Lewa House

Lewa House offers an intimate, owner run safari stay within Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The lodge began as a private family home, and its transformation kept that same warm, personal feel. Calum and Sophie Macfarlane host guests at Lewa House themselves. Their family ties to the area stretch back over five generations. In fact, Sophie’s great grandfather helped pioneer wildlife conservation in the region. Because of this legacy, that same spirit still shapes the lodge today. Location Lewa House sits on top of a hill at the heart of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, in Kenya’s Laikipia region. The lodge faces Mount Kenya to the south and the Mathews Range to the north. From here, you take in panoramic views over rolling hills and valleys in every direction. The conservancy covers 45,000 acres and protects one of Kenya’s most important black rhino populations. You can reach Lewa House by a short flight to the conservancy’s own airstrip, followed by a scenic 20 minute drive. Alternatively, a road transfer from Nairobi takes around five hours. Accommodation Lewa House offers seven cottage style rooms spread along the hillside. It also features a set of newly built earth pod suites, designed with sustainability in mind. Family Cottages include two spacious en suite bedrooms, one double and one twin. So they suit families or small groups well. Earth Pods offer a more unique stay, each with one en suite bedroom, an outdoor bath, and an indoor shower. Builders used ecological design principles to blend these pods into the landscape. Every room includes a large shaded veranda. This makes a perfect spot for watching the sunrise or unwinding after a game drive. Dining Meals at Lewa House bring guests together at a large family dining table. Owners Calum and Sophie often host guests personally, which adds a warm touch to every meal. The kitchen blends European technique with Kenyan, Indian, and Asian influences. Chefs use fresh, seasonal ingredients grown in the lodge’s own fenced garden. Often, you will eat breakfast and lunch on the lawn or out on a game drive as a bush meal. In the evening, everyone gathers for dinner in the main house by the fire. Things to Do Lewa House gives you full access to the wildlife and conservation work of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Day and night game drives offer excellent chances to see the Big Five. You can also spot the conservancy’s black rhino and Grevy’s zebra populations. In addition, guided bush walks with Calum, horseback safaris, and camel rides offer a closer, slower way to experience the landscape. You can visit the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy headquarters to learn about anti poaching work and meet the tracker dog unit. Community visits to nearby schools and villages are also available. For a different view, you can book a scenic flight in a vintage biplane. Afterward, the lodge’s solar heated pool overlooking a waterhole offers a relaxing spot to watch wildlife.