Elewana Newsletter

The booking window for this generous deal offering an effective 25% discount on four nights has been extended through to the end of May 2026 to match the travel validity date of up to the 31st May 2026.

This fantastic offer allows guests staying three consecutive nights at participating Elewana properties to receive a fourth complimentary night. This 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. This limited-time offer is available for new bookings only and may be combined with the return guest promotion but not with any other offers. The offer is not applicable for East African residents and terms and conditions apply.

Elewana is offering its valued trade partners an exclusive 10% discount on bookings that are made for travel within eight weeks. With many countries experiencing the dark winter months, there should be no better motivation needed to book a spontaneous adventure to East Africa.

This offer is valid for travel until the 31st May 2026 for new bookings only, does not include the Arusha Coffee Lodge and is not applicable to East Africa residents' rates.

Individual travellers can take advantage of the zero single supplement offer and only pay the ‘per person sharing’ rate for travel until the end of May 2026. What’s more, if you are not quite ready to travel solo, this offer is applicable to up to three individual travellers per booking, so why not travel with a friend and enjoy the luxury of your own room.

This offer is valid for new bookings only, does not include the Arusha Coffee Lodge and is not applicable to East Africa resident’s rates.

Reservations are now open for the eagerly anticipated, addition to the much-loved Elephant Pepper Camp. Little Elephant Pepper Camp introduces a more intimate interpretation of Elewana’s much-loved Elephant Pepper experience in the Mara North Conservancy.

Overlooking a natural mineral lick fed by a seasonal stream, the camp is ideally positioned so guests can quietly observe wildlife movement throughout the day, offering a sense of immersion without intrusion.

Designed with a strong nod to classic safari heritage, the camp features just three spacious safari suites and one generous two-bedroom family suite, ensuring privacy, space, and a deeply personal experience. Interiors draw inspiration from traditional safari craftsmanship: campaign-style furniture, warm woods, brass detailing, soft linens, and a restrained, earthy palette that sits comfortably within the landscape.

Each suite includes a private plunge pool and generous verandas for outdoor living, while shared spaces remain intentionally understated. A relaxed guest lounge and dining area encourages unhurried moments, complemented by shaded hammocks for quiet reflection between game drives.

A dedicated spa treatment room offers a calm, restorative space for post-safari relaxation, while a small retail area showcasing locally crafted pieces reinforces the camp’s connection to community and craft. True to the Elephant Pepper ethos, luxury here is expressed through simplicity, authenticity, and thoughtful design, refined through intention.

We are really excited to announce that Lewa Safari Camp will open on the 1st June with a brand-new design for both guest tents and the communal areas that will feel like stepping into a new property. Whilst the major upgrade will include a modern refreshed feel, the camp will still retain its warm and welcoming appeal and continue to offer access to Kenya’s very best game viewing. Keep an eye on February’s newsletter for further details on Lewa Safari Camp’s new look.

We are pleased to introduce hospitality veteran Belinda McIntyre as the new Commercial Director for Elewana. Belinda will work collaboratively with our valued trade partners, ensuring we are providing the best tools to help support the sales process. Over the coming months, she is looking forward to the opportunity to meet with many of you, either in country or at the trade shows, starting with ITB in March.

Belinda brings 25 years of valuable experience to the Elewana team, having worked with established, well known Africa brands including the Hemmingways Collection and Sun International. Her career is defined by a deep understanding of both large-scale international operations and the unique nuances of the high-end East African boutique market. Her appointment is a testament to the group’s commitment to excellence and its ambitious vision for the future of sustainable luxury tourism in the region.

A new vehicle charge of US $55 per night will apply from January this year to new bookings that require the use of their own vehicles to self-drive within the Loisaba Conservancy. The fee is only applicable to guests who undertake game drives using their own vehicles rather than those arriving in private vehicles and taking game drives with Elewana.

From 1 January 2027, the vehicle charge of $65 per night will be applicable to external tour operators and other self-drive vehicles.

We wanted to advise guests staying for the first quarter of 2026 that the guided walks are temporarily suspended and will resume in full for the second quarter 2026. We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming back guests interested in participating in the popular activity from April onwards.

Following the successful launch of Canvas for Change creative initiative in 2024 in partnership with the African Conservation Centre (ACC), it has continued to grow in both reach and impact. In 2025, a third school was welcomed into the initiative, expanding opportunities for more students in the Amboseli landscape to engage with conservation through art. The programme was further enriched with the addition of drumming and traditional folk song sessions, which were enthusiastically embraced by the students. These creative elements have deepened engagement and created a joyful, expressive space for learning, alongside the continued focus on conservation through visual art.

Building on the popularity of the original greeting cards, student artworks are now also being printed on tote bags which has been wholeheartedly received by our guests.

Thanks to this continued support, Canvas for Change has now raised over KES 2 million, with all proceeds going directly back to the participating schools. Funds support school fees, wildlife club activities, and future school infrastructure projects, which will be identified in close collaboration with the schools themselves. This growing initiative continues to demonstrate the power of creativity to drive conservation, education, and tangible community benefit.

Through Elewana’s longstanding partnership with Honeyguide, the community-led conservation efforts in 2025 supported 113 villages, benefiting more than one million people and protecting 2.3 million hectares of natural habitat across Tanzania.

Protection outcomes remained strong in recent years, achieving a 94% reduction in poaching in Makame area and Randilen reporting zero poaching incidents. Community ranger programmes delivered results at significantly lower cost than traditional models, while maintaining high levels of community trust. Honeyguide’s Human–Wildlife Conflict programme reduced crop damage by up to 90% across 35 villages using low-cost, locally managed tools. Alongside conservation, investments in health and education expanded access to clinics, textbooks, and teacher training. Community-Led Conservation areas now generate approximately USD 9 million in annual revenue, reinforcing the model’s long-term financial viability alongside conservation impact.

With two WMAs now financially self-sustaining, Honeyguide is focused on scaling this proven model to additional landscapes in Tanzania.

Set in the northern Serengeti area, Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp overlooks the iconic Grumeti River and is home to resident hippos and dramatic wildlife encounters.

The camp comprises 20 elevated, spacious tents, each featuring a 360-degree veranda deck that allows guests to fully absorb the sights and sounds of the surrounding wilderness. The main tented area includes a restaurant, swimming pool, and viewing platforms designed to create an experience that feels both close to nature and effortlessly comfortable.

Professionally guided game drives and walking safaris offer guests the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring annual migration of more than 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, alongside the Serengeti’s abundant resident wildlife. This remarkable setting delivers a safari experience that is both immersive and unforgettable.

At Elewana’s Loisaba camps, menus are shaped by the landscape and the communities that have lived alongside it for generations, with ingredients chosen for both flavour and sustainability. Wild conservancy honey and camel milk reflect this connection, sourced directly from within Loisaba Conservancy and produced through low-impact, conservation-led practices. Bees forage freely across more than 56,000 acres of protected wilderness, giving the honey its seasonal character, while handmade hives placed high in trees protect both bees and elephants. Camel milk, long relied upon by pastoral communities, is sourced locally through Camelixir and valued for its minimal water use, nutritional richness, and suitability to arid environments.

These ingredients appear naturally across the guest experience, from coffee and breakfast to the desserts made in camp, creating a tangible link between food, place, and people. Beyond the kitchen, guests can also bring home conservancy honey and camel milk products, offering a meaningful reminder of Loisaba’s commitment to conservation, community, and responsible sourcing.

Chai Spiced Sponge, Camel Milk Ice-cream with ECO conservancy Honey, Caramelized Apple, Cinnamon Tuile, Caramelized Popcorn

Winnie van der Watt, Group Training & Development Manager, shares more about the focus of Elewana’s training and development which will centre on embedding learning more intentionally into daily operations.

What are the main training and development priorities for 2026?

Building on the strong foundations laid in 2024 and 2025, our focus in 2026 is on deepening capability and confidence across our teams in a way that is practical, consistent, and sustainable. Over the past two years, we concentrated on strengthening technical skill, professional presence, and guest care through focused departmental training. This year, we are embedding learning more intentionally into daily operations, strengthening leadership ownership, and ensuring training translates into consistent behaviours on the ground. The priority is not simply delivering training, but ensuring it becomes part of how we work, lead, and serve every day.

Are there any new programmes or initiatives you’re particularly excited to roll out this year?

In 2026, we are evolving our Learning & Capability Development approach to more clearly connect technical excellence, leadership growth, and personal development. Building on the success of our in-person workshops and the Lobster Ink platform, we are introducing more structured coaching pathways and clearer development journeys for team members and Heads of Department. What is most exciting is how these initiatives support long-term growth, encourage ownership, and create consistency across properties while still respecting each location’s unique context.

What do you hope team members will gain from these training initiatives?

One of the strongest outcomes from 2025 was a noticeable increase in confidence across teams, particularly in guest-facing departments. In 2026, we want to build on that momentum by ensuring team members feel empowered, capable, and proud of the role they play in the overall guest experience. Our aim is for individuals to understand not only what is expected of them, but why it matters. When people feel confident, supported, and trusted, they are better able to deliver thoughtful, personal, and consistent service.

How do you keep training programmes engaging and relevant across such a diverse collection of properties and teams?

Our approach is to maintain clear group standards while allowing flexibility in how training is applied on property. Elewana’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and our training reflects that. We combine structured learning through platforms like Lobster Ink with hands-on coaching, mentoring, and real-life scenarios that teams encounter in their day-to-day work. This blended approach ensures training remains practical, engaging, and relevant, while providing equal access to development opportunities across all properties in Kenya and Tanzania.

How do you balance practical, on-the-job training with longer-term personal and professional development?

We see on-the-job training and long-term development as naturally connected. Practical training builds immediate confidence and competence, while longer-term development focuses on leadership, communication, and personal growth. In 2026, we are strengthening this balance by ensuring formal training is consistently reinforced through coaching and mentorship on property. This allows learning to be applied in real time, while also supporting individuals as they grow beyond their current roles.

Are there any success stories from 2025 that are helping to shape how you're organising training & development this year and in the future?

Yes, very much so. Several 2025 initiatives have directly influenced how we are shaping training in 2026. The impact of our Spa training sessions was particularly encouraging, with therapists reporting increased confidence, stronger technical skills, and greater ease in engaging with guests.

In the Kitchen, training led by Wesley Petersen & Amie McNeice (Group Training & Development Chefs) resulted in thoughtful menu developments and enhancements, strengthening culinary consistency while allowing chefs to express creativity and elevate presentation and flavour across properties.

Guide training facilitated by Wesley Cragg (Group Guide Training Manager) and Hamza Visram (Head Guide & Group Guide Training - Tanzania) also had a strong impact, reinforcing technical guiding skills, storytelling, and guest engagement, while building confidence and consistency in how experiences are delivered in the field.

Alongside this, strong engagement with Lobster Ink highlighted the value of accessible, consistent learning across the collection. Collectively, these successes reinforced the importance of leadership involvement, follow-up, and ongoing coaching, and they have directly informed how we are structuring training in 2026 to ensure learning is sustained, applied, and meaningful.

As Winnie shares,

“Our focus for 2026 is not simply on delivering training, but on embedding learning into how we work, lead, and serve every day. When teams feel confident, supported, and trusted, they naturally deliver thoughtful, consistent experiences. By strengthening capability through practical training, coaching, and shared ownership, we ensure development is sustained on the ground and reflected in every guest interaction.”