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.

Permanent lodge

Luxury

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Luxurious accommodation on the slopes of the Western Marania Valley within Lewa Wilderness Conservancy

Lounge, dining room, library/billiards room, veranda, gym, tennis court, table tennis table, and infinity pool

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Nine guest cottages, including three double units for family use, plus an exclusive-use five-cottage residence

Game drives, nature walks, camel safaris, horseback safaris, scenic flights, forest walks, village visits, and children’s activities

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Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
  • Great choice
Sirikoi may well set the standards for luxury levels in Lewa, but Lewa Wilderness is our most popular property. Privately owned and with a unique style, this lodge offers a charming “home from home” feel.
Kirsten Jonker Training Director

Activities

The lodge offers an exhilarating range of activities.

Expertly guided game drives

Walking safaris

Camel safaris

Horseback safaris

Village visits

Children’s activities

Scenic flights

Forest walks

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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

    In addition to all of the above, you can also enjoy further village visits, fly camping, and more!

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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.

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Facilities

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.

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Communal Dining

Communal or private dining

Fitness room

Gym

Swimming pool

Infinity pool

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.

Amenities

Lewa Wilderness features nine guest cottages, six of which are nestled on the hillside and have views of Lewa’s Eastern Marania Valley.

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Shower

Shower

Bath

Bathtub

Flush toilet

Flush toilet

Family room

Family cottages

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.

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.*

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