Lewa House Kenya: A Conservation-Focused Safari Sanctuary in the Heart of Lewa Conservancy
Lewa House Kenya Overview
The property is a luxury safari retreat inside the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. It offers an intimate, owner-run experience that balances wilderness immersion with modern comfort. As one of Kenya’s premier conservation-focused safari destinations, Lewa House offers exclusive access to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is renowned for its black rhino and Grevy’s zebra populations.
For travelers seeking a genuine connection with Africa’s wildlife, Lewa House Kenya offers a safari that supports conservation.
Additionally, here’s everything you need to know about this remarkable destination on the Beyond Kenya Safaris website.
Why Choose Lewa House Kenya for Your Safari?
Located on a 7-acre farm within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Lewa House offers breathtaking panoramic views across rolling hills, with Mount Kenya as a stunning backdrop to the south and the Mathews Range visible to the north. The property is managed by Calum and Sophie Macfarlane, a Kenyan-Scottish couple who have created a warm, family-style atmosphere often described by guests as feeling like visiting friends.
What sets Lewa House apart is its strong commitment to sustainability, with visible solar panels and an organic garden that supplies fresh vegetables for the kitchen. The property’s architecture blends seamlessly into the environment, reflecting a deep respect for the surrounding wilderness.
Accommodation at Lewa House
Lewa House offers two distinctive accommodation styles, each designed to provide comfort while maintaining an authentic safari experience:
- Three Family Cottages – These traditional thatched cottages sleep up to four people, featuring two en-suite rooms, a large shared veranda, and beautiful hardwood furniture. Perfect for families or small groups traveling together.
- Four Earth Pods – Designed by Sophie’s father, these innovative, ecologically-sound rooms feature an organic, Gaudi-esque architectural style. Each pod sleeps two to three people and includes a private veranda, luxurious bathroom with walk-in shower, and – in three of the pods – an outdoor bathtub perfect for wildlife viewing while soaking.
All rooms face the wilderness expanse to the north, providing uninterrupted views and a sense of complete immersion in the African landscape.
Safari Experiences at Lewa House
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, including Lewa House Kenya, is celebrated for some of the best game viewing in East Africa.
- It is home to over 70 mammal species and 350 bird species.
- The conservancy protects about 14% of Kenya’s black rhino population.
- It also protects over 12% of the global Grevy’s zebra population.
- Beyond the Big Five, visitors can spot northern Kenya’s ‘special five’. These include the reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Grevy’s zebra
Activitiea
- Game Drives:Morning and afternoon game drives in custom-built 4×4 vehicles offer close encounters with elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards. Expert guides provide invaluable insights into animal behavior and the conservancy’s conservation efforts. Night drives using spotlights reveal nocturnal species such as aardvark and bush babies.
- Guided Bush Walks:-Calum, a fully qualified trails guide, leads fascinating walking safaris – a completely different way to experience the bush, learning to read animal tracks, identify medicinal plants, and appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem.
- Horseback and Camel Safaris:-Lewa House offers unique opportunities to explore the landscape on horseback or camelback – a traditional Samburu experience that provides a different perspective on wildlife viewing.
- Bi-Plane Flights:Perhaps Lewa House’s most extraordinary activity is the bi-plane flight flown by the owner’s uncle. This replica 1930s open-cockpit aircraft offers a bird’s-eye view of Lewa’s dramatic landscapes and wildlife, creating truly unforgettable memories.
- Conservation Experiences:-Guests can visit the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy headquarters for educational talks, meet anti-poaching tracking dogs, participate in rhino tracking, or visit local community projects supported by the conservancy.
Dining and Facilities at Lewa House
The heart of Lewa House is the main thatched building with a comfortable lounge, open fireplace, and large dining room where evening meals are served family-style. Some of the best food in Kenya is prepared here, incorporating fresh produce from the property’s own garden and catering to dietary requirements with advance notice.
Additional amenities include:
- A free-form swimming pool overlooking a waterhole – said to be the warmest in Lewa due to its insulation
- A shaded terrace perfect for afternoon drinks with spectacular views
- Wi-Fi available in public areas
- A 7-acre garden (fully fenced to protect from elephants) providing fresh ingredients
Best Time to Visit Lewa House
Lewa House offers year-round safari experiences, with excellent game viewing in all seasons:
- Dry Season (June–October) – Ideal for wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources. Premium rates apply during July, August, and early September.
- Green Season (November–May) – Dramatic scenery and excellent birdwatching during the arrival of migratory species. Lower visitor numbers provide a more exclusive experience. Special offers like “Stay 5 Pay 4” are available in March and May.
- Peak Season – December 20 to January 5 brings high season rates and lush backdrops.
Lewa House Rates and Inclusions
2025 Rates (Non-Residents, USD per person per night) :
| Season | Adult Sharing | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | $985 | $640 |
| Premium | $1,440 | $930 |
Rates Include:
- Full board accommodation
- All soft drinks, beer, non-premium wine, and spirits
- Laundry service
- Local airstrip transfers
- Day and night game drives
- Guided walks and prehistoric site visits
- Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, and sundowners
- Educational talks and conservation experiences
- One horse or camel trek for stays of three nights or more
- VAT and service charge
Conservancy Fees: Adult $165, Child $83 (2025)
Closed Seasons: April and November
Similar Accommodation at Lewa and Nearby
For those exploring accommodation options in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the following properties offer complementary experiences worth considering:
- Lewa Wilderness Lodge – The original Craig family homestead and the property that established Lewa Conservancy, offering nine exclusive rooms with panoramic valley views, a 1930s bi-plane experience, and exceptional horse safaris
- Sirikoi Lodge – An award-winning eco-lodge with four luxury tents, a two-bedroom cottage, and a three-bedroom private house. Features a waterhole frequented by wildlife, farm-to-table dining, and the famous resident giraffe Ndito
- Elewana Lewa Safari Camp – Recently refurbished with a redesigned Dining Tree deck, grander guest tents, and an upgraded spa. This established camp offers warm, authentic character with modern enhancements
- Borana Lodge – Situated just 8km from Lewa House in the neighboring Borana Conservancy, this family-owned eco-lodge offers panoramic views over Laikipia Plateau and Mount Kenya, with no fences between the two conservancies
Sample Itinerary: 4-Day Lewa House Safari
Beyond Kenya Safaris offers a 4-day fly-in safari to Lewa House, combining luxury accommodation with immersive wildlife experiences:
- Day 1 – Morning flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Lewa Downs airstrip, followed by an afternoon game drive and sundowners in the bush
- Day 2 – Early morning game drive searching for the Big Five, bush breakfast, optional night drive for nocturnal wildlife
- Day 3 – Guided walking safari, afternoon camel or horseback ride, cultural visit to a Samburu or Maasai community project
- Day 4 – Final sunrise drive before transferring to the airstrip for the return flight to Nairobi
This itinerary can be combined with the Masai Mara, Samburu National Reserve, or a beach extension on the Kenyan coast.
Book Your Lewa House Safari with Beyond Kenya Safaris
Lewa House Kenya offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic African wilderness while supporting one of the continent’s most successful conservation models. From exceptional game viewing and innovative accommodation to the warm hospitality of the Macfarlane family, every detail is designed to create an unforgettable safari experience.
Contact Beyond Kenya Safaris today to begin planning your bespoke Lewa House safari, tailored to your preferences and combined with Kenya’s other iconic destinations.
Your adventure begins here.
Inquire Now to begin planning your 4-Day Lewa House Safari.
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