- Introduction: A Quick African Adventure
- Review: British Airways First Lounge New York JFK
- Review: British Airways Pre-Flight Dining New York JFK
- Review: British Airways Business Class A318 New York To London City
- Review: The London EDITION
- Review: British Airways First Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 3
- Review: British Airways First Class 747 London To Nairobi
- Review: Four Points By Sheraton Nairobi Airport
- Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi Airport
- Review: Kenya Airways Pride Lounge Nairobi Airport
- Review: Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi Airport
- Review: RwandAir Business Class CRJ-900 Nairobi To Kigali
- Review: Marriott Kigali
- Review: Pearl Lounge Kigali Airport
- Review: RwandAir Business Class A330 Kigali To Brussels
- Review: RwandAir A330 Business Class Brussels To London
- Review: Hilton London Gatwick
- Review: No1 Lounge London Gatwick South Terminal
- Review: Norwegian Premium 787-9 London To New York
In the last installment I reviewed Kenya Airways’ Pride Lounge at Nairobi Airport, which is their biggest and most modern lounge. In this installment I wanted to review Kenya Airways’ Simba Lounge, which is their secondary lounge at the airport.
While the Pride Lounge is located near gate 17, the Simba Lounge is located as you walk towards the lower gate numbers, right by the Kenya Airways customer service desk. This lounge is in the part of the terminal where security is at each individual gate, rather than at a centralized checkpoint.
The Simba Lounge is open 24 hours per day, unlike the other lounge, which is open from 5AM until midnight. It’s open to all SkyTeam business class and SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers, as well as premium passengers on Air Mauritius, Precision Air, and RwandAir.
Nairobi Airport terminal
The Simba Lounge is immediately across from the “government lounge.” Hah.
Nairobi Airport terminal
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi exterior
When I first arrived at the lounge there was no one there. Like, no one, not even an employee. So I just walked in and had a seat. As it turned out, the employee were just in the back room, located right behind reception.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi reception
By comparison to the Pride Lounge, this lounge is really small and basic. It consists of one long room, separated into two areas using some partitions.
First there’s an area with about 10 dining tables with two seats each, with the buffet to the side.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi seating
Then there’s the rest of the lounge, which has under 20 seats. Most of the seats are arranged in sets of 2-4, and then there are two red chairs facing a TV.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi seating
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi seating
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi seating
The food and drink selection wasn’t substantially different than in the Pride Lounge.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi buffet
There were a few types of salad and fruit, and then a few hot dishes.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi buffet
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi buffet
Given how few people seem to use this lounge, I had to wonder just how long that food had been sitting there.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi buffet
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi hot food
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi hot food
There was even a menu describing all the food options.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi menu
The lounge then had five types of liquor, as well as wine, beer, soft drinks, water, a coffee machine, and juice.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi drink selection
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi buffet
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi drink selection
In the very back of the lounge was a feature I love as an aviation geek — there was a big Kenya Airways model airplane. Unfortunately, though, the wings were on upside down and an engine was missing. While I assume Kenya Airways’ mechanics weren’t the ones to put these model planes together, it still doesn’t instill much confidence in the airline. 😉
Sad Kenya Airways model airplane
Sad Kenya Airways model airplane
The Simba Lounge doesn’t have showers, but does have two sets of bathrooms. The mens room had one stall and two urinals.
Simba Lounge bathroom
The lounge had Wi-Fi that was serviceable, so I spent about an hour in the lounge working, before heading to the gate for my RwandAir flight to Kigali.
Kenya Airways Simba Lounge bottom line
The Simba Lounge is quite basic, but on the plus side it was nice and quiet and the Wi-Fi worked pretty well. It’s not the best airport lounge ever, and I wouldn’t spend any more time here than you have to, but it’s not a bad place to kill some time.
Given the option I definitely recommend visiting the Pride Lounge instead, though this potentially requires going through security a second time, depending on which gate you’re departing from.
I'm currently in the Simba lounge and the only word I can think of is "travesty". Every single piece of furniture is occupied; there are about a dozen of us (including myself) standing up. Others have no choice but to sit on the floor.
I did make myself a drink, however there is nothing to accompany a beverage. No nuts, no pretzels, no crisps, no crackers.... nothing. The only reason I'm staying is that I can only assume I'm better off here than in the chaos of NBO.
OMG if only you could have reviewed the Government lounge - free flowing Krug and ample caviar I bet. Lol
Just to add to what Ttraveller said, the other quieter, nicer Simba is also accessible for Etihad passengers. (At least it was today when I went there as one).
its funny that you had to photograph the urinals lmao
There are actually two KQ Simba Lounges @NBO. The much nicer one is located on the 1st floor with an elevator next to the duty free area, although that lounge is only for KQ and Skyteam ELP passengers. It's usually pretty quiet there and the tarmac views are also nice.
Same comment as on the Pride Lounge:
Kenya airways provides 3 lounges at Nairobi (instead of 2 as you wrote), futhermore this lounge is opened 24h and not from 5am to midnight only.
The real Simba Lounge (open from 5 to midnight), similar to the Pride Lounge is located upstairs after the Sheri Palm Spa (close to the food court) in T1A.