Elewana Newsletter

For a limited time Elewana is offering a remarkable double discount on circuit itineraries which now include Elewana's newest property Serengeti Explorer. Enjoy a 20% savings on bookings of six nights plus, and a phenomenal saving of 30% off for nine nights plus. These discounts are valid for bookings made between now and 30th June 2025 for travel in April, May, June and from the 1st November to December 20th 2025. The discounts apply to both game package and full board experiences and are applicable to Serengeti Explorer plus all Elewana properties except for the Arusha Coffee Lodge. For more information please reach out to the Elewana reservations team.

Experience more of East Africa's wonders with our extended Pay 3/Stay 4 offer, now valid for travel until May 31, 2025. Book a four-night stay at any of the following Elewana properties and enjoy a complimentary night.

The offer can be applied at a single property or combined across multiple participating properties. Please note that the offer is not valid during Easter weekend (April 18th-21st, 2025). Available for non-resident bookings only, this offer applies to new bookings and cannot be combined with other special offers. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

The solo traveller offer has now been extended through to May 2025, allowing individual adventurers to enjoy per person sharing rates for single occupancy - a savings of up to 33%.

Available across all Elewana properties, except Arusha Coffee Lodge, this offer is valid for travel until May 31st, 2025. The offer may be combined with the return guest discount and can be applied to up to three rooms per booking. Please note that this offer is not valid during Easter weekend (April 19th-21st, 2025) and is available for new bookings only, subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

Seven further rooms have received an upgrade at Sand River Masai Mara as part of an extensive refurbishment programme that has taken place over the last year. Three more tent substructures have also been replaced, and the kitchen has been upgraded. These improvements are part of a wider plan that has taken place over the past year that has included new tents for the bar, lounge, small and large dining area main area bathrooms. Many rooms have also received new substructures, including new internal floors and new furniture has been installed throughout.  The pool is currently receiving new mazeras tiles and that work will be complete by mid-April.

The team at the Arusha Coffee Lodge and the entire Elewana Collection is proud to celebrate Denise Sulle, one of our oldest and most dedicated butlers, who recently turned 80. With over five decades of experience in hospitality, Denise’s energy, professionalism, and passion continue to inspire colleagues and delight guests.

From Humble Beginnings to SkySafari Excellence

Born in 1944 in Karatu, Tanzania, Denise began his career in 1967 as a bar swiper. His hard work and dedication earned him a promotion to waiter within two weeks. Over the next 30 years, he established a stellar reputation in the Ngorongoro Region, serving notable guests, including Tanzania’s first president, Julius Nyerere.

In 2009 at 65 after retirement, Denise joined Elewana as a butler and, through intensive training, quickly advanced to become part of the elite SkySafari team. Denise plays a key role in setting the tone for guests’ Northern Tanzanian circuit journeys, ensuring their experience begins and ends on a high note.

A Legacy of Warmth and Dedication

As part of the SkySafari welcoming and send-off team, Denise’s warmth and attention to detail leave a lasting impression on guests. His hospitality legacy extends to his family, with two of his children following in his footsteps in the hospitality industry.

The Secret to His Energy

Denise attributes his boundless energy to his love for the job. “Seeing the joy and satisfaction of my guests gives me purpose,” he shares.

Words of Wisdom

Denise encourages the next generation to embrace hospitality with passion and humility. “Treat every guest as if they were family. Success lies not just in the work you do but in the attitude you bring to it,” he advises.

A Celebrated Legacy

As we celebrate Denise’s 80th birthday, we honour his extraordinary contributions to Elewana and the hospitality industry. His dedication and excellence embody the spirit of SkySafari and inspire us all.

Happy 80th birthday, Denise! You are truly a legend.

Elewana is pleased to be working with International Spice to promote the brand to the travel trade within the DACH markets. Jochen Reinhold, who has more than 20 years of experience in the tourism and hotel industry will head up the account. Based in Munich, Jochen loves to be out in nature and is passionate about Africa having worked with many clients in the region over the years.

In March 2025 the Land and Life Foundation, in collaboration with PadMad Kenya, launched a training workshop at Elsa’s Kopje Meru and Elephant Pepper Camp as part of their Menstrual and Reproductive Health Awareness Campaign. This initiative aims to combat period poverty and reduce the stigma surrounding menstrual health.

PadMad Kenya provides biodegradable, reusable sanitary kits made from cotton offcuts, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly menstrual care solution. The workshops cover menstrual and reproductive health, sexual violence prevention, and more, with open discussions including men and boys to foster a free exchange of ideas and to reduce stigma.

Near Elsa’s Kopje Meru, two workshops were held in the Tharaka-Nithi county; one for the community and another for the students of Ura Gate Primary School aged 10 years and above. All the women and girls who attended the workshops were provided with reusable sanitary kits from PadMad and were trained on the above subjects and how to use and maintain the kits. Over 360 kits were distributed to women and girls during the 2 workshops, with close to 400 people trained in menstrual and reproductive health. All attendees received refreshments made by staff from Elsa’s Kopje Meru.

In the Mara North Conservancy, the training session occurred near Elephant Pepper Camp for the Oloosokon community and the Ololomei Primary School from the Mara North region. Over 500 people were trained and 250 women and girls received reusable sanitary kits. All attendees were also provided with refreshments made by staff from Elephant Pepper Camp.

Prior to each training, Land and Life Foundation and PadMad also train volunteer staff and community members at each camp to become menstrual health ambassadors. The role of these ambassadors is to ensure the program continues by providing one-to-one mentorship and follow-up training to the community and the school.

Elewana is proud to support the Lewa Safari Marathon, set for 28th June 2025. The unique running event has been supporting conservation projects across Kenya for a quarter of a century, having raised over $3.8 million for critical wildlife and community initiatives since its inception.

Elewana will be sponsoring the Community 21.1km and 42.2km race and the Children's 5km Race which will take place within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The shorter races and the marathon course involve a variety of diverse terrains including savannah plains, riverbanks, and acacia woodland. The event supports a variety of organizations including the Big Life Foundation, Borana Conservancy, Grevy's Zebra Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Northern Rangelands Trust.

Located within Loisaba Conservancy, Loisaba Lodo Springs offers an ultra-private experience with eight individual, spacious tented rooms with impressive views that reach across the magical landscape of northern Kenya stretching out to Mount Kenya. Loisaba sits on a vital Elephant Corridor connecting the famous Laikipia Plateau and plays a key role in supporting one of Kenya's largest and most stable lion populations. With exceptional service, the resort provides guests with their own Elewana Guest Ambassador to satisfy each guest’s needs during their stay. The rooms are bathed in natural light with large windows and stylish antique furniture in warm hues, complementing the surrounding landscape, which makes the guest's experience as luxurious as possible. Guests enjoy fantastic cuisine along with special dining experiences such as bush breakfasts and sundowners. Activities offered include game drives, fishing, horse riding, guided bush walks, camel safaris, mountain biking, and viewing anti-poaching demonstrations in action.

Charles Wanja, a Silver guide based at Sand River Masai Mara camp shares the remarkable story of Lorkulup, the legendary lion of Maasai Mara’s Rongai pride.

Can you tell us about your relationship with Lorkulup?

Lorkulup was more than just a lion to us, he was a warrior, a hunter, and a king. For years, he ruled with unmatched strength, feared by rivals and respected by all who witnessed his power. He was an icon of the Maasai Mara, a symbol of strength and survival. As a guide at Elewana Sand River, I've watched him for years, sharing his story with countless guests who were fortunate enough to witness his majesty.

What made Lorkulup so special among the lions of Maasai Mara?

Lorkulup was born in 2017 into a world where only the strongest survived, facing challenges. As a cub, he relied on his mother and pride for food and protection. But the wild is merciless; not all cubs make it to adulthood. As he grew up, he showed signs of greatness. He was larger than his siblings, with more aggression and determination. By the time he reached maturity, he had developed into a powerful lion with a thick golden mane that signified his strength. He was destined to be a ruler. Lorkulup, a true legend, began when he claimed his place as the dominant male of the Rongai pride. This was no small feat; to lead a pride, a male lion must fight off rivals to defend his territory and prove his ability to provide. Lorkulup did all this and more; what made him truly special was his hunting skills.

While most lions preferred zebra and wildebeest, Lorkulup had a different target: buffaloes. These massive, aggressive animals are among the most dangerous prey in the savanna, but Lorkulup was fearless. With unmatched precision, he would stalk the herds, waiting for the perfect time to strike. When he attacked, it was with overwhelming force; he had mastered techniques for bringing down buffalo, a field few lions dare to attempt. This earned him the title of greatest buffalo hunter in Maasai Mara.

Life at the top is never easy. Every day was a battle; rival lions constantly tried to challenge him, hyenas sought to steal his kills, and the harsh conditions of the wild tested his endurance. Yet, Lorkulup remained undefeated. For years, he ruled the plains, leading his pride, siring cubs, and maintaining dominance over his territory. His rule echoed across the savanna, a warning to all who dared to challenge him.

How did Lorkulup’s life come to an end?

He was the undisputed king, but even the greatest warriors have their limits. One fateful night, Lorkulup faced an enemy he couldn't defeat. On January 26th, 2025, under the cover of darkness, Lorkulup set out on a hunt. His target this time was an eland, the largest antelope in Africa. Unlike buffalo, eland is not aggressive, but they are powerful, and their sharp horns can be deadly. The hunt began as usual; Lorkulup stalked his prey, moving silently through the long grass. His muscles tensed as he prepared to strike, and then, with a burst of speed, he attacked the eland. But something went wrong; the eland fought back with unexpected force. In the chaos of the struggle, a sharp horn pierced Lorkulup's abdomen, a deep, vital wound. The king was injured, the pain was unbearable. Alone and bleeding, he had no way to call for help. His pride was not there; his strength was fading. He had hunted countless times before, but this time the hunt had turned against him. In the wild, weakness invites danger, and Lorkulup, once the mighty ruler, was now vulnerable. The night was long, and the predators of Mara were watching. It is believed opportunistic hyenas, always lurking in the shadows, found him in his weakest state. They are nature's scavengers but also ruthless hunters. With Lorkulup unable to fight back, they may have delivered the final blow. By morning, the rangers discovered a heartbreaking scene: two bodies lying on the grass—Lorkulup, the fallen king, and the eland that had taken his life—side by side, predator and prey. A tragic end to a legendary ruler.

What happened when people heard of his passing?

The news spread quickly; wildlife lovers, photographers, and conservationists mourned his loss. Lorkulup was more than just a lion; he was a symbol of strength, resilience, and the beauty of nature. His passing marked the end of an era. The Rongai pride had lost its leader, and the Maasai Mara had lost one of the most iconic lions. The savanna felt empty without him, but legends never truly die.