Our take
Kifaru House is a small hilltop lodge in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with six bedrooms across five thatched cottages. Lawn gardens, a shared infinity pool and views towards Mount Kenya complement game drives focused on Lewa’s rhinos and varied wildlife.
Kifaru House has a quiet, residential character, with thatched cottages arranged around green lawns and a central guest house. The sitting room, library, bar and dining area open onto a furnished terrace above the plains. Log fires suit cooler evenings, while the shared infinity pool provides an alternative between outings. Its Lewa location places rhino conservation at the centre of the safari, with opportunities to explore the conservancy on foot as well as by vehicle.
Gallery
A closer look at the accommodation, atmosphere and setting.
Swipe or use the arrows to explore. Select a photo to enlarge.
01
Accommodation
Five cottages contain six en-suite bedrooms. Four cottages have one king-bedroom each; the fifth has a double and twin bedroom suitable for a family. Those two rooms have separate entrances and are not interconnecting. Four-poster beds and generous bathrooms define the style, with a bath and outdoor shower in one cottage rather than every room. The garden layout keeps bedrooms apart from the shared living areas.
02
Food & drink
The main house provides an elegant dining room, while the terrace is a natural setting for breakfast with views towards the waterhole. Bush breakfasts and sundowners can be incorporated into safari outings. Meals fit around the day’s activities, with dietary requests discussed before arrival rather than relying on a large restaurant menu.
03
What to do
Open-sided vehicle drives explore Lewa’s varied habitats, with rhinos and Grevy’s zebra among the wildlife to look for. Trained rangers lead guided walks. Horse riding for experienced riders, camel rides, Ngare Ndare Forest visits and conservation-related outings add variety when available. Drives are normally shared, with private vehicles arranged at additional cost; several specialist activities also require separate fees and advance booking.
Planning your stay
The family cottage has a double and twin bedroom, each en-suite, with separate external entrances rather than an internal connecting door. This distinction matters for younger children. A private vehicle may be useful for a family but is not automatically included.
The small cottage collection, hilltop lawns and shared infinity pool create a comfortable base above Lewa. Its appeal lies in combining a house-like atmosphere with access to a well-established rhino conservation landscape.
Kifaru House can be booked by room, so its small size does not automatically mean exclusive use. Private guiding and riding should be requested in advance. The family cottage’s separate entrances and the position of individual cottages are important when arranging room allocations.
Compare the alternatives
Explore the accommodation and setting of each property before choosing your combination.
Laikipia
Lewa Wilderness is a family-run lodge with nine cottages in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Garden and hillside accommodation, varied guided activities and produce from its own farm create a relaxed base for exploring one of Kenya’s important rhino conservation landscapes.
Explore the property
Laikipia
Private Wilderness is an exclusive-use retreat in Lewa, with five thatched cottages overlooking the Eastern Marania River valley. Independent shared spaces and a pool create a private-home setting for up to ten guests, with the wider conservancy providing the safari backdrop.
Explore the property
Laikipia
Sirikoi House is a three-bedroom exclusive-use home within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. A private guide, vehicle, chef and heated pool give a small family or group its own safari rhythm, with the option to join Sirikoi’s main dining deck.
Explore the propertyMake it part of a journey
Use Kifaru House as a Lewa stay alongside the Mara or Samburu to introduce different wildlife and activities. Several nights allow time for a walk or conservation visit without losing the core drives. For a group takeover, compare the full-property arrangement with booking individual cottages before settling the route.
These journeys are starting points. We adapt the route, accommodation and length of stay around your plans.
Explore Laikipia or read our Kenya seasonal guide.
Your questions
Five cottages contain six en-suite bedrooms. Four cottages have one king-bedroom each; the fifth has a double and twin bedroom suitable for a family. Those two rooms have separate entrances and are not interconnecting. Four-poster beds and generous bathrooms define the style, with a bath and outdoor shower in one cottage rather than every room. The garden layout keeps bedrooms apart from the shared living areas.
Open-sided vehicle drives explore Lewa’s varied habitats, with rhinos and Grevy’s zebra among the wildlife to look for. Trained rangers lead guided walks. Horse riding for experienced riders, camel rides, Ngare Ndare Forest visits and conservation-related outings add variety when available. Drives are normally shared, with private vehicles arranged at additional cost; several specialist activities also require separate fees and advance booking.
The family cottage has a double and twin bedroom, each en-suite, with separate external entrances rather than an internal connecting door. This distinction matters for younger children. A private vehicle may be useful for a family but is not automatically included.
Use Kifaru House as a Lewa stay alongside the Mara or Samburu to introduce different wildlife and activities. Several nights allow time for a walk or conservation visit without losing the core drives. For a group takeover, compare the full-property arrangement with booking individual cottages before settling the route.
Tailor-made Kenya
We will help you compare the alternatives and plan the right combination.
Start planning