Umani Springs is the third pillar of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) reintegration program, established in 2014 within the ancient Kibwezi Forest at the foot of the Chyulu Hills.

Unlike Ithumba and Voi, which serve orphaned elephants capable of long-distance movement, Umani Springs was created specifically for physically compromised elephants — those whose injuries from poaching, snares, or accidents mean they can never fully fend for themselves in the wild.

The camp accommodates a single private group of up to ten guests in three cottages, offering exclusive-use privacy and direct proximity to the Umani elephant herd. Booking Umani Springs means entering the most intimate, family-like of SWT’s reintegration units, where elephants like Murera, Sonje, and Lima Lima have built a permanent sanctuary in the forest.

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🌳 The Core Connection: How Umani Springs Links to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

📍 Location: The Kibwezi Forest Sanctuary

Umani Springs sits within the Kibwezi Forest, a rare groundwater forest that forms part of the Chyulu Hills National Park.

The forest was secured by SWT through a long-term lease in 2008 as part of its Saving Habitats program, ensuring permanent protection for the elephants and the ecosystem. The lodge overlooks natural springs that attract elephants, buffalo, leopards, bushbucks, and over 400 bird species.

🎯 Mission: A Home for the Most Vulnerable

Umani Springs exists because some elephants cannot return to a fully wild life. The unit is intentionally the smallest and most intimate of SWT’s reintegration sites, designed for elephants whose physical limitations require ongoing support.

As SWT explains: “Umani has a unique, equalising power. While many of its orphans are there specifically because of their physical limitations, their injuries don’t define them.”

Despite their challenges, Umani’s elephants have thrived:

• 👑 Murera became the herd’s matriarch and gave birth to Mwana.
• 🦅 Lima Lima emerged as the herd’s scout.
• 🌙 Zongoloni leads the “Nightclubbers” — semi-wild orphans who spend nights in the forest but return to the stockades each morning.

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🎯 Why Umani Springs Offers an Experience That Cannot Be Replicated

🐘 1. Intimate Family Dynamics

The Umani herd is not a large, anonymous group. It is a tight-knit family with clearly defined roles.

• 👑 Murera serves as head matriarch.
• 🐘 Sonje as her able assistant.
• 🦅 Lima Lima is the scout — the herd’s eyes and ears.
• 🌙 Zongoloni is the leader of the “Nightclubbers.”
• 🧸 Quanza has become an exceptional nanny.

Recent keepers’ diaries reveal the depth of these relationships: Lenny, Lima Lima’s calf, tried to sneak milk from Zongoloni while she nursed her own son, Zigi. Zongoloni was “not fooled for a moment” and delivered a firm reprimand. Mwana, Murera’s daughter, has developed into an excellent junior nanny — one day she brokered a resolution when Zigi and Sulwe fought over a stick.

Guests at Umani Springs witness these dynamics firsthand, three times a day, from a position of privileged proximity.

👀 2. Three Daily Elephant Visits

The structure of each day at Umani Springs revolves around the elephants:

• 🌅 7:00 AM sunrise stockade visit — Watch the herd emerge from their overnight enclosure.
• 🛁 11:00 AM midday mud bath — The orphans wallow directly adjacent to the main lodge.
• 🌇 5:30 PM sunset return — The herd walks back to the stockades for the night.

This rhythm is non-negotiable and forms the spine of the Umani experience.

🌳 3. The Forest Setting

Umani Springs is not a savanna camp. It is a forest lodge.

• 🦋 Biodiversity Hotspot — The Kibwezi Forest is renowned for its butterflies and birdlife.
• 🦜 Birding Platform — The lodge’s dedicated birding platform overlooks the springs, producing excellent sightings of the forest’s 400+ species.
• 🚶 Guided Forest Walks — With armed rangers, reveal hidden springs, ancient trees, and the tracks of wild elephants, buffalo, leopard, and bushbuck.
• 🥾 Umani Hill Lookout — The hike, about 90 minutes, offers views over the forest canopy toward the Chyulu range.

💡 4. Purpose Over Politeness

Umani Springs does not pretend to be a hotel. It is a self-catering retreat: guests bring their own groceries, and a resident cook prepares meals from what is provided.

There is no Wi-Fi in the cottages, no mobile reception, no on-site shop. The quality of the food depends entirely on the quality of ingredients guests bring.

As one recent guest put it: “The food was delicious and beautifully presented in their lovely dining room. Our accommodations were spacious and luxurious. We loved sitting out on our deck which overlooked a waterhole, watching the wildlife.”

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💰 Umani Springs Lodge Rates 2026

2026 Rates

Non-Resident Self-Catering Rates in US$ (Per Night for the Entire Property)

• 👥 1–4 guests — $2,714
• 👥 5 guests — $3,393
• 👥 6 guests — $4,071
• 👥 7 guests — $4,750
• 👥 8 guests — $5,428
• 👥 9 guests — $6,107
• 👥 10 guests — $6,785

Additional Extras: A Conservancy fee of US$30 per person per day.

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🍽️ Self-Catering with Full Camp Service

Like all Sheldrick Wildlife Trust properties, Umani Springs Lodge operates on a self-catering basis.

Guests purchase their groceries before travelling to the lodge, while a professional resident chef, housekeeping staff and camp team prepare, serve and clear every meal. The lodge also provides drinking water and bathroom amenities.

🛒 Beyond Kenya Safaris Menu Planning Service

At Beyond Kenya Safaris, we work directly with the chef at Umani Springs Lodge before your arrival to prepare a personalised menu tailored to your group.

Menus are customised according to:

• 👥 Number of guests
• 📅 Length of stay
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Children’s meals
• 🥗 Vegetarian and vegan diets
• 🌾 Gluten-free requirements
• ⚠️ Food allergies
• 🎉 Special celebrations
• 🍽️ Personal preferences

The chef then prepares a comprehensive shopping list. Upon your arrival in Nairobi, our team accompanies you to selected supermarkets to purchase everything required for your safari. This complimentary service eliminates guesswork and ensures your holiday begins smoothly.

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🦁 Wildlife in Kibwezi Forest

Although famous for elephants, Kibwezi Forest supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife.

Regular sightings include:

• 🐘 African elephants
• 🐆 Leopards
• 🐃 Buffalo
• 🦌 Bushbucks
• 🦌 Duikers
• 🦡 Civets
• 🐈 Serval cats
• 🦡 Mongooses
• 🐒 Bush babies
• 🐕 Hyenas

The forest environment creates a safari experience that is completely different from the open savannahs of Tsavo.

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🦜 A Paradise for Birdwatchers and Nature Lovers

Kibwezi Forest is one of Kenya’s finest birdwatching destinations.

Hundreds of bird species have been recorded within the forest, while colourful butterflies thrive throughout the year thanks to the permanent water supply.

Guests can enjoy birdwatching directly from the dedicated platform overlooking the springs or while exploring the surrounding forest.

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🎯 Activities at Umani Springs Lodge

• 🐘 Visits to the Umani Springs Reintegration Unit — Spend time with orphaned elephants and learn about their inspiring journey back to the wild.
• 🚙 Forest Game Drives — Explore the unique ecosystems of Kibwezi Forest and the surrounding Chyulu Hills region.
• 🚶 Guided Nature Walks — Discover indigenous trees, medicinal plants, butterflies and birdlife.
• 🦜 Birdwatching — Observe forest species from the dedicated viewing platform.
• 🥾 Hiking — Walk to scenic viewpoints overlooking Kibwezi Forest and the Chyulu Hills.
• 🏊 Swimming — Relax in the lodge’s natural swimming pool after a morning safari.
• 🥂 Sundowners — Enjoy spectacular sunsets overlooking the forest canopy and the Chyulu Hills.

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🌿 Conservation Beyond Elephants

Your stay at Umani Springs directly supports the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s conservation work in Kibwezi Forest.

These initiatives include:

• 🛡️ Anti-poaching patrols
• 🌳 Forest protection
• 💧 Wildlife water projects
• ⚡ Electric fence maintenance
• 🌱 Reforestation programmes
• 🏘️ Community outreach
• 🤝 Kenya Wildlife Service support

Every booking contributes to safeguarding one of Kenya’s most important wildlife habitats.

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📅 Best Time to Visit

Umani Springs Lodge is a year-round destination.

• 🟡 June – October — Excellent wildlife viewing with pleasant temperatures.
• 🟢 January – March — Warm weather and outstanding photography conditions.
• 🟢 November – December — Lush forest landscapes and exceptional birdwatching.
• 🌿 April – May — Beautiful green scenery, fewer visitors and peaceful forest walks.

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✈️ Getting There

Guests can reach Umani Springs Lodge by:

• ✈️ Scheduled flights to nearby airstrips.
• ✈️ Private charter flights.
• 🚆 The Standard Gauge Railway to Kibwezi followed by a short transfer.
• 🚙 Road transfer from Nairobi (approximately 3–4 hours depending on traffic).

Beyond Kenya Safaris can arrange all transport, accommodation and safari logistics.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🏕️ Is Umani Springs Lodge booked exclusively?
Yes. The lodge is reserved for one booking at a time, ensuring complete privacy for your group.

🍽️ Are meals included?
No. Umani Springs Lodge is fully staffed but operates on a self-catering basis. Guests provide groceries while the resident chef prepares all meals.

🐘 Can guests visit the elephants?
Yes. Guests enjoy exclusive access to the Umani Springs Reintegration Unit. Current Sheldrick Wildlife Trust policy requires guests to be active foster parents of one of the Trust’s orphaned elephants.

🌙 How many nights should I stay?
We recommend a minimum of three nights to enjoy the forest, wildlife, elephant experiences and relaxed pace of the lodge.

👨‍👩‍👧 Is Umani Springs suitable for families?
Yes. The lodge is ideal for families, couples and private groups seeking an exclusive conservation safari.

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📞 Book Your Umani Springs Lodge Safari

Beyond Kenya Safaris specialises in tailor-made conservation safaris that combine luxury accommodation with extraordinary wildlife experiences.

From reserving your stay at Umani Springs Lodge to planning menus, preparing shopping lists, assisting with supermarket shopping in Nairobi and arranging flights or road transfers, we take care of every detail.

Contact Beyond Kenya Safaris today and let us plan your exclusive stay at Umani Springs Lodge, where luxury, conservation and nature come together in one remarkable destination.

📞 +254 785 639 497 | ✉️ sales@beyondkenyasafaris.com

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🔗 A Guide to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kenya

• 🏙️ Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kenya — Nairobi
• 🐘 Umani Springs Reintegration Unit — Kibwezi Forest
• 🐘 Elephant Nursery Nairobi — Nairobi
• 🍽️ Self-Catering at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Lodges
• 🌳 Chyulu Hills National Park
• 🦁 Tsavo East National Park
• 🦁 Luxury Kenya Safaris
• 🌿 Conservation Safaris in Kenya