Lewa Wilderness Lodge

OVERVIEW:

Home of the Craig family, who established Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Lewa Wilderness Lodge is a comfortable, family-friendly lodge surrounded by lawned gardens and the beautiful scenery of the Eastern Marania Valley. A main draw is the scope of activities for all ages, as well as the property’s welcoming, home-away-from-home ambience. Lewa also features a completely private, exclusive-use residence overlooking the river. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, a range of activities, Wi-Fi, and a laundry service. The lodge is closed during April, May, and November every year.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Lewa Wilderness is accessed via a 30-minute road transfer from Lewa Downs Airstrip. Scheduled flights depart from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Lewa Downs, or private air charters can be arranged on request. Situated on the steep slopes of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s Western Marania Valley, Lewa Wilderness boasts spectacular views all the way down to the valley floor.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT LEWA WILDERNESS LODGE:

Lewa Wilderness features nine guest cottages, six of which are nestled on the hillside and have views of Lewa’s Eastern Marania Valley. A further three double units are located in the gardens, closest to the main house, and well suited to families. All are similar in design, favouring a rustic, homely style that relies on timber, stone, and thatch, enhanced by over-sized rugs, warm lighting, and cosy fireplaces. The spacious bedrooms can be configured as doubles or twins, each with separate seating areas, displaying spectacular valley views. En-suite facilities typically comprise a flush toilet, washbasin, shower, and separate bathtub. The larger family cottages feature two bedrooms on either side of a lounge, with a bar and welcoming fireplace. All cottages are spaced well apart to provide ample privacy, and the surrounding greenery nicely screens the garden units.

The communal spaces at Lewa Wilderness are equally well appointed and include a comfortable lounge with plenty of sink-in sofas and armchairs, warm lighting, and a medley of artefacts. The dining room is open-sided, so guests can marvel at the scenery while enjoying meals, usually taken communally. Private dining is available on request. The original house contains a handsome library and billiards room, and a veranda where afternoon tea is served. More active guests will be pleased to have access to a gym, tennis court, and table tennis. And there’s an inviting infinity pool, perfect for relaxing between safaris within the conservancy and surrounding areas.

In addition, there’s Private Wilderness, Lewa’s exclusive-use five-cottage residence, accommodating a maximum of ten guests. In a similar signature style to Lewa Wilderness, the comfortable main house features a lounge and dining room with verandas that boast panoramic views of the valley. All the furniture has been made on site by Lewa carpenters, so this really is a labour of love with full involvement from the Craig family. Each standalone cottage is en-suite and can be configured as a double or a twin. The house comes with two private vehicles, accompanying guides, and a dedicated team of in-house staff. It also features its own well-sized infinity pool.

* Lewa Wilderness – For safety reasons, we always request a garden room or a room without a balcony for families with children under the age of 6.*

* Private Wilderness – The minimum age is 6 years.*

ACTIVITIES AT LEWA WILDERNESS LODGE:

The lodge offers an exhilarating range of activities. The following are included in the price of your stay:

• Expertly guided game drives

  – These take place in the early mornings and late afternoons into the evening. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a wonderful place to explore, with its sprawling savanna, hills and valleys, rivers, and majestic Mount Kenya as a backdrop! You can look out for all five Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – and numerous smaller predators and herbivores. However, Lewa is best known for its healthy black and white rhino populations, a unique feature of this particular destination.

• Walking safaris

  – Also enjoyed in the presence of a knowledgeable and experienced guide, walks are highly recommended for observing the smaller, lesser-known species, stunning array of birds, and resident plant life.

• Camel safaris

  – Local company Walking Wild provides opportunities for guests to explore Lewa and adjacent Maasai community conservation areas in the company of camels. The camels and Maasai guides carry all the fly camp equipment, so you just need to concentrate on admiring the scenery.

• Horseback safaris

  – Lewa’s stables are home to over thirty horses and ponies. Ride out onto the plains for unforgettable encounters with giraffe, zebra, and antelope, perhaps even coming across the odd ostrich or troop of baboons along the way.

• Village visits

  – Visits to local villages allow interaction with the local people and the chance to learn about their traditions and well-preserved ways of life.

• Children’s activities

  – Lewa Wilderness prides itself on being a fantastic option for families. Activities for kids include camel and pony rides, Maasai games, and fishing for crab in freshwater springs.

These activities incur an additional charge:

• Scenic flights

  – Marvel at Lewa from a two-passenger plane piloted by former crop-dusting pilot Will Craig. You’ll see plains, forests, and vast herds of game on your aerial safari.

• Forest walks

  – Head to nearby Ngare Ndare Forest for treetop canopy walks and swimming at the base of a picturesque waterfall. A picnic lunch is included.

• Further village visits, fly camping, and more!

For more information, please get in touch with a member of the YZ team. 

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.