El Karama Lodge
On the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Laikipia lies El Karama Lodge, a small family-run retreat on a private conservancy. This is a place where Kenya feels raw and real: wide open plains, abundant wildlife and a sense of space that invites you to slow down. The lodge is simple, welcoming and filled with thoughtful touches. Couples, friends and families alike will find it an inspiring base from which to explore Laikipia. El Karama combines the calm of nature with the adventure of safari, offering an authentic experience in one of Kenya’s most diverse regions.
Details
Country
Kenya
Location
El Karama Wildlife Conservancy
Price
from 480 € per person/ night
Best time to travel
July - October
Rooms
El Karama offers stone-and-timber cottages and bandas designed with simplicity and light in mind. Inside you’ll find comfortable beds draped with mosquito nets, handmade details and airy interiors. Each unit opens onto a private veranda where you may see giraffes or zebras passing by. Families are well accommodated with spacious units featuring additional bedrooms, while couples enjoy the seclusion of smaller cottages. Natural materials and solar power define the character of the rooms. They are havens of privacy, giving you the quiet to rest and the unique feeling of living right at the edge of Kenya’s wilderness.
Culinary
Meals at El Karama are fresh, seasonal and inspired by the land. Most ingredients are harvested from the lodge’s organic garden, while dairy and meat come from local farms. Breakfast features warm home-baked bread, lunch is light and colourful, and dinner is served in multiple courses under the stars. Bush breakfasts and picnic lunches can easily be arranged. Guests are welcome to join in the garden or stop by the open kitchen. Every dish reflects Laikipia’s character – honest, flavourful and connected to its landscapes. It is simple food done with care, perfect after a day on safari.
Activities
Your safari days at El Karama can take many shapes. Classic game drives reveal elephants, lions and herds of antelope. Guided walks let you notice the details of the bush, while night drives offer a glimpse of the nocturnal world. Horse riding, birdwatching, fishing and seasonal fly-camping provide further variety. Families appreciate the children’s program, which teaches tracking and bushcraft in playful ways. All activities are designed to bring you closer to nature without rush or distraction. Some of the most memorable encounters happen at the lodge’s waterhole, where wildlife gathers in the soft evening light.
Location
El Karama Lodge is set in central Laikipia, one of Kenya’s most diverse safari regions. Its 14,000-hectare conservancy includes grassland, acacia woodland, rocky outcrops and riverbanks, creating habitats for a wide range of wildlife. From the lodge you can look across the plains to Mount Kenya. Despite its remote feel, El Karama is easy to reach: scheduled flights connect Nairobi and the Masai Mara to Nanyuki, followed by a one-hour road transfer. The location combines seclusion with accessibility, making it an excellent base for exploring Laikipia in depth while staying off the main safari circuits.
