Sprawling over the rolling plains north of Mt Kenya, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a prolific wildlife conservancy that is popular with celebrities, conservationists, writers and photographers. Lewa found recent media attention with stories of a Royal romance and the fairytale engagement that followed
Visitors to Lewa are privy to some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing that Kenya has to offer: lion, leopard and jackal thrive on the rich diversity of prey that inhabits the area. The Wildlife Conservancy is home to the largest concentration of Grevy’s zebra in the world, and its range of habitats attracts diverse birdlife and hosts over 130 Black and White rhino.
Featuring large tented bedrooms with verandahs and full en-suite bathrooms, Lewa Safari camp offers authentic comfort for its visitors; cozy log fires in the sitting room are perfect for relaxing after a day in the Conservancy. This unique and exclusive retreat offers privileged access to 65,000 acres of private protected wilderness.
Underpinning the glamorous magnetism of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a serious mission: a pioneering and pragmatic approach to conservation, founded in the 1970’s, that has developed into a thriving and globally recognised rhino conservation habitat.
Lewa Safari Camp became a member of the Elewana Collection in 2015, a collection of 15 boutique safari and beach properties in some of the most iconic locations in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
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.
The Lewa Safari Camp guides are based in camp within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Most are from the neighbouring communities and have been guiding within the Conservancy for many years, some for over 15 years. All the guides are first class, with Bronze or Silver level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certification, and they also receive training directly from the Conservancy to the “Lewa Standard”.
Lewa Safari Camp has open gamedrive vehicles. The current fleet are specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – open sided with 3 rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Clients will share gamedrives unless “exclusive use of vehicle” has been prebooked at an extra charge.
With the whole of the eastern half of the Conservancy to itself, and with strict limits on tourism numbers with the Conservancy, guests can enjoy an almost private gameviewing experience. Although a vast area, the Conservancy is fenced, (fencing of wildlife areas is very unusual in Kenya), specifically to protect the rhino. The gamedriving is outstanding with plentiful, rhino, elephant, buffalo, the rare Grevy Zebra and resident predators, to a backdrop of beautiful views of snow capped Mt. Kenya.
Lewa Safari 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, botany; and most walks leave from camp.
Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, micro-ecosystems.
Ngare Ndare forestAnother walking option is to visit Ngare Ndare forest conservancy. This is a community conservancy to the south of Lewa. There is a canopy walk, and river to play in. There are usually elephants in the forest, so you will be escorted by the Lewa walking guide. This is a full day out from camp with a picnic, and there is an extra cost only to cover the separate conservation fee.
Enjoy the cool waters in the heat of the day!
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.
Take a moment to sit back, 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, surrounded by wildlife.
“Sundowners” are a safari tradition – after a day of safari; stop, watch the spectacular sunset; traditionally with a gin and tonic in hand!
Safari is also a holiday and a rest – a break from today’s frenetic lifestyle. Massages – a wonderful way to ease the stress out of tired shoulders and backs. Manicure and pedicure – compliment those tanned limbs!
Lewa Safari Camp offers evening horse rides – 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.
Lewa Safari Camp also offers evening camel rides – less elegant than horseriding, but suitable for those without riding skills, the camels are led by Samburu handlers and it is picturesque experience. Camel riding is subject to availability and there is an additional charge. There are only three riding camels available.
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 Lewa Safari Camp come from this area. 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, ask reception for details), and will want to take the opportunity to sell their traditional handicrafts – bargain hard!
Conservancy visitsas part of our get involved program, guests who are making donations to the Lewa Education Program, can visit schools during term time. For a small donation, guests can also visit and/or participate in Conservation work, eg training of tracker dogs, have a tour of the Conservancy offices.
There is nothing more romantic than a safari! Already an unforgettable, once in a lifetime and pampered experience; safaris offer incredible sunsets, romantic tents with spectacular views, and relaxed al fresco dinners.
The beautiful setting at Lewa Safari Camp is ideal for that very special romantic holiday.
Being a very special holiday, we often have special offers and upgrades for honeymooners.
WeddingsOver the years, we have hosted many beautiful weddings, blessings, and renewal of vows for our guests.
From small simple ceremonies involving merely a glass of champagne at the end of a gamedrive; to elaborate three day events, with over 30 guests taking over the whole property. Options include legal marriages conducted by the local commissioner or religious minister, or Blessing by the chief of the local tribal community.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was previously a cattle ranch owned by David and Delia Craig, who together with Ana Mertz and Peter Jenkins, initially set aside 5,000 acres to protect and breed rhinos, whose population had dropped precipitously from 20,000 to less than 300 in the 1970′s. Within a decade, the success of the project drove demand for more space and, in 1995, the Craigs decided to dedicate their entire ranch to the conservation of wildlife.
Lewa has served as a catalyst for conservation across the region, stimulating the creation of numerous conservancies, both private and community-owned, increasing the amount of land under conservation management in northern Kenya to over almost 2 million acres since the mid-1990s.
Managed by Elewana, Lewa Safari Camp is the only tourism property owned by the Conservancy itself, with the aim of boosting the conservancy’s revenue through camp occupancy. All camp profits and conservancy fees generated by the camp are reinvested directly into the conservation and community efforts of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Sustainable tourismLewa Safari Camp has undergone major refurbishments since 2009. Many of the improvements have been “behind the scenes” to make the camp environmentally friendly and a safe and comfortable place to work. Improvements include solar water heating, new small efficient power generators, environmental waste disposal and recycling, as well as new staff housing, kitchen and recreation rooms. The vehicle fleet is still being upgraded to more modern fuel efficient vehicles, and effluent disposal systems are being overhauled.
Lewa Safari Camp has been awarded its first “Gold Level” by Ecotourism Kenya, a great acknowledgement of our progress of upgrading all the back of house systems to make the camp as environmentally responsible as possible; as befits the Conservancy ethos.
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