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Lewa Wilderness trail

Nestled on the slopes of the Eastern Marania Valley within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Lewa Wilderness Lodge stands as a historic safari destination. It blends heritage charm with modern comfort. Travelers seeking an authentic, luxurious safari will find it compelling.

Moreover, its dedicated staff create a welcoming atmosphere for every guest. The lodge is a sanctuary where conservation and comfort meet. Each stay supports local wildlife preservation through responsible tourism.

Its location, service, and conservation impact set it apart. Guests can explore private sites with guided walks and insightful wildlife encounters. From sunrise game drives to intimate evenings, the setting inspires reflection and lasting memories. The overall experience blends comfort, culture, and conservation values.

A Tapestry of History and Warm Hospitality

Lewa Wilderness Lodge is one of Kenya’s original safari lodges, with a legacy stretching back decades and intrinsically linked to the pioneering Craig-Douglas family. The Craig family, who transformed their cattle ranch into a wildlife conservancy, still call the lodge home, ensuring that guests are welcomed not as tourists, but as cherished friends into their “stylish pad”. This personal touch infuses the lodge with a warm, “home-away-from-home” ambiance that is rare to find in the luxury safari circuit. The main homestead, with its verdant gardens, climbing bougainvillea, and wood-paneled sitting rooms with roaring fireplaces, creates a tranquil retreat for the soul.

Luxurious Accommodation in the Wild

accommodation and rates

The lodge features nine exclusive stone-and-thatch cottages, each designed to offer maximum privacy and breathtaking views. Guests can choose from Hillside Cottages, which boast panoramic views of the valley, or the Garden Cottages, ideally located near the main house and perfect for families. Each cottage is spacious and beautifully appointed with en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and crackling fireplaces, blending rustic allure with contemporary luxury.

Beyond the Ordinary: Unique Wilderness Encounters

Safari activities

Lewa Wilderness is renowned for offering a spectrum of activities that go far beyond the traditional game drive, allowing guests to explore the wilderness at their own pace.

  • Silent Game Drives: Experience the thrill of a safari without engine noise in state-of-the-art electric vehicles, offering intimate and close-up views of the Big Five and the endangered rhinos that Lewa is famous for.
  • Horseback & Camel Safaris: Trade wheels for hooves and traverse the plains alongside giraffes, zebras, and antelope. This is a serene and unforgettable way to connect with the land. Lewa’s Walking Wild camel safaris are a signature experience.
  • Scenic Biplane Flights: Take to the skies in an open-cockpit vintage Waco biplane for a bird’s-eye view of Mount Kenya, vast herds of game, and the dramatic landscapes of the conservancy.
  • Walking Safaris & Cultural Visits: Explore the bush on foot with expert Maasai guides, learning to read tracks and discover smaller species. Visits to local villages offer a glimpse into the enduring traditions of the Samburu and Maasai people.

Lewa Wilderness Lodge Rates 2026/2027

SeasonUnit TypePP SharingExtra AdultChild (5–15 yrs)Single Occupancy
PeakOne-Bedroom Garden Cottage1,4001,0108851,625
Two-Bedroom Garden Cottage1,4001,0758852,800
One-Bedroom Hillside Cottage1,710N/A8851,985
Two-Bedroom Hillside Suite1,9351,0758853,870
RegularOne-Bedroom Garden Cottage1,195870760N/A
Two-Bedroom Garden Cottage1,1959207602,390
One-Bedroom Hillside Cottage1,365N/A7601,365*
Two-Bedroom Hillside Suite1,4509207602,900

Seasons:

  • Regular Season: (11 Jan – 15 Apr, 16 May – 30 Jun, 16 Sep – 31 Oct, 1–19 Dec 2027)
  • Peak Season: (1 July – 15 September & 20 December 2027 – 10 January 2028)

Conservancy Fees (Mandatory – Add to Above Rates)

  • Adult: 200 per night
  • Child (5–15 yrs): 100 per night
  • conservancy fees are a mandatory extra and are therefore to be added to the accommodation rates.
  • child rate is applicable for children aged between 5-15yrs. 0-4yr olds go free.
  • **Some of the 1-bedroom hillside cottages can accommodate up to 3 pax, so please contact us in such cases and we’ll advise further.
  • **The Per person sharing rate for the 2-bedroom garden cottages & the Two-bedroom Hillside suite applies if there’s at least 2 guests in these units. For a single guest, the single occupancy rate will apply. For groups with more than 2 guests, the first 2 guests will pay the Per Person sharing rate and then any additional guests will be charged the extra adult/child rate.
  • **SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT IN REGULAR SEASON (ONE-BEDROOM COTTAGES): There’s no single room supplement for the one-bedroom units in REGULAR season for the first 2 singles (per group). However, for groups requiring more than 2 singles of these units, the first 2 singles will pay the per person sharing rate but any additional singles will pay a 15% supplement on top of the per person sharing rate.

Rates Includes:

These rates are inclusive of full board accommodation, mandatory flying doctors cover, soft drinks, beer, non-premium wine, spirits, laundry, local airstrip transfers (ex Lewa Airstrip) and activities as shown below:

  • Shared game drives, day & night. Guided walks.
  • Horse riding. Camel walks.
  • Prehistoric site visits.
  • Community crafts & visits to selected villages and schools.
  • Visit to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy HQ (educational talks, school or project visits and much more). All local taxes.

Rates Exclude:

  • Conservancy fees
  • Fly camping (drive, walk or horse ride, if experienced)- $200 per person: in addition to accommodation fees.
  • minimum 2 pax | Subject to weather. Wilderness Farmhouse Lunch – $70 per person.
  • minimum 2 pax.
  • Flying packages with Air Wilderness – cost available on request. Champagne, premium spirits, cellar wines.
  • Visits to Il’Ngwesi cultural boma – entrance fees $40 and payable direct.
  • Visit to Ngare Ndare Forest with the aerial walkway and waterfalls – entrance fees $75 for adults, $55 for kids and payable direct.
  • Exclusive use of vehicle, subject to availability US$ 360 per day. A single booking of 5 guests will be guaranteed exclusive use at no surcharge.
  • Late departures subject to availability: Guests departing in the afternoon are required to vacate their room by 10:00 a.m and will be charged $25 per person for lunch.
  • Day rooms are also subject to availability, 25% of the pppn accommodation cost is applicable for this.
  • 1st March – 15th April & 1st – 1Pth December: Stay 3 pay 2 special, conservancy fees payable on all nights.
  •   11th /January – 28th February & 1st-31st October: Honeymoon special: 50% off one partner’s total accommodation fees for stays of 3 nights or more.  
  • 1st – 31st October: Stay 4 pay 3 special,

conservancy fees payable on all nights.

*Terms & Conditions apply and offers are non-combinable

Closure Dates:-16th April- 15th May & 1st November – 30th November.

Disclaimer:-We reserve the right to review published rates in the event of currency exchange rate fluctuation, increases in costs or taxes, that are beyond our control. Prices for services offered by third parties are subject to change without prior notice.

Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms

  • 20% deposit is required to confirm a booking.
  • Full payment payable 45 days prior to arrival date.

Cancellation

  • More than 120 days prior to reservation, the deposit is returned net of bank charges. Between 120 days and 46 days, 20% of the full accommodation value is forfeited.
  • Between 45 days and 31 days, 50% of the full accommodation value is forfeited. Less than 30 days (and no shows) 100% accommodation value forfeited.

Provisional Bookings

  • To place a provisional booking: Please send an email to reservations@lewawilderness.com. Your booking will be held provisionally for 14 days unless stated otherwise. The expiry date of the booking will be noted on the reservation summary that you are sent. You are required to confirm the booking prior to the expiry date otherwise it will automatically expire. If you require more time to confirm your booking, the expiry date may be extended once (on request).

Confirming Bookings:

  • A booking shall only be confirmed upon receipt of a bank deposit as per our Payment Terms or a confirmation voucher. Please also ensure also that you have given the following information:
  • Insurance:Bookings are accepted on the condition that guests have their own comprehensive travel insurance cover.
  • Registration:-Guests are required to complete a registration card on check-in.
  • Check in & check out:-Room check out time is 10:00 a.m. on the day of departure and check in is 11:00 a.m. on day of arrival.

Payment Terms

  • 20% deposit is required to confirm a booking.
  • Full payment payable 45 days prior to arrival date.

The Best of Lewa: Similar Accommodation

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to a number of exceptional lodges, each offering a unique perspective on this incredible wilderness. Here are some other outstanding options we recommend:

  • Sirikoi Lodge: A premier family-owned luxury retreat situated on a private conservancy bordering Lewa. The lodge is set along the banks of the Sirikoi River and is renowned for its exceptional hospitality, fantastic wildlife viewing, and exquisite accommodation options, including a private house and cottage.
  • Lewa Safari Camp (Elewana): Located within the heart of the conservancy, this tented camp is the only lodge owned by the conservancy itself, meaning every dollar spent goes directly to conservation. The camp overlooks a busy waterhole and offers a classic, comfortable safari experience with a strong focus on the Lewa story.
  • Lewa House: For travellers seeking a blend of luxury and family-style warmth, Lewa House is an excellent choice. It offers a more intimate feel, combining comfortable cottages and earth pods with conservation-led safaris and close community connections.
  • Elewana Kifaru House: This is an exclusive-use private house, perfect for families or small groups seeking complete privacy and dedicated service within the Lewa Conservancy.

Exploring Laikipia: More Options Nearby

The greater Laikipia Plateau offers some of the most diverse safari experiences in Africa, with numerous private conservancies and exclusive lodges. Beyond Lewa, consider these exceptional stays:

  • Wilderness Private: For the ultimate in seclusion and luxury, Wilderness Private offers a private safari compound comprising five elegant cottages, designed for exclusive use by a single group. It provides matchless repose, a private infinity pool, and a highly personalized safari experience, just moments from the original Lewa Wilderness Lodge.
  • Sosian Lodge: Situated on a 24,000-acre private working ranch, Sosian offers a unique experience where cattle and wildlife co-exist. It is a haven for riding enthusiasts, with activities like horseback safaris, rock-top sundowners, and walking safaris.
  • Ol Malo: This lodge is famous for its sense of adventure, offering everything from luxury cottages to sleeping in a treehouse or a leopard hide. They also operate Kenya choppers for spectacular helicopter excursions.
  • Governors’ Mugie House: An exclusive-use safari lodge in the Mugie Conservancy, booked as a whole for your group. Guests can participate in active conservation programs like the Cheetah and Wild Dog Project.

Plan Your Lewa Wilderness Safari with Beyond Kenya Safaris

A stay at Lewa Wilderness Lodge is more than a holiday; it is a journey into the heart of Kenya’s untamed beauty and a direct contribution to vital conservation efforts. At Beyond Kenya Safaris, we specialize in crafting tailor-made itineraries that incorporate the very best of Kenya, from the sweeping plains of the Masai Mara to the pristine wilderness of the Laikipia region.

Whether you wish to combine a stay at Lewa Wilderness with a beach extension in Diani or a fly-in safari to the Mara, our expert team is here to design the perfect journey for you. Contact us today to begin planning your unforgettable African adventure.

View Gallery

Connect with nature, indulge in luxury, and experience the quintessential African safari at Lewa Wilderness Lodge. Reserve your spot in this haven of wilderness and hospitality, and be part of a legacy of conservation and community.

View of Sample itineraries to Lewa

Guest Reviews of Lewa Wilderness Lodge

“A Harmonious Retreat Amidst Nature” – Samantha & John

“We chose Lewa Wilderness Lodge for our anniversary, and it surpassed all our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with heartwarming hospitality. The hillside cottages offered privacy and unrivaled views over the conservancy. The guided walks and electric Landcruiser game drives were exceptional. The commitment to conservation is palpable and contributes to the overall experience. Every meal was a delight, especially the unforgettable Shamba lunches. We left feeling refreshed and deeply connected to nature.

“An Adventure to Remember” – The Harrison Family

“Our family adventure at Lewa Wilderness was one full of discoveries and cherished moments. The garden cottages were perfect for us, providing both comfort and convenience. The kids were thrilled with the camel walks and horse riding sessions. The staff went out of their way to ensure the children were engaged and learning about the local wildlife. The cultural experiences enriched our stay, making our visit more than just a holiday. It’s wonderful to know that by staying here, we are supporting vital conservation work.”

“The Essence of Safari Luxury” – Olivia Bennett

“As a solo traveler, I was looking for a blend of adventure and solitude. Lewa Wilderness Lodge catered to all my needs with elegance and grace. The option for a late departure and the flexibility offered by the lodge made my stay stress-free. The safari excursions were diverse and personalized, and the opportunity to fly in a vintage biplane was a dream come true. Dining under the stars while sharing stories with other guests added a beautiful social aspect to the trip. It’s a sanctuary that I recommend to any luxury traveler seeking serenity and wild beauty.”