Extraordinary Africa> Kenya> Laikipia>Lewa House
Lewa House has so many of the qualities that make a Kenyan safari special: it’s family owned and run, seriously comfortable though down-to-earth and on one of the most beautiful conservancies in the country.
What’s Lewa House really like?
Lewa House is the home of Sophie and Calum McFarlane. Sophie’s family has been on what is now the Lewa Conservancy for generations, so while guests here are seriously well looked-after, staying at Lewa House comes with all of the warmth of being in a family home. Meals are generally eaten communally (often outside), and there’s a cosy fireplace to snuggle beside on chilly highland evenings. Days can still be wonderfully warm, and there is a swimming pool overlooking the waterhole for just such moments.
Guests stay either in the earth pods, or in one of the three family cottages. The four earth pods are low and spreading, designed to almost disappear into the landscape- if you picture the home of a hobbit you won’t be too far out. For a family safari the family cottages have two bedrooms and a shared verandah. The style is snug and rustic, with rough stone walls, thatched roofs, and carved wooden furniture.
What can I do at Lewa House?
We’ve always had fabulous game viewing on the Lewa Conservancy- it’s best known for its rhino population, but there is a huge range of wildlife that is unlikely to disappoint. Shared day and night game drives are a core part of your stay at Lewa House. If you want to take life at a slower pace and immerse yourself a little more in nature, you can try a walking safari, or one of the riding safaris which Lewa is well known for- rides are chargeable at a small fee. For something totally different Lewa House can take you up to the Ngare Ndare Forest (again, this comes at a small charge). Finally, the Lewa Conservancy is well known for their community and conservation activities, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn about these during your stay.
Giving back at Lewa House:
The Lewa Conservancy has long been a leader in conservation, turning a cattle ranch into a wildlife conservancy, and providing a home for increasingly endangered rhino. The local community are an integral part of this conservation programme, and the conservancy supports a number of community projects including schools, clinics, and micro-credit schemes.
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