Lewa Downs Wildlife Conservancy

Lewa Downs

Lewa Downs Wildlife Conservancy is a privately owned wildlife sanctuary in Northern Kenya and is home to a great variety of indigenous species. At the very core of their work is the protection and preservation of a number of rare and endangered species that naturally dwell on Lewa Downs such as Grevy’s zebra, the lovely sitatunga antelope and the black rhinoceros. In fact, the wildlife conservancy began as a sanctuary for black rhino and it is now home to 8% of the national population of rhinos, around 35 in number. Importantly, several rhinos have been trans-located from Lewa to other protected areas where new populations are being established. The ranch is also home to a group of the more placid white rhino.

Their mission statement is as follows:

“The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy works as a catalyst for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat. It does this through the protection and management of species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes and the education of neighbouring areas in the value of wildlife.”

Within the park, there are three fabulous lodges and all the profits that they generate are reinvested into environmental and community projects. In addition to these, there are further wonderful properties on neighbouring community land managed by locals and constructed from local materials – anyone staying here has an even greater opportunity to appreciate the culture of the people who have lived on this land for generations.

The game viewing on Lewa Downs is excellent and the birdlife is very interesting. Visitors can do night and day game drives and there are a number of other activities available such as guided bush walks, lion tracking, horse and camel trekking, game viewing from hides and visits to the village and to an archaeological site.

With thanks to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for the use of the above photographs.