“Everything at this lodge is truly top tier. The service is above-and-beyond, the room was opulent, the game drives were exciting and the food was exceptional.”
This small, striking, serene and stylish tented lodge is set amid rugged Laikipia landscapes and combines low-key luxury and privacy with a variety of adventurous safari activities. It’s the ideal choice for the discerning traveller looking to escape, explore and experience this remarkable corner of Northern Kenya.
Loisaba Lodo Springs accommodates up to 16 guests in 8 spacious ensuite tented bedrooms
The new Loisaba Lodo Springs Camp is knock-your-socks-off beautiful. Perched at the top of an escarpment, each of the eight tents has spectacular views of Africa, stretching hundreds of miles off into the distance. Loisaba is a 57,000-acre concession owned by The Nature Conservancy and is home to the rarest of leopards – the elusive black leopard! Each 900-square foot tent is tastefully appointed with safari-style antiques, and once you check-in you’ll never want to leave the room! And the cuisine is truly the best we’ve had on any safari. Loisaba Lodo Springs is in Kenya and part of the ultra-high-end Elewana Collection of luxury safari camps.
FORBES
“While wildlife is a key part of a visit to Loisaba, this is primarily a place in which to experience the extraordinary power of space – both on this vast patch of African wilderness and in the heavens above. The Laikipia plateau – on which Loisaba Conservancy is located – is one of Kenya’s biggest stretches of wilderness: more than two million acres of private ranchland stretching from Mount Kenya to the Rift Valley.
While some of the ranchers within the area still farm cattle, many of them – like Loisaba – have torn down their fences to allow wild animals to roam freely and elephants to migrate along an ancient wildlife corridor. As a result, the area has become one of the finest wildlife destinations in East Africa. On a drive, one might see exactly the same game you’d get in a large national park such as the Maasai Mara: herds of antelope, buffalo, and elephant, as well as rarer species such as wild dog, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. What you won’t see, though, is crowds.
Conservation is at the heart of everything they do, I discover, as I traverse the plains, the escarpment and the riverbanks on foot, horseback, camels and in brand-new Land Rovers. Unlike many other safari camps, though, activities here don’t revolve just around wildlife. Loisaba’s management has built strong relationships with its neighbouring nomadic communities through the Northern Rangelands Trust and guests are encouraged to visit villages to learn about the way the conservancy and community work together.
As a tourist, you can learn as much – or as little – as you like about the realities of life in the African bush. For those who want just a wildlife experience, there are game drives and walks. In three days, I watched a leopard walk through grassland, saw a lioness stalk a zebra, gazed at elephant drinking from a river, and witnessed scores of the 50-odd creatures that live here, from long-lashed reticulated giraffe to the aptly named Superb Starling.
There are plenty of non-wildlife activities on offer too. Camel lovers can visit the humped creatures’ enclosure and milk them. Experienced horse-riders can explore the ranch on a former polo pony. Wannabe cowboys can help to herd at the cattle ranch. Mountain bikers can explore the plains on two wheels (accompanied by a wildlife ranger in a car, should one of the Big Five happen to pop out of the bush).”
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Summary
- A sophisticated safari getaway in a spectacular, out-of-the-way setting
- Glorious, far-reaching views across the 57,000-acre Loisaba Conservancy to Mount Kenya
- Designed with originality and flair, furnished with bespoke, antique & vintage furniture
- Delicious, healthy and innovative cuisine, well-chosen wine lists
- Excellent ‘Big Five’ wildlife viewing on Day & Night Game Drives and Bush Walks
- Camel Treks, Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Tracking with Bloodhounds, Horse Riding, Swimming Pool
- 2024 sees the re-introduction of 21 endangered Black Rhino to Loisaba
- Search for the rare and elusive Black Leopard and African Wild Dog
- Accommodates up to 16 guests in 8 well-spaced, generous and airy tented rooms
Destination – Laikipia
Straddling the Equator and stretching from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley, the Laikipia plateau is one of Africa’s most exciting and exclusive wilderness safari destinations – with abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery, extraordinary cultural and bio-diversity and some of East Africa’s most successful nature and game conservancies.
Ranching, conservation and high-end tourism go hand-in-hand, with few of the constraints that often apply in Kenya’s national parks and reserves. Night game drives, bush walks, bike tours, horse-riding, camel treks, scenic flights and helicopter safaris are a few the exhilarating pursuits on hand in the extensive private ranches and conservancies that make up much of the region.
Laikipia hosts a wealth and diversity of wildlife second only to the Masai Mara in Kenya. It has significant populations of predators and the “Big Five”, with over 50% of Kenya’s rhinos, thousands of elephants, about 25% of the world’s endangered Grevy’s Zebra, and an increasing population of rare Wild Dogs. The region is home to more at-risk species than anywhere else in East Africa.
Location - Loisaba Conservancy,
Since the 1970s Loisaba’s 57,000 acres have been maintained as a low-impact cattle ranch and low-density tourist destination with a vision of keeping the wilderness and the wildlife intact for future generations. In 2014, supported by generous donors, The Nature Conservancy and elephant conservation organisation Space for Giants facilitated the transfer of ownership of the conservancy to the Loisaba Community Trust.
The Loisaba Community Trust and its partners continue to ensure that Loisaba remains a catalyst for community development, a hub for wildlife research & protection and a world-class destination for high-end ecotourism. Current community initiatives include improving grazing access for the region’s pastoralist herders, provision of jobs in tourism and ranching, and reinvesting revenues into schools and healthcare clinics in neighbouring communities.
The area’s two permanent rivers and abundant permanent springs make Loisaba highly attractive to wildlife throughout the year. The conservancy is a haven for more than 260 bird and 50 mammal species. Loisaba provides a critical habitat and a migration corridor for 800 elephants, large herds of buffalo, dozens of the endangered Grevy’s Zebra, towers of endangered Reticulated Giraffe and the beautiful Greater Kudu.
The Big Cat population is thriving – with three or more prides of lion on Loisaba at any one time and numerous cheetah and leopard – including at least one example of the very rare black or melanistic leopard. To top it off, packs of African Wild Dog – thought for many years to be extinct in the region – are once again being sighted regularly in the conservancy.
Giraffe populations have been in sharp decline over the past few decades, and in late 2016 the species was re-classified as a “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. A new research programme at Loisaba Conservancy is using innovative tools to help scientists understand and mitigate the threats posed to the region’s Reticulated Giraffes.
An anti-poaching security team, anchored by bloodhounds Warrior, Machine, Memusi and Nanyuki and their human handlers, works to protect wildlife and communities around Loisaba. The team does everything from tracking down poaching suspects and criminals to helping recover missing children and return livestock to its owners.
Loisaba is served by daily scheduled flights to and from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on Safarilink and Air Kenya. The conservancy’s airstrip is around 15 minutes’ game drive from the camp. Flights also connect with other safari destinations in Laikipia, Samburu and northern Kenya.
In Detail
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
- Day game drives in custom 4×4 vehicles (exclusive
- use available)
- Night game drives
- Cultural visits to Samburu village
- Guided bush and bird walks
- Bush breakfasts and sundowners
- Horse riding
- Camel safaris
- Mountain biking
- Electric biking
- River fishing
- Visits to conservancy HQ
- Anti-poaching sniffer dogs
FACILITIES INCLUDE
- 8 ensuite open-plan tented bedrooms
- Rooms are 85 sq.m. in size
- Spacious and scenic verandas
- Extra-large double beds
- Huge bathrooms with twin basins and showers
- Living & dining ‘mess’ with bar
- Inside & outside sitting and dining areas
- Swimming pool – 12 x 4 metres
- Pool pavilion and changing rooms
- Poolside dining
- Sundowner boma with fire pit
- Gift shop
- Laundry service
- Daily scheduled flights on Air Kenya and Safarilink
- Private airstrip
- 24-hour electricity
- Wi-Fi internet throughout the camp
- Reasonable cell phone signal
Visitors' Book
“Everything about this lodge was faultless. The setting is absolutely breathtaking and the rooms are gorgeous. The food is some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in any restaurant. But what makes this lodge so special is the level of service – none of it too obtrusive, and judged just right. We had great sightings of cheetah and leopard and loved the spectacular landscapes. Our guide Dalmas was so informative and gave us a great insight into the local communities and the conservancy’s conservation work. Thank you Dalmas for working so hard. Andrew, the manager overseeing the Loisaba lodges, was a delight – an exemplary representative of the Elewana Collection.”
“We stayed here for three nights and wish it could have a been longer. The food was amazing, the rooms were immaculately kept, spacious and extremely comfortable. The game drives were fantastic. The special little touches were wonderful – the surprise sundowner, breakfast in the bush and other nice little touches. But most of all it was the people – Manager Andrew, Nelson, Chef James , and our smart, well-educated, kind and funny guides Bashir and James. These people made us feel like family for our short time there and this will never be forgotten Seriously every single person there was special. I highly recommend this place and one day hope to return.”
Rates
Green Season (April and May)
$904 per adult guest sharing per night
Standard Season (early January to mid March, June, November to mid December)
$1129 per adult guest sharing per night
Peak Season (July to October, mid December to early January)
$1314 per adult guest sharing per night
Conservation Fees
$150 per adult guest per day
$75 per child guest per day (3-17 years)
Please contact us for comprehensive information on rates, inclusions, exclusions, optional extras and terms & conditions of booking
The new Loisaba Lodo Springs Camp is knock-your-socks-off beautiful. Perched at the top of an escarpment, each of the eight tents has spectacular views of Africa, stretching hundreds of miles off into the distance. Loisaba is a 57,000-acre concession owned by The Nature Conservancy and is home to the rarest of leopards – the elusive black leopard! Each 900-square foot tent is tastefully appointed with safari-style antiques, and once you check-in you’ll never want to leave the room! And the cuisine is truly the best we’ve had on any safari. Loisaba Lodo Springs is in Kenya and part of the ultra-high-end Elewana Collection of luxury safari camps.
FORBES
“While wildlife is a key part of a visit to Loisaba, this is primarily a place in which to experience the extraordinary power of space – both on this vast patch of African wilderness and in the heavens above. The Laikipia plateau – on which Loisaba Conservancy is located – is one of Kenya’s biggest stretches of wilderness: more than two million acres of private ranchland stretching from Mount Kenya to the Rift Valley.
While some of the ranchers within the area still farm cattle, many of them – like Loisaba – have torn down their fences to allow wild animals to roam freely and elephants to migrate along an ancient wildlife corridor. As a result, the area has become one of the finest wildlife destinations in East Africa. On a drive, one might see exactly the same game you’d get in a large national park such as the Maasai Mara: herds of antelope, buffalo, and elephant, as well as rarer species such as wild dog, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. What you won’t see, though, is crowds.
Conservation is at the heart of everything they do, I discover, as I traverse the plains, the escarpment and the riverbanks on foot, horseback, camels and in brand-new Land Rovers. Unlike many other safari camps, though, activities here don’t revolve just around wildlife. Loisaba’s management has built strong relationships with its neighbouring nomadic communities through the Northern Rangelands Trust and guests are encouraged to visit villages to learn about the way the conservancy and community work together.
As a tourist, you can learn as much – or as little – as you like about the realities of life in the African bush. For those who want just a wildlife experience, there are game drives and walks. In three days, I watched a leopard walk through grassland, saw a lioness stalk a zebra, gazed at elephant drinking from a river, and witnessed scores of the 50-odd creatures that live here, from long-lashed reticulated giraffe to the aptly named Superb Starling.
There are plenty of non-wildlife activities on offer too. Camel lovers can visit the humped creatures’ enclosure and milk them. Experienced horse-riders can explore the ranch on a former polo pony. Wannabe cowboys can help to herd at the cattle ranch. Mountain bikers can explore the plains on two wheels (accompanied by a wildlife ranger in a car, should one of the Big Five happen to pop out of the bush).”
DAILY TELEGRAPH
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