To reach Lewa Downs involves a 45 minutes flight over the vast Kenyan landscape from Nairobi to an airstrip in Laikipia. A 4-wheel drive vehicle will meet you at the airstrip and transferred you to Lewa Downs. Lewa Downs is probably best known for the Grevy Zebra (17% of the world’s population). It is located within the 45,000 acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on the northern slopes of Mt. Kenya. This charming property is set on top of a hill and has stunning panoramic views of the conservancy, and its rolling landscape, valleys and hills.

Lewa Downs is a unique and true Kenyan Bush experience. It is a very small, romantic property that can only accommodate up to 12 people. At the property there are three large cottages, each with a double and a twin room. The cottages are beautifully decorated, including having tented net beds. The temperatures in April are in the 70’s during the daytime and goes to the low 60’s at night. It was good that all the beds had heating pads so when I went to bed at night, it felt so warm and comfortable. Moreover, every cottage has cookies and either coffee or tea on the verandah after a wake up call from the staff. One could really enjoyed sitting there in the early mornings and enjoy watching the birds fly by and listening to the sounds of the birds chirping.

The wildlife is here is nearly as impressive as that of the Masai Mara but with fewer cars in this private game reserve. The Lewa Safari Camp is a non-profit organization, which is owned and managed by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Proceeds from the Lewa Safari Camp go directly to wildlife conservation and local community development programs. Such programs include building schools, feeding hundreds of local children, as well as rehabilitating orphaned and injured rhinos and Grevy zebras through the Lewa’s Rhino and Grevy Zebra Projects. There are many fun and exciting things to do in Lewa, including day and night game drives, guided hiking tours, and horseback rides to name a few.