Loisaba Lodge | Loisaba House | Loisaba Cottages

Loisaba Wilderness

Northern Laikipia, Kenya

(Loisaba Lodge/Loisaba House & Loisaba Cottages are all located in Loisaba Ranch - a 61,000 acre, Privately owned Ranch in the Laikipia region of Northern Kenya. Access by air is on daily scheduled flights from Wilson/Nanyuki - 0915/0955 Hours and return is daily 1115/1215 Hours. Thereafter a 25 - Minute private charter from Nanyuki to Loisaba’s all weather airstrips. Alternatively, a 50-minute private air charter directs to Loisaba from Nairobi. By road is 70 Km's (2½ hours) drive from Nanyuki on the slopes of Mount Kenya (2½hour drive from Nairobi by tarmac road) or a 3 hour drive from Nakuru in the Rift Valley (1½ hours from Nairobi) Loisaba Airstrip is a 15 Minute drive from the Lodge.

Loisaba Lodge Star Beds Laikipia Kenya

Loisaba Lodge/Loisaba House & Loisaba Cottages

Loisaba Lodge; Loisaba Lodge/Loisaba House and Loisaba Cottages are a luxury hotel in a private game ranch in northern Kenya on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, which borders Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. A true wilderness of remote beauty; the Loisaba Wilderness Lodge ranch offers total privacy and exclusivity, with an abundance of wildlife. It is luxurious, yet in harmony with its surroundings; full of adventure safaris, yet an oasis of calm, Just 70 kilometers north of Mount Kenya, this wilderness lodge area has 5 (five) superb lodge accommodations, each with its own unique qualities.

Loisaba Wilderness is the same size as the Ngorongoro Crater and larger than many of Kenya's principal National Parks. To the north lie the grassy plains of the plateau; to the south, the plateau breaks into valleys, cliffs and escarpments that frame stunning views up to the snows of Mount Kenya. At their base lies a different riverine ecosystem on the banks of two major rivers, the Ewaso Nyiro and the Engare Narok. The wilderness is a haven for more than 250 species of birds and 50 species of wildlife.

Alongside all the more usual types, elephant, buffalo, grevy zebra and greater kudu abound; the area is also rapidly gaining a reputation for exceptional big cat sightings. Even wild dog, thought for many years to be extinct in the region are now appeared to be re-colonizing the area and are closely monitored in the area. Situated in the very heartland of the nomadic Samburu and Laikipiak Masai people, Loisaba Lodge also offers a rare insight into cultures, traditions and a way of life that has stood the test of time.

Loisaba Lodge is not just a holiday vacation destination of peerless beauty and infinite variety; it is a practical project in sustainable land-use. This basic premise infiltrates every part of the ranch. What really hits you at Loisaba Lodge is the impressive landscape - views across miles of the bush land of Laikipia, and too big to even begin to capture in a photograph. There are a few ways to stay at Loisaba, of which the lodge is the most conventional and least exciting. But it is the centre of operations, so this where you get your massage, do a spot of souvenir shopping, pick up your quad bike or have a quick, rather bumpy game of tennis. It's also one of the few places in the bush that you can plug in a hair drier. The rooms at Loisaba are very impressive. But unlike most rooms around the Kenya wilderness, they actually have four square walls and real doors that you can close. If you think all the wild and exotic bush glamour might make you feel uncomfortable, this could possibly rebalance you.

Loisaba Lodge Accommodation Rates & Prices

Loisaba Lodge & Star Beds

Loisaba Cottages Rates

Notes

* Afternoon departures after 1200 Hours pay 25% of the Per Person rate

* Loisaba Cottage Maximum number of Guests is 10 (6 Adults and 4 Children)

Loisaba Lodge/ Loisaba House & Loisaba Cottage rates are Inclusive of:
* Full board accommodation at Loisaba Lodge or Loisaba House or Loisaba Cottage

* Soft drinks, beer, house wine and Non-luxury spirits

* Swimming pool

Loisaba Lodge/ Loisaba House & Loisaba Cottage rates are Exclusive of:

* Loisaba Conservation Fees: Adult 70 US Dollars and Children under 16 Years pay 35 US Dollars

* Loisaba Guided Bush Walks & Mountain Biking

* Loisaba Bush Meals and Sundowners
* Loisaba Horse Riding & Camel Riding
* Loisaba Day & Night Game Drives
* River Rafting & Fishing (Seasonal)

* Helicopter Safari excursions
* Loisaba Airstrip Transfers

* Tennis, Croquet & Boules

* Spa and bush Massage

* All Airstrip Transfers
* Laundry service

* Cultural visits

Loisaba Cottage Bedroom

Loisaba Cottage Bedroom

Loisaba Lodge

Loisaba Lodge is for people who'd prefer a golf club atmosphere to the razzle, dazzle and dust of Kenya safari. The decor is of a good standard, big leather chairs, lots of heavy textiles and some great pictures. Loisaba Lodge is built on the escarpment with stunning outstretched views over the rugged Great Rift Valley, catering to mind, body and soul, this Lodge has something for everyone, guests can simply relax and soak up the beautiful scenery in this oasis of calm. The luxurious en suite rooms are spacious and comfortable.

Loisaba’s two celebrated Star Beds are dramatically designed, wooden sleeping platforms, partially covered with a thatched roof, where guests can sleep under the stars. The lodge was chosen by Prince Bernhard and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands as the venue to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary together with the entire Dutch royal family. Built of cedar, stone, and wood, this lovely lodge is nestled among gardens of aloes, succulents, and flowering trees, from the veranda of your en-suite room, gaze out at the dizzying views or just watch the waterhole below with its passing show of animals.

If you fancy something even more special, opt for one of the Star Beds which have been created with the local community. Don't expect a meager stretcher under the stars, you’ll stay in an en-suite room with thatch roof, handcrafted furniture, and wooden floors set among big rocks overlooking waterholes. Every evening your friendly and attentive Laikipia Masai attendants will wheel out your double bed onto the platform under the star-studded clear night sky, where carefully shrouded under a mosquito net, you can watch the world turn.

If you're looking for something even more different, go for a quad bike ride. It's not only a thrilling experience but also contributes directly to sponsoring a classroom for the local kids. One of the reasons it is a perfect place to visit on any in Kenya Safari is that most of the land is untamed African bush, and it has an incredibly diverse amount of game. As the land is privately owned there aren't any game park rules to conform to, which mean you can get really close to wildlife in ways that would otherwise be impossible compared to the restrictions Game Parks tend to impose on visitors.

Loisaba Lodge is centered on the old colonial home where the dining room, bar and a comfortable lounge are situated; the lodge also has a pool, a tennis court, petanque, and a superb spa. Unlike most other lodges in Kenya Loisaba has almost everything you need to enjoy your holiday, and not just the basic comforts of a safari camp in Kenya.

So why is Loisaba the perfect Kenya Safari Lodge for your In Kenya Safari? It's a lovely lodge with a fantastic atmosphere to relax in, being all inclusive/soft drinks, beer, and wines. The game viewing is almost limitless, and the guides are amongst the best Safari Guides in Kenya. Apart from traditional and almost limitless game viewing, game drives, bush walks with an armed guide, and without forgetting the facilities at the Lodge itself, there are a large number of activities available. These include horse riding excursions, Camel trekking along the river, Quad biking, visits to the working cattle ranch, and also the local community village. One of Loisaba's plusses is that it is only accessible by chartered light aircraft, and its inaccessibility means you will not see other safari vehicles on your game drives. This is another reason that stays of less than three days are not recommended. Loisaba is home to elephant, lion, leopard, that can roam free and unhurried by people, without all the problems of the 21st century. There are the rarer species that thrive in this environment including gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, and the reticulated giraffe. In addition the birdlife is many and varied. This is really an undiscovered paradise, to do as you want, the perfect in Kenya Safari lodge.

Loisaba is made for adventure and yet also relaxation. A stay here can offer you the pure indulgence of a sea mineral mud wrap to a mountain bike trail down the escarpment. You’re completely at your own freedom to choose how you’d like to spend your time. So if you fancy exploring your surroundings by camel or a horseback-ride through the wild canyons then you can do so before enjoying a lovely massage before dinner. Loisaba is located in an immense area of wilderness that would take months to explore fully. There is no limit to what you can do here, from fly camping in the wilderness, helicopter trips to the remote sand dunes of the Northern Frontier District, fly-fishing on Mount Kenya to rock climbing the soaring pinnacles that reach up from the valley floor. At Loisaba you will not bump into anyone and you’ll enjoy a broad spectrum of flora and fauna and a vibrant kaleidoscope of bird species both endemic and migratory. If you fancy relaxing at the lodge then there is a wonderful cooling swimming pool, tennis courts, bocce court and croquet lawn. Loisaba Lodge used to be a hunting lodge in the 60's but now offers stylish, comfortable accommodation in en-suite rooms.

Loisaba House Bedroom

Loisaba Cottage Bathroom

Koija Starbeds is a community-owned project bringing an income to this Laikipiak Masai community of about 2200 people. Loisaba helped set up the camp and also markets and helps run it. Loisaba Lodge also helps with a women's bead and leather-making group, and a furniture workshop. In all, with about 120 local employees, about 1000 local people are directly supported by Loisaba Lodge. The Loisaba Community Trust has been set up, and has so far developed a nursery school and a mobile clinic, and helped with school scholarships. Loisaba is a tranquil and life-enhancing haven for both animals and visitors

In 2004 Loisaba Wilderness introduced 2 exclusive properties to their portfolio. Loisaba House and Loisaba Cottage. Both properties were developed to cater for discerning guests who seek privacy and luxury comfort coupled with ultimate service standards.

Loisaba House is 600 metres from the main lodge and is situated on the cliff escarpment. With 2 double bedrooms en suite, butler service and your own staff, the Loisaba House offers guests fully self-contained accommodation. You have use of your own private vehicle for game viewing, a private pool on the cliff edge, which overlooks the Laikipia wilderness. The Loisaba House has a separate living and dining area and a deck for relaxing, reading, admiring the views of Laikipia and sundowners. The House is closed from the 6th of January until the 25th of June and from the 16th September to the 15th December.

Loisaba Cottage Bedroom

Loisaba Cottage Bathroom

Loisaba Cottage is approximately 9kms from the main lodge. It is set back from the escarpment in beautifully landscaped gardens with a private swimming pool. The Cottage has three double en-suite rooms with shower and one double/twin room with access to large bathroom via an external staircase. There is also a mezzanine area which can be used as a bedroom for kids. The Loisaba Cottage has its own staff and is fully self contained. You will have your own guide and exclusive use of a custom game drive vehicle. The cottage is suitable for groups of up to 6 adults and 4 children or indeed 8 Adults and 2 children or even as an exclusive Honeymoon getaway.

Guests at both Exclusive properties have full use of all the Lodge facilities, including the Beauty Spa, Tennis courts, horse riding, camel treks, guided walks, quad bike safaris, mountains bikes, river rafting and the Lodge main pool. Experience a flight of a life time. Loisaba guests can soar high over the largest private wilderness area of the Laikipia Plateau, 105,000 acres. A portion of your ticket cost will be donated to the Loisaba Community Trust to go towards its Education programme. This is the only balloon in Laikipia, exclusively for Loisaba guests. The balloon takes 6 passengers and champagne will be served on landing.

Loisaba Lodge View from the Bedroom

Loisaba Cottage Sitting room

Loisaba Wilderness Lodge/Hotel Accommodation

* Extra beds are provided for children under the age of 16years only.

Loisaba Lodge rooms have large French windows that open onto a private deck cantilevered off the escarpment. The views are legendary, and a water hole a few hundred feet below draws continuous wildlife. The furniture in the lodge is handmade at Loisaba. Loisaba Lodge has 7 rooms in 4 doubles and 3 twins. One room has a separate sitting room that can double as a further bedroom for a family group. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and 24 hours 240 volt power.

The Star Beds – Kiboko and Koija: - The two sets of Star Beds are unique to Loisaba. The first and original set is located among a kopje of rocks in one of the eastern valleys overlooking the ‘Kiboko’ waterhole. The second and newer set is located about 8 kilometers further south on the banks of the Ewaso N’giro River.

These are cantilevered over the flowing river below and are reached by suspension bridge from the opposite bank. These are named ‘Koija’ Star Beds and are part of an exciting new joint venture project that Loisaba has undertaken in partnership with the Laikipiak Masai people from the Koija community. Each Star Bed dramatically designed, handcrafted wooden raised platform, and partially covered with a thatched roof. Homemade ‘Mukokoteni’ (uniquely designed bed on wheels’), can either be wheeled onto the open deck area for a night under the stars, or left under the shelter of a thatched roof. All the beds have complete ‘four-poster’ insect netting. The Star Beds are normally reached by one of many options; on foot, horse, camel or vehicle and with two sets now in place create a unique opportunity to travel between them both and the lodge as part of a Star Bed Expedition.

Both the Kiboko and Koija Star Beds comprise of, 2 double sleeping platforms and one twin or family platform. Each double platform is designed for 1 or 2 people in 1 large double bed. The twin or family platform accommodates up to 4 people (sharing bathroom facilities.) in 2 large double beds. Each platform is en-suite and has a large camp-style shower. The platforms are sited to ensure complete privacy.

Getting Loisaba Lodge
Access by air is on daily scheduled Air Kenya Wilson/Nanyuki - 0915/0955 Hours (return is daily 1115/1215 Hours). Thereafter a 25-minute private charter from Nanyuki to Loisaba’s all weather airstrips. Alternatively, a 50-minute private air charter directs to Loisaba from Nairobi. By road is 70 Km's (2½ hours) drive from Nanyuki on the slopes of Mount Kenya (2½ hour drive from Nairobi by tarmac road) or a 3 hour drive from Nakuru in the Rift Valley (1½ hours from Nairobi)

Loisaba Lodge Breakfast with views of Mount Kenya

Loisaba Cottage

A truly exclusive, self-contained private cottage built on the edge of the escarpment entirely from local stone and thatch. The location and architecture of the cottage are breathtaking, as are the furnishings, most of which have been designed and made at Loisaba. The cottage has its own staff, game-drive vehicle and a private, cliff-top swimming pool. The ultimate hideaway. 2 Bedrooms, 1 double and 1 twin (convertible to double) both with en-suite bathrooms with bath and shower. An extra single bed for children can be provided in either bedroom on request

Loisaba Wilderness Lodge Hotel Facilities
Wilderness Spa: Already offering a unique combination of remarkable wildlife, diverse activities and magnificent location, Loisaba has further enhanced guests' safari experience with the opening of the Loisaba Spa. While the initial attraction of a Kenyan safari is undoubtedly an unparalleled wildlife safari, the sheer indulgence of enjoying a soothing massage overlooking the vast Laikipia Plateau in between game viewing activities takes Kenyan safaris to a new level. Loisaba's "Mind, Body & Soul" concept encompasses the enriching experience a stay in the wild can evoke, one which affects visitors not only visually but also spiritually and emotionally vast tracts of wilderness alive with wildlife of every shape and form, local tribes continuing their traditional lifestyle little changed for centuries, and a majestic landscape sweeping down to the indomitable Mount Kenya. The Loisaba Spa offers guests the opportunity to relax and absorb this awakening of senses.

Loisaba Kiboko Dining

Loisaba House Bathroom

Scenic Helicopter Rides: Guests at Loisaba have access to the 5-passenger Squirrel helicopter based at Loisaba on a private charter basis. A number of breathtaking excursions from Loisaba, close and further afield, are possible that can be tailor made in conjunction with the pilot who will also serve as guide and host. The helicopter is exceptionally well appointed with air-conditioning, a CD music system and handmade picnic and cocktail set for 6 people. Guests can fish for rainbow trout on Lake Alice, 13,000 feet up Mount Kenya, land in the sand dunes of the northern deserts and watch the setting sun or fly up the side of Ol Olokwe's soaring cliffs and land on top of this sacred mountain for a morning breakfast.

Longer expeditions using the helicopter to access extremely remote corners of the Northern Frontier are also possible. Whatever excursion is created, the experience will be unforgettable.

Wildlife Blinds: Inconspicuously nestled in an outcrop of rocks in the valley below the lodge overlooking a rich natural spring, the lookout provides a rare opportunity to spend time with animals and in particular some unusual nocturnal species, at very close quarters. The lookout can be visited for a few hours during both day and night. The blind is charismatically and comfortably furnished.

Helicamping: The ultimate in wilderness adventure, Loisaba is the only operation in East Africa able to offer this rare and truly exciting overnight experience. Using the Loisaba helicopter, up to 4 guests can fly with their pilot together with lightweight camping equipment to a hugely diverse range of overnight destinations from mountain tops to desert floors all under an hour’s flight from Loisaba Lodge. Landing in otherwise completely inaccessible spots, tents or mosquito nets are hung from the rotor blades, a fire lit, a camp meal cooked and all is set for a genuinely unique overnight experience.

Loisaba Wilderness Lodge Activities

* Fishing.
* Bird watching

* Mountain bike riding
* Horseback riding safaris

* Tennis, Swimming, Bocce Ball and Croquet

* River rafting on Ewaso N'giro River (seasonal)
* Visits to authentic local tribal enkangs (villages)
* Visits to authentic local tribal enkangs (villages)

* Bush breakfasts, lunches, dinners and sundowners

* Camel riding safaris guided by Laikipiak Masai handlers

* Day and night game drives in customized open-top Land Rovers

* Walking safaris by guided by Samburu/Laikipiak Masai warriors

* Boma Rounds accompany Tom Silvester on evening wilderness patrol
* Visits to Loisaba Wildlife Research Camp / evening talks from researchers