accommodation

El Karama Lodge

Laikipia, Kenya

About El Karama Lodge

El Karama Lodge is an award-winning, safari lodge specialising in family and tailor-made adventure. It is owner-operated, environmentally accredited and known for its diversity of wildlife, breadth of activities and warm Kenyan hospitality.

Located inside a very private wildlife conservancy of 15,000 acres set in the heart of Laikipia. With direct views of Mount Kenya, the Ewaso Nyiro river, guests can visit a waterfall and 8 dams, rock hide and sleep outs. The conservancy has a registered airstrip for private charters.

Daily sightings of 4 of the Big 5 and Northern species such as Grevy's zebra and Gerenuk. Day trips to see Black and White Rhino. Private Vehicles.

Activities: game drives, night drives, walking safaris, horse riding, fly camping, conservation activities, farm and organic garden visits, cooking classes, Bush School for Kids, fishing, sports and wellness. .There are no other lodges on El Karama Wildlife Conservancy ensuring a high level of privacy and serenity.

Main lodge comprises only 6 beautifully designed cottages styled for responsible luxury, private dining, Kenya's first eco swimming pool, a Bush Spa, Sauna, Gym and Running Track.

Nilotica Private: exclusive-use luxury, adjacent to Main lodge, Sleeps 10 comfortably across 4 cottages.

Bookings via Resrequest or direct.

Activity Desk
Bar
Barbeque Facilities
Battery Charging Facilities
Business Centre
Communal Dining
Eco Friendly
Internet Access (Complimentary)
Internet Access (Paid)
Kiddies Club
Library
Malaria Free
Pool
Restaurant
Secure Parking
Spa
24-hour Security
Airport Shuttle (Available)
Airport Shuttle (Complimentary)
Credit Card Facilities
Laundry Service (Available)
Laundry Service (Complimentary)
Meal on Request
Private Vehicle (Available)
Room Service
Travel Desk
On Site
Big 5
Bird Watching
Boules
Catch-and-release Fishing
Cooking Courses
Fine Dining
Fishing
Game Drives
Game Viewing Hide
Game Viewing
Game Walks
Garden Tours
Gourmet Picnic
Helicopter Scenic Flights
High Tea
Horse Riding
Massages
Natural History Tours
Night Drives
Safaris
Scenic Flights
Sleep Outs
Walks (Guided)
Wildlife Tours
Off Site
Adrenaline Activities
Animal Encounters
Big 5
Bird Watching
Boules
Canoeing
Catch-and-release Fishing
Cooking Courses
Cultural Tours
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Game Drives
Game Viewing
Game Walks
Garden Tours
General Sightseeing
Helicopter Rides
Helicopter Scenic Flights
Hiking
Historical Tours
Horse Riding
Mountain Biking
Natural History Tours
Quad Biking
Rhino Tracking
Rock Climbing
Safaris
Scenic Flights
Walks (Guided)
Wildlife Tours

Accommodation Options

River Cottage 1

An Exclusive use part of camp for it's extra space, privacy and own wifi.

Cottage 1 is a large and airy double or twin room, with veranda looking out over a stunning glade with the river on the left where hippos bathe. The spacious, light room has his and hers bathroom, plenty of storage in beautiful hand carved shelves and hanging racks, end of bed ottomans and luggage racks and an outdoor tub for candle lit baths under the moonlight.

As with the other river cottage, this one has a writing desk facing the river, hand carved furniture and hand printed curtains and artisanal soft furnishings from the region.

There is also a large veranda for reading and star gazing, take your early morning tea overlooking your own private stretch of river and salt lick attracting elephant, giraffe and other wildlife.

River Cottage 2

Offering more privacy and comfort, we are excited to introduce these two beautiful new cottages to our guests. Ideal for honeymooners / 2 couples traveling together or even a family with older children who seek more luxury.

This cottage has a large his and hers bathroom with a huge bath looking out to the bush and a double shower that includes space and built in seat for clients requiring additional assistance or wheel chair access.

There is also a large veranda for reading and star gazing, take your early morning tea overlooking your own private stretch of river and salt lick attracting elephant, giraffe and other wildlife.

Wifi in the rooms. Private Car with this part of camp, no shared vehicle.

Brand New Addition to River Cottages - Private dining room and bar

The two river cottages can be used either as an extension of the lodge or as a small, private camp for two couples friends/families travelling together.

To make this work for exclusive bookings we have included a stunning private dining room, living room, bar and outdoor fire pit under the shade of huge fever trees. It has a completely different feel from the main lodge and is ideal for couples travelling together, honeymooners or special family trips where privacy is of the utmost concern.

The dining room has a large table fitting 8-10 people, a cosy living room area at one end with a small fireplace and a bar at the other end for cocktails and sundowners. Tucked away behind the dining room is a lovely kitchen for cooking on site and a restroom so that guests do not have to go back to their rooms to find that convenience.

The outdoor area in from of the dining room has two grass levels and an open fire pit where we hold bush dinners under the stars, drinks by the fire and we also use our mobile BBQ oven so that we can cook over the embers with our guests. Food being such an essential part of our trips and experience, this is a great addition!

Wifi in the rooms. Private Car with this part of camp, no shared vehicle.

Main Lodge - 3 Bandas - doubles or twins, with room for baby cot

These charming bandas have a spacious central room with a double bed/ twin set up, a shaded seating area for reading and relaxing, furniture for storing/hanging clothes and an ensuite bathroom with large river stone baths and overhead showers.

Bandas have their own verandas for reading and star gazing. All look directly onto the river and a salt lick attracting wildlife all through the day.

The bandas are have thatch roofs, stone and canvas sides and are lovingly decorated with cosy soft furnishings, hand carved cedar beds and hand picked wild flowers, paraben free soaps and toiletries.

All have 24 hour electricity that runs on solar energy, with overhead lighting, reading lamps and outdoor veranda light for easy entry at nighttime. Hot water systems are very effective and solar driven ensuring hot water at all times of day. No wifi in these bedrooms, only in public areas like the pool. Great choice of digital detox or couples on a slightly lower budget.

Hobbit House _ perfect for families!

This cottage is large, two storey and is designed for maximum family fun! It has two bedrooms: the master bedroom has a large double bed fit for a king and queen, two small tree house floors with single beds for children over 8 years up some carved steps and a spacious living area with a sofa and armchairs and writing desk.

The second bedroom is smaller with two twin beds (double adaptation too) and a round glass window for game viewing. The bathroom is spacious with a river-facing rock bath and a separate shower. There is a lot of additional space outside this cottage for kids to run and explore.

Private car for any family over 4 pax in this cottage. Wifi in this cottage.

There is a large veranda and playing area outside with a swinging chair for reading under the shade of the trees and outdoor furniture for lounging and early morning coffee moments! Private dining and private fire pit can be set up for families who want to be close to their sleeping children.

Dining areas and barn style interactive kitchen

We have 3 different dining areas: 1 overlooking the river and 2 overlooking the swimming pool. Both are open under thatch, informal, relaxed and built with beautiful fallen wood including nilotica and cedar and giant bamboo.

All our food is fresh, organic, hearty, clean and mostly home-grown in our beautiful organic garden here on the property - we offer farm tours and picking mornings for families with kids and any interested guests. We also have a small dairy at the farm that allows us to provide fresh farm milk and milk products made in our kitchen. We cook all home made breads, desserts, pastries and pastas. We can adapt our menus to suit all dietary needs and we also produce kids food and can adjust the timings of meals for family groups. We have our own Cook Book : The Bush Kitchen: Notes and Recipes from the Wild, written by the owner Sophie Grant, published in 2022.

We have a state of the art open kitchen, for guests to come and watch the food being prepared, bake bread with us and learn about our recipes.

Bush meals are also a big highlight and our bush breakfasts and dinners out in the bush are very special.

The relaxed, bush home feel translates to our eating style - a mix of French, Italian and meditterrean influences. We also offer the option when possible of offering private meals or separate dining areas and tables whenever guests prefer this. Our aim is to offer as much flexibility as possible.

Kenya's first ever natural swimming pool - perfect for families

Our swimming pool is pioneering in its environmentally responsible technology and voted the best in Laikipia by our clients and the Daily Nation newspaper! Laikipia's hidden gem.

It does not use salt or chlorine, but rather a copper based deionising system to kill bacteria. Like our whole lodge this pool is chemical free and runs on 100% solar power. We are the first in Kenya to use this Eco Smarte technology but others are following suit.

A fantastic place to relax in the heat of the day, bird watch as the aloes and acacia trees surrounding the pool attract several varieties of sunbirds and finches, this is one of the most popular places within the lodge for groups, couples and of course families with children!

The main pool is 12 m long so perfect for swimming laps or just having fun and there is also a two tiered baby pool for small children and parents to relax in shallower depths.

The pool has a lush lawn irrigated by recycled grey water and two swinging armchairs, 1o wooden carved sunloungers, multiple areas for lounging and relaxing, two areas for eating with open fire places and plenty of space for having private meals at night under the stars.

There is also a bar, an adjoining bathroom and changing room for convenience and beautiful decor including paintings by Lavinia Grant, as in the main lodge.

El Karama Wild: Pop up seasonal Bush Camp

El Karama Wild is a pop up seasonal Bush Camp experience available in certain months for exclusive use of up to 8 pax sharing in 4 bedroom tents. Mobilisation only when there are bookings.

A beautiful and stylish bush camp that pops up in the best spots during some dry season months, this adventure experience is ideal for walkers, peace seekers and those looking to completely switch off and immerse in the wild.

4 tented bedrooms with long drop toilet set up and bush showers
1 large tented living area for reading and relaxing
1 dining shade for eating meals by the river
1 wild fire pit for sundowners
1 open game drive car for 8 pax

This camp is exclusive use only, seasonal and requires a 4 adult minimum charge to set up.

River Cottages - Exclusive Use max 6 pax

Completed in April 2018 and a brand new higher end addition to our lodge, the Little River Camp is designed as more private and luxurious set of villas. For guests who like to retreat and relax away from the bustle of the main lodge environs, these two brand new, luxuriously decorated and designed cottages have their own space and their own private dining room and kitchen to cater for them. Nestled on the river and with direct views of private salt licks, hippo pool and the wildlife beyond the fence and river.

Perfect for honeymoon couples or adult couples traveling together who want to be by themselves for some meals, this Little sister to the main lodge is the next step in privacy and comfort.

Two cottages both with large ensuite bathrooms both with showers and his hers sinks: one cottage has an outdoor bathtub for romantic, star light bath time and the other has a larger bathroom with an interior bath for luxuriating.

The dining room has beautifully constructed bar with stools, a dining table for indoor or outdoor dining, a cosy fireplace corner with sofas and reading materials and a fire pit outside for starlight sundowners and BBQs.

Nilotica Private House

A new private house set slightly apart from the main lodge with it's own private access, sleeping up to 10 pax. Perfect for families or small groups wishing to share but with additional privacy and luxury.

4 Cottages in total: •
• 1 family suite with master bedroom with an adjoining children’s • bedroom with up to 3 beds. A large shared ensuite bathroom. •
• 3 separate double suites all with their own spacious bathrooms. •
• Ideal number: up to 10 pax •
• Private Pool & changing room/bathroom •
• Private Pool house with dining room, bar & fireplace with sofas
• Wifi across all rooms and outdoor areas
Wooden Deck for sun bathing and yoga Raised Breakfast deck for early morning chai Fire pit for cocktails and star gazing
Private Waterhole bringing in the wildlife daily Private access track and arrivals area
Private Vehicle and Private Guide

Standard Room Amenities
Balcony / Deck
Bath
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Cooking Facilities
Dressing Gowns
Electrical Outlets
Fireplace
Internet Access (Complimentary)
Laundry Facilities
Laundry Service (Available)
Laundry Service (Complimentary)
Lounge Area
Mosquito Nets
Plunge Pool
Private Pool / Jacuzzi
Pure Cotton Linen
Shower
Tea / Coffee
Verandah
Wheelchair Friendly