Touristic Attractions and Activities In Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Safaris and Tours.
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an example of a successful protected community conservation area. Created to maintain and increase the population of some of Africa's most critically endangered species, the 62,000-acre conservancy contains many different types of habitat - from plains to rolling hills, swamps to forests.
With over 70 recorded mammal species within the conservancy, for guests, the wildlife experience is unrivaled.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a safe refuge for the critically endangered black rhino and the endangered Grevy's zebra, as well as the elephant, lion, giraffe, wild dog, and other iconic wildlife species in Kenya. The Conservancy is also home to more than 450 species of birds. Lewa holds over 12% of Kenya's eastern black rhinoceros population and the largest single population of Grevy's zebras in the world.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a part of the wider Laikipia landscape. Most of the conservancy lies on the Laikipia Plateau at altitudes of over 1,500 meters. Unusual for this part of the world, Lewa is fenced but with tactical gaps left open based on animal movements. This allows the animals to move between the various surrounding ecosystems, including the vast Laikipia Conservancy network and the Samburu ecosystem to the north. Lewa is also open to the neighboring Borana Conservancy to the west.
Lewa also sees an influx of animal activity during the migratory periods, with over 400 elephants traversing the grounds during each cycle. Visitors can witness the spectacle from a purpose-built Elephant Underpass.
Lewa has dramatic views to the south of snow-capped Mt. Kenya, and the north down to the arid lands of Tassia and Il Ngwesi. It has many diverse habitats from pristine forests, fertile grasslands, extensive springs, and acacia woodland.
Established in 1995, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was previously a cattle ranch owned by David and Delia Craig, who together with Ana Mertz and Peter Jenkins, initially set aside 5,000 acres to protect and breed rhinos, whose population had dropped precipitously from 20,000 to less than 300 in the 1970′s.
The Conservancy was reinvented from the Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary, which had been established in 1983 to protect the last of northern Kenya’s critically endangered black rhinos. Today, Lewa catalyzes conservation in Kenya and beyond. Through the protection and management of endangered species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programs, and the education of neighboring communities on the value of wildlife, Lewa has become a model for wildlife conservation not only on private land in Kenya but also a regional center of conservation excellence.
The area is also a favored destination for tourism and a leading example of an integrated approach where both people and wildlife benefit from conservation. For the last three decades, Lewa’s innovative practices have resulted in a thriving black rhino habitat and population, which in turn creates a robust ecosystem for a multitude of species including the endangered Grevy’s zebra, elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe, and more.
Located in northern Kenya, the area can be enjoyed on guided game drives to see a range of wildlife.
Guests can opt to join the guides tracking the wildlife on foot or even rock their way across the landscape on the back of a camel. The conservancy is home to several exceptionally well-trained horses and offers rides for both beginners and more advanced riders. The joy of viewing wildlife from horseback is that the wild animals respond differently to the horses than they might to people on foot. The result is a safe and close encounter with wildlife that does not affect natural behavior.
Guests wanting an even more immersive experience can request a night out under the stars, and the lodges will set up a fly camp. From bush breakfasts to sundowners, nothing is ever too much trouble in Lewa.
While out in the conservancy, you can enjoy the wildlife blinds that were set up to improve your wildlife watching and photography opportunities to see elephants, waterbuck, and other animals drinking from the marsh.
After your adventures in the sanctuary, you can relax with some massages and beauty treatments at the lodge.
As a way to relax while enjoying the incredible wildlife and surroundings, you can also choose to have bush meals in the wild to enjoy some freshly cooked local dishes while watching traditional Maasai dancers.
The conservancy also includes the Ngare Ndare Forest where you can see elusive colobus monkeys and the fascinating flora of the forest. There are two main attractions in Ngare Ndare: the waterfall tumbling into an azure pool and the canopy walk. The first of these can be found in a spectacular rocky grotto, where swimming is permitted for those able to brave the cold of the mountain spring water. The canopy walk consists of a hanging walkway ten meters above the forest floor. This is the perfect place to take in the beauty of the forest, particularly at sunset when the trees are burnished in shades of gold and green.
Access to the Lewa Conservancy:
Lewa Conservancy (also known as the Lewa Downs) is in Meru County. Just north of the equator, in Northern Kenya. Lewa is a 4-hour drive north of Nairobi. Although it's easily accessible by road, most people choose to fly.
Direct flights run from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to the airstrip in Lewa, where it’s usually no more than 30-45 mins to your camp (with game viewing en route).
Accommodations:
Elewana Lewa Safari Camp:
Featuring luxury tented bedrooms with amazing views, Lewa Safari Camp offers access to 65,000 acres of private protected wilderness. One of the most popular in the conservancy, the camp has excellent food and a pool with views surrounded by the bush home to many birds, such as the weaver birds that chatter in the trees behind the veranda. All the profits and fees raised by the camp are reinvested into the conservancy.
Lewa Wilderness Lodge:
Nestled into sloping hills, Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya's original safari lodges. With expansive views of the conservancy, it provides both a spacious and personal experience. Just nine exclusive rooms dot the Lewa Wilderness landscape. Six cottages are tucked into the hillside overlooking the sprawling Eastern Marania Valley, plus a further three garden cottages that are cozy yet expansive are set amongst the beautiful lawn.
Lewa Wilderness goes beyond the average game drive, with exceptional wilderness viewing opportunities. From traditional game viewing drives to guided walks and scenic flights in their retro plane, to unforgettable horse riding safaris. Much of the money from stays here goes to support the conservancy and help them continue protecting Kenya's wildlife.
Lewa House:
Situated above the Lewa Conservancy at the foothills of the stunning Mount Kenya, it's a luxury lodge on the World Heritage Site. Cottages are dotted around the grounds for those seeking exclusivity, with the actual house providing the common area for all the guests. There are only seven rooms available: 3 Family Cottages - cozy stone and thatched builds consisting of two spacious en-suite bedrooms, and 4 Earth Pods - unique in their design, they consist of one en-suite bedroom, an outdoor bath, and an indoor shower.
Game drives, walking safaris, and horseback safaris are available for guests to take advantage of, but the helicopter safari is the most unique excursion on offer at Lewa House.
Best time to visit:
Traditionally, the best times to visit Lewa Conservancy are from June to September, and again from December to March. However, with climate change, the seasons have shifted and are less reliable so as long as the camps are open, there is likely to be good viewing.
Most of the year is dry season, when conditions are best for safari and sightings are more common due to wildlife gathering around water sources. However, the rains bring an extraordinary transformation in the landscape.
The unpredictable weather patterns during the main wet season are from April to June. The ‘short rains’ which occur between October and December can sometimes disrupt a safari, but generally are short and only last a few hours.
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the tour of the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya.
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