SUSTAINABLE SAFARIS | FAMILY TRAVEL | ADVENTURE
THE ULTIMATE REWILDING EXPERIENCE
El Karama Lodge is an intimate, owner-operated, award-winning lodge and safari adventure experience located on a private wildlife conservancy in the foothills of Mount Kenya.
Built by one of Africa's most gifted contemporary wildlife sculptors Murray Grant and is overseen by his wife Sophie. Known for its broad roster of activities, its immense value and the warm and hospitable team of Kenyans who host you, this is an unforgettable safari destination!
Trusted Specialists in Sustainable Family Travel, Adventure and Wildlife Safaris. Offering tailor-made experiences for families and small private groups who want to immerse in a truly wild and natural world, connecting meaningfully with local cultures and ancient landscapes through remote, authentic and exclusive experiences. Activities include walking, fly-camping, horse riding, Heli- safaris and conservation activities.
"This was so much more than holiday, it was a once in a lifetime experience that changed us..."
THE LODGE:
The perfect African safari destination with complete privacy in the wild and tailor-made Luxury for small groups, couples and families.
This very private lodge is located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, in the heart of one of Kenya's most beautiful wildlife conservancies. With 14,000 acres of private land and views of over 200,000 acres, El Karama is one of Laikipia's most magical habitats.
Home to several endemic and endangered species including the Grevy Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hippo, Greater Kudu, Aardwolf, Aardvark, African Hunting Dogs to name but some of the wildlife found here. The landscapes are diverse, incredibly beautiful and the safari experience unforgettable. Our team of guides are as curious about the Trees, Birds, Plants and Insects as they are about the bigger creatures and they will make sure you have the time to absorb and connect completely on foot, in vehicles and even on horse back.
THE EXPERIENCE:
FARM TO FORK DINING
Visit the organic garden, orchard and working farm to see where your food comes from
OPEN TOP CARS
For amazing game
viewing experiences
FULL DAY ADVENTURES
TO THE WATERFALL
WILDLIFE HIDE
For photography, next to a
large dam
FLY CAMPING
For under the stars adventures
BUSH SCHOOL FOR KIDS
Activities to engage and educate young minds on safari so that parents can relax!
INTERACTIVE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES
Including ranger patrol, tree planting and school visits
HORSE RIDING
Explore the Laikipia landscape on horseback - for experienced riders only, book in advance
THE BUSH KITCHEN
For cooking experiences
TRACKING
Reading footprints
DAY AND NIGHT
GAME DRIVES
with wildlife friendly spotlights
GUIDED WALKING
Short and long activities with experienced and
knowledgable guides
THE SPA
For massage and beauty treatments
FISHING
In dams and in the river
ADVENTURE SAFARI ITINERARIES
Curated by our team, tailor-made for your group or family
THE WILDLIFE
The wildlife experience here is world–class, offering immersive and very private experiences, with abundant daily sightings of iconic East African Wildlife including Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Grevy Zebra and Reticulated Giraffe and much more... Recognised as a Globally Important Bird Area, our guests can explore this stunning landscape on foot with experienced guides, by car in open canvas topped vehicles, on horse back and under the stars with our exclusive fly camp adventure.
"With only one lodge inside the conservancy, this level of privacy in Kenya is unparalleled."
Interactive conservation projects for guests to be involved here in include El Karama Lodge's unique Leopard Mirrors, Lion behaviour research and monitoring through Lion Landscapes and a lodge-funded Reforestation and Seed Bank for the Acacia Nilotica tree species.
Families on safari can enjoy Laikipia's first Bush School for Kids, which means parents can relax in the knowledge that between 1030am and 1230 each day children are busy and happy in the bush with our educators.
The lodge is also a hub for Wellness Retreats and Education Safaris: we offer courses led by expert tutors throughout the year, ranging from Yoga, Pilates, Cooking, Guide Training, Birding, Botany and Entomology.
OUR CONSERVATION MODEL
Protecting this habitat since 1964 through small sustainable business
This private conservancy has been stewarding this habitat since 1964 when it began. This family has always had a passion for protecting wildlife and supporting biodiversity through holistic management and sustainability. Conservation starts with People, Passion and Purpose.
"A wildlife safari here is so much more than a vacation: it was a vital life experience for our family..."
El Karama Lodge is family-owned and run. The guest experience is truly bespoke and thanks to a very warm and hospitable team of 25 Kenyans who have been trained from grass roots level to manage the experience, guests can enjoy tailor made, authentic experiences. Known for it's commitment to sustainability, this lodge has pioneered the use of renewable green technologies in Laikipia including their state of the art solar system and a gorgeous chemical- free swimming pool in the heart of the Lodge - the first of its kind in Kenya...
With a strict local procurement strategy, our tourism model supports a multitude of artisans and entrepreneurs in the region. The organic garden, kitchens and homestead were created by Sophie Grant and ensure that all our food is organic, homegrown and farm to table.
The Lodge operations are not currently supported by any donor funding, we believe in the power of small business and thanks to continuous innovation on the ground this safari business ensures that if we rise, we rise together.
All guests who visit become a part of our journey and their stay contributes directly to conservation here.
Arriving at El Karama Lodge, is like walking into a unique bush home. The privacy, freedom, the authentic feel of a lodge that offers every comfort without feeling detached from surroundings.
You will head out every day in search of adventure, gazing over vast rollings plains, stunning riverine habitat, rocky escarpments and a dramatic waterfall, this landscape provides it all. Whether you like getting out on foot, in vehicles, sleeping under the stars, cooking on open fires or simply sitting patiently at the rock hide with your camera and binoculars waiting for hippos or water birds, our team will make it happen. Private vehicle use is no problem for us as are private meal experiences, day trips and well being (Massage, Yoga). ) Just let us know when you book.
Follow the link to learn more about
your stay at El Karama Lodge.
Since we first began building the lodge back in 2006, it has grown organically into a beautiful, self-sustaining eco-lodge well-loved by visitors from all over the world.
Sophie and Murray and their team have put time and energy into this very special place, and welcome their guests to enjoy a taste of life in the wilderness. Their hope is that time spent in natural world has the power to inspire, invigorate and create well-being for all travellers in search of that all import personal connection and adventure.
"Our core philosophy is sustainability. We have a collective responsibility as stewards of this landscape and welcome all guests to actively take part in this journey."
Follow the link to learn more about
our story
OUR STORY
IMPACT
WILDLIFE
Our primary goal as an lodge driven by core values is to protect Kenya's wildlife through the revenue generated by eco-tourism.
Private conservancies that provide safe haven to wildlife in this country do so at their own cost. There are many different conservation models out there, ours is fairly unique in that we receive no donor funding or outside support in what we are doing,, choosing sustainable and diversified business as our models to implement our habitat management strategies and use our business as a platform for livelihood improvement over time. This habitat is home to 4 of the Big 5 and several endangered and indigenous species to Laikipia including Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy Zebra, Gerenuk and the Laikipia Hartebeeste. This small business was created to help cover the cost of protecting this habitat. Guests who visit us are therefore directly contributing to conservation by choosing to stay here. This conservancy has a dedicated anti-poaching team of trained rangers who are charged with protecting the entire ecosystem. The lodge also collaborates with national and regional organisations specialising in wildlife protection including Kenya Wildlife Service, Lion Landscapes, Mpala Research Unit and the Great Grevy Trust to ensure that our data collection and monitoring efforts are shared over the entire Laikipia landscape. The verified bird count here has reached 432 species including migrants and this landscape has been included as an Important Bird Area since 2018.
PRESS
2021/2022 Brochure
Conservation Activities 2022
El Karama Wild: Safari Immersion 2021/2022
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LODGE EVENTS
