A visit to Elewana Kifaru House is to plunge into the timeless tranquility of Africa. Located within the world-famous Lewa Conservancy, home to East Africa’s healthiest black and white rhino populations, this bijou property, appropriately takes its name from the Swahili word for rhino.
A haven of luxury in the bush, guests will immediately feel at home on arrival, warmly welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff. The comfortable sitting room with well-stocked bar and elegant dining area extend out to a large, comfortably furnished terrace. Here, guests can enjoy a sunny breakfast al fresco and watch the busy goings-on at the waterhole below, or they can choose to relax by the picturesque infinity pool and enjoy the magnificent views over the distant plains.
The property luxuriates in total exclusivity with five charming thatched cottages tucked away in an oasis of vibrant lawns, filled with birdsong. All have well-appointed bedrooms, with sumptuous four-poster beds and generous en-suite bathrooms.
With an excellent library and log fires in the lounge and dining rooms, guests can truly sink into delicious, cosy comfort during the cool evenings, and luxuriate in the peace and serenity of the African night.
4 double and 1 Family Cottage with 2 separate ensuite rooms.
The five charming thatched cottages, all with well-appointed bedrooms, with sumptuous four-poster beds and generous en-suite bathrooms, the property luxuriates in total exclusivity. The cottages are surrounded by an oasis of vibrant lawns filled with birdsong and spectacular views of the plains below.
The main area and sunny breakfast spot overlook a waterhole full of activity and wildlife, and with an excellent library and log fires in the lounge and dining rooms, guests can truly.
1 Family Cottage with 2 separate ensuite rooms.
The first cottage has two bedrooms - one double and one twin - both en suite, making it ideal for a family booking. The rooms have their own entrance and are not interconnecting.
Five charming thatched cottages, all with well-appointed bedrooms, sumptuous four-poster beds and generous en-suite bathrooms, the property luxuriates in total exclusivity. The cottages are surrounded by an oasis of vibrant lawns filled with birdsong and spectacular views of the plains below.
The first cottage has two bedrooms - one double and one twin - both en suite, making it ideal for a family booking. The rooms have their own entrance and are not interconnecting.
The remaining four cottages all have individual bedrooms with a king bed and en suite bathroom with shower, toilet and twin wash basins. One cottage has a beautiful Victorian-style bath and outside shower, which is enclosed by natural reed thatching for privacy, but open to the spectacular African skies.
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant
Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Credit Card Facilities, Room Service
Big 5, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Walks (Guided)
Animal Encounters, Horse Riding
For the more adventurous, exploring the Conservancy’s diversity on foot is also an option.
Accompanied by trained Samburu rangers with a sweeping knowledge of the local flora and fauna, tracks, micro-ecosystems, history and culture of the area, as well as hands-on knowledge of rhino conservation, a bushwalk from Kifaru House is an informative as well as an exhilarating experience.
The current fleet of game drive vehicles at Elewana Kifaru House are 4×4 open-sided Land Rovers, they are custom-designed for comfort, optimum game viewing and photography. With open sides, the three rows of seats are equipped with camera stands and charging sockets.
Game drives are shared by guests, but exclusive use of a game drive vehicle can be arranged at an extra charge.
There are strict limits on the number of tourists allowed in the Conservancy at one time, which allows guests to enjoy an almost private game viewing experience. Within the protected area the wildlife is abundant and game viewing is outstanding. With one of the biggest rhino populations in Kenya, the Big 5, the rare Grevy’s zebra and plentiful sightings of lion, cheetah and all the plains game set against the magnificent backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Kenya, a game drive from Kifaru House is one of the most spectacular in Kenya.
Another chance to leave the car behind is to visit Ngare Ndare Forest Conservancy for the day.
Located south of Lewa guests can experience the rich diversity of this beautiful montane forest at eye-level with the monkeys and dozens of bird species high up on the Canopy Walk. Guests will have a sumptuous picnic by the river where they can relax and play. There are usually elephants in the forest, so guests will be escorted by a Lewa Guide.
There is an extra cost to visit Ngare Ndare Forest only to cover the separate Conservation Fee.
And for those who like to expend less energy and enjoy a loftier view getting closer to the game, horseback or camel walks are also available.
Elewana Kifaru House offers evening horse rides where guests can get up close to the plains game as they graze, indifferent and untroubled by the presence of other four-legged creatures. Although Kifaru horses are well-schooled and completely at home in the bush, riding is for experienced riders only and subject to availability. There is an additional charge and riders will be requested to fill out a questionnaire to ascertain their competency.
Elewana Kifaru House also offers evening camel rides for those without riding skills. Led by experienced Samburu handlers, camel riders can enjoy a scenic walk through the wilderness and experience the gentle, rolling pace of the traditional Samburu transport.
Camel riding is subject to availability and there is an additional charge.
Few places have such dramatic sunrises as Africa. From Kifaru House guests can watch the splendid dawn break and enjoy a hearty breakfast al fresco, in the middle of the plains, surrounded by wildlife. Feel part of the wilderness with the spectacular views, the scents, the colours and the pageant of wildlife all around.
“Sundowners” are a safari tradition – after a day in the wilderness stop and watch the huge red equatorial sun sink below the horizon and savour the moments with a gin and tonic or glass of champagne.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy borders the Samburu communities of Tassia and Il Ngwesi in the arid lowlands of the north, and many of the Conservancy and Lodge staff are recruited from this area. Elewana Kifaru House offers visits to neighbouring local Samburu homesteads (manyattas). For an additional fee the Samburu families will be delighted to show you round their traditional homes, built by the women from cattle dung and grass, and share their way of life with you and sell their traditional handicrafts.
For a small donation to the Lewa Education Programme guests can visit the local schools during term time. They can also have a tour of the Conservancy offices and participate in Conservation work such as the training of the anti-poaching tracker dogs.
Elewana Kifaru House guests can relax by the picturesque heated, infinity swimming pool that looks out over the vast grasslands below teeming with wildlife and the spectacular snow-capped Mount Kenya. Sunbeds and a shaded lounge area make it a perfect place to read and relax during the day.