El Karama Lodge

El Karama is an award-winning, family owned eco-lodge that feels like a home away from home. The lodge is located in the heart of Laikipia on El Karama Ranch, a 14,000 acre cattle ranch with stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife and birds. Guests can enjoy direct views of Mt Kenya, the Aberdares and the Lolldaiga hills.

The lodge comprises six family/group friendly stone, thatch and canvas cottages or “bandas”, a beautiful central mess with large fireplace, bar and cosy reading areas – all over look the Ewaso Nyiro river and a natural salt lick.

The lodge is hosted by an excellent local team of staff and overseen by the Grant family who live there.

Visitors to El Karama enjoy complete freedom, this is no ordinary safari destination: you can walk out on foot with the guides, birdwatch with specialists, photograph from the rock hide, take guided game drives and night drives in customized vehicles, visit the working farm and much more. There are over 80 mammal species including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, hippo, reticulated giraffe, common and Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, eland, oryx and much more.  El Karama Ranch has now received Important Bird Area Status with 427 recorded bird species.

Accommodation

Built by the Grants and their team, the lodge is rustic and lovingly put together, made from natural materials found on El Karama, combined with the flair of a very artistic family.

• Four spacious stone, thatch and canvas ‘bandas’ that can accommodate doubles or twins with the possibility of adding a single bed for children. Each has a veranda for relaxing.
• One rondavel (sleeping up to four)
• One large family cottage (sleeping up to six)
• 2 double-roomed river tents

All cottages/bandas have en-suite bathrooms except the rondavel, which is just a step outside. Hot water is available via solar heating and wood-fire boosting (using harvested fallen wood). There is solar electricity in all bandas and cottages that powers overhead lighting, reading lamps and charging points for cameras etc (please note these are not suitable for hair dryers or other heat devices).

Clean drinking water is also provided in the rooms and dining rooms.

The River Tents

Designed as a little sister camp to the main lodge, these beautiful two- room safari tents are located along the river form the main lodge. Directly opposite an intricate web of wild game tracks where iconic species such as reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, bush buck and even elephant can stroll by the views are magical.

Each tent has two rooms: the main bedroom and an adjoining room, which can either be set up as a dressing room for a couple or if there are children in the group, a bedroom.

All tents are powered with solar electricity for 24 hours a day including charging points for cameras and laptops/devices. With a star gazing veranda, comfy deck chairs and a hammock overlooking the river, the tents are the perfect option for those wanting a little less fuss and a little more privacy. Ensuite to the tents are the elegant bush showers – open overhead with grass walling around them and beautifully hand crafted stone flooring quarried from the ranch.

Both tents have separate bathrooms with a flushing toilet, hand-washing sink, mirror and overhead lighting.

Lodge Amenities

• Large spacious dining room overlooking the river/salt lick
• Swimming pool with thatch dining areas
• Open game vehicle for use on the ranch – inclusive packages
• Laundry service
• Gift shop and art gallery
• Multi purpose room used for training, small lectures and yoga practice
• Electrical items can be charged in bandas and cottages/ gallery
• Wifi internet access in the office at special request
• Drivers’ or Ayah accommodation and meal plans available for them
• Interactive kitchen

Activities

• Guided bush walks (2 or 5 hr)
• Game drives
• Night Drives
• Sundowners
• Bush Meals
• Farm and ‘shamba’visits
• Bird watching
• Fly camping
• Short Courses