Lewa House – Kenya
With its lofty hilltop position looking out over Mount Kenya, Lewa House has been a family home for generations. The legacy of conservation runs deep, with the Conservancy becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, and through welcoming guests for decades, warm hospitality is second nature. The farmhouse and cottages sit in extensive gardens, with mesmerising savannah and forest views – there are few places better for a sundowner.
The plains and scrub below are abundant with wildlife, with a large population for both black and white rhino. A stay at Lewa House is to experience wilderness living and African adventure in spectacular surroundings.
At A Glance
Luxury Lodge
Why We Love It:
A lovely owner run property in the heart of the Lewa conservancies - this bush home offers guests a wide variety of activities from game drives to horse back safaris.Style:
Rustic safari luxury.Location:
In the heart of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy - a five hour drive north of Nairobi, or a 15 minute transfer from Lewa airstrip.Rooms:
Three family cottages and four en suite pods – all with exceptional wilderness views towards Mount Kenya.Swimming:
Heated pool overlooking a watering hole & waterfall swimming.Children:
Families of all ages are most welcome, with a host of children’s activities.Accessibility:
The lodge terrain is suitable for wheelchair access, but there are no specific facilities for guests with mobility issues.Open From:
December to April and May to October.rooms
Each of the thatched family cottages have a double and a twin bedroom, with shady verandahs and panoramic views. The cosy twin or double pods blend into their surroundings, and come with outside baths for soaking under the African sky. Fly camping can be arranged for those who’d like a night in the bush.
food
The long dining table in the main house, or by the pool, is where everyone comes to eat. With much of the produce being grown in the organic garden and farm – with dairy cows, pigs and chickens, or sourced from the local market, food is both fresh and seasonal. Bush breakfasts and sundowners are a particular highlight.
activities
The main focus at Lewa House is conservancy, which makes the morning and evening game drives particularly fascinating. The variety and abundance of wildlife is astounding – the reserve is home to 14% of the entire black rhino population worldwide and 20% of the Grey’s Zebra – and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the Big 5. Bush walks with Calum, the owner, will take you even closer to nature, and his knowledge of the terrain and its inhabitants brings everything alive.
The area is also full of ancient archaeological sites, with evidence of early human habitation. Guests can horse ride through the bush, or explore it from above by helicopter. If you’ve a head for heights, try the canopy walk 10 metres up in the Ngare Ndare Forest close by, then follow it with a swim in the glacial waters from Mount Kenya. For guests who’d like to learn more about the conservation initiatives, a visit to the Lewa Headquarters will give you a deeper understanding of the work carried out here.
family
Lewa House is perfectly set up for families, with no lower age limit. And since the owners themselves have two young children, they know just how to ignite the imagination of their smaller guests, with activities galore. From tree top canopy walks in the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve to crab catching, animal tracking and local school visits, it’s an unforgettable experience.
sustainability
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was originally created to protect East Africa’s fast depleting rhino population. It is now one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries. Over time, its remit has broadened to include community outreach programmes, with micro-credit schemes, medical clinics and schools, as well as initiatives to protect other endangered species. From a sustainable point of view, Lewa House is powered by solar energy and all grey water feeds a wetlands area. With each guest’s stay, there’s a direct contribution to the Conservancy.
Location
Kenya
In the heart of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy - a five hour drive north of Nairobi, or a 15 minute transfer from Lewa airstrip.
