Info File
El Karama Eco Lodge El Karama Eco Lodge is an award-winning, family owned lodge that feels like a home away from home. The lodge is located in the heart of Laikipia on El Karama Ranch, a 14,000acre cattle ranch with stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife and birds. Guests can enjoy direct views of Mt Kenya, the Aberdares and the Lolldaiga hills. We are only 42km from Nanyuki town. Accommodation Built by the Grants and their team, the lodge is rustic and lovingly put together, made from natural materials found on El Karama, combined with the flair of a very artistic family. The lodge comprises six family/group friendly stone, thatch and canvas cottages or bandas, a beautiful central mess with large fireplace, bar and cosy reading areas - all over look the Ewaso Nyiro river and a natural salt lick. The lodge is hosted by an excellent local team of staff and overseen by the Grant family who live there. Visitors to El Karama enjoy complete freedom, this is no ordinary safari destination: you can walk out on foot with our guides, birdwatch with specialists, photograph from the rock hide, take guided game drives and night drives in our customized vehicles, visit the working farm and much more. We have over 80 mammal species including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, hippo, reticulated giraffe, common and Grevy s zebra, gerenuk, eland, oryx and much more. Bird species identified here number 427! (El Karama Ranch has now received Important Bird Area Status.) Four spacious stone, thatch and canvas bandas that can accommodate doubles or twins with the possibility of adding a single bed for children. Each has a veranda for relaxing. One rondavel (sleeping up to four) One large family cottage (sleeping up to six) 2 double-roomed river tents All cottages/bandas have en-suite bathrooms except the rondavel, which is just a step outside. Hot water is available via solar heating and wood-fire boosting (using harvested fallen wood). We have solar electricity in all bandas and cottages that powers overhead lighting, reading lamps and charging points for cameras etc. Not suitable for hair dryers or other heat devices. Clean drinking water is also provided in the rooms and dining rooms.
Lodge Amenities Large spacious dining room overlooking the river/ salt lick Meal plans Full board accommodation Self catering bush home style Swimming pool with thatch dining areas Open game vehicle for use on the ranch - inclusive packages Laundry services done by hand no delicate items Gift shop and art gallery Multi purpose room used for training, small lectures and yoga practice Electrical items can be charged in bandas and cottages/ gallery Wifi internet access in the office at special request No credit card facilities Drivers or Ayah accommodation and meal plans available for them Activities Guided bush walks (2 or 5 hr) Game drives Night Drives Sundowners Bush Meals Farm and shamba visits Bird watching Fly camping Short Courses Just for Kids! Clay sculpting *a Grant family original Painting Tracking and Cast making Hand-line fishing Cooking lessons Dairy and Farm visits Interactive kitchen
Auxiliary Banking, shopping and insurance services are provided at the nearest town Nanyuki, one hour drive from El Karama Eco Lodge. There is no phone signal in camp, only on the nearest ridge, but good wifi is available free of charge in the office/reception throughout the day. El Karama is located on the equator at an altitude of 2000m. As we are located at a high altitude, cases of malaria are extremely rare. Weather at El Karama is warm during the day and cool at night/in the early mornings with low humidity and plenty of sunshine all year round. The long rains are in March to May, short rains are in November. The area is inhabited by variety of communities. Fly Camping The perfect way to spend the night if you are looking for something even more adventurous. Often tagged on to a long walk (half a day), our fly camp gets you one step closer to the wilderness. Using Tentsile Tents, guests are raised slightly above the ground and have the feeling of being amongst the stars. This option is included free of charge for anyone staying on the full package for three nights or more, but carries an extra charge on non-inclusive packages. River Tents Designed as a little sister camp to the main lodge, these beautiful two- room safari tents are located along the river form the main lodge. Directly opposite an intricate web of wild game tracks where iconic species such as reticulated giraffe, Grevy s zebra, bush buck and even elephant can stroll by the views are magical. Each tent has two rooms: the main bedroom and an adjoining room, which can either be set up as a dressing room for a couple or if there are children in the group, a bedroom. All tents are powered with solar electricity for 24 hours a day including charging points for cameras and laptops/devices. With a star gazing veranda, comfy deck chairs and a hammock overlooking the river, the tents are the perfect option for those wanting a little less fuss and a little more privacy. Ensuite to the tents are the bush showers. Open overhead with grass walling around them and beautifully hand crafted stone flooring quarried from the ranch, these gorgeous outdoor showers are positioned directly under enormous fever trees and give you the feeling of peace that only El Karama can give! Both tents have separate bathrooms with a flushing toilet, hand-washing sink, mirror and overhead lighting.
Access By air: Daily scheduled flights to Nanyuki Airstrip departing from Wilson airstrip- Nairobi. Private charters using small fixed wing planes, caravans and helicopters available through Tropic Air Kenya www.tropicairkenya.com. By road: Approximately four hours drive Nairobi - Nanyuki, one hour Nanyuki - El Karama. Contact details: E: reservations@elkaramalodge.com T: +254 702 996 902 W: www.elkaramalodge.com Skype: elkaramalodge Facebook: El Karama Eco Lodge Instagram: elkaramaecolodge Trip Advisor: El Karama Eco Lodge *This lodge has been rated Silver level standard by Eco Tourism Kenya.