The Craig family has been entertaining visitors at their home, Lewa Wilderness, for the last 30 years and it shows. Tucked away on a hillside, this homely lodge overlooks Lewa Conservancy's Eastern Marania Valley.
Given the lodge has grown naturally over the years, there is an eclectic but welcoming mix of buildings and styles. All of the cosy cottages come with their own four-poster beds, fireplaces and verandas from which to enjoy the views.
Why We Like Lewa Wilderness
This is much more a country house or homestead than a safari lodge. Given the huge choice of activities on offer and the inclusive approach to hosting families, this is a great choice for larger groups with younger children.
Facilities
This is very much a family home, complete with billiard room and library. It is well suited, therefore, for families. There is a small fence to keep out much of the larger wildlife, so it is particularly good for those with younger children, given there is also no minimum age limit.
The lodge's nine cottages are scattered within its grounds. Six of them cling to the hillside beneath the main gardens, whilst the other three two-bedroom cottages look out on to the lawns above and are ideal for families. The decor throughout is rustic and relaxed, with rough stone walls beneath thatched roofs and above polished stone floors.
Food is prepared by skilled chefs who take full advantage of the site's home-raised livestock and five-acre organic vegetable garden, incorporating these delicious fresh ingredients into every meal, usually served around the large banquet table in the open-sided dining room.
Activities
In addition to the game drives and very good walking safaris here, there is a tennis court and excellent horse-riding stables on site. Guided tours of the conservancy and flights over Mount Kenya can be arranged by special request, as can a five-day walking expedition through Lewa and nearby Il Ngwesi.
If you're looking for something a little different, you can join Will Craig in his open cockpit bi-plane for a bird's eye view of this stunning landscape.
Location
The lodge is located within the renowned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home to one of the largest surviving populations of critically endangered eastern black rhinos. Access is via light aircraft to the Lewa Downs airstrip, which is 30 minutes' drive away.