Elewana Newsletter

For a limited time, we are happy to offer guests a very special last-minute offer of “Pay 3, Stay 4”. Those booking four nights at select Elewana properties in Tanzania and Kenya will receive an extra night on us. We invite you to extend your stay a little longer to explore the beauty of East Africa, whether it’s the majestic wildlife of the Serengeti, the hidden gem of Meru with its lush landscapes or the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. The special offer is ideal for family holidays with children under 12 staying for free.

The promotion is available for bookings at the following properties:

Tanzania:

• Kilindi Zanzibar
• Tarangire Treetops
• Serengeti Migration Camp
• The Manor at Ngorongoro

Kenya:

• Kifaru House Lewa
• Sand River Masai Mara
• Elsa’s Kopje Meru

The offer is redeemable at a single property or at a combination of the listed properties for a travel period from 20th June until 20th December 2024 and a booking window from 20th June until 20th December 2024. This offer is available to new, non-resident bookings only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Bookings are subject to availability. The travel period and booking window are valid until further notice. Terms & Conditions apply.

Kilindi is delighted to offer honeymooners an exclusive 25% discount at the luxurious retreat located along the unspoilt beaches of Zanzibar. This special offer provides newlyweds with an extraordinary experience at one of the most romantic settings in the world.

Guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations in Kilindi’s exquisite pavilions, with stunning views of the Indian Ocean, along with a range of complimentary amenities to enhance their stay:

• Romantic candlelit dinner with a personalised menu crafted by Kilindi’s expert chef
• 20% off spa treatments per couple
• Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine
• Flower décor in-room and romantic turndown service
• Traditional henna tattoo for the bride

This offer is available for all bookings made before the 31st July 2024 and is valid for travel until the 20th December 2024, excluding the festive season. It applies to new bookings only with a minimum of 4-night stay and is subject to availability. The offer cannot be combined with any other special offers. A wedding certificate (maximum of 6 months validity after wedding date) must be presented at time of booking. Terms & Conditions apply. For enquiries or to make a booking, please contact your preferred travel agent or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We are delighted to report that Sand River is now fully operational with all tents available to accommodate guests. The common spaces, gift shop, and swimming pool are also now all accessible to welcome back guests. As many are aware, the Masai Mara was impacted by heavier than usual rainfall during the recent green season which led to flooding and a temporary closure of the camp.

We are happy to report that the guest dining experiences have returned to normal, along with glorious bush breakfasts and sundowners. Recent weeks have witnessed abundant sightings of a myriad of wildlife, with many newborns adding to the enchantment of the landscape, hinting at the impending spectacle of the migration.

We would like to thank all our partners for their support and understanding, and the hard-working teams on the ground who have contributed to the camp’s quick recovery. Our thoughts remain with the affected local communities who have also been impacted by the flooding.

We are very proud to share the news of Loisaba’s inclusion in Wanderlust Magazine's Green Travel List for the second consecutive year. This prestigious accolade underscores our unwavering dedication to environmental conservation and responsible travel practices.

Wanderlust Magazine, renowned as one of the oldest and most esteemed travel publications in the UK, has been a beacon for travellers seeking authentic and sustainable experiences since its inception in 1993. The Green Travel List, curated annually, serves as a testament to destinations and initiatives that prioritize environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Sustainability is at the core of everything Loisaba does, from conservation efforts to community outreach programs, they strive to leave a positive impact on the environment and local communities. This recognition reaffirms their commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship between travellers and the natural world.

If you have cherished unforgettable moments at an Elewana property, we invite you to take a moment to cast your vote in the esteemed Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Awards 2024. Once again, all Elewana Collection properties have been nominated and your support could help our properties claim victory with these prestigious awards. Your vote would mean the world to us as we strive to showcase the unparalleled experiences we offer.

Participants have the opportunity to vote for multiple properties and can submit multiple votes, with each one being counted. Elewana Collection properties are featured in the "Resort" category, easily accessible by searching under the property name.

Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard! Click the link below to place your vote
https://www.cntraveller.com/article/vote-readers-choice-awards

Guests of Elewana’s Loisaba properties can explore Kenya’s most remote and beautiful landscapes from the sky with helicopter safaris. These adventures promise unparalleled views and unforgettable moments to explore the country’s diverse landscapes.

Options include the Suguta Full Day (7:30am – 4pm) where guests fly over the stunning Suguta Valley with its towering cliffs, jagged rock formations, and winding riverbeds, touching down wherever possible, bearing witness to the vibrant colours of Lake Logipi and the spectacle of flamingos in flight. Or for a shorter adventure, the Suguta Half Day (7:30am – 12:30pm) travels into the Suguta Valley and then soars over the vast expanse of the Great Rift Valley, offering dramatic geological features and diverse wildlife from a unique aerial perspective. Guests can also experience iconic Mt Kenya from above with the Mt Kenya Scenic (6:30 am – 12:30 pm), landing at Lake Alice for breakfast and a spot of fishing, enjoying panoramic views of lush forests and rugged slopes. Or visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary with Reteti Scenic (6:30 am – 1:00 pm) to learn about conservation efforts and witness the rehabilitation of baby elephants.

Other journeys include the Breakfast Scenic (7:30 am – 10:30 am) where guests fly over Laikipia’s stunning landscape and then enjoy a serene breakfast along the Ewaso River, surrounded by rolling plains and verdant forests. For a gorgeous end to the day, the Sundowner Scenic (4:30 pm – 6:45 pm) offers a scenic flight through Laikipia, culminating in a sundowner on an isolated kopje. Guests will enjoy the vibrant colors of the picturesque sunset with refreshing drinks and snacks.

Situated deep within Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, Tarangire Treetops offers a unique safari experience for guests. Perched high amidst the ancient baobab and marula trees, its 20 rooms boast expansive views and private balconies, blending rustic charm with modern comfort.

During their stay, guests will venture out on game drives, led by Tarangire’s experienced guides, as well as guided walking safaris for a more intimate encounter with the region's wildlife, tracking animals on foot. Night game drives reveal the park's nocturnal inhabitants while cultural immersion opportunities also abound, with visits to nearby Maasai villages providing insights into traditional lifestyles and customs.

What sets Tarangire apart is its unique landscape. The park is known for its massive baobab trees, which dot the savannah like ancient sentinels. These iconic giants add a distinctive character to the scenery, providing picturesque backdrops for wildlife sightings and memorable safari experiences.

The lodge features an infinity pool overlooking the plains, allowing guests to relax and soak in the breathtaking views after a day of exploration. Its restaurant serves a tantalizing array of local and international cuisine crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For a truly unforgettable dining experience, guests can indulge in bush dinners under the stars or bush breakfasts in the open savannah, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness.

© https://youth4nature.or.tz/

Land & Life have generously sponsored 10 youth places at this year’s Youth4Nature conference. Young people from all over Tanzania, including rural backgrounds, ocean settings, forest, savannah and city suburbs came together to share their ideas and experiences about the diverse approaches to conservation and how these can help in the future. There were also opportunities for attendees to explore the possibilities of careers in conservation.

The event, which took place on the 8th and 9th June was a resounding success bringing together 240 attendees, including 80 speakers, and featuring over 60 talks. Thanks to the sponsorship of Land & Life and other partners the conference was able to accommodate over 50 youths from rural areas and universities, that otherwise would be unable to attend.

Lewa has much to celebrate in the 2023 annual report. The document is an in-depth presentation of all the positive impact work taking place at Lewa that not only aids conservation and sustainability but changes lives.

On conservation and wildlife, the Conservation has achieved another year of zero rhino poaching and zero illegally killed elephants. The Grevy’s zebra population has increased by 19%, with 359 zebra now calling the area home.

Education work has seen the completion of four additional schools bringing the total number of Lewa-supported schools to 27 and more than 300 students received scholarships through Lewa’s bursary programme. A total of 44 Lewa staff mentored 977 students and 53% of students who completed secondary school in 2023 are poised to pursue a bachelor’s degree course at university.

The digital literacy programme has gotten even stronger with 4,500 learners and 15 teachers demonstrating improved knowledge and skills in digital literacy.

Since its inception in 2003, the Women’s Micro-enterprise Programme (WME) has supported over 2,000 women from Lewa’s neighbouring communities in starting small businesses and promoting livelihood diversification.

Work with sustainable agriculture has seen 11 demonstration plots in six community farms and schools and 182 farmers went on Lewa-supported exposure tours, gaining knowledge and skills in innovative farming methods.

This is only a snapshoot of all the admirable work taking place, for full details read there report here

Following on from the translocation of 21 rhinos to Loisaba conservancy in February this year, Tom updates us on how the new residents are settling in.

How have the rhinos taken to their new home in Loisaba

They absolutely love it, they took about 3 months to settle down, but everyone is now established in their territories. One rhino - Diamiza - broke out of the initial fence line and settled in the west of the conservancy. This meant phase II was expedited, and an additional 20,000 acres of land were secured as rhino habitat.

How has the other wildlife in the area adapted to the new residents

Following the initial shock attack on Ushindi and Donald by three male lions who had never seen rhinos before - and thought it was a special on the menu - things have now settled down well with no further incidents, and rhino monitors have reported rhinos settling down amongst other wildlife, and Loisaba livestock.

How are guests responding to access to the Big 5 in Loisaba

They are extremely excited, and can’t wait to get out on a game drive.

Has anything changed with the game viewing experience

Guest wildlife viewing at Loisaba continues to be 5 star - guests now have the opportunity to see the “big five” in one afternoon.

Have you noticed any pairings up and do we expect some rhino calves in the future

Yes - we have seen several couplings, including between those from different source sanctuaries, as far apart as Nairobi and Lewa (Muturi and Margaret) - which is great for genetic diversity. We are hopeful to see calves in 2025.

How do you see the future for rhino conservation

The successful Loisaba rhino translocation was a huge positive for the continued good work around black rhino conservation in Kenya following a number of successful years leading to an overcrowding of existing sanctuaries and hence the translocation. There is exciting work being done around the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion - with the potential for an excess of 700,000 acres being dedicated to rhino conservation in Laikipia County alone