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If Loisaba wasn’t already enough of a life changing experience, there are now helicopter tours available that will add another epic aspect to this incredible region. There are five new excursions available from a one-hour scenic flight to overnight tours into the Rift Valley.

The one-hour excursion takes guests to the surrounding areas of Loisaba including a flight down the Ewaso river past Ol Malo and towards the Sasaab area. A pleasant low and slow flying experience through scenic valleys, past rock kopjes, with lots of wildlife to see along the river.

The two-hour scenic sundowner/picnic flight follows a similar but slightly longer route and incorporates landing in a spectacular spot for a bush breakfast, coffee break or sundowner. 

The Reteti Scenic and Orphanage visit is a low-level flight down the Ewaso river, and onto a scenic route around Warigus and Mathews range. There is plenty of wildlife to see along the way, as well as pristine forest (including extremely old cycads) along the ranges, and onto Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to feed the Orphaned elephants. 

The Suguta Valley Chopper Day trip takes guests across to the edge of the Rift Valley via magnificent sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Passengers will fly around an extremely high rocky outcrop called Naturuk with fantastic bird life living on the cliffs then down through the Painted Valley and the Hudu Valley for a bite to eat and a coffee. Onto the Southern end of Turkana for some awesome Crocodile sightings and then land up on the Nabiyotum Crater. From Turkana guests fly across to Lake Logipi to see the Flamingos, Golden Jackals, and land on the lakebed flats. They then fly low and slow up the Suguta to the sand dunes where the helicopter lands so passengers can enjoy the dunes and a swim if there has been some rain and water pooled up in parts of the dunes. The tour continues flying up the Suguta to the crystal-clear fish pools for a swim, lunch and the fish throw in a pedicure for free. After lunch they fly across to Silali (another soda lake) for some more Flamingo flying before nipping up the edge of the Rift, onto the Mbata Plains, and along the Karisia Range on the way home. It's one of the most spectacular days in parts of Kenya that most Kenyans and tourists have never been to before.

The Suguta plus one-night overnight is essentially the Suguta day split overnight. Instead of doing it all in one day, we fly the guests across to Turkana's South Island (completely exclusive), where there is a rustic camp set up. We spend the late afternoon heading out on the boat fishing for Nile Perch, Tiger Fish, and Tilapia. There are some very cool Crocodile sightings, and the day concludes with a sundowner. Due to the overnight in Turkana it gives guests more time to fly across different areas at a leisurely pace.

Suguta plus two-nights is similar again but with more time down in Turkana, guests can fly around various parts of the lake and other interesting places that you wouldn't do on the one-night or Suguta Day trip. As well as lots more fishing and fun activities.

Animation TC 2022

A huge congratulations to the teams across the Elewana properties as every single one is successful in the coveted TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. This is truly a testament to their hard work and on-going commitment to ensure that all our guests are well taken care of and have the best safari or beach experience possible.

CNT 2022 vote now web

As the close for voting approaches, we kindly ask you to cast your vote for the 16 Elewana Collection properties which have been nominated for the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2022. Your continued support over the years has been instrumental in ensuring our properties win year after year and we would very much appreciate your help again. Each vote counts and more than one property can be nominated. For US readers, participants will be entered to win a trip for two from Stockholm to Bergen with Viking, while UK readers can win a trip to South Africa.

kilindi zanzibar romantic dinner by the pool

Kilindi Zanzibar offers the ultimate romantic escape for those celebrating their nuptials with the tailor-made honeymoon offer. Newly married couples receive 25% off the room rate, a romantic candlelight dinner, in-room flower decor, romantic turn-down service, a bottle of sparkling wine, 20% off one spa treatment for two at Kilindi’s spa, and one traditional henna tattoo for the bride.

This special offer is valid for minimum four night’s stay and valid all year, excluding the festive season. Proof of forthcoming nuptials will be required on booking and package is valid for six months post wedding date. The Honeymoon Offer is not combinable with any other offer and new bookings. Offer is valid until 20th December 2022.

Kilindi Zanzibar accommodation spectacular sunset from infinity pool

Enjoy great savings with a 25% discount on Kilindi Zanzibar rates when you book three or more nights at any Elewana property in the bush and pair it with a minimum three-night stay at Kilindi Zanzibar. Valid during high season, guests can enjoy some R&R on the white sand beaches after an exhilarating adventure through the East African bush. T&C’s apply and not valid for resident rates.

For more information click here.

Loisaba Starbeds waking up gently

Elewana invites guests to truly immerse themselves in the bush with impressive savings on longer stays. For reservations of four plus nights, guests receive a 10% discount, while a 15% discount is applied for those bookings of seven plus nights. For guests who want to truly save and immerse themselves in a complete Elewana safari holiday, book a ten plus nights booking and receive an extraordinary 20% off.

T&C’s apply and applicable when combining with one or more properties, excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge. Valid until the 31st October 2023 with blackout dates of 1st July to 31st October and 20th December to 5th January. For more information click here

Elsa s Kopje accommodation outdoor bath

To honour our returning guests, Elewana now offers a 5% loyalty discount to guests booking their next holiday. To make the deal even sweeter and more relaxing, return guests can also enjoy 20% off any spa treatments where available across the Elewana Collection. This offer is valid until the 30th June 2023 and terms and conditions apply.

For more details click here.

Shanga Alec

Artisans at Shanga have been working hard these past few months and glass blowers are especially excited with the arrival of a new furnace for glass blowing. The furnace was donated to Shanga by the Milly glass group from Mombasa and replaced the previous furnace, which was old and worn-out after 10+ years. The Milly glass group was generous enough to buy the materials and sent a team to Shanga to help install the new furnace.

In addition to the beautiful, unique glassware which Shanga offers, jewellery artists have created gorgeous new handmade necklace designs which are now available for purchase at the local Shanga boutique, located on the grounds of Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge. The social enterprise employs local Tanzanians with disabilities who use their talents in glassblowing, weaving, sewing, Tinga Tinga painting, bead-making, and metal work to create incredible one-of-kind items. Profits from sales of the products are reinvested into developing opportunities to employ more people with disabilities.

The local shop is able to arrange online orders and international shipping of Shanga’s handmade products. To find out more about how to place an order, visit www.shanga.org or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pie Aerts 01

Elewana Ambassador Pie Aerts’ wildlife photography print sale for conservation returns for a third consecutive year.

The past two years have raised an astonishing US$1.75 million for conservation making it the largest photographic print fundraiser for wildlife conservation in history. The campaign will start on the 28th August and run for four weeks.

For more information click here

ElsaS Kopje Fishing

We chat with Charl Grobler about all the activities that guests can choose from including new electric bike safaris and running tracks, cultural tours, and visits to spice farms just to name a few.

Most people think that safari is all about the game drives, can you give us an overview of other activities on offer.

It really comes down to the area and National Park or Conservancy. In East Africa, there has been a push to diversify activities even in National Parks where until fairly recently you were limited to game drives only. Things are changing and we are now able to offer a wider range of experiences.

For the larger conservation areas, Serengeti offers an array of alternative activities such as walking safaris, rhino tracking with the rangers in Moru Kopjes, Dorobo, and Maasai rock art. You are fairly limited in Masai Mara, but the game viewing is exceptional, and you don't really want to do anything else, but a Balloon Safaris is highly recommended and on most people's bucket list.

The conservancies in Kenya offer a wider range of activities and are probably better suited for longer stays or families that want to keep their kids entertained. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy offers, walking safaris, cultural visits, horse riding, Ngare Ndare forest visit, camel riding, and a behind the scenes - see how the conservancy is protected and meet the tracker dogs. Loisaba has similar experiences as well as mountain biking.

For a break from the beach, what activities would you recommend for the Elewana coastal properties

For Kilindi, I would definitely explore Stonetown, wander around the Old Fort, the Palace Museum, Darajani Market, Freddy Mercury House and get lost in the narrow streets, and admire the architecture. Outside of Town, visit one of the spice farms or the giant tortoises of Prison Island.

For golfers, Afrochic has an 18-hole golf course a few minutes away. For those that want a unique safari experience, visit Shimba Hills National Reserve and search for one of Kenya's last populations of Sable antelope. The reserve is scenic with open grassland and subtropical forests.

What is the most unusual activity on offer at the Elewana Camps

Some people are surprised to find we have a running track at Loisaba tented camp and at Lewa Safari Camp. We are introducing e-bikes in Loisaba and walking safaris at Serengeti Pioneer Camp in July. One of my favourites and certainly unique activities would be to spend a morning with the Hadzabe tribe. We leave The Manor at Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive along the Rift Valley to Lake Eyasi. The Hadzabe are one of the last true hunter-gatherers left in Africa, and if you get your season right, you can ask them to search for wild honey. The area has regular honeybees and stingless bees, fresh honey from a wild hive is an amazing experience.

What activities can guests participate in that will give back to local communities

When guests stay at Tarangire Treetops within the Randilen Wildlife Manage Area, a portion of your conservation fees goes straight back to the community. The land belongs to them, they have grazed their livestock there for generations, but they now benefit from conservation. During the dry season, they do still take their cattle into the area to graze, but this area is seen as a "grazing bank" only used when all other grazing has been exhausted. It's well managed, and livestock, people, and wildlife benefit from the same land.

Another great project would be the Maasai Boma near Tarangire Treetops. The boma supports Maasai grandmothers from the local community who live there. Our guests get a wonderful insight into Maasai life by visiting them, you can see how they do their beadwork or even try their local delicacy of cow blood mixed with milk.

What would be your must-do recommendations in Tanzania and Kenya

Tanzania - You will need great timing, but a morning Balloon Safari over the wildebeest migration and an afternoon watching the Wildebeest crossing over the Mara River is unbeatable, you could experience both from Serengeti Migration Camp.

Kenya - Searching for leopards in Loisaba. Loisaba has become a mecca for Leopard sightings, and if you are extremely lucky, you might get a glimpse of the melanistic Leopards found in this area of Laikipia. It takes early mornings and a keen eye, but if you are dedicated Loisaba will deliver a unique experience.

loisaba lodo springs aerial view

Elewana ensures planning a safari holiday is that much easier by providing downloadable PDFs of detailed site plans of each camp and lodge, along with a comprehensive vehicle guide.

The easy-to-view site plans, which offer a full layout of each property, can be downloaded here. Detailed vehicle guides can be found here and provide comprehensive information on roof typology, features such as charging dock and photography bean bags, as well as seat configuration.

elephant pepper camp sundowners

Check out Elewana’s latest images, including photos of camps and lodges, activities and services and wildlife at this link. Feel free to download images and when sharing with others on digital and social, please make sure to reference us at Elewana Collection.