El Karama Lodge
El Karama Lodge is a privately owned property located in the heart of Kenya’s beautiful Laikipia region. Set on a 14,000 acre ranch at the foot of Mt Kenya, the family-run lodge provides a wonderful home from home feel amid a stunning and wildlife rich landscape.
Accommodation & Facilities
The lodge comprises eight stone, thatch and canvas cottages, five of which can accommodate family groups either individually or in combination. All the cottages have private bathrooms and solar powered electricity. Much of the furniture has been built using natural materials found on the ranch, lending to the calm, rustic atmosphere.
The Nilotica House (actually two separate houses or suites) sleeps up to eight, one family suite with adjoining room and shared bathroom, and a separate double suite. There is a central private dining area, wrap around deck, firepit, salt lick, waterhole, and a private vehicle.
The Hobbit House is for up to six and has two storeys. There a master suite with a double bed and two additional single beds on a mezzanine. Separate to these is another double/twin room with its own bathroom. Hobbit House can be combined with Nilotica for a larger family or group to have a private section of the lodge.
The two River Cottages, each with its own bathroom, combine together to form an exclusive use property with its own dining area and lounge.
The lodge has a central mess with large fireplace, a bar and cosy reading area, as well as a pool, all overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro river where animals come to drink.
Eating & Sleeping
The owners have brought up their own children on the property and the kitchen is used to catering for children and welcome them in to bake treats during the day. Children are welcome to eat the same as the rest of their family or to choose from a simplified menu with meals such as coconut fish goujons and chips, meatballs and rice, or mini margherita pizza.
Families can enjoy an early evening meal together, or their children can eat early and then go to sleep with a member of staff sitting near their room with a walkie-talkie while their parents eat later.
Wildlife & Activities
There are over 75 mammal species on the ranch including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and zebra. It is also a wonderful spot for bird watchers with over 400 species recorded here. Guests can enjoy bush walks, day and night wildlife drives, sun-downers, bush meals, farm visits, and a night fly camping under the stars. Experienced riders can also enjoy horse riding on the conservancy.
Specifically with children in mind …..
• Bush School in the late morning to keep kids entertained and educated during parents’ siesta time
• Horse riding for over 12s, with helmets for all sizes of head
• Sleep outs on hammocks, in bell tents or under see through mozzie net dome tents
• Cooking on the open fire
• Garden visits and egg collecting
• Farm visits to see the dairy and calves
• Cooking & baking with lodge chefs
• Tracking and plaster casts
• Clay sculpting, drawing and beadwork
• Fishing
• Boules and table tennis at the pool
• Wildlife monitoring using camera traps
• Walking with conservancy rangers on patrol
• Tree Planting
