Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Lewa began as a cattle ranch that fenced off a rhino sanctuary in 1983 and grew into one of the models for community conservation in East Africa, now protecting some sixty thousand acres of acacia savannah and hills below Mount Kenya. It holds substantial black and white rhino populations and a significant share of the world's Grevy's zebra, the larger, narrow-striped northern species that is genuinely endangered, along with reticulated giraffe, elephant, lion and the northern specialists that make Laikipia different from the southern parks. The conservancy is inscribed as part of the Mount Kenya World Heritage extension. Beyond wildlife, Lewa runs schools, clinics and water projects in the surrounding communities, funded by tourism, and hosts a marathon each year run inside the conservancy among the animals.

History

The colonial government allocated the land to the Craig-Douglas family in 1922, and they ran it as a cattle ranch for over 50 years; in 1983 the Craigs and Anna Merz, who paid for it, set up the fenced and guarded Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary at the western end of Lewa Downs (Wikipedia, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy).

What you'll find

• Black and white rhino - the original sanctuary population, seen on drives.
• Grevy's zebra - the endangered northern zebra in significant numbers.
• Reticulated giraffe - the northern giraffe of the Laikipia plains.
• Mount Kenya backdrop - the massif above the conservancy to the south.

When to go

June to October and January to March for the dry-season viewing. Lewa is mostly accessed by staying in one of its lodges, which are few and expensive, so it is quieter than the national parks year-round.

Good to know

This is a high-end destination: accommodation is limited, costly and usually booked well ahead, and casual day access is not the norm. Getting there by road takes most of a day. Some areas are closed to visitors for conservation reasons. Those wanting big cat density will find the southern parks better.

Nearby

Ol Pejeta is west; Samburu and Buffalo Springs lie north.

Key facts