabas Mount Kenya Lodge, Trans Nzoia County - Cranes Haven, Mount Elgon Lodge, West Pokot County - Barnley's Guest House, Mount Mtelo View Lodge

Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The county features diverse landscapes, including the Taita Hills, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the vast plains of Tsavo, which are part of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – Kenya’s largest wildlife preserve.

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Guide to Taita Taveta County

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85 Destinations in Taita Taveta County, arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Kampi ya Kanzi Lodge, Tsavo West National Park, Kamboyo Lodge, Mzima Springs, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ancient Roaring Rocks, Ngulia Hills, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Chaimu Crater, The Five Sister's Hills, Shetani Lava, Finch Hattons Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Chala, Crystal Lake Chala Caves, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp, Sniper Tree, Gicheha Ziwani Farm, The Njoro Springs, Grogan’s Castle, Mokine Hill, Lake Jipe, Lake Jipe Eco-lodge, Salaita Hill, The Taveta Military Cemetery, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Maktau Railway Station, Taita Hills Game Lodge, Taita Hills Museum, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Mwashoti Hill, Maili 27 Bridge, Mwakitau Hill, Lumo Game Sanctuary, Lions Bluff Lodge, Lualenyi Camp, Ndolwa Game Sanctuary, Dembwa Falls, Bura Mission Church, Vuria Hill, Taita Hills, Wesu Rock, Taita Rocks Hotel, Malowa's Shrine, Taita Skull Caves, Taita Research Station, Kilangarenyi Falls, Ngangao Forest, Kenyatta Caves, Mount Sagalla, Rev. Wray Memorial Museum, Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Volunteer International Camp Tsavo, Mount Kasigau, Kasigau Base Camp, The Maungu Plains, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wushumbu Conservancy, Teita Sisal Estate, Mbulia Conservancy, Tsavo East National Park, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Yatta Plateau, Tsavo Springs, Emusaya Wilderness Arc, Galdessa Little Camp, Lugard's Falls, Mudanda Rock, Voi War Cemetery, Lion Hill Lodge, Kanderi Swamp, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Aruba Dam, A. Aruba Lodge, Nyiri Desert

Know More About Taita Taveta County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like in T.Taveta?

The mean temperature in Taita Taveta is 23 Degrees Celsius, cooler around the hills and hotter on the Nyika where the Tsavos sit. Rainfall distribution is uneven, with the highlands receiving higher rains than the lowland areas.