The Collection

As we look towards a period of tourism recovery, we want to support our partners in every way possible. With this in mind we have taken the decision to freeze rates for 2022 at Elewana properties. The rate freeze in Kenya and Tanzania is in effect for all of 2022 but unfortunately, our rates in Tanzania will need to be adjusted to accommodate the new Tourism Development Levy imposed by the Tanzania Government. Please note that these levies have been imposed by the Tanzanian government and not Elewana. We hope that the rates freeze will go some way in encouraging guests to return to travel and enjoy the vast wilderness, big skies and phenomenal wildlife on offer.

We are delighted to announce that Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs has reopened and due to popular demand, Elewana Loisaba Star Beds is now open for the months of February and March, along with the Easter holidays. With increasing demand for wide open spaces, there is nothing more liberating than sleeping under a sparkling Kenyan night sky.

This February, there will be a new moon making it the perfect time for stargazing. Guests will be able to marvel at the Pleiades, also known as the ‘Seven Sisters’ which will be clearly visible in the night sky. In early March, the red planet – Mars, and the Seven Sisters will stage their closest conjunction on the sky’s ceiling until 2038.

A reminder that from January 21 the Kenyan VAT rate increased from 14% to 16%.  This is a reversal of the previous cut in April 2020 to help businesses navigate the global pandemic. Please ensure that all rates, park and conservancy fees are updated to reflect the new rate.

In The Community

Land & Foundation is committed to Cervical Cancer prevention and recently observed international Cervical Cancer Week 18 – 24 Jan 2021. In working to identify risk factors, explore diagnosis, and support the prevention of Cervical Cancer, they have committed to providing free HPV self-collection kits to women in and around Aitong. In collaboration with Angama Mara Foundation and The Kicheche Mara Camp Community Trust, they have tested 226 women since beginning their work in 2019.

All women who test negative are advised to get the HPV vaccine and those who test positive receive free follow-up consultations and check-ups. Land & Life Foundation is planning to test 200 more women by October, with each test costing $14 per woman tested.

Donations for testing kits can be made here and Land & Life Foundation staff can be contacted to provide more information about this campaign at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Land & Life Foundation also recently administered Wildlife Warrior Scholarship exams to 3 of their supported schools and will be holding exams in the coming weeks for additional scholarship.

From Our Conservation Partners

The fourth quarter of 2020 ended with a sense of hope for the new year with record births recorded for the conservancy’s flagship species.  The Lewa Conservation and Research department recorded the birth of six rhino calves over a 3-month period, bringing the total number on the Lewa-Borana-Landscape to 113 black and 101 white rhinos.  The six calves were born between 15th October and December 29th.

The new babies are yet to be named. The research program anticipates that the calves’ naming will occur through the Adopt-a-rhino programme, a fund that gives sponsors the unique chance to ‘adopt’ and therefore name a rhino. By becoming ‘parents’, supporters also get regular updates on their babies, not to mention the chance to participate in conservation. In return, funds raised from the program help to offset the cost of nurturing and protecting Lewa’s rhino population, a cost that constitutes 50% of Lewa’s annual budget. Rhino population on the Lewa-Borana-Landscape has increased by 25 percent in the last 4 years.

For more information: https://www.lewa.org/adopt-a-rhino/

Inside Information From The Team

George & Theresa Van Wyk, GMs for Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs and Elewana Loisaba Star Beds, share some insights on the reopening of both properties.  Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs has officially reopened and due to popular demand, Elewana Loisaba Star Beds is now open for the months of February and March, along with the Easter holidays.  

It's great to be able to open our doors to guests again, and to have the opportunity to share our wonderful hospitality with our guests in such special properties as Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs and Elewana Loisaba Star Beds - and the amazing Conservancy in which we live.

Being a Conservancy, we have a lot more flexibility with the range of activities that we are able to offer. Loisaba Conservancy is great walking country and we also have both camels and horses here. There are very few other safari camps that offer mountain biking, which is an activity our guests have the opportunity to enjoy at Loisaba. The Star Beds themselves, as the name suggests, affords guests the opportunity to sleep out under the African sky - and with no light pollution around, the night skies out here are truly a wonder to behold.

A leopard female who has two very young cubs, has chosen a site close to a river bed not far from Elewana Loisaba Star Beds as a safe refuge for her little ones. She and her cubs have been seen frequently and are becoming very relaxed in our presence - so we really look forward to watching the growth and development of these two promising young members of the next generation of Loisaba leopards. The resident Narok Pride also has new young cubs, so it will be exciting to watch them grow and develop - the Pride is very much in residence close to Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp at the moment, which is wonderful for us.

Elewana Loisaba Star Beds itself is just such a unique concept. The property has a very special, "old world" safari charm about it. Nestled in a beautiful valley overlooking the Kiboko Dam, with spectacular towering rock cliffs to one side, it really is very special. 

What do you consider to be the best aspects of your job? 

Awards & Voting

Voting is now open for the 2021 Safari Awards. We encourage you to vote for our Elewana Collection Kenya properties for this prestigious award.

News You Can Use

There are now PCR testing options available for guests whose airline or country requires a negative test before departure in Nairobi, Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Covid tests can also be arranged at camps though costs will vary, including how many persons will need to be tested. Details on what guests can expect are outlined below and on our Useful Travel Tips & Advise

• Nairobi: In-hotel COVID-19 testing at a cost of USD 150 per person per test. Results received between 12 - 24 hours after the collection of the sample.
  Express testing is available in Nairobi, however, please only utilise this when absolutely necessary.
• Arusha: medical facility COVID-19 testing at a cost of USD 120 per person per test. Results received between 48 - 72 hours after the collection of the sample.
• Dar es Salaam: medical facility COVID-19 testing at a cost of USD 120 per person per test. Results received between 24 - 48 hours after the collection of the sample.
• Zanzibar: medical facility COVID-19 testing at a cost of USD 120 per person per test. Results received between 48 - 96 hours after the collection of the sample.

To help showcase what visitors can expect from the award winning Elewana Sand River Masai Mara we have a new video available for you to use across your digital platforms.

View & Download The Video

Media