A conservation area established by local farmers and ranchers, the Laikipia Plateau boasts an array of private game reserves and luxury safari camps, along with animal populations that thrive within its protected boundaries.
In the expansive space of a nearly 6,000-hectare private conservancy within Laikipia, El Karama can be found. At this rustic-luxe bush lodge, you can find a family-comes-first safari spirit.
Run by a family – the Grants, who have combined ranching, cattle breeding and wildlife conservation at El Karama for nearly 60 years – this lodge offers eight airy cottages made of stone, wood, thatch and canvas.
Each lodge is unique, but they all have been lovingly created using locally sourced materials, carefully curated soft-furnishings using organic, hand-crafted and sometimes recycled materials. The cottages have 24-hour solar electricity for lighting and hot water, flushing toilets and baths or showers.
At the lodge, there are a pool, communal lounge, interactive kitchen, and areas in which to enjoy relaxation treatments, yoga and Pilates classes. Guests, from young to old, can enjoy driving, walking, photography and night safaris, farm visits, bush meals and fly-camping opportunities. With the considerations of children at the forefront of mind, there is a bush school with back-to-nature activities designed for both children and teenagers.
Smaller guests will enjoy myriad age-appropriate back-to-nature activities such as tracking and clay sculpting. Older children and teenagers are sure to be mentally stimulated by the likes of wildlife monitoring, predator profiling, bushcraft, walking with the rangers and a wide range of sports.
