We have recently put out a couple of social media posts highlighting the work and fundraising activities of Helping Rhinos. It’s quite fitting that our a recent Charleson family safari took us to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a few hours north of Nairobi at the foot of Mt Kenya.
Lewa is widely recognised as one of the best places in the world to see both black and white rhino and has also been a favoured safari location of Prince William and other members of the Royal Family. Our home for 3 days while we were there was the beautiful Lewa Wilderness. The property is one of the oldest safari properties in Kenya and has been passed down through the generations of the Craig family. Their focus on Lewa is conservation as well as tourism.
Lewa is proudly able to claim, on their website, that no Rhinos have been poached from the conservancy in over 3 years. From it’s early beginnings in 1984 the Lewa rhino population has grown from only 15 black rhinos to a combined rhino population, by January 2017, of 83 black as well as 74 white rhinos, constituting 15% of Kenya’s entire rhino population.
On our visit we were not to be disappointed. Not only did we see multiple groups of rhinos, a number of which are pictured below, but also an amazing moment where we were able to catch a lion and rhino together in one shot … don’t worry, the lion was far too sated from his nearby zebra kill to pay much attention to the two rhinos.
Beyond our ample rhino fix, we also happened upon a very unusual leopard sighting, where we followed a mating pair across the Isiolo Valley for a couple of hours, as well as coming across a large male cheetah gorging himself on a gazelle.
Lewa is about so much more than the wildlife. The area boasts some stunning scenery and we rested well, whilst enjoying sundowners and picnic breakfasts and lunches out in the open. One of our favourite locations is one of the highest natural look out points on the conservancy – a perfect spot to end the day with cocktails in hand.
As Lewa is a private conservancy we were also able to step out of our vehicle and take guided walks around the area. When we needed to rest our feet it was time to climb on our horses and explore a little further afield with our hooved companion.
For anyone looking for a unique and exclusive safari experience where conservation is key, Lewa could be just the place for you.
