Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Location and Key Highlights

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy also known as Lewa Downs is a thriving conservancy and tourist destination in northern Kenya. It is located in Meru County, near the Laikipia plateau, south of Isiolo town. The conservancy covers an area of 62,000 acres incorporating the Ngare Ndare forest.

Lewa Conservancy started as a cattle ranch before it was converted into a fenced and guarded sanctuary in the 1980s to protect the dwindling population of black rhinos who were hunted and killed for their horns and bushmeat. Craig and Mrs. Anna Merz were the founding members of the project.

Many more animals were translocated to the sanctuary including the white rhinos and after 10 years,  it was clear that more space was needed. In 1995, the sanctuary was expanded into a conservancy covering the rest of the ranch and the adjoining Ngare Ndare forest. 

Why is Lewa Conservancy famous?

Lewa is a destination of choice for many travelers to Kenya. Prince William of Wales is one of the famous visitors to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. It is said that he loves the place so much and it’s where he proposed to his then-girlfriend and now-wife Catherine Middleton.

The conservancy is home to 10% of Kenya’s entire black rhino population and 14% of its white rhino population. They have serious anti-poaching strategies that have seen the population of these endangered species steadily rise. In 2014, Lewa was the only sanctuary in Kanya not to have lost any rhinos to poachers. 

Some of the rarest species in the world like Grevy zebras and the reticulated giraffe call Lewa Conservancy home. Lions, cheetahs, buffalo, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, and a range of birdlife can be found in this conservancy, not to mention over 500 elephants that traverse the grounds during migratory seasons.

In addition to wildlife, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the host of the famous annual Lewa marathon, one of the most picturesque events in the world. The marathon has raised over $10 million towards conservation efforts in its two-decade history. 

Things to do at Lewa Conservancy

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy offers great safari experiences to any nature enthusiast. Here are exhilarating things that make Lewa worth visiting.

Scenic views

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy lies in semi-arid plains dotted with acacia trees and rolling hills that provide a picturesque vista. Snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, clearly visible from the north-southern region also make Lewa an excellent place for photography.

Samburu, Ololokwe, and Mathew’s ranges in the north can be seen from the conservancy. Ngare Ndare forest has a lot of thrilling attractions. It is home to century-old indigenous trees, waterfalls, and mountain springs with clear turquoise water.

Wildlife viewing

Lewa is a natural habitat for many animals including the Big Five. This is where you will find the largest single population of Grevy’s zebras worldwide and most of Kenya’s black and white rhinos. Ngare Ndare forest is home to several primates including the black and white monkey.

Both morning and evening game drives in the conservancy give a chance to see different types of animals including reticulated giraffes, hippos, hyena beisa Oryx, gerenuk, occasional cheetah, Grant’s gazelle, defassa waterbuck, antelopes such as eland and impala, wild dog and many more

Birdwatching

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a bird haven, with around 350 species scattered in the Ngare Ndare forest and the vast savannah plains of the park. The best time for bird watching is from December to March when migrant species are present.

While on these expeditions, you’ll be rewarded with the sighting of birds such as the Mariqua sunbird, red-bellied parrot, variable sunbird, vulturine guinea fowl, scarlet-chested sunbird, Shelley’s francolin,white-bellied bustard, white-bellied go-away bird, yellow-necked spurfowl and many more.

Cultural visits

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy borders the Samburu people who are closely related to the Maasai community. They occupy the Tassia and Il Ngwesi, the arid lowlands in the north of the conservancy. It is rewarding to visit their local homesteads which are similar to the Masai villages.  

The Samburu live in semi-permanent huts known as Manyattas constructed by women using dung, wood, and grass. The families will welcome you with a dance and show you around their home for a fee. They will also want to take the opportunity to sell their traditional handicrafts.

A visit to the local school is also possible and you may choose to support it by buying books or other needed items.

Horse or camel riding

Many camps in the Lewa Conservancy offer evening horse or camel rides. The wild excursions are led by skilled handlers. Camel or horse riding is a picturesque experience that gives a close interaction with wild animals in the park.

Nature walks

Safari walks are among my favorite activities when in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Walking on foot in the company of a trained guide makes you interact closely with nature. As you explore, you’ll visit Ngare Ndare forest, and the savannah grassland where birds and mammals live.

How to get there

Lewa Conservancy is about 260 km from Nairobi. If you are traveling by road, the journey takes about 4 to 5 hours. Driving to this destination is only a challenge during rainy seasons. Most roads are rough and it’s best to use a four-wheel drive vehicle.

The easiest way to get to the destination is by a direct flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport into the conservancy’s private airstrip. It is also possible to charter a flight from other parks. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the main entry point to Kenya. 

Lewa safari is best when combined with other conservancies on the northern circuit including Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Meru National Park, Samburu National Reserve, and Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

Entry fee

Lewa Conservancy entry fees for non-residents is USD 126 per adult for guests staying over at one of the lodges or camps in the Conservancy. Day visitors will pay USD 198 per person. The gates are open between 7 am and 6 pm daily.

Overnight rates for Kenyan citizens and Residents are Ksh 2,800 and Ksh 8,074 for daytime visits. Children between 6-12 years of age are charged 50% of the rates. 

Best time to visit Lewa Conservancy

Some of the roads leading to the Lewa Conservancy can be impassable, especially during the rainy seasons. It’s best to visit during the dry season in June to October and December to March. However, this season can shift due to climate change and may not be reliable for planning your trip.

It’s best to contact the conservancy or respective camps before visiting. Most of them close during the long rainy season due to poor accessibility.

Where to stay

When you visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, you can stay at Lewa House situated right in the heart of the conservancy. The cottage-style rooms are spread out along the hillside overlooking the expanse of wilderness to the north with Mount Kenya to the south. 

The large, elegant house has an open fireplace at one end offering a perfect place where guests can relax and enjoy a drink in the evening before dinner. The house also has a large swimming pool that overlooks a waterhole providing some of the best game-viewing experiences in Lewa. 

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp is also a great place for both experienced and first-time safari in Lewa. The luxury accommodation facility in the conservancy has tented bedrooms with full en-suite bathrooms, tables, and chairs on verandahs,  and a cozy log fire in the sitting area.