Kenya

Awakening the Wilderness

What they say… Guest, January 2018, Lewa Wilderness - “Lewa is a wonderful example of everything a safari adventure should be.  The warmth of the staff, the communal

dining experience, the game drives, the food, the gardens are just perfect.  I will carry my incredible memories of this place forever.”

Guest, September 2017, Lewa Wilderness - “Our first time to Kenya, our first time in Africa and 5 nights

at Lewa Wilderness – it ‘wildly’ exceeded all expectations. Thanks for all your patience, kindness and expert introduction to the animals, plants and people of this beautiful part of the world.”

HIGHLIGHTS To name just a few…

A private wildlife viewing experience like no other. As a privately owned reserve and famously a world heritage site, Lewa offers one of the most exclusive Big 5 wildlife viewing opportunities in Kenya. Away from the crowds of Masai Mara which happens to be a short direct flight away, should you wish to tick that off the bucket list too!

Camping and dining under the stars in the company of your Maasai hosts, is a memory you will never forget! Be inspired by Africa’s oldest tribe; the Massai. Learn their culture, absorb their passions and experience their way of life. Guaranteed to leave lasting memories for the whole family - think bush skills, folklore stories around the camp fire & meeting real life ‘warriors’…it’s every child (& grown-ups!) dream Neverland!

Home away from home. Lewa Wilderness has been the Craig family home since the 1920’s and has developed over the years to be one of Kenya’s most famous family run lodges and safari experiences. With a strong commitment to conservation of Rhino’s, this home is like no other on earth.

Endless activities for everyone, all ages. A chance for guests to do what the family do for fun; from flying the wilds, walking wild and even riding wild - on horse back or even camel back! A fantastic multi-generational family get together property - catering to each & every one of the family.

ACCOMMODATION LEWA WILDERNESS, Lewa Conservation - Kenya’s oldest Safari venture & still run by the family that have owned this paradise since 1922, Lewa Wilderness started life off as a cattle ranch encouraging the large number of resident wildlife to co-exist with the ranch cattle. Today it still maintains this mantra but has opened it’s doors to guests & in doing so creates the most unique experiences. Free of governmental rule, Lewa enjoys the freedom and ability to offer safari from a different perspective. On horse back? Indeed! You’ll be able to spot the Big 5 but not alongside the masses as you may in the Masai Mara. Here, you have the reserve to yourself. They family have dedicated their time to the conservation of the rhino which is in painful decline. The lodge has nine exclusive rooms: six thatched cottages tucked into the hillside overlooking Lewa’s Eastern Marania Valley, and three thatched garden

SARUNI, Masai Mara - Saruni Mara is the only small, boutique lodge in the Mara, with five elegant cottages, one family villa and one private villa. The lodge is nestled in a secluded valley in the heart of the most exciting wilderness in Africa: Mara North Conservancy – an exclusive, private wildlife concession bordering the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. Maasai warriors guide you throughout, sharing their ancient wisdom of the area and animals and their fascinating way of life. Families will love the Warrior Academy where you’ll be able to learn about the lives & values of Africa’s oldest, still surviving tribes; the Masai and the Samburu.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: The advantage of being located in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is that guests are surrounded by rich game

viewing opportunities without the crowds. There is a very good chance of seeing all of the “Big Five” and Lewa is one of the only game parks where visitors are almost guaranteed to see

the endangered black and white rhinos while on safari. With the backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya and the diversity of scenery from open plains, rolling hills, valleys, escarpments and

rivers, Lewa is a magical place to game drive for the ultimate Kenyan safari experience.

Guests are welcome to go for a walk with one of our trained Maasai guides

to enjoy the environment from a different perspective. There is nothing more thrilling than watching rhino or elephant grazing in the morning light whilst you are on foot, or following the

tracks of a leopard. Walks can be as easy or as hard as you like.

Introducing Lewa Wild: A fun & adventurous 5 night safari, combining

2 nights exploring the wilds of Lewa and the neighbouring communities on foot with a few nights enjoying the

comforts of the lodge and the vast array of activities on offer; horse back safari, game drives, aerial safari & even camel back safari!! This is a mobile

safari designed to allow people to get amore intimate & natural experience of the wildlife & environment of this corner of Kenya.

Aerial view of the astoundingly remote Lewa Wilderness. Utter escapism with acreage of reserve to discover!

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly from Nairobi Wilson directly to Lewa Downs. You will be met on arrival and transferred by private vehicle to Lewa Wilderness (25 minute drive) where a very warm welcome awaits you at the home of Will & Emma Craig. Enjoy a leisurely farm to table lunch prior to an afternoon by the pool before heading out in the late afternoon on a game drive to get the lay of the land and take in Lewa’s beautiful setting. Enjoy your first Kenyan sundowner in the bush before returning to the lodge for dinner. Here you will meet your Walking Wild guide, Kitonga, to learn about the next two days of adventure ahead.

Day 2: A leisurely start to the day with a wholesome breakfast before setting out on your Walking Wild adventure. Departing on foot from Lewa Wilderness, head out across the Lewa plains where you will hopefully experience close encounters with the big game before a picnic lunch in the bush. After a few hours recuperating under the shade of an acacia tree you will set off again on foot to your camp for the night at the Il Newest - Lewa border. Enjoy dinner around the camp fire before retiring to comfortable dome tents under the stars.

Day 3: Any early morning breakfast around the camp fire before exploring the Il Ngewesi community ranch on foot: a totally different but equally fascinating terrain to Lewa. That afternoon enjoy some Masai Olympics in the dry river beds before another evening under the stars in your dome tent.

OUTLINE ITINERARY Continued

Day 4: An early start back to Lewa Wilderness in time for a healthy organic lunch before an afternoon by the pool or for the more active, a game of tennis perhaps! At 4:30pm head out on game drive and enjoy the incredible Lewa game viewing prior another classic Kenyan sundowner. A short night drive back to the lodge for dinner and an early night!

Day 5: Wake up for an early morning flight in the Out of Africa Waco (subject to weather conditions) or a horse ride before a full english breakfast back at the lodge. Have a relaxing morning before heading out again in the afternoon, ether by car or on foot, or how about on a camel! This will certainly ensure you will make the most of your last afternoon on safari! This evening enjoy a private dinner by the pool back at Lewa Wilderness under the stars, reminiscing of the fantastic memories that have been created over the last 5 days.

Trip extension ideas:

Take an internal direct flight from Lewa Downs to Masai Mara and enjoy a couple of nights at Saruni Mara Reserve to continue your education of Africa with their unique Warrior Academy.

Extend your stay, pre or post Lewa Wilderness, with a couple of nights in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. This will certain give you an insight into the 2 extremes of African living; urban vs. outdoor!

BEST TIME TO VISIT

• Kenya’s long dry season is from July to September, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. This is a very popular time to travel, but the country has plenty of reasons to visit outside of this period. In fact, the green seasons can be good times to travel as there are fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation, with only the peak of the 'long rains' in April and May being very wet. There is also an abundance of game as all the wildlife start having their babies throughout the green season.

• January through to March & September & October are also beautiful times to travel to Kenya. Being out of the school holidays with crystal clear blue skies & being prior to the rain season, so it is a very rewarding time to visit.

• February is Alician Travel’s favourite time to visit. Clear blue skies, little wind, perfect sunsets and warm and wonderful weather - The perfect month to enjoy a flight in the famous bright yellow Waco bi-plane! Escape the cold climates of the UK with the family during half term. Or if you’re looking to escape the crowds, then early February along with late February are fantastic times to enjoy Lewa Wilderness to yourself.

GOOD TO KNOW… ESSENTIAL COUNTRY INFORMATION

Kenya Dialling Code: +254

Currency: KSh (Kenyan Shilling)

Time Difference: GMT + 2 (PST + 10)

Languages spoken: English & Swahili

Electricity: Electric Power is 220V - 240V running at

50Hz. The Plug type used in Kenya is the 3 large flat prong (UK). If your appliances are compatible with

220V-240V electrical output, an adapter is all that you will need, if not a voltage converter will be necessary. 

. Tipping: At your discretion.

Essential Reading: Out of Africa, Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) - non-fiction. For Fiction, The Constant

Gardener, John le Carré.

Flight Durations (From London, UK)

LHR - Nairobi: 8 hours 30 min (overnight flight)

Nairobi - Lewa Downs: 40 minutes direct flight

*** Delighted to announce that from October 2018,

Kenyan Airways will be launching a new direct flight

from New York to Nairobi ***

hello@aliciantravel.com For full details or for just a general chit chat about all

things travel, please do get in touch. I am poised, ready & will be delighted to talk!

Lets’ get this journey started…