Elewana Collection Launches New Loisaba Tented Camp in Kenya

Elewana Collection Launches New Loisaba Tented Camp in Kenya
Located on a 600ft escarpment, every room in Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys spectacular views stretching across the Laikipia Plains to Mount Kenya. The 56,000 acre Loisaba Conservancy spans three eco-systems offering a variety of beautiful landscapes and incredible game viewing, including the opportunity to see the rare Northern species including reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra and one of the best places in East Africa to see wild dog.

Elewana has been chosen by Loisaba Conservancy, with support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), to partner with it in the development and management of its primary tourism assets in this critically important conservation area that has been recently secured by TNC for ongoing protection for the foreseeable future. The new camp is part of the Elewana Collection – a portfolio of fifteen properties spanning the highlights of East Africa's safari and beach offerings.

Loisaba Tented Camp tent interior

Loisaba Tented Camp comprises six stylish and extremely spacious ensuite tents (three double/three convertible twin/double), three family combinations each consisting of two ensuite tents with adjoining walkway. The Private Residence houses three ensuite tents (one family combination and one convertible tent) complemented with a private bar, dining area and infinity pool. Not least of all, the property will reflect Elewana and TNC's commitment to the environment by limiting its ecological footprint wherever possible.

The bar and restaurant allow guests to absorb the incredible landscape whilst enjoying a sundowner or choosing from the small à la carte menu where the chef endeavours to source ingredients from a 50km radius including fresh produce from the camp's well stocked gardens. Typical dishes might include a duo of carrot and beetroot soup with basil oil and sour cream, or deep fried brie with cucumber and mango pickle followed by pea and lemon risotto with grilled baby leeks and poached egg, or crispy pork belly with roasted beets, glazed baby onions and whole grain mustard sauce.

Aside from game viewing the Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys two infinity pools (one for guests in the Private Residence) and a plethora of activities including bush walks, mountain biking, camel riding, lion tracking, horse riding (for experienced riders), fishing, local village excursions and the opportunity to spend a morning with the resident sniffer dogs, Warrior and Machine.

The new Loisaba Conservancy is the result of substantial support by The Nature Conservancy and the consequential transition in the ownership of the 56,000-acre wildlife conservancy and wilderness to the Loisaba Community Trust. TNC's move to help secure the land ensures that the conservancy delivers vital benefits and support for neighbouring communities, the wildlife, and all Kenyans for the foreseeable future. It also ensures Loisaba's role as a critical sanctuary and corridor for elephants and other wildlife long into the future, as well as providing refuge for one of Kenya's most stable lion populations and an abundance of other wildlife including Grevy's zebra, wild dogs, leopard and cheetah.

Loisaba represents the single largest conservation investment in East Africa in 2014/15 and was born from a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, Space for Giants and The Northern Rangelands Trust. In recognition that responsible tourism is vital to long-term conservation, a third of the investment will contribute to tourism infrastructure.

Commenting on the partnership, Karim Wissanji, Elewana's CEO, said, “The partnership with The Nature Conservancy highlights Elewana's passion and commitment to conservation, one that is reflected in its support (financial and otherwise) for this exciting new project; a project that sits at the very heart of TNC's community, wildlife and land conservation philosophies and their important collaboration with tourism."

Matthew Brown, Africa Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy remarks, “Tourism support helps make Loisaba a self-sustaining engine for peace, community development, and wildlife conservation. This is an innovative example of how Africa can both preserve its heritage and create economic opportunities for its people. We are excited to be working with Elewana.”

The Elewana Collection is also now managing the famous Loisaba Star Beds. June 2015 saw the completion of a US$150,000 refurbishment of the Star Beds. The upgraded Star Beds now consist of four accommodation platforms (previously there were three), including one family skybed and a new dining area with a stunning stargazing platform. Guests at the Loisaba Starbeds and Tented Camp have the entire conservancy to themselves.

The Loisaba Conservancy provides a critical and secure sanctuary for over 700 elephants (resident and non-resident) that have been individually identified (and named) by Daniel Lentipo, the conservancy's resident researcher provided by Space for Giants, work that is critically important to the survival of Africa's elephant population.

GPS tracking data has proven that Loisaba is a key corridor, enabling elephants to migrate from Laikipia (dry season range) to Samburu (wet season range), helping to maintain one of the longest elephant migrations recorded in Africa.

Loisaba Tented Camp starts from US$490 (approx. £340) per person per night sharing a twin/double accommodation including full board, soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits, safari activities including day and night game drives, guided bush walks and fishing (seasonal), mountain biking, airstrip transfers, laundry and all statutory taxes.

The Loisaba Star Beds start from US$300 (approx. £210) per person per night sharing a twin/double accommodation including full board, soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits, safari activities including day and night game drives, guided bush walks and fishing (seasonal), mountain biking, airstrip transfers, laundry and all statutory taxes.

For information and reservations contact Elewana www.elewana.com