Elewana Newsletter

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning with the song ‘Waterloo’ at Eurovision Song Contest, guests can take advantage of this great deal at the property originally designed for Benny Andersson, one of the members of the band.

Kilindi Zanzibar is offering a fantastic ‘Pay Three, Stay Four’ discount and if the savings are not enough, the stunning ocean-front resort is also including a ‘Taste of Africa’ cooking class, a romantic beach BBQ, a 60-minute rejuvenating signature massage and a beach picnic with a free bottle of sparkling wine.

This offer is available for all bookings made before the 31st of July 2024 and is valid for travel until the 31st of December 2024. The offer is applicable to new bookings only, subject to availability and not combinable with any other offer. Each value add-on is only applicable once during the stay.

Guests can save on bookings of 6 plus nights, including game packages and full board rates, when they combine beach and bush properties. Elewana’s circuit discounts offer a 10% saving on bookings of 6 nights plus, 15% off for 9 nights plus and huge 20% off bookings of 12 nights plus. Circuit discounts are valid for all seasons, including game package and full-board rates, and are not combinable with any other offer. Terms & conditions apply.

We love nothing more than seeing our valued guests return to us again so as an added incentive, repeat guests can save on their stay. The returning guest offer includes a 5% discount on accommodation and 20% off on spa treatments. Plus, you can combine this offer with other exclusive deals.

Please note that spa services are unavailable at Sand River Masai Mara and the Serengeti properties, and this offer does not apply to resident rates.

As many of our readers will be aware the Masai Mara has been impacted with heavier than usual rainfall during the long-rain season. This has resulted in several incidences of flooding. Unfortunately, Sand River had to temporarily close, but we are delighted to report that it is now operational with seven tents open at Little Sand River.

The gift shop has also been temporarily relocated to this area. Three more tents will be added to the inventory by the 23rd of May and the whole camp will reopen by the 10th of June.

The guest dining experience remains unchanged and bush breakfasts and sundowners are still operating. Game viewing is as expected for this time of year with ample sightings of lions and elephants just in the last week. Unfortunately, the swimming pool is inaccessible until further notice.

We would like to thank all our partners for their support and understanding and the hard-working teams on the ground who have contributed to the camp’s quick recovery. Our thoughts remain with the affected local communities who have also been impacted by the flooding.

We are thrilled to be in the running for these prestigious awards, so we ask if you could please take a moment to help us with your vote, plus you may be in with a chance of winning a holiday.

Participants can vote for more than one property and vote more than once, with every vote counted. Elewana Collection’s properties have been shortlisted in the "Resort" section where you can find them by doing a search under the property name.

Simply click here to place your vote: https://www.cntraveller.com/article/vote-readers-choice-awards

We are delighted to announce that Elewana Collection is amongst only eight companies listed in this category in the World Travel Awards.

For more information on these awards and how to vote visit https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-africas-leading-boutique-hotel-brand-2024

Elewana Collection and Land & Life Foundation recently joined forces to enhance the learning environment at Ura Gate Primary School in Meru. Thanks to the generosity of our guests staying at Elsa's Kopje, two classrooms at the school were repainted and refurbished, breathing new life into the educational spaces. Additionally, 50 new desks were delivered directly to the school, providing students with comfortable and functional seating arrangements.

This collaborative effort between Elewana Collection, Land & Life Foundation, and the Kenya Wildlife Service exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives in making a positive impact. The involvement of teachers, parents, and students from Ura Gate Primary School further underscores the spirit of unity and shared responsibility towards improving education and fostering sustainable development in local communities. This project not only benefits the current students but also lays the foundation for a brighter future for generations to come.

Loisaba Tented Camp, nestled within the pristine wilderness of the Loisaba Conservancy, offers guests a luxurious safari experience immersed in the heart of nature. Our guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options, including stylish safari tents and spacious family tents, all featuring private verandas with breath-taking views of the savannah and the majestic Mount Kenya. The 12-tented rooms blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape while providing the utmost in comfort and elegance.

A plethora of activities and experiences for guests have been designed to showcase the diverse beauty of the conservancy. Guests can embark on exhilarating game drives led by expert guides, where encounters with iconic African wildlife such as elephants, lions, giraffes, and rhinos await around every corner.

For those seeking a more immersive adventure, guided bush walks offer a chance to explore the wilderness on foot, learning about the smaller wonders of the ecosystem and tracking wildlife up close. For a unique perspective of the landscape, guests can take to the skies on a scenic helicopter safari or experience the thrill of camel trekking across the vast plains. Cultural experiences are also available, allowing guests to interact with the local Samburu community and gain insight into their traditional way of life.

After a day of exploration, guests can unwind and rejuvenate at the on-site spa, indulging in a range of treatments inspired by African botanicals and traditional healing techniques. Whether it's a relaxing massage or a rejuvenating facial, the spa offers the perfect retreat to soothe the body and mind amidst the tranquil surroundings.

We are pleased to share that the rhino reintroduction initiative at Loisaba has been a resounding success, which is wonderful news for guests staying at Elewana Collection's three camps within the conservancy.

The rhinos have settled well into their new environment, with territories established and couples observed mating. Notably, these pairings have contributed to genetic diversity, with individuals from different conservancies forming bonds. Bingwa from OPC has been seen with both Naomi from NNP and Akitam from Lewa, Margaret from NNP has partnered with Muturi from Lewa, and Bruno from OPC has bonded with Safiya from Lewa.

The Loisaba team has demonstrated ongoing commitment to the project through continuous training, resulting in effective rhino monitoring and security measures. Guests of the Loisaba camps have also benefited greatly from this initiative, as rhinos are regularly spotted during game drives, enhancing the overall safari experience. Many guests have even had the opportunity to complete the ‘Big 5’ sightings during their stay, further highlighting the positive impact of rhino reintroduction on wildlife conservation and tourism.

What led you to become a guide trainer at Elewana, and how does your passion for wildlife and adventure play into your role?

I started the role as Elewana Collection’s trainer in February 2024, so it is a new position. However, I have experience in guide training around Africa from Zimbabwe to Tanzania. I love teaching and helping youngsters to become the best at their field and like to see them grow. There are a lot of passionate guides at Elewana who have phenomenal knowledge and I just assist them when they need coaching.

What are the essential skills and qualities you focus on when training Elewana's guides?

Q&A is the best and sharing of knowledge amongst the guides is key for all to give our guests the correct information when on safari at the various properties.

How does this ensure a top-tier experience for safari-goers?

From a collective knowledge base and experience, the younger guides quickly become top guides and so when special requests come through, i.e. photographers, birders, cultural experiences, and walking safaris, the guides that are specialists will take care of the guests’ experiences and show them a great time.

What does a typical day look like for you?

For the Elewana Apprentice programme, most of the induction is done at Kifaru House starting with botany classes leading to observing the macro world of entomology and ornithology. With the mammals, we learn behaviour of the various species encountered and observe to learn more on a practical level. This in turn allows the guides to be able to translate to the guests what they are seeing, and guests then learn more and enjoy more.

How do you ensure that every guide is equipped to provide exceptional experiences for guests?

We have a handbook that all guides follow and through their passions teach all our guests. We also outsource birding courses or specialist photography courses that some are selected to participate in and then they share the knowledge to their respective camp teams.

Can you share a standout moment or success story that highlights the impact of Elewana's guide training?

The apprentices that graduate can either stay or move on and then they share their knowledge with other companies that they join, who in turn see that the Elewana Collection has some top-notch guides. A lot of guides want to join the apprenticeship programs with Elewana but only a few can be selected.

How does Elewana's commitment to conservation influence the way guides are trained, and what can travellers expect in terms of responsible tourism practices during their safari?

Elewana Collection respects all our communities that we that work in and many guides are from our local communities adding insight from their various cultural upbringings and educating guests on culture and community.

How does Elewana's guide training program prepare guides to provide insightful and memorable wildlife sightings for guests, and can you share a particularly extraordinary wildlife encounter from your own experiences?

The various camps have unique offerings, such as Amboseli for the world-famous elephants and the guides help the guests into the best possible position to capture these extraordinary animals. Lodo has the leopards, and the backdrop is superb. Lewa has the black and white rhinos as well as 14 % of the Grevey’s zebras, while Elsa's has the famous Elsa lion pride.

The Mara has the migration but also wonderful sightings of big cats in season. My favourite animals are the painted hunting dogs and the elephants. Nothing is better than elephants having fun in the waterhole and being patient to wait and see them drink and then start splashing about – adults, teenagers and the tiny babies all having a whale of a time is very rewarding.

What advice would you offer to travellers seeking an authentic and enriching safari adventure?

I would say the Elewana circuit is the best way, starting at Amboseli Tortilis Camp then flying to Lewa staying at either Kifaru House or Lewa Safari Camp to see the rare black and white rhinos we have here, then continuing on to Elephant Pepper Camp or Sand River Masai Mara Camp to see the wonderful wildlife they have there. One can then cross over to Tanzania and visit Tarangire to experience sleeping in a big ancient Giant Baobab tree and then head to the Manor and visit the Ngorongoro crater and end at Arusha Coffee Lodge then home. This will be an all-encompassing journey to see the very best that East Africa offers.