Bush Telegraph of 8 Recommended Eco-Friendly Kenya Lodges
16 May 2024
These Kenya lodges are excellent choices for travellers looking to enjoy Kenya’s natural beauty responsibly. Each offers unique experiences and actively contributes to the preservation of their respective ecosystems and local communities.
SARUNI BASECAMP MASAI MARA | MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Situated on the banks of the Talek River, right at the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, Saruni Basecamp offers easy access to the park’s rich wildlife areas. Its proximity to the Masai Mara National Reserve allows for superb game viewing experiences, including large prides of lions, cheetahs, elephants, and during the migration season, vast herds of wildebeest and zebras.
This Kenya lodge operates entirely on solar power, uses waste recycling systems, and has initiated several community and conservation programs, including reforestation and local education projects. Guests at Basecamp can enjoy traditional game drives, walking safaris, and community interactions, including visits to a local tree plantation project managed by the Basecamp Foundation.
ASILIA OL PEJETA BUSH CAMP | OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
This camp is a prime example of a conservation-focused safari destination located on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya. This camp combines a traditional East African safari experience with active involvement in wildlife conservation. It offers a genuine bush experience with simple yet comfortable canvas tents. Each tent is equipped with ensuite bathrooms and overlooks the Ewaso Nyiro River, providing a tranquil setting amidst the sounds of the African wilderness.
Ol Pejeta is home to some of the last remaining northern white rhinos in the world and is a key player in efforts to save this subspecies from extinction. The camp offers educational visits to the rhino sanctuary. Guests can engage with local community projects supported by the conservancy, gaining insights into the integration of conservation and community development. The camp also has electric game drive vehicles. The camp offers a comprehensive and immersive safari experience that not only brings your clients close to Africa’s wildlife but also involves them in meaningful conservation efforts that make a difference in preserving these species for future generations.
AMBOSELI SERENA HOTEL | AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
The Amboseli Serena Hotel is situated against the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, offering breathtaking views. The park is famous for its large herds of elephants, which can often be seen roaming across the vast plains. Guided nature walks around the lodge allow guests to explore the smaller flora and fauna, providing a closer look at the ecological diversity of the region. With professional guides, guests can explore the rich wildlife of Amboseli National Park. The park’s relatively flat terrain offers excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, especially with the iconic backdrop of Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli Serena actively participates in local community upliftment projects, including education and healthcare support, contributing to the welfare of the surrounding Maasai communities. Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge not only provides a luxurious and comfortable base for exploring the natural beauty of Amboseli National Park but also operates with a strong commitment to environmental conservation and community involvement.
PORINI RHINO CAMP | OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
This prominent Kenya lodge is located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya. This camp is well-known for its dedication to conservation and providing an authentic safari experience in a less crowded environment. Porini Rhino Camp is set within the 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy, known for its successful rhino conservation efforts. The camp offers a small number of spacious guest tents, ensuring a personalized and intimate experience. Each tent is furnished comfortably and includes ensuite bathrooms with hot showers and eco-friendly toilets.
Guests have the unique opportunity to learn about rhino conservation firsthand. The camp is actively involved in various conservation initiatives and supports anti-poaching efforts within the conservancy. Besides rhinos, the conservancy is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, and leopards, making it an excellent location for game drives.
COTTAR’S 1920S Safari CAMP | BORDER OF MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
The camp is situated in the Olderkesi Wildlife Conservancy, providing seclusion and an exclusive safari experience. This area borders the Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Loliondo reserves, offering spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities without the crowds found in more popular areas. There are a variety of tent options, including family tents, honeymoon tents, and double tents, all featuring ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets, showers, and luxurious baths. With expert guides, your clients can enjoy day and night drives in custom-built 4x4s, offering intimate encounters with the Masai Mara’s abundant wildlife. Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp offers unique and enriching experiences that can be wonderfully suitable for children, providing both educational and fun activities tailored to young explorers.
This popular Kenya lodge operates with a strong focus on ecological sustainability, using solar energy for power and implementing water conservation practices.The property is actively involved in supporting local community projects and development programs, which benefits the Maasai communities in the area.
SIRIKOI LODGE | LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
Sirikoi is a spectacular eco-friendly Kenya lodge known for its luxury and dedication to conservation. It is set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and uses sustainable practices like organic farming and solar energy to minimize its environmental impact. Sirikoi Lodge features a range of high-end accommodation options, including elegantly appointed tented rooms, a private villa, and a secluded cottage, all designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. Each offers spectacular views of the wetlands and wildlife that frequent the area.
Sirikoi offers your clients a chance to participate in hands-on conservation activities, such as rhino tracking and learning about anti-poaching efforts. Walking safaris provide an opportunity to focus on the smaller aspects of the savannah that might go unnoticed from a vehicle.
The Kenya lodge features an organic garden that supplies fresh vegetables and herbs for meals, ensuring a gourmet farm-to-table dining experience. Guests can enjoy a variety of delicious, chef-prepared dishes served in stunning settings, from elegant indoor dining areas to al fresco meals beside the watering hole. Its dedication to conservation and community involvement makes it an ideal choice for discerning travelers who seek both indulgence and a meaningful connection with the places they visit.
ELEWANA LOISABA TENTED CAMP | LAIKIPIA REGION
Positioned in the Laikipia region, this camp is set on a 56,000-acre wildlife conservancy. It not only offers luxurious accommodation but also focuses on conservation and community projects. This tented camp features spacious and stylishly appointed tents, each equipped with modern amenities, ensuite bathrooms, and private decking areas that offer stunning views of the Laikipia landscape. Guests can explore the expansive Loisaba Conservancy on day and night game drives, experiencing close encounters with the diverse wildlife species.
One of the unique attractions of the Loisaba Conservancy is the ‘Loisaba Star Beds’. Guests have the opportunity to sleep in handcrafted beds on raised platforms under the African night sky, an unforgettable experience.
At Loisaba Conservancy, where Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp is located, one of the unique and effective conservation tools they employ is the use of sniffer dogs. The conservancy’s anti-poaching efforts are supported by a dedicated team of highly trained sniffer dogs, which play a crucial role in deterring and detecting illegal activities such as poaching and trafficking of wildlife products. By showcasing the work of the sniffer dogs, the conservancy raises awareness among visitors about the challenges of conservation and the innovative methods being employed to tackle these issues.
It also supports community projects that benefit local schools and healthcare facilities. The camp organizes visits to nearby communities where guests can learn about the traditions and lifestyles of the local tribes. The camp uses solar energy and supports local anti-poaching units.
sarara camp | namunyak wildlife conservancy
Sarara is found within the Matthews Range and plays a crucial role in local wildlife conservation, including elephant protection. Sarara has six luxurious tented accommodations, each thoughtfully designed to blend into the surrounding landscape while offering spectacular views. The tents are spacious and elegantly furnished, featuring ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and open-air showers.
The camp operates sustainably, using solar power and supporting the preservation of the local Samburu culture. The camp offers guests opportunities to participate in conservation efforts, such as tracking wildlife or visiting the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, which is part of the community’s effort to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured elephants. One of the most unique and culturally significant experiences offered by Sarara is a visit to the singing wells, where local Samburu bring their cattle to drink. This practice involves a fascinating ritual where warriors chant traditional songs that are recognized by their cattle. By growing its own produce, Sarara Camp significantly reduces its reliance on external food sources, which often involve long supply chains and extensive packaging. This practice is in line with the camp’s overall eco-friendly policies, which aim to minimize environmental impact.
Visiting one of these Kenya lodges offers an array of unforgettable experiences that appeal to a wide range of interests and provides exceptional opportunities to witness the Big Five in their natural habitats and also a chance to support eco-friendly initiatives.
Contact African Safari Excellence to start planning your client’s dream sustainable safari at one of the many eco-friendly lodges we recommend, including a Kenya lodge. Contact us here.
