Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Conservancy Tourism - World Class

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Experience World

By ABA Editors

Elewana Kifaru House

Borana Lodge

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, based at the foothills of Mount Kenya, works as a model and catalyst for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat. We do this through the protection and management of species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes, and the education of neighbouring areas in the value of wildlife.

For the last three decades, our practices have resulted in thriving black rhino habitat and population, which in turn has created a robust ecosystem for a multitude of species including the endangered Grevy’s zebra, elephant, lion, cheetah, giraff e and more. We envision a future where people across Kenya value, protect and benefi t from wildlife. This future depends on communities being able to derive their day-today livelihoods in ways that are compatible with thriving wildlife habitat. As a result, we invest heavily in the livelihoods of our neighbours through programmes in education, healthcare, water, micro-enterprise, youth empowerment and more.

As a catalyst and champion of this model that puts people at the centre of conservation, Lewa has infl uenced and supported the conservancy management for both private and community lands across northern Kenya.

What We Do

The Lewa Research and Monitoring section collects continuous data on the conservancy that allows evaluations of trends in ecosystem health. This is done through two main approaches: Monitoring, which allows us to answer the ‘what’ question about the trends in wildlife and vegetation on the landscape, and Research, which helps us answer the ‘why’ these trends are occurring. To eff ectively deliver on this mandate, the department collects data in various fi elds that we refer to as thematic areas. Below we briefl y outline these thematic areas and the main questions they seek to answer. • Rhino Monitoring - Our department works closely with fi eld rhino monitors from the

Class Tourism With Lasting Impact

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp

general security department, collecting data on rhino births, deaths, and movements. • Predator Monitoring - Predator-prey dynamics are an important part of ecosystem balance. Our team collects data on numbers and distribution of our large carnivores, tracking not only births and death rates, but also prey preferences across the year. • Ungulate Monitoring - Ungulates, or hooved mammals, make up the bulk of Lewa’s prey base. By monitoring population structure, landscape usage, and body condition, we are able to identify any large scale and widespread changes in population dynamics of these animals that would indicate an underlying ecosystem change. • Elephant Monitoring - Elephant numbers have been on the increase across northern

Kenya thanks to successful anti-poaching policy and security eff orts. By identifying specifi c individual off enders and their strategies, we are able to develop targeted responses ranging from fence redesign, use of novel technologies like bee-hive fences, and in the most extreme of cases, translocation to other less crowded landscapes. • Avifauna Monitoring - Birdlife is generally considered as an important ecosystem indicator functional group since birds are highly responsive to environmental change. Lewa acts as a key habitat to many bird species, of which some like the Grey Crowned Crane are globally threatened. It is also an important stopoff point for some migratory birds, especially

Palearctic Migrants, and is an important wetland area that is an attraction and feeding ground to many bird species. • Transforming Lives Through Education -

Many children in rural Kenya lack access to quality education. This is a problem because when young people are unable to complete their education, they cannot develop their unique talents, grow with new perspectives, and achieve their dreams. Without access to opportunities that unlock their potential, young people risk relying on livelihoods that depend on fi nite natural resources.

Lewa recognises that good education that leads to sustainable opportunities remain an important part of long-term conservation.

For conservation to be sustainable, young people need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to access gainful jobs in the future, lift their families out of poverty, and make responsible choices as future leaders of their communities and stewards of the environment.

• Pack for a Purpose - an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project/projects.

The Lodges at Lewa

There are 10 diff erent accommodation options across the Lewa/Borana landscape. So whether our guests want to focus on luxury, exclusivity, adventure, fi ne food, wildlife or culture, they’re sure to fi nd something that suits. While each lodge off ers something diff erent, all of them promise an unforgettable safari experience.

Contact the lodges directly to inquire about availability.

Borana Lodge - is steeped in history and style. Located at the heart of Borana Conservancy, Kenya’s newest and most successful rhino sanctuary, Borana Lodge is set against a beautiful hillside with an organic design and panoramic views.

A stay at Borana Lodge is a unique opportunity for total immersion in the life and goings on of a working wildlife conservancy. Environmental and ecological considerations rank alongside the responsibilities we feel towards our neighbouring communities, be they pastoralists or agriculturalists.

This is in the form of community development, water safety, the mobile health clinic, the education programme and much more.

By staying at Borana Lodge you are making a direct contribution to conservation, allowing us to continue on our truly sustainable journey, committing all profi ts to securing conservation integrity.

Elewana Kifaru House - 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 infi nity pool and enjoy the magnifi cent views over the distant plains.

The property luxuriates in total exclusivity with fi ve charming thatched cottages tucked away in an oasis of vibrant lawns, fi lled with birdsong. All have well-appointed bedrooms, with sumptuous four-poster beds and generous en-suite bathrooms.

With an excellent library and log fi res 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.

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp - Featuring large tented bedrooms with verandahs and full en-suite bathrooms, Lewa Safari camp off ers authentic comfort for its visitors; cozy log fi res in the sitting room are perfect for relaxing after a day in the Conservancy. This unique and exclusive retreat off ers privileged access to 65,000 acres of private protected wilderness.

Underpinning the glamorous magnetism of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a serious mission: a pioneering and pragmatic approach to conservation, founded in the 1970’s, that has developed into a thriving and globally recognised rhino conservation habitat.

Lewa Safari Camp is the only tourist facility within the Conservancy that is owned by the Conservancy. Profi ts and conservancy fees generated by the camp are reinvested directly into the conservation and community eff orts of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Lewa Wilderness - with just nine accommodation options – six cottages perched along the hillside with expansive views and ultimate privacy and a further three garden cottages that are both

cozy yet sizable and family-friendly – Lewa Wilderness provides a spacious yet personal experience. Walk, ride, fl y, drive and camp – the safari opportunities at Lewa Wilderness are as exhilarating as they are varied – all types of travelers will fi nd the safari activity of their wildest dreams.

Other accommodations are: Laragai House, Lewa House, Sirikoi Lodge, Sirai House, Arijiju, and Lengishu.

www.lewa.org/ Image credit: www.lewa.org, The Daily Telegraph