5 February 1952: "For the first time in the history of the world a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess, and after having described as her most thrilling experience, she climbed down from the tree the next day a Queen" (as recorded by Jim Corbett about Queen Elizabeth - II).

28 June 2010: I was there at the same resort, doing the same thing: Photographing animals coming to lick salt in front of the Treetops Lodge. Elephants and bisons licking slat

In the forests, there are some open areas where trees dont grow because of heavy salt deposits in the soil, called 'salt licks'. All naimals come to these salt licks to imbibe salt, to balance the sodium content in the blood, as otherwise carnivorous or hebivorous food do not contain salt. Usually there is also a water hole nearby, to quench thirst. For animal watchers, salt licks are favourite joints. Deer too share the space. Leopards come prowling to feast on the deer (not when we were there).

Treetops Hotel is such a resort hotel in Aberdare National Park in Kenya near the township of Nyeri, 1,966 m (6,450 ft) above sea level on the Aberdare Range and in sight of Mount Kenya. From the various perches, baloconies and glass widows, one can watch wildlife coming to lick salt in front of the lodge. From within the safe confines of the huge glass windows, I could comfortably photo and video graph elephats passing just a hand span away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tSLWLaRwsk&feature=youtu.be

As it was pretty cold, no one stayed out on the view balcony at night.

We stayed there for one night, during which almost no one slept. We kept a vigil for the animals, illuminated on the lick by powerfrul lights. Staff would also ring a buzzer (which one can optionally swich off) to alert those who decide to go to bed, of appropriate sightings. Animals sighted were elephants, bison, deer, mangoose and warthogs. It was curious to see the elephants scoop up saltfuls from the ground with their trunks.

Treetops has a chequered history. In 1932, Eric Walker literally built into the tops of the trees of Aberdare National Park as a treehouse, offering the guests a close view of the local wildlife in complete safety. Perched on a banyan tree was a machan and loghouse repelte with 4 bedrooms, a dining hall et al.

On 5th February 1952, Princess Elizabeth and Duke Philip climbed up the tree in the evening, and spent the night excitedly photgraphing wild animals.On the 5/6 night, her father King George VI died in England. When she got down from the tree on 6th, she was Queen Elizabeth.

An event that hit off Treetops with elite travellers worldover. Notable vistors included hunter-conservationist Jim Corbett, Baron Baden-Powell (founder of the Boy Scouts movement), comedian Charlie Chaplin, American actress Joan Crawford and Lord Mountbatten.

During the Mau Mau Uprising, which began as a protest in 1951 and 1952 of British dominance and discrimination in the Kikuyu homeland, the original Treetops was burnt down to balck charcoal. But animlas still continued to visit the salt lick.

Treetops was rebuilt in 1957 and now has 50 rooms with ample viewing galleries. Visitors are allowed to bring only one overnight bag and there's a ban on hard-soled footwear due to the hearing sensitivity of many animals. A diligent daily log of animals sighted is maintained at the Lodge by the staff.

We had come here before the marathon in Lewa Downs. That was my first brush with Royalty - to have stayed where Royalty stayed - a marathoner's privilege!

Its not a luxurious hotel, but its an amazing experience. There is only 2 bathrooms in the hotel, exept from the queen's room, which is a suite.

What a wonderful experience! Although the accommodation in this very quirky place is quite basic, we would not have missed the experience for anything. We were lucky to see a big family of elephants, a rhino, and many water buffalo and warthogs round the watering holes. The best bit was being able to hear as well as see the animals from the open viewing area. The buzzer system at night worked well and we switched it off after getting up for the third time as we needed some sleep. We liked the communal dining experience and the food was the best of our whole holiday. The talk on elephant behaviour from the resident naturalist was very useful for when we watched the elephants later during the night. When the rooms are all en-suite after the October refurbishments, the place will be even better as the shared facilities were the only downside of the place.

We had a one night stay at Treetops at the start of our Safari, we saw a herd of over 20 elephants at the watering hole, including babies. I hope when it reopens after it update it still retains in quaint charm