The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a pioneer in wildlife preservation, which has gained a reputation for extending benefits of conservation beyond its borders.

Lewa Safari Camp is fully owned by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which means that all proceeds generated by the camp are directly reinvested into wildlife conservation and local community development projects.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa was once a cattle ranch; it then became a heavily guarded black rhino sanctuary, and it is now the headquarters for a non-profit wildlife conservancy, which has gained a world-wide reputation for extending the benefits of conservation beyond its borders. The Craig/Douglas family first came to Lewa Downs in 1922, and managed it as a cattle ranch for over 50 years. Unlike many other ranchers in the area, they had always valued the wildlife that shared the land with the cattle, and developed wildlife tourism as an additional activity. By the early 1980s it was uncertain whether any black rhinos would survive in Kenya.

Poaching for horn had reduced Kenya's rhinos from some 20,000 in the mid-1970s to a few hundred by 1986. It was clear that the only way to prevent their complete extinction was to create high-security sanctuaries. In 1983 the Craigs and Mrs. Anna Merz - who funded the programme - decided to establish the fenced and guarded Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary at the western end of Lewa Downs Sanctuary. The rhino sanctuary was stocked partly with animals from other reserves and partly from isolated individuals from northern Kenya, whose likely survival in the wild was a matter of months at most. The black rhino that were caught settled down and bred, and white rhino were added. After ten years, it was clear that the rhinos needed more space, and the sanctuary was expanded to cover the rest of the ranch, and the adjoining Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve. The perimeter was almost entirely fenced, for security and to ensure that elephants did not raid crops in neighboring farms, but the ecological connections between Lewa and neighboring wildlife areas were maintained by leaving gaps in the fence for animal movements. At the same time the entire property was converted to a wildlife sanctuary, as the Craig family handed over the management of the ranch to a non-profit organization - the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Lewa Safari Camp Hotel Accommodation
The camp can sleep 26 guests, and comprises 12 tents; nine twin rooms, one double and two family/triple tents, all with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water, and flush toilets. There are power outlets inthe tents so phone/camera batteries can be charged in the tent or in the main mess. Lighting is by a 240V generator, run morning and evening hours. Hair dryers can not be used.
Your host at the Lewa Safari camp is Anne-Marie, who is always on hand to share her intimate knowledge of this land and its wildlife, and to ensure that your stay at Lewa is both memorable and comfortable.

Lewa Safari Camp Amenities
• Sitting and dining room with fireplace
• Lewa Safari Camp has a swimming pool
• Laundry services provided
• Wireless internet access – guests can bring their own laptops
• There is mobile phone network
• There are credit card facilities - Amex, Visa and Mastercard
• Massage, manicures and pedicures

Lewa Safari Camp Meal Plan
Full board accommodation, beers, soft drinks, house wines and bottled water (excludes champagne).
Lewa Safari Camp Hotel Activities & Wildlife
Lewa Safari Camp is located where the Big Five roam at ease and one is almost guaranteed to spot some of the resident black rhino.  Marvel at the endangered Grevy's zebra, with 25% of the world's population occurring here.  From tracking lion to observing the elusive sitatunga, the wildlife experiences are many. During your stay at the Lewa Safari Camp, you can enjoy a wide range of activities:

Lewa Safari Camp Optional Extras
• Visit Il N’gwesi cultural village
• Massage, manicures and pedicures
Sirikoi Tented camp Hotel Lewa
Sirikoi Hotel is a beautiful tented camp set in a peaceful glade on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. There are 4 luxurious tented rooms overlooking a water hole, it offers some of the best game viewing in Northern Kenya.
Formerly known as Willie’s Camp, this is arguably one of the finest camps in Kenya. It has been designed and built with the detail and attention that has come from years of experience of running tailor-made safaris in East Africa.

The style of the camp is in keeping with the unrivalled hospitality of Sirikoi. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has had a pioneering role in conservation, the incredible array of game is testament to this. The beautiful landscape varies from rolling hills to the thick Ngere Ndare forest.

As well as walking and game drives there are horses for the more adventurous.
Sirikoi has its own extensive vegetable garden supplying the camp’s kitchen, which produces excellent food.

Sirikoi accommodation 4 Tented Rooms
Location of Sirikoi Lewa Downs, Kenya
Getting to Sirikoi 8.5hr international flight, 1 hr scheduled flight.
Children at Sirikoi Children of all ages welcome, but no facilities except babysitting.
Facilities Swimming pool
Free activities All game activities
Paid activities Horse riding
Weather Dry season from Dec to Mar, rainy season Apr, May and Nov
Lewa Downs is a 160 km2 private ranch with a beautiful stone and thatch lodge. While cattle are still farmed here, it is also a rhino and wildlife sanctuary with both black and white rhino. The ranch is abundant with wildlife, including: elephants, giraffes, eland, oryx, buffalo, lion and leopards. Night drives are a big attraction as this area is rich in nocturnal creatures.

The tenth anniversary of the unique Safaricom Marathon run through the spectacular Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya will take place on Saturday the 27th June. This is your chance to Run Wild for Tusk and raise money for wildlife conservation, community development, health and education projects across Kenya. Registration for the event is now open and you can download the Safaricom Marathon 2009 entry forms here for the full and half marathon. UK runners who need help with their travel arrangements, whether it’s just a flight or a Kenya safari package including transfers and hotel accommodation, safari camps, lodge Lewa Marathon is the only marathon in the world where spectators include wild animals. The start of 2007 Lewa Marathon had to be delayed by 15 minutes because a lion was sunning itself on part of the marathon circuit. The tight security team had to use a helicopter to evacuate the king of the jungle. Elephants also came close to the route but the security team was swift to push them back. Sounds like a lot of fun! Just a note, since the marathon started no runner has been unfortunate victim of a hungry leopard or lion. It’s a private Ranch and I bet the animals are well fed.

The winner of 2008 Lewa Safaricom marathon, Benson Kaptikou finished in a slow time of 2.21.39 to win cash prize of US$2,000. He admitted he had sold his only goat for US$20 to raise bus fare to travel to the ranch. “I have always believed that life is a gamble and that is why I did not have second thoughts about it” he said. The marathon is held inside a wild life ranch located in Kenya on the slopes of Mt. Kenya.  Its run on dirt roads 5,500 feet above sea level. Lewa Ranch offers a camp site with entertainment. The money raised from the marathon goes to wildlife conservation.

The only marathon in the world runs inside a game reserve. This unique fundraising event, sponsored by Safaricom Ltd allows the participants to compete in an internationally acclaimed event whilst running through some of Africa’s most breathtaking scenery. It is a case of running in Africa for Africa. Held at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya, on the foothills of Mount Kenya, this is no ordinary marathon. At an altitude of 6,000ft and in the heat of the African sun makes the Safaricom marathon an endurance event. The marathon is run on dirt roads, over two 21 km loops (one loop for the half-marathon). The race is watched over by an experienced team of armed rangers and a helicopter and spotter plane are in the air throughout. Water stations and first aid points are situated every 2.5km along the course and emergency medical back up is provided by AMREF the famous flying doctors.
Most runners camp in Lewa the night before the race and enjoy the pre race pasta party where Bruce Tulloh, Race Director, gives a brief on the event. Both races start at 7am. There are prizes for the marathon event and every runner receives a medal and goody bag.

Safaricom 5Km Fun Run: Following the success of the annual Safaricom Marathon, there is now a 5km Fun Run open to children between the ages 10-15 years. The event is limited to 100 entries and priority is given to those children whose parents are running in the main event. The race is run over the first 5km of the marathon course.

The beneficiaries: All funds raised are distributed by Tusk Trust, the UK based pre-eminent African wildlife charity. Since its inception four years ago, $260,000 has been raised and distributed between five projects in northern Kenya. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the host, receives funds to support its very successful black and white rhino breeding program. Half of the funds go to rural community development projects, including a local hospital and four schools. A significant proportion goes towards the development of two community-driven conservation projects, where the local people have successfully established their own wildlife and eco-tourism projects. The Mount Kenya Trust also receives funds. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a non-profit organization registered in Kenya now an important conservation area comprising 20,000 hectares.

It has pioneered the establishment of sanctuaries as a strategy for black rhino conservation in Kenya, and it provides an important extent of habitat for a number of endangered and threatened species including Grevy's zebra, African elephant and sitatunga. LWC also directly supports community conservation and education initiatives on another 40,000 hectares. The charity: Tusk Trust promotes the conservation of African wildlife and particularly the protection of endangered species. The Trust is committed to improving environmental education, establishing valuable rural community development programme, encouraging the rehabilitation of habitats and promoting responsible eco-tourism.