IL Ngwesi Lodge

Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, Northern Kenya

(Il Ngwesi Lodge is sited on a rocky outcrop on the northeastern edge of The Il Ngwesi Group Ranch. The Reserve is north-west of Mount Kenya and covers an area of 16,500 hectares. The Il Ngwesi Group Ranch is far from any towns and on the edge of Kenya's Laikipia Plateau. Driving by road IL Ngwesi Lodge takes about 6 hours from Nairobi with access through Lewa or Borana. Alternatively, by private charter direct into IL N'gwesi airstrip)

IL Ngwesi Lodge in Laikipia Plateau

IL Ngwesi Lodge View Rates, Discounted Prices - Book & Save Now!

IL Ngwesi Lodge is located in the Il Ngwesi Group Ranch which lies north of Mount Kenya and covers an area of 16,500 hectares. The ranch is far from any towns and on the edge of Kenya's Laikipia Plateau. The ranch is not a ranch in the traditional sense of the word. Rather it is a huge tract of land owned by many Masai villages.

IL Ngwesi Lodge can be accessed by daily schedule flight from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Lewa Downs followed by an hour and a half road transfer or by private charter flight direct to the Il N’gwesi airfield, or by road via Ngare Ndare.)

Il N'gwesi Lodge is sited on a rocky outcrop in the north-eastern part of the Il Ngwesi Group Ranch. From its position atop the kopje it looks over miles and miles of wilderness. The only sounds you will hear are the birds or perhaps the trumpet of the elephant, the only sight, natural wild Africa, and at night, the stars are the only lights you will see.

On top of the kopje the main IL Ngwesi Lodge houses an open air dining room, with a hand-carved table. All the furniture in the lodge is built by the Masai from local materials. All of it is beautiful. There is a small pool overlooking a waterhole and from here, sandy paths lead through the bush to the bandas.

IL Ngwesi Lodge has six bandas built around the hillside. Each is different and built around the trees and contours of the hill. The bandas are all spacious and have wooden floors, hand-carved beds covered in Masai fabrics and panoramic views. Trees support the thatch roof and hand-made chairs look onto the view. The en suite bathrooms are open air (you will often find birds obsessed with the mirrors!) and the showers are under the stars.

Activities from Il N'gwesi include game drives, nature walks and time spent in local Masai villages. For a wilderness experience, you simply can't beat it.

IL Ngwesi Lodge Non - Residents Accommodation Rates/Prices

Notes

* Children aged under 3 years are free of charge

* Conservation Fee Adult Per Person 40 US Dollars

* Children aged 4 to 12 years pay 50% accommodation rate sharing with 2 adults + 50% conservation fee sharing

* Easter weekend, Dec 24th - 26th and Dec 31st - January 1st 40 US Dollars per person supplement to the seasonal rate

IL Ngwesi Lodge Accommodation Includes:
* Soft drinks, beer and house wine
* Picnic breakfasts, bush dinners, sundowners, game drives
* Guided nature walks; hiking; visit to the cultural manyatta and rhino sanctuary

IL Ngwesi Lodge Extras:

* Spirits /Special Wine/Cocktails
* Airfield transfers and Vehicle transfers
* Camel rides; mukogodo forest camping and traditional goat dinner

* Hire of vehicle & transfer outside Lewa, Tassia & Il Ngwesi 150 US Dollars one way
* Transfer from Lewa airstrip: 100 US Dollars one way per vehicle, maximum 6 passengers

IL Ngwesi Lodge Residents Accommodation Rates/Prices

Notes

* Conservation Fee Adult Per Person 1500 Kenya Shillings Per Person Per Day

* Easter weekend, Dec 24th - 26th and Dec 31st - January 1st 3,000 Kenya Shillings per person supplement to the seasonal rate

Il N'gwesi Lodge Bandas (Rooms)

IL Ngwesi Lodge bandas/Rooms are built with an open-to-the-bush design. The design allows our guests to enjoy the sights and sounds of wildlife during the day, and sleep out under the stars in the evening. Each room has been expertly crafted with local materials to fit in beautifully with the surrounding environment.

The rooms have bathrooms with all the amenities of home. As a special treat, the showers are positioned just outside of the rooms and are open to the bush for wildlife and nature viewing while taking a refreshing shower. Water is heated by a solar-heating system which keeps water hot at any time of the day and night.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Mess

Il N'gwesi Lodge mess is a wonderful place to relax overlooking Kenya's northern frontier, as well as a prime location catch a quick nap after a game drive.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Cuisine

Il Ngwesi's expert cooks entreat your taste buds with your choice of fine cuisine. We believe that the best way to make your lodge stay divine is to captivate all of your senses. With this goal in mind, the expert chef prepares sensational gourmet meals. Il N'gwesi Lodge caters to any special diet and can also avail our traditional cuisine for those interested in sampling our cultural foods.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Horizon Pool

The swimming pool offers exciting views of wildlife, as well as being warm and inviting all year round. After an invigorating wildlife safari or bush walk, nothing is more divine than a relaxing swim in our unique horizon pool. You will savor the refreshing water and cool breeze climbing up the hill while soaking up the Kenyan rays. Gaze in awe of the surreal natural landscape and observe wildlife at the natural watering pond just meters away.

The experience is certainly idyllic, and you will likely find yourself spending a good amount of your time here. When you have worked up an appetite, your Maasai hosts will serve your meals in the shade aside from the pools edge. Our magnificent pool is the perfect accompaniment to your stay.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Masai Cultural Village Experience

A visit to the Il Ngwesi cultural village is a thoroughly unique experience that is sure to amaze even the most seasoned travelers. The Il Ngwesi Masai continue to live in the ways of their ancestors, a pastoral livelihood consisting of living in a community as part of a larger family.

At the cultural village you are entreated to glimpses of this lifestyle from the villagers that continue to live in the ways of the Masai.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Wildlife Safari

Il Ngwesi Group Ranch is located in Kenya's Laikipia region, boasting globally unique biodiversity and wildlife population densities ranking second only to the internationally renowned Masai Mara ecosystem. The diversity of large mammals is higher than in any other part of Kenya.

Laikipia is home to the second largest population of elephant in Kenya (6,000+), hosts the highest populations of endangered species such as black rhino (half of Kenya’s total population), Grevy’s zebra (70% of the world’s population), reticulated giraffe, as well as Africa’s only expanding population of wild dog.

Enjoy tours through the Il Ngwesi land and neighboring Lewa Conservancy with your Masai guide. A refreshing afternoon bush walk is guaranteed to open your senses to the amazing life that thrives in this bush. Your hosts will prepare savory bush-meals while you experience the amazing sights and sounds of the untamed wild.

Il Ngwesi Reserve unique Rhino Sanctuary

Il Ngwesi Group Ranch has the proud distinction to be the only community owned and operated rhino sanctuary in Kenya, and possibly the world. These magnificent creatures are highly endangered and very few still live in their natural habitat.

For centuries, the black rhinoceros lived in large numbers on the Il Ngwesi land; though poaching reduced their number to near extinction. As a measure and a testament to the successful conservation efforts of the community, the black rhino has been reintroduced to the conservancy. The sanctuary presently has two white rhinos and a black rhino, named Omni. Presently, Il Ngwesi is in negotiations with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Kenya Wildlife Service in order to expand the successful sanctuary.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Bird Watching Safari

Il Ngwesi Reserve is a registered IBA (Important Bird Area) for the more than 400 species that call this land home. It is common to see several dozen species in a day, often from the lodge perch. Many of the photographs we have included here are captured from that very same lodge perch, overlooking the expansive Il Ngwesi landscape.

Il N'gwesi Lodge Masai Guided Walks

The Il Ngwesi Masai are exceptional guides, who enjoy sharing the secrets of the Kenyan bush with visitors. A guided walk brings you up close and personal with all forms of nature: the flowers and trees, the birds and reptiles, and, of course, the wild animals. Wild animals are both very shy and easily provoked, and so touring with a Moran (“warrior”) is the best way to safely savor this unforgettable experience.

Hike the Mukogodo escarpment

Those adventurous types, who love a nature hike with a view, have an opportunity to see this land like few others can. Il N'gwesi Lodge can prepare a challenging day hike guaranteed to appease the thrill-seekers. Upon reaching the peak of the escarpment, the vast savanna opens up in every direction.

An early morning start ensures that your hard-won view comes with a satisfying lunch and rest under the acacias. You will return to the lodge with a full stomach but a piece of your heart will remain behind forever.

Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge & Il Ngwesi Group / Community Ranch

Il Ngwesi Group ranch (14, 500 Hac), is located at northwest edge of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and is owned by Il Ngwesi community of the Mukogodo division of Laikipia district.

The local community often referred to as the Laikipiak (or Mukogodo) Masai were hunter gatherer Ndorobo (Il Dorobo) called the Yiaku until the 1920's when they slowly changed their traditional custom as hunters and bee keepers and got assimilated to the “superior”, cattle keeping tradition of the local Samburu.

They also changed their language from Cushitic to Maa speakers. The “inferior” culture, coupled with intermarriages hasted the assimilation process. Their ladies would even prefer the rich men from the Masai and the farming communities.

Attractions, Activities/ What to do in while visiting Il N'gwesi Lodge

* Visits to the cultural boma

* Borana and the Mukogodo Forest Reserve

* Exploring the magnificent conservation area that adjoins Lewa

* A popular attraction is OMNI, the habituated orphan black rhino, trans-located from Lewa

* Excursions along the Ngare Ndare River with local guides offers a special opportunity to get close to the wildlife, followed by a picnic breakfast

* Game drive, followed by sun-downers on one the many different vantage points along the Mukogodo Hills visits to troops of baboons and monkeys

Booking & Reservations for IL Ngwesi Lodge located in the Il Ngwesi Group Ranch which lies north of Mount Kenya

Booking Office Tel: + 254 (0) 20 2437871

Mobile : 0721242711 (Safaricom) - Kenya

Email: info@africanspicesafaris.com