Our take
Lewa Wilderness is a family-run lodge with nine cottages in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Garden and hillside accommodation, varied guided activities and produce from its own farm create a relaxed base for exploring one of Kenya’s important rhino conservation landscapes.
The Craig family’s lodge combines a lived-in homestead atmosphere with views into the Eastern Marania Valley. Gardens and shared sitting spaces encourage time between excursions, while Lewa’s wildlife and conservation work give the safari a clear sense of place. The range of activities makes this more than a game-drive stop, especially for travellers who enjoy moving through the landscape on foot or horseback.
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A closer look at the accommodation, atmosphere and setting.
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01
Accommodation
Nine cottages include six hillside options and three two-bedroom garden cottages. The garden layouts have a shared sitting area between en-suite bedrooms and lie close to the main house. Hillside cottages have individual layouts, fireplaces and verandas; the two-bedroom hillside suite also has a private plunge pool. Room position matters for families and anyone who prefers shorter walks to shared areas.
02
Food & drink
The lodge’s farm supplies vegetables, eggs, milk and goat’s cheese to the kitchen. Meals have a homely character, with the open dining room and communal table providing a sociable setting. Private cottage dinners and bush breakfasts can also be arranged, giving families or couples an alternative to every meal in the main house.
03
What to do
Drives and guided walks explore Lewa, while horse and camel rides add a different pace. The stables cater to varied riding abilities, subject to the stables’ weight and safety requirements. Ngare Ndare forest excursions can be arranged, and the lodge has a pool, tennis court and gym. Scenic charter flights can be arranged as an optional extra.
Planning your stay
Children of all ages are welcomed. Two-bedroom garden cottages keep parents and children close, and pony rides, bush games and farm visits provide variety. The hillside suite adds a private pool but sits farther from shared areas, so its position should suit the family.
The homestead’s own farm and stables are meaningful parts of the stay. They give Lewa Wilderness a different daily rhythm from a camp where every outing centres on a vehicle, with conservation wildlife always close to the itinerary.
Horse riding has a published 90kg weight limit. Request the garden or hillside layout that suits your group, and arrange any scenic flight separately.
Compare the alternatives
Explore the accommodation and setting of each property before choosing your combination.
Laikipia
Private Wilderness is an exclusive-use retreat in Lewa, with five thatched cottages overlooking the Eastern Marania River valley. Independent shared spaces and a pool create a private-home setting for up to ten guests, with the wider conservancy providing the safari backdrop.
Explore the property
Laikipia
Sirikoi House is a three-bedroom exclusive-use home within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. A private guide, vehicle, chef and heated pool give a small family or group its own safari rhythm, with the option to join Sirikoi’s main dining deck.
Explore the property
Laikipia
Kifaru House is a small hilltop lodge in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with six bedrooms across five thatched cottages. Lawn gardens, a shared infinity pool and views towards Mount Kenya complement game drives focused on Lewa’s rhinos and varied wildlife.
Explore the propertyMake it part of a journey
Lewa Wilderness pairs naturally with a Mara safari, adding rhino conservation and a wider choice of ways to explore. We would allow several nights so riding, walking and quieter homestead time can fit alongside drives rather than compete with an overly short stay.
These journeys are starting points. We adapt the route, accommodation and length of stay around your plans.
Explore Laikipia or read our Kenya seasonal guide.
Your questions
Nine cottages include six hillside options and three two-bedroom garden cottages. The garden layouts have a shared sitting area between en-suite bedrooms and lie close to the main house. Hillside cottages have individual layouts, fireplaces and verandas; the two-bedroom hillside suite also has a private plunge pool. Room position matters for families and anyone who prefers shorter walks to shared areas.
Drives and guided walks explore Lewa, while horse and camel rides add a different pace. The stables cater to varied riding abilities, subject to the stables’ weight and safety requirements. Ngare Ndare forest excursions can be arranged, and the lodge has a pool, tennis court and gym. Scenic charter flights can be arranged as an optional extra.
Children of all ages are welcomed. Two-bedroom garden cottages keep parents and children close, and pony rides, bush games and farm visits provide variety. The hillside suite adds a private pool but sits farther from shared areas, so its position should suit the family.
Lewa Wilderness pairs naturally with a Mara safari, adding rhino conservation and a wider choice of ways to explore. We would allow several nights so riding, walking and quieter homestead time can fit alongside drives rather than compete with an overly short stay.
Tailor-made Kenya
We will explain how it compares with the alternatives and whether it fits your preferred dates, route and pace.
Start planning