Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Rhinos, Grevy’s Zebra and How to Visit
A practical guide to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya: what you will see, how to get there, when to…
Destination guide
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: the complete guide
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a world-renowned rhino sanctuary and one of Kenya's finest private conservancies. Set between Mount Kenya and the dry country to the north, it protects black and white rhino, the world's largest single population of Grevy's zebra and a long list of other wildlife on land that was once a cattle ranch. It is a place for travellers who want a quiet, conservation-focused safari with guided walks and night drives, not just game drives.
This guide explains the story of Lewa, what you can see and do, when to go and how to combine it with Samburu, Ol Pejeta or the Maasai Mara.
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Tours featuring Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
01
The story of Lewa
Lewa began as a cattle ranch. The Craig-Douglas family was allocated the land in 1922 and ran it for more than 50 years. In 1983 the Craigs and Anna Merz set up a fenced, guarded rhino sanctuary at the western end of Lewa Downs, and about ten years later it was expanded to cover the rest of the ranch. The adjoining Ngare Ndare Forest was later included, and the conservancy as we know it took shape in the 1990s.
Today Lewa protects more than 12 per cent of Kenya's eastern black rhino population and holds the largest single population of Grevy's zebra in the world, at about 350 animals. It is also part of the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site and runs its own education programme that helps schools and students in the surrounding communities.
02
Wildlife you can see
Black and white rhino
Lewa's rhino monitoring is among the most thorough in Africa, and sightings of both species are frequent.
Grevy's zebra
An endangered species with narrow stripes and large ears. Lewa's population is the largest single group in the world.
Elephants and buffalo
Both are present, and elephants move between Lewa and Ngare Ndare Forest.
Big cats
Lion, cheetah and leopard all live on the conservancy.
Giraffe and plains game
Reticulated giraffe, Jackson's hartebeest, eland, oryx and many other antelope are common.
Birds
Lewa has an excellent bird list that includes dry-country species and forest birds in Ngare Ndare.
03
Things to do at Lewa
Game drives
Day and night drives in open vehicles, led by guides who know the individual rhino.
Guided walks
Walking with an armed ranger and guide lets you see tracks, plants and smaller animals that vehicles miss.
Horse and camel riding
See game from horseback or on a camel in selected areas, where wildlife is relaxed around riders.
Ngare Ndare Forest
Tree-canopy walkways, forest walks and natural pools in the forest next to the conservancy.
Conservation visits
Visit the rhino monitoring teams and community projects to see how a conservancy works day to day.
04
The best time to visit
Lewa has two rainy seasons, like the rest of Kenya. Wildlife is resident, so game viewing is good all year.
January to February
Good
Dry and warm. Easy driving and good visibility.
March to May
Wet
The long rains. Green scenery, lower rates and some muddy roads.
June to October
Peak
The best weather and game viewing. Cooler mornings with Mount Kenya often visible.
November to December
Green
The short rains bring fresh grass and newborn animals.
05
Getting to Lewa
By road
Around 5 hours from Nairobi via Nanyuki and Isiolo, with Mount Kenya views on the way.
By air
A scheduled or charter flight from Wilson Airport to Lewa's airstrip takes under an hour and is the quickest option.
Combine with Samburu
Lewa and Samburu are close together, so many itineraries link them in a northern loop.
06
How Lewa began
Lewa lies in Meru County in northern Kenya, south of Isiolo and north of Mount Kenya. The land was granted to the Craig family in 1922 and was run as a cattle ranch for more than fifty years. In 1983 the family and Anna Merz set up a fenced rhino sanctuary on the western end of the ranch, called Ngare Sergoi. About a decade later it grew to cover the rest of the ranch, and in 1994 the Ngare Ndare Forest was brought inside the fence.
07
Size and wildlife
The conservancy covers roughly 250 km² including the adjoining Ngare Ndare Forest (published figures vary slightly). It is best known for rhinos: it is reported to hold more than 12% of Kenya’s eastern black rhinos, and it is home to one of the largest populations of Grevy’s zebra in the world, in the low hundreds. Elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo are also present, and sitatunga live in the swampy areas.
Population figures change from year to year, so treat these as a guide and ask us for the latest.
08
Conservation and community
Lewa runs education programmes that support local schools and students, and its model — protecting wildlife while working with neighbouring communities — is one reason it is often held up as an example of conservancy tourism.
09
Pairing Lewa with other parks
Lewa sits close to Mount Kenya and the Samburu region, so it combines well with a northern circuit. For rhino viewing elsewhere see Ol Pejeta, and for a broader trip see our Kenya vs Tanzania safari comparison.
10
How we plan a Lewa safari
Two to three nights lets you do drives, a walk and a night drive. Lewa combines well with:
- Samburu: dry-country species and the Ewaso Ng'iro River.
- Ol Pejeta: chimpanzees and northern white rhino.
- The Maasai Mara: fly south after the north for the classic big-cat country.
Read our guide to Laikipia conservancies for more on this region.
11
Sources
Checked against Wikipedia: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Rhino and zebra figures on that page are undated, so we describe them in general terms.
12
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lewa famous?
For its rhino conservation, its Grevy's zebra population, its model of working with local communities and for the quiet, high-quality safari it offers.
Can I walk at Lewa?
Yes. Guided bush walks with an armed ranger are possible, as are horse and camel rides in selected areas.
How far is Lewa from Nairobi?
About 5 hours by road, or under an hour by air from Wilson Airport.
How many nights should I stay at Lewa?
Two to three nights, which gives enough time for drives, walks and a night drive.
Is Lewa a good choice for families?
It can be, because walking, riding and conservation visits give children more to do. Age rules vary between camps, so tell us your group and we will check.
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