Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy : Lewa conservancy also known as Lewa Downs is approximately 259.5 kilometres from Nairobi, it is located in Meru County, south of Isiolo town but north of Mount Kenya. is has been home to the Craig family since 1924 who by initially setting aside 5000 acres of their ranch in 1983, were instrumental in setting up a sanctuary to protect black rhinos. Fortunately, this was so successful that in 1995 they dedicated their entire ranch to conservation and it now homes over 10% of Kenya’s entire black rhino population and 14% of their white rhino population, making it the perfect choice for your next safari if you want to catch the big 5, namely rhinos and is a wildlife sanctuary incorporating the Ngare Ndare Forest covering 250 km² .
The Conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered black rhinos, Grevy’s zebras and sitatungas. It also includes the big five (lion, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffaloes). The swamp has become a sanctuary in itself for the rare and fascinating semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelope and its primary predator, the Leopard. Birdlife is equally rich with numerous species of Bustard, Plover, Coursers and birds of prey. At night, leopard are frequently encountered along with bush-babies, aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, caracal and various mongooses, genets and civets – given all this a few days in Lewa will give you a unique combination of hospitality, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife holds over 12% of Kenya’s eastern black rhinoceros population and the largest population of Grevy’s zebras in the world. The Conservancy is also home to the Northern Rangelands Trust, an innovative partnership with a number of communities to the north who have given land for the preservation of wildlife.
Lewa has its own education program that helps develop schools and students. The conservancy is home to Lewa Airport. The conservancy was made famous by the Lewa Marathon which is held in the Lewa Conservancy for fundraising purposes. Unlike normal marathons, Lewa Marathon is contested on dirt track. On 19 October 2010 the conservancy attracted the world attention with the visit of Prince William of Wales who then proposed to marry Catherine Middleton at Enjoyably Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where the Craig family are close friends of Prince William, provided the prince with the setting and privacy in October 2010 for him to propose to his girlfriend Kate Middleton. Prince William is a keen conservationist and has visited the area on numerous occasions and therefore it seemed the natural choice for him when it came to choosing the ideal location for his marriage proposal. That year, 13% of Kenya’s rhinos lived in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy – 66 white rhinos and 72 black rhinos. Lewa’s internal security operations have a good record: only two rhinos have been lost to poaching on the Conservancy Rhino Ntoiye and Tana, were shot on 26 December 2009; Tana survived until 5 March 2010. Lewa was the only wildlife sanctuary in Kenya not to have lost a rhino to poachers in 2014. Lewa’s anti-poaching teams have been deployed to other rhino sanctuaries following serious levels of rhino poaching and have effectively reduced rhino poaching as a result. Teams from the Al Ain Zoo, United Arab Emirates, collaborates in partnership with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to support the protection and conservation of wild black and white rhinos. The team together, track each individual rhino to protect them from illegal poachers, monitor their health, and carry out important research. In 2015 Edward Ndiritu, employed at Lewa as head of the Anti-Poaching Unit and the Northern Rangeland Trust, received the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award from Prince William
How to get to Lewa conservancy
It takes about five hours to drive from Nairobi to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The easiest way to get to Lewa is to take one of the daily scheduled flights from Nairobi. It is also possible to charter a flight from any other park or Nairobi. Finding your way to Nairobi itself isn’t difficult due to it being one of Africa’s largest transport hubs. International flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
The best time to visit
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, but heavy rain can interfere with your Kenya safari. The reserve’s lodges are closed in April and November because the condition of the roads is a problem in those Wet season months. The best time to visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is from January to March and from July to September. The rest of the time it can get very wet, making the ground extremely difficult to navigate.
Weather
During the Dry season, sunny days are usually experienced, although it can also rain. Temperatures during the day are about 25°C/77°F. However, it is considerably colder at night-time and in the early mornings (temperatures around 10°C/50°F).
Attractions of Lewa conservancy
Wildlife
Lewa conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered black rhinos, Grevy’s zebras and sitatungas. It also includes the big five (lion, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffaloes). Lewa holds over 12% of Kenya’s eastern black rhinoceros population and the largest single population of Grevy’s zebras in the world.It is also home to cheetahs, impalas, waterbuck, gazelles, elands, giraffes, and Somali ostriches.
Birds
The Conservancy is also home to more than 400 species of birds including the Somali ostrich, vultures Guinea fowl and the beautiful golden-breasted starling making it a great destination for bird watchers .
Safari Walk
Explore the nature wildlife on foot, an authentic and economical means of exploring wildlife in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Photography
Visitors and tourist on a photo safari can share a photography tour with like-minded individuals and capture their favourite moments.
Entrance fee
Non- residents day trippers entrance fees is USD 198 per adult, while for overnight the entry fee is USD 126 per adult. Kenya residents day trippers entrance fees is Ksh. 8,074, while for overnight the entry fee is Ksh. 2,800.
Children 6-12 years of age 50% of the above applicable fee
Accommodations at Lewa conservancy
Not with standing the fact that this conservancy is in Northern Kenya. There are plenty of luxurious hotels and lodges of up to international standards, midrange and economic accommodations are available too. Some of the facilities are;Borana lodges,laragai house,Loisaba lodo springs, Mugie house, Lewa safari camp among many more.
