ELEWANA LEWA SAFARI CAMP – LAIKIPIA

Sprawling over the Laikipia plains, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a vibrant wildlife conservancy and visitors to Lewa can experience some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing that Kenya has to offer. Lewa is home to the largest concentration of Grevy’s zebra in the world, and protects over 150 Black and White rhino.  Lewa Safari Camp is the only tourist facility within the Conservancy that is owned by the Conservancy. Profits and conservancy fees generated by the camp are reinvested directly into the conservation and community efforts of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.  This unique and exclusive retreat offers access to 65,000 acres of private protected wilderness.

LOCATION

Lewa Safari Camp is an integral part of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy which is an immensely successful wildlife conservation area within the Laikipia Plateau.

CAMP

Featuring large tented bedrooms with verandahs and full ensuite bathrooms, Elewana Lewa Safari Camp is a very comfortable tented camp with cosy log fires in the sitting room are perfect for relaxing after a day in the Conservancy.

Luxury Safari Tents – 11 ensuite safari tents with 3 of tents accommodating triples for children under 16 only.  Each thatch-covered tent consists of a main bedroom, an ensuite bathroom and a spacious veranda.

Luxury Safari Family Tents – Lewa Safari Camp has two separate Family Tents.  Each is set under a thatched roof  and the spacious canvas tents have an en-suite master bedroom and an en-suite twin room which are joined together by a private veranda/sitting area with stunning views over the Lewa plains. The en-suite bathrooms have flush toilets and hot water showers. An extra bed for a third child under 16 years can be accommodated in one of the Family Tents to accommodate a family of 5.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Game Drives – with the whole of the eastern half of the Conservancy to itself and with strict limits on tourism numbers within the Conservancy you can enjoy an almost private game viewing experience. Although a vast area the Conservancy is fenced specifically to protect the rhino. The game driving is outstanding with good sightings of rhino, elephant, buffalo, the rare Grevy’s zebra and resident predators, to a backdrop of beautiful views of snow-capped Mt. Kenya.

Guided bush walks – the camp’s walking guides are trained wildlife rangers from the Conservancy. Apart from their knowledge on rhino conservation they are also knowledgeable about the tracks and botany. Most walks leave from camp and will enable you to enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, micro-ecosystems.

Horse or Camel Riding – the camp offers horse rides and you can get very close to plains game as they see you as one of their own! Horse riding is for experienced riders only as although it is a gentle walk on very well behaved horses you are in the wild and need to be able to bring a situation under control when horses are spooked. Horse riding is subject to availability and there is an additional charge. Riders will be requested to fill out a questionnaire to ascertain their competency.

Camel rides – less elegant than horseriding but suitable for those without riding skills the camels are led by Samburu handlers. Camel riding is subject to availability and there is an additional charge. There are only three riding camels available.

Bush breakfasts- take a moment to sit back and enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colours, and the gentle breeze. Bush breakfasts are a chance to enjoy a full breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plains and surrounded by wildlife.

Sundowners – sundowners are a safari tradition after a day of safari – stop and watch the spectacular sunset with a gin and tonic and snacks.

Cultural and Conservancy Visits – Lewa Wildlife Conservancy borders the Samburu community conservancies of Tassia and Il Ngwesi in the arid lowlands of the north and many of the staff at Elewana Lewa Safari Camp come from this area. Elewana Lewa Safari Camp offers visits to neighbouring local Samburu homesteads – the Samburu live in semi-permanent huts known as Manyattas and it is the role of the wife to construct the hut from cattle dung and grass. The families will show you round their home for a fee (payable separately) and will want to take the opportunity to sell their traditional handicrafts. A visit to the local school is also possible and you may choose to help support it by buying books or other needed items.

Day Trip to Ngare Ndare Forest – the lush Ngare Ndare forest borders the Lewa Consevancy and is wonderful for a day trip of exploring. Swim in crystal clear mountain springs, walk along a canopy bridge above high above the forest floor and enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch in the shade of a dense and beautiful forest.

Swimming – enjoy the cool waters in the heat of the day in the swimming pool set within the lush green gardens, The giraffe design pool has bar service and board games as well as table tennis. There are sunbeds and a shaded lounge area, perfect for reading and relaxing during the day.

GIVING BACK

Today Lewa serves as catalyst for conservation in Kenya and beyond. Through the protection and management of endangered species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes, and the education of neighbouring communities in the value of wildlife, Lewa has become a model for wildlife conservation not only private land in Kenya but also a regional centre of conservation excellence.

The area is a destination for tourism, and a leading example of an integrated approach where both people and wildlife benefit from conservation. For the last three decades Lewa’s innovative practices have resulted in thriving black rhino habitat and population which in turn creates a robust ecosystem for a multitude of species including the endangered Grevy’s zebra, elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe and more.

Lewa envisions a future where people across Kenya continue to value, protect and benefit from wildlife. This future depends on communities being able to derive their day-to-day livelihoods in ways that are compatible with thriving wildlife habitat. As a result, Lewa invests heavily in the livelihoods of its neighbours through programmes in education, healthcare, water, micro-enterprise, youth empowerment and more.

OPEN ALL YEAR

FAMILILY FRIENDLY