El Karama Lodge

Spend time in a safari environment with a focus on inclusivity and exclusivity when staying at El Karama Lodge located in Kenya’s Laikipia region, at the foothills of Mount Kenya. A stunning setting amid a lush garden, guests feel relaxed and rejuvenated from the moment they arrive. Guests can indulge in some time-out lazing in and around the swimming pool, set in a walled area with slasto paving and sun lounges laid out under shady trees.

Dining is a real treat at El Karama Lodge, ingredients are locally sourced to create hearty and delicious meals which are served in the lodge’s dining room. The kitchen is open-planned and guests are invited to visit and discover with the friendly chefs.

El Karama Lodge has a fully stocked bar and a comfortable sitting area. Guests can enjoy a fresh juice, herbal tea, or signature cocktail made with herbs right out of the garden. There is a massage menu on offer and guests can enjoy a game of table tennis or simply sit back and read a good book absorbing the stillness of the environment. Outings include a walk to the rock hide on the dam where hippos are at play all day or a horseback ride are just two examples of the many activities on offer at El Karama Lodge. Accommodation options are exquisite, with eight cottages in total, The Hobbit House and Bandas all decorated with immense attention to detail.

Location

El Karama Lodge is in the El Karama Conservancy in Kenya’s Laikipia region, where guests can fly into the Conservancy which is located around half a mile away. Other options include scheduled one-hour flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta into Nanyuki with a transfer to the Lodge from there, a drive of around 45 minutes. A drive from Nairobi along the A2 Highway will take approximately four and a half hours.

Rooms / Tents

There are eight remarkable, spacious, and airy cottages at El Karama Lodge, each room made out of stone and wood, a thatch roofing with high ceilings. The decor is classic with African prints and designs visible in bedding and the art and extra touches in the rooms. Each cottage is unique and of varying sizes, all en-suite with showers and baths creatively set in a spacious bathroom. As the Lodge is eco-friendly the electricity is solar-powered, a key component to ensure their environmental responsibility is always adhered to.

There is the Hobbit House which comprises two bedrooms and is on two mezzanine floors and is part of the main lodge at El Karama Lodge. The master bedroom contains a large double bed while the second bedroom is ideal for younger children, containing two twin beds that can be put together to make a double. Both rooms share a beautiful large bathroom.

The Bandas can be configured as a double bed or two twin beds and have a large, central area with grand windows commanding spectacular views. There is a sitting area and writing desk and outside a wonderful verandah overlooking the river and salt licks in the distance.

The River Cottages are gorgeous and offer exclusive use of the camp with two large cottages sharing a dining and living area, plus a kitchen, fire pit, and bar. Each room can be configured as a double or twin bed with the option to put an additional bed in the room.

A special touch to the cottages is that there is an outside bathtub made of riverstone and cement, a treat to bathe under the stars. The newest private house is the “Acacia Nilotica” which comprises two separate cottages, perfect for families or small groups. There is a patio for yoga and reading, a fire pit, and an active salt lick located close by.

Amenities

• Dining Area
• Lounge Area
• Bar
• Swimming Pool
• WiFi in the Main Area
• Gift Shop
• Massage Options
• Cultural Visits
• Family-Friendly

Game Viewing / Activities

Safaris are incredible in this area and can be enjoyed via game drives, walking adventures, and night drives, with fun activities such as horse riding and a visit to the ranch Headquarters to see some of the farming practices available to guests.

Hand-line fishing is a fun way to spend time out in nature in this area and guests can experience a cultural interaction with a visit to a local village. There are heli-safari and conservation activities for guests to engage in while staying at El Karama Lodge.