Kifaru House: Information from the owner

Cottages Suites

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.

Family cottage

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.

Bush Breakfasts & Sundowners

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.

Conservancy Visits

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.

Cultural Village Visits

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.

Game Drives

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.

Guided Bush Walks

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.

Horse & Camel Riding

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.

Ngare Ndare Forest Walk

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.

Swimming

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.