Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Overview

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (also known as Lewa Downs) is located in northern Kenya and is a prime sanctuary on Laikipia Plateau. The Conservancy is also home to the Northern Rangelands Trust, an innovative partnership with several communities to the north that has given land for the preservation of wildlife. The Conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered black rhinos, Grevy's zebras and sitatungas.

High Season

June to September

Best Time to Go

June to October and December to March

Pros & Cons

An amazing variety of wildlife including all the Big 5 are available
Rare and endangered black rhinos
Black rhinos & white rhinos can be spotted easily
Night drives, horse riding and walking safaris are available
Overnight camel treks are available
Bush breakfast and picnic lunches offered
Breathtaking views of Mount Kenya and the surrounding landscape

There is just a little wildlife viewing circuit
Most wildlife has been once again introduced so it can need legitimacy
The cattle and fences remove a portion of the wild allure

Map in Kenya

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Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

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Wildlife & Animals

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered black rhinos, Grevy's zebras and sitatungas. It also includes the big five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffaloes). The forest is home to the black-and-white colobus monkey and a few hippos spend their days in the Lewa swamp. There are plentiful Elephants and Buffalo in the Conservancy. Antelopes include eland, impala, defassa waterbuck and Grant's gazelle.

Wildlife Highlights

Lewa holds over 12% of Kenya's eastern black rhinoceros population and the largest single population of Grevy's zebras in the world (approximately 350 individuals). There are currently 44 lions across the Lewa-Borana Landscape. Lewa occasionally hosts a pack of critically endangered wild dogs (also known as the African-painted dog). Depending on the season of the year, Lewa is home to about 400 migratory elephants.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time to visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for wildlife viewing is in the Dry season from July to September and January to March. Lewa's lodges are closed in April and November because of the rain. The commonly found dark cotton soil in the area turns out to be undeniably challenging to haggle after heavy rainfall.

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Birds

There are more than 400 bird species have been recorded in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which makes it an amazing birding destination. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lewa has one of the best bird viewing chances in larger East Africa. Some of the feathered friends in the Lewa are; cormorants, pelicans, grebes, herons, storks, flamingos, ibises, ducks and geese, spoonbills, egrets quails, doves and pigeons, sandpipers, stilts and avocets, bustards, plovers, guinea fowls, and francolins.

Best Time for Birding

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a bird watcher's delight the entire year, but Lewa's lodges are closed in April and November because of heavy rainfall. The best time is from December to March when the migrants from Europe and North Africa are present and the park is open. This partly coincides with the Wet season when many species can be seen in breeding plumage as they are nesting. The best time for general wildlife viewing is from July to September and January to March.

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Best Time to Visit – Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

High Season

June to October and December to March

Low Season

April, May and November

Best Weather

June to September and December to February

Worst Weather

March to May and October, November

June to September (Dry Season)

Rarely gets hot, Most of the time it's sunny & dry
Due to short grass and less water sources, Animals can be spotted easily
Off-road driving is permitted

Reserve gets very crowded
There is a lot of dust in the air because it is very dry
The sky is hazy and the scenery isn’t as pretty

October to May (Wet Season)

The scenery is beautiful and at its most lush
Birding is best as migratory birds are present
As the park is less busy, Pricing is very less to bring more travellers
Scenery is lush and the clear conditions offer stunning views of Mount Kenya when the clouds lift