Lewa House
Laikipia, Northern Kenya, Kenya
At a Glance
Try and spot one of the approx 65 black rhino on Lewa as the conservancy hosts almost 10% of Kenya’s black rhino population
Explore the conservancy on horse, a wonderful way of getting up close to the game - all riding levels are catered for so don’t worry if you are novice
Visit the Lewa Conservancy headquarters to find out more about their conservation work such as visiting the anti-poaching tracker dogs
Visit a the local Il Ngwesi village can be arranged with all proceeds going to the village itself
The house managers can arrange a scenic biplane flight
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Lewa House is closed in April and November.
The main season is in January and February, when the weather is hottest and driest. At this time, the animals in the wildlife parks tend to congregate more around the watercourses, making them easier to spot.
Northern and eastern Kenya temperatures vary from highs of up to 40°C during the day to less than 20°C at night. Rainfall in this area is sparse and, when it does occur, is often in the form of violent storms. July is usually the driest month, and November the wettest.
Insider's View
Head out on horseback to explore the incredible scenery, it is breathtaking!
Bush breakfasts in stunning spots in the Sanctuary.
Make sure you head out on foot to see the Lewa from a totally different perspective
The swimming pool is wonderfully refreshing in the heat of the day; and is surrounded by a scented thyme lawn
The Earth Pods have to be experienced to be believed!
For a different activity and a walk to cool off. Head to the forest and walk under the canopy of trees on your water the beautiful waterfalls. Jump off the waterfalls into the topaz water.
Take a picnic lunch and go for an extra long game drive so you can see all of the rare Northern Kenyan wildlife.
Take a trip with Calum to the cave paintings and learn all about the history of man.
Make sure you make a visit to the archeological site located in the lewa plains. Here, there are tools made from our ancestors from around 500,000 years old.
Call us on 858 345 1761 to start planning your vacation to Lewa House or take a look at our itineraries to Kenya
Description
Situated within the 45,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya's beautiful Laikipia, Lewa House is an attractive private house, the home of Sophie and Calum Macfarlane. There are bedrooms in the main house and fantastic family cottages in the gardens.
Lewa House is set on top of a hill with a panoramic view of the rolling landscape of the conservancy, overlooking luggas (valleys) and hills. The horizon rises to an eye-catching view of the Mount Kenya and the sacred mountain of the Samburu to the north.
The main house comprises a lounge and dining area, opening on to the comfortably furnished veranda with its own special view across the plains of northern Kenya. There are seven large cottages, each with a double and a twin room. The new earth pods are a nod to the future direction of Lewa House, carbon-neutral, 0 emission rooms which harness their own water and create their own power.
Besides the earth pods, the cottages follow the traditional Lewa design, with traditional makuti (thatched Lewa Swamp grass) roofs, and are designed to blend a traditional relaxed ambiance with modern comfort. Each of the cottages has a private veranda.
Guests at Lewa House have almost exclusive access to an area teeming with a variety of exciting wildlife/ Lewa is home to a healthy breeding population of white and black rhino, reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra, all critically endangered. You'll also find a large population of more common wildlife: elephant, buffalo, lion, a wide variety of plains game and the elusive leopard and cheetah. Aside from game drives and walking safaris, take the opportunity to horse ride, getting close to the wildlife and head out for picnics and swim in the streams running off the mountains.
Lewa is a very special part of the world, offering all visitors to the area an incredibly rich and memorable safari experience. Memories from Lewa go so much further than the wildlife, of course this is the focus, however, the people and landscapes really stay with you long after you have left.
Childcare
Children are most welcome and babysitting can be arranged for those that need it. The house is also able to be flexible with mealtimes and arrange a more child friendly menu.
Facilities
There is a salt-water pool, perfect for a refreshing drip, the stables are full of horses for guests to ride out and explore the Lewa Downs Wildlife Sanctuary.
Activities
The activities from Lewa House include day and night game drives, bush walks with a professional tracker, horse rides, camel rides, game hides, hiking/jogging with a Maasai warrior, visiting Lewa's ancient archaeological site and visits to a Maasai cultural boma.
If the pilot is there, Will Craig from neighboring Lewa Wilderness, then make sure you take a ride in his yellow b-plane, the Waco. Another incredible experience in this amazing area is to take a helicopter flight up to the slopes of Mount Kenya, have a picnic and spend a morning fishing. Not bad!
Reviews
Anna Thomas (Staff)
Lewa House has it all - wonderful food, accommodation, service, game viewing and activities. Lewas rhino conservation efforts are remarkable and the conservancy holds a very high number of both black and white rhino, making it almost a promise that you will see these wild animals when you visit. The property at Lewa House is stunning and during my stay I felt as though the design of the property seemed to be inspired by The Shire, from Lord of The Rings. The activities at Lewa are especially unique and visiting the Ngare Ndare Forest is a must, here you can swim in beautiful blue water fall pools, canopy walk, hike and gaze at beautiful water falls. The swimming pool is the perfect touch to the property and is wonderful to swim in during the heat of the day. Lewa House is perfect for everyone including families and honeymooners alike.
Camilla Whitworth (Staff)
Lewa for me, is one of the most special places to visit in Kenya. A fantastic conservation project and offering so much for the guest to be involved in. Lewa House is one of the top end options in the conservancy but retains the authentic Kenyan feel and hosted by the lovely Callum and Sophie who live there with their two children. The rooms are beautifully done, with wonderful views and plenty of options for different family groups. A fantastic place for families and couples alike.
Hannah Dawson (Staff)
The ethos at Lewa House is to encourage people to be at home because this is their home.' From the self-service bar, to the cosy living room complete with a fireplace and beautiful garden, it is a fantastic spot for safari. Both the cottages and earth pods provide ample space and lovely verandas. The water hole nearby offers a great opportunity to spot elephants and other animals. Lewa Conservancy has so much to offer, from game drives, rainforest walks and riding safaris to local village visits and cave painting. This safari oasis is sure to suit everyone.
Sian Frost (Staff)
A home away from home in the fantastic Big 5 Lewa Conservancy. This property boasts 3 Family Cottages and 4 Earth Pods, which look reminiscent of hobbit town, overlooking the plains and hills of Lewa. The activities on offer here are vast and staying for even 3 nights would make you feel hard done by. Go on scenic flights to the mountains to try your hand at fly fishing, jump of waterfalls, horse ride through the plains, blood hound training for poachers and so much more before you even get to game drives to see the Big 5 and the rare Northern Kenyan species such as Reticulated Giraffe and Grevys Zebra.
Anna Hearn (Staff)
A wonderful base from which to explore Laikipia, Lewa House is run by Sophie and Callum Macfarlane, who make you feel incredibly welcome from the moment you arrive. With views across to Mount Kenya, Lewa House has several cottages in the garden, and incredible "Earth Pods", totally organic, rounded hobbit style houses, each with an incredible view, and no straight lines at all! Explore the Laikipia area on foot with your expert guide, or take a game drive and venture further. The lodge is unfenced so you often get animals coming through; one breakfast we were shown the scratch marks on a tree where the resident leopard had clawed his way up and used the tree as a lookout. The game here is fantastic, very relaxed, and the guiding excellent.
(Press)
With a less-ostentatious atmosphere and a touch more charm, Lewa House has six double rooms, a dedicated staff, and facilities for your use only. Between game drives and bush walks, you can watch weaver birds noisily construct their nests, laze around the pool, or learn about the intricacies of Maasai culture from your personal guide. Accommodations are also stone-wall cottages with heavily sloping thatch roofs, but the decor is a little more in keeping with the bush safari experience.
Experiences
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Anti-poaching Canine Unit
Engage with the conservation work that Lewa House supports in order to maintain the wildlife population on the Lewa Conservancy. Meet the remarkable canine unit and help to train the tracker dogs during a stay.
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Fly Fishing in Northern Kenya
If you want to try something really different during your vacation then why not take a fishing trip up to Lake Rutundu or Lake Alice. Situated at 10,000 feet above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Kenya this is a totally unique fly fishing experience.
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Game Drives in Lewa Downs
Explore this beautiful area of Kenya with your professional safari guide in search of some of the fantastic wildlife of Laikipia. Enjoy the opportunity to track and view some of the critically endangered white and black rhino of the conservancy.
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Riding in Northern Kenya
Horseback safaris are the most exciting way to see the bush and in Kenya they are without a doubt the most exciting and adventurous safari you can do.
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Scenic flights
A scenic flight is the ultimate way to enjoy Kenya's spectacular landscapes, whether by helicopter or in the wonderful Waco bi-plane, it is an experience of a lifetime.
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Walking Safaris in Laikipia
Explore the African bush on foot with your experienced guide and tracker. A fantastic opportunity to experience a different perspective, away from the noise of a safari vehicle.
Vacation Ideas
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Family Fun in Kenya
Lewa Conservancy, Masai Mara and Diani Beach
from $9600 pp 12 nights
- Action-packed safari and beach vacation to keep even the most restless teenagers busy
- Perfect for your last big family adventure together
- Safari activities include horse riding, camel riding, walking, game drives and for the ultimate adventure, a scenic flight in a vintage biplane!
Location & directions
Laikipia, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Lewa House is situated in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya located on the 65,000 acre privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Lewa House is a magnificent villa built on a hill overlooking the vast plains of Lewa Downs. With horizon views of the Mathews range and the sacred mountain of the Samburu, Ol Lolokwe.
- 24/7 concierge service
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator