Elewana Newsletter

Bookings confirmed before the end of the year allow guests staying three consecutive nights at participating Elewana properties to receive a fourth complimentary night. This effective 25% discount offer can be applied at a single camp or split between multiple destinations and can be paired with the return guest promotion, providing even greater value. Valid for travel from now through 31st May 2026 (excluding 20th December – 5th January) with a booking confirmation window through to the 31st December 2025. This limited-time offer is available for new bookings only and may be combined with the return guest promotion but is not valid with any other offers. The offer is not applicable for East African residents and terms and conditions apply.

Elewana’s circuit discounts offer guests a fantastic opportunity to stay longer for less. Available year-round for new bookings, with discounts from 10% to 20%, the offer represents great value and the perfect excuse to add on some extra days to enjoy the exceptional hospitality and safari experience at Elewana’s camps and lodges, in one seamless journey. Guests travelling through the circuit enjoy tiered savings the more nights and properties they combine.

Discounts start at 10% for 6–8 nights, 15% for 9–12 nights, and 20% for 13 nights or more when booking at two or more Elewana properties. This flexible offer is perfect for travellers seeking variety without compromise, allowing them to combine wildlife bush adventures in different parks and conservancies, along with coastal relaxation. Circuit discounts are not combinable with any other special offers.

At Elewana, we love to see our treasured guests return. To help incentivise a repeat booking, our returning guest program offers previous visitors an automatic 5% discount on accommodation, which can be combined with any other special offer. Return guests also enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments at a 20% discount. Please note that spa services are not available in the Masai Mara properties. This offer does not apply to resident rates and applies to accommodation rates only.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our partners and guests a wonderful festive break and our very best wishes for a Happy New Year. Thank you on behalf of the entire team at Elewana for your continued support and custom.

It’s been a busy year at Elewana with major refurbishments completed at Elsa’s Kopje and Elephant Pepper Camp. At Elephant Pepper Camp guest tents were refurbished and the camp's arrival experience has been thoughtfully re-worked with a redesigned entrance way and a significant upgrade to the bar tent, featuring new furniture to create an enhanced and inviting space. The camp’s boutique has been repositioned and features refreshed furniture, and convenient new public washrooms were added. Complementing the camp’s refurbishment is a new culinary concept "Elephant and Pepper” centred around the ancient art of fire cooking.

At Elsa’s Kopje all guest rooms have been updated along with furniture upgrades and new lighting to enhance comfort and style. The private house boasts a new bath and reconfigured outdoor shower, promising a luxurious and private experience for guests. Communal areas have also seen substantial upgrades with the private pool and main pool beautifully refurbished with a Terrazzo tile finish. The spa experience has been significantly enhanced with a reconfigured dedicated spa room, providing a larger, tranquil ambiance for treatments and the new in-house dedicated sundowner space is the perfect spot to enjoy G&Ts with stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. The reception floor and boutique have also been upgraded, improving the arrival and retail experience for all visitors.

Most recently Elsa’s has added an outdoor cinema experience where guests can now sit back and enjoy a screening of the Born Free movie in the surrounds of where the famous film about the life of Elsa the lioness was shot. The outdoor setup at the lodge allows guests to relax on bean bags or enjoy their evening meal at a table setting whilst absorbing the captivating story of how Joy and George raised and released Elsa the lioness.

Looking forward to 2026, the Elewana Collection will open the highly anticipated Little Elephant Pepper Camp prior to the peak season. We are also looking forward to the Explorer brand opening the second property in the portfolio, Ngorongoro Explorer with its spectacular location on the crater rim.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate professional wildlife photographer Pie Aerts, who runs regular escorted photography tours to Elewana properties, on winning the Greatest Wildlife Photographer Kenya 2026. This accolade is particularly special as it is the first time an image from Amboseli has won the prestigious award. On winning the award, Pie was effusive in his praise for the Elewana guide Jona Siodi for all his help in capturing the winning image.

A ten-day workshop arranged by the Italian Embassy at Shanga took place from the 15 to 24 November, merging Murano’s centuries old techniques with Shanga’s inventive use of local and reclaimed materials. The “Glass Bridges” project was conceived by Kukua Ltd, the Tanzanian social enterprise founded by French designer Emmanuel Babled, who has worked with Murano’s artisans for more than three decades. Two Venetian masters, Andrea Zilio and Luigi Varagnolo, led the workshop.

Glass Bridges reflects Kukua’s philosophy of craft as a natural resource, true circularity rooted in place, and dialogue as a driver of progress. It reframes design as a form of human exchange, turning glass into a medium for connection, education and hope. In a country where there is huge potential for the industry, it is hoped that design rooted in craft becomes a tool of empowerment, connecting local resources, skills and communities toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

By engaging local artisans, global experts and social partners, Glass Bridges highlights the power of cooperation to create value at every level, artistic, social and economic. The collaboration will diversify and strengthen Shanga’s artistic offering, supporting the role of Arusha not only as a hub for sustainable tourism but also as a centre of creative innovation within the East African Community.

The resulting works will be presented in Dar es Salaam and Arusha in February 2026, and later at Venice Design Week 2026 in September, under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Dar es Salaam, with photography and film by Monica Spezia.

Major brands including Mulberry, Aspiga, Monica Vinader and ID Geneve Watches were amongst the big names in fashion, jewellery, beauty, lifestyle, interiors and travel to win the beautifully designed Baobab Tree trophy made from recycled glass by Shanga.

The stunning awards were highly acclaimed by all the winners with many brands crediting Shanga on their social media feeds. The awards ceremony took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London on the 21st November 2025, and all details will be published in the January edition of Country & Town House magazine including a write up on the partnership with Shanga.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy commemorated 30 years in 2025 and recently shared their 30th Anniversary Report, illustrating their remarkable journey and achievements over the past three decades, showcasing the people, places and progress that have shaped Lewa’s history.

Over the past three decades, more than 58,000 students have benefited from the Lewa Education Programme, while over 2,168 women have built income-generating businesses through Lewa’s Women’s Micro-Enterprise Programme. Lewa has strengthened community well-being through 18 water projects serving more than 50,000 people, alongside healthcare initiatives that reach over 35,900 patients annually. On the conservation front, Lewa has facilitated the translocation of 73 rhinos and now helps protect a population of more than 280 rhinos across Lewa and neighbouring conservancies. The Conservancy also safeguards extraordinary biodiversity, including over 500 bird species, and has maintained zero rhino poaching since 2019, reflecting the success of its long-term protection strategies.

More than a record of what they have achieved, the 30th anniversary is a celebration of a conservation model that has stood the test of time, across Kenya and beyond. Their model has been adapted through community conservancies, wildlife corridors, public-private partnerships, and innovative species recovery programs. Elewana is proud to be a partner and dedicated supporter of the Lewa Conservancy, joining them in their mission towards conservation excellence and a more secure, sustainable future for wildlife and communities.

Located on the banks of the river from which it takes its name, Sand River Masai Mara is set within the Masai Mara National Reserve near the Tanzanian border and evokes the elegance of 1920s-era safari expeditions.

The camp’s interior fixtures and furnishings replicate the classic tented camps of the golden age of African adventure, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of old Hollywood films. Sixteen tented accommodations are tucked into a secluded corner of the Reserve, offering guests a truly exclusive safari feel, complemented by a swimming pool overlooking the wildlife-rich landscape, inviting outdoor dining areas, and an indoor restaurant and bar.

This past year, the camp underwent an extensive refurbishment designed to enhance comfort while preserving its vintage character. Guest rooms received refreshed interiors with new flooring, updated substructures, and new furniture throughout, while new tents were added for the bar, lounge, and both the small and large dining areas, alongside improvements to the main area bathrooms. The swimming pool also received new mazeras tiles. During their stay at Sand River, guests can also enjoy memorable experiences such as bush breakfasts and sundowners, further elevating the safari experience.

Lewa Safari Camp’s culinary team is dedicated to local sourcing and this month’s featured recipe highlights their partnership with Farmhouse Food Co., a farm that follows strict pasture-raised and welfare-focused practices, ensuring healthy, slow-grown birds with exceptional flavour and quality. The chickens enjoy open grazing areas, natural sunlight, and a balanced diet formulated for steady, healthy growth. Beyond production, the company is dedicated to supporting long-term, sustainable employment within the surrounding communities, with a workforce made up predominantly of women, reflecting a commitment to equity and empowerment.

Coconut–Tamarind Chicken Mishkaki with Charred Lime

As Group Sustainability & Environments Manager, Shalini Tak oversees the systems, audits, and sustainability initiatives that keep Elewana at the forefront of responsible tourism in East Africa. She recently shared with us how Elewana is preparing its camps for eco-ratings, why Environmental Management System (EMS) audits matter, and how the properties continue to set and exceed sustainability standards.

How would you describe Elewana’s approach to sustainability?

At Elewana, sustainability is not an added feature of our operations; it is the foundation that guides every decision we make. Across all Elewana camps and lodges, we are committed to protecting the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make East Africa so unique. This commitment is brought to life through rigorous environmental standards, continuous improvement, and a culture of responsibility shared by every team member.

What systems do you use to evaluate sustainability performance?

One of the key ways that we uphold industry-leading sustainability practices is through our Environmental Management System (EMS) audits. Since 2023, the Land & Life Foundation has conducted annual internal EMS inspections at every Elewana property. These audits provide a structured, in-depth review of our performance across several critical areas: Energy, Water, Waste, Chemicals, Fuels, Fire Safety, Health and Safety, and Community and Conservation Initiatives.

How do the EMS audits support continuous improvement and external certifications?

By evaluating each of these areas, the EMS audits help us understand what we’re doing well, where we can improve, and how we can continue to operate in the most responsible way possible. They also serve as essential preparation for external sustainability audits and certifications.

How has Elewana been recognised for its sustainability work?

Our efforts continue to be acknowledged by respected regional bodies. Elewana camps in Kenya and Tanzania have consistently earned recognition from EcoTourism Kenya and Responsible Tourism Tanzania, whose certifications underscore our commitment to environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and ethical tourism practices.

What drives Elewana’s long-term sustainability efforts?

Through ongoing EMS audits, staff training, community partnerships, and conservation-focused initiatives, Elewana and the Land & Life Foundation remain committed to setting and exceeding sustainability standards in the hospitality industry. Together, we strive to ensure that the extraordinary environments in which we operate are protected for generations to come.

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