Lewa wildlife conservancy and the lodges

Overview

Lewa wildlife conservancy and the lodges

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a 62,000-acre private sanctuary in northern Kenya and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally a cattle ranch owned by the Craig family, it was transformed into a rhino sanctuary in the 1980s in response to rampant poaching. Today, it is a renowned conservation success story, known for its thriving black and white rhino populations and community-focused conservation model.

Top lodges in and around Lewa

Lewa Wilderness

• Atmosphere: A cozy and intimate, family-run lodge, it is one of Kenya’s original private safari operations.
• Accommodation: Features nine exclusive, charming cottages with stunning views.
• Activities: In addition to game drives, it offers horseback riding, guided walks, camel riding, scenic flights in a retro bi-plane, and river swimming.

Sirikoi Lodge

• Atmosphere: An exquisite, small, family-owned lodge offering exceptional luxury and exclusivity.
• Accommodation: Features four luxury tents, a two-bedroom cottage, and a private three-bedroom house, all with fireplaces.
• Highlights: Situated near a wetland, it offers “armchair game viewing” from the main lodge. It also boasts an extensive organic garden that supplies the lodge.

Lewa House

• Atmosphere: A charming, owner-managed lodge offering a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
• Accommodation: Made from local materials, the cottages and innovative “earth pods” are scattered across the grounds, providing panoramic views.
• Activities: The lodge offers game drives, walks, camel and horse riding, and day trips to the Ngare Ndare forest canopy walkway.

Elewana Kifaru House

• Atmosphere: A luxurious and intimate, high-end lodge run by the Elewana Collection.
• Accommodation: Features five charming thatched cottages, a library, and an infinity pool with spectacular views over the plains.
• Best for: Ideal for travelers seeking luxury, privacy, and fantastic wildlife viewing.

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp

• Atmosphere: A popular, environmentally friendly tented camp managed by Elewana.
• Accommodation: Features 11 en-suite safari tents with thatched roofs and private verandas.
• Eco-credentials: The camp is owned by the conservancy, so all profits are reinvested directly into Lewa’s conservation and community projects.

Borana Lodge (adjacent to Lewa)

• Atmosphere: Located within the adjacent Borana Conservancy, which is connected to Lewa without fences, this eco-lodge is also deeply committed to conservation.
• Accommodation: Offers spacious, sustainable cottages built from local rock with incredible views.
• Activities: Highlights include horse riding, mountain biking, tours of their organic farm, and special conservation activities.

Activities and highlights at Lewa

• Wildlife: Lewa is home to the “Big Five,” the “Northern Special Five” (Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx), and over 400 bird species.
• Game drives: Go on day and night game drives in open-sided 4×4 vehicles with expert guides to find wildlife.
• Walking safaris: Experience the bush up close on guided walks.
• Horseback and camel riding: See wildlife from a different perspective with riding safaris.
• Scenic flights: Experience breathtaking views of the landscape from the air.
• Ngare Ndare Forest: Take a day trip to this nearby forest for a canopy walk and to swim in its natural pools.