A Private Haven in Lewa Conservancy

 

Set within the 65,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, Kifaru House is surrounded by a vast wilderness where rhinos, elephants, lions, and giraffes roam freely. The conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pioneering conservation success story, offers not only breathtaking scenery but a profound sense of purpose.

 

 

Unlike many safari destinations, Lewa limits the number of visitors at any one time, allowing for a highly personal and uncrowded experience. Game drives here feel like quiet revelations, no queues of vehicles, just the quiet crunch of tires on red-dirt tracks and the thrill of wildlife emerging from the bush.

With panoramic views of Mount Kenya to the south and the arid expanse of the Samburu to the north, Kifaru House is perfectly positioned to showcase Kenya’s natural drama in every direction.

 

Quiet Elegance in a Timeless Setting

 

Kifaru House comprises five charming thatched cottages, each offering privacy, comfort, and sweeping views over the surrounding plains. Furnished with antique campaign-style pieces, rich hardwoods, and curated Kenyan art, the interiors reflect a sense of understated elegance that feels both worldly and warm.

 

 

Each cottage features a spacious bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, a private veranda, and an inviting seating area for morning coffee or evening sundowners. The communal areas include a cozy sitting room with a fireplace, an open dining space, and a horizon-facing infinity pool, perfect for cooling off after a game drive or watching elephants wander by in the late afternoon light.

 

 

Kifaru’s atmosphere is deeply personal and peaceful, more private home than hotel, where guests are treated not as tourists, but as welcomed friends.

 

Big Five and Beyond

 

Kifaru House offers front-row access to one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in East Africa. Lewa Conservancy is renowned for its role in rhino conservation, and guests here have the rare opportunity to encounter both black and white rhinos in their natural habitat, often without another vehicle in sight.

 

 

Morning and evening game drives, led by expert guides, unfold across a tapestry of ecosystems,  from open grasslands to fever tree forests. Sightings of elephant herds, big cats, endangered Grevy’s zebras, and over 400 species of birds are common. For something truly extraordinary, guests can join behind-the-scenes conservation activities, such as tracking rhinos or lions with the Lewa rangers, a rare and moving glimpse into daily efforts to protect some of Africa’s most vulnerable species.

Guests at Kifaru House can enjoy a variety of immersive and meaningful experiences during their stay:

• Game Drives — Twice daily safaris led by expert guides through Lewa Conservancy

• Guided Bush Walks — Learn the land from the ground up with professional trackers

• Ngare Ndare Forest Excursion — Explore blue pools, ancient fig trees, and canopy bridges

• Horse or Camel Riding — A peaceful, elevated way to explore the plains

• Swimming Pool — Relax with sweeping views of the conservancy

• Bush Breakfasts & Sundowners — Dine in the wild, under golden skies or by lantern light

• Cultural Village Visits — Meet local Samburu communities and learn their traditions

• Conservancy Visits & Conservation Education — Gain deeper insight into Lewa’s protection work

• Honeymoon Retreats — Secluded, romantic stays in the heart of nature

• Weddings & Private Events — Celebrate life’s biggest moments in one of Kenya’s most exclusive settings

Horseback safaris, bush walks, and cultural visits to nearby Samburu communities round out the immersive offerings, allowing travelers to experience the land with all their senses.

 

Intimate, Thoughtful Hospitality

 

At Kifaru House, dining is as relaxed and personalized as the setting itself. Meals are often taken outdoors, under the shade of acacia trees at lunchtime or beside a crackling fire in the evenings. The culinary approach celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with menus tailored to guest preferences and dietary needs.

But what truly elevates the experience is the staff, many of whom have worked at Kifaru for years and know guests by name. From sunrise coffee trays delivered to your veranda, to warm, intuitive service throughout the day, hospitality here is rooted in heart and heritage.

 

A Legacy of Protection

 

Kifaru House is more than a sanctuary for guests, it is a cornerstone of one of Africa’s most celebrated conservation efforts. Operated by The Elewana Collection, and located within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the lodge directly supports a model that balances biodiversity protection with community development.

 

 

Lewa is a pioneering conservancy that has helped bring black rhino populations back from the brink, while also serving as a blueprint for wildlife corridors across Kenya. Tourism revenue from Kifaru House contributes to anti-poaching units, local healthcare programs, education scholarships, and sustainable agriculture projects, ensuring that the benefits of conservation are shared across surrounding communities.

By staying here, guests are not only enjoying one of Kenya’s most beautiful landscapes, but actively participating in its preservation.

 

Safari, Sky, and Stillness

 

Each day at Kifaru House is crafted around the rhythm of the bush, unhurried, immersive, and filled with quiet magic. Mornings begin with sunrise game drives, accompanied by birdsong and mist lifting off the plains. Afternoons invite naps by the pool, tea on the terrace, or gentle walks guided by expert trackers.

 

 

As dusk falls, sundowners are served in the wild, perhaps on a ridge overlooking elephant herds, or by a riverbed echoing with calls of the night. Evenings unfold under star-filled skies, with candlelit dinners and stories shared around the fire.

 

 

There is no Wi-Fi in the cottages, no interruptions,  just the freedom to slow down, reconnect, and remember the wonder of wild places.

 

Access & Practical Info

 

Kifaru House is accessible via scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Lewa Airstrip, followed by a short drive through the conservancy to the lodge.

Guests can also pair their stay with other Elewana properties, such as Elsa’s Kopje in Meru or Loisaba Tented Camp, for a seamless circuit through Kenya’s northern safari circuit.

 

A Home on the Hill

 

Kifaru House isn’t just a safari lodge, it’s a retreat for the soul. Quietly luxurious, intimately connected to nature, and deeply rooted in purpose, it represents the kind of travel that leaves both guest and landscape better for the experience.

 

 

For those seeking privacy without pretense, wildlife without crowds, and a connection that lingers long after the journey ends, this is where Africa whispers its truest stories.