Lewa Rhino Immersion

Your East Africa adventures continue as you fly to Nairobi, where you board your onward flight north to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Originally a cattle ranch known as Lewa Downs, the conservancy is located in north-central Kenya in the shadow of snowcapped Mt. Kenya. Today Lewa is arguably the most famous private wildlife reserve in Africa. In the 1980s, the process began to transform the ranchland into a heavily guarded black rhinoceros sanctuary. In the 1960s, Kenya boasted an estimated population of 20,000 black rhinos, yet within a mere two decades, rampant poaching decimated their numbers to less than 300. Lewa has helped to bring them gradually back, and Kenya's rhino population today numbers over 1,000, though the species remains critically endangered. Lewa has become a dedicated wildlife conservancy that has gained a worldwide reputation for its pioneering efforts in restoring both black and white rhinos and other endangered species.

In 2014, Lewa and the neighboring Borana Conservancy made a bold move to remove the fence separating the two reserves to create one conservation landscape for the benefit of the rhino. With the fence now gone, this landscape now tops 93,000 acres and is one of the biggest private rhino reserves in Kenya. By 2017, the joint protected area had a combined population of 83 black rhinos and 74 white rhinos, which constituted 15 percent of Kenya's entire rhino population. Today, 244 rhinos roam the premises. Lewa is also a leader in anti-poaching efforts on behalf of Kenya's imperiled elephants, participating in regional action to protect more than 6,500 migratory elephants as they move seasonally across the area.

Spanning more than 62,000 acres, the Lewa landscape is dominated by open grasslands and gentle hills, with stands of mature acacia forest and papyrus swamp. The varied habitats provides sustenance for a wide range and quantity of wildlife, including the world's largest population of endangered Grevy's zebra and the rare sitatunga antelope. All of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino—thrive here, along with other common denizens such as wildebeest, giraffe, impala, waterbuck and nearly 350 bird species. Keep an eye out, too, for cheetah and packs of wild dog.

Activities abound at Lewa. Guests may choose from day and night wildlife drives, guided walks and hikes with Masai tribesmen, horseback and camel rides, bush meals, wildlife viewing from a hide, visits to a nearby archaeological site, farm and craft tours, and even tennis or a massage. Extended walking safaris and fishing excursions can also be arranged. Scenic flights in a classic yellow open-cockpit biplane, evocative of the famous scene in the film Out of Africa, are offered at an additional cost.

After each exhilarating day, retire to the genteel comforts of Lewa Wilderness Lodge, which was the original Craig family homestead. The family has been welcoming guests since 1972, and visitors now enjoy a luxurious stay in nine beautifully appointed cottages, all with fireplaces and private verandas. Guests are invited to relax in the sitting room or on the veranda of the adjacent main house that is still the residence of Will and Emma Craig, who often join guests for tea. Play billiards or table tennis, borrow a book from the library, or cool off in the infinity pool during the heat of the day. Meals are shared around a banquet table on the open-air dining terrace.

At Lewa, it's not only the abundant wildlife that is inspiring. The entire enterprise will ignite your own passion for conservation. For families living on its boundaries, Lewa improves livelihoods with its adult education and women’s micro-credit programs, community-managed water projects, and access to health care at its four health clinics. To thousands of children in local schools, Lewa opens doors to more future choices with its support for expanding educational opportunities. Lewa is also home to the Northern Rangelands Trust, an innovative partnership with several communities that have given land for the preservation of wildlife. You're sure to come away from a visit to Lewa feeling positive by what's been achieved so far, and what is yet possible.

Fly back to Nairobi today, where a day room is provided at the Ole Sereni Hotel before your transfer to the international airport to meet departing flights.