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WILD ADVENTURE AWAITS THIS SUMMER AT LEWA WILDERNESS
June, 2025: As the school summer holidays fast approach, there’s never been a better time to swap screens for savannah and get the whole family out into the wild. Set in the foothills of Mount Kenya, Lewa Wilderness – one of Kenya’s most established and family-run safari lodges – offers something that is often hard to come by: a safari experience that’s thrilling for adults yet thoughtfully designed with children in mind.
This is not just a place where children are accepted – they’re encouraged. With no age restrictions, an open-armed welcome, and jam-packed daily itineraries filled with adventure, Lewa Wilderness is the perfect choice for families looking to bond, explore, and embark on an adventure. From pony rides at sunrise to swimming beneath waterfalls, this is the kind of holiday children will never forget – and one that parents will not regret.
NEW: Private Wilderness
For families seeking more space, privacy, and independence – with all the signature warmth of Lewa Wilderness – Private Wilderness is a game-changer. Introduced in summer 2024, this exclusive-use lodge is set just two kilometres downstream from the main property and offers complete seclusion, with all the hallmarks of the Craig family’s legendary hospitality.
Private Wilderness features five individual thatched cottages sleeping up to ten guests, each with an en-suite bathroom and sweeping views across the Eastern Marania River valley. The open-fronted main lodge includes dining and lounge areas, as well as a swimming pool overlooking the river. It’s ideal for multi-generational escapes, family celebrations, or simply enjoying a slice of wilderness entirely your own.
Run independently but with close ties to the main lodge, guests at Private Wilderness enjoy all the same activities and guiding – from horseback safaris to game drives and bush walks – but on their own schedule, with their own dedicated team.
Safari Reimagined for Young Explorers
Here, families are gently guided into the rhythms of the wild. Game drives are just the start: children can also ride ponies alongside giraffes, trek by camel across the open plains, or try their hand at traditional Maasai games with local guides. There are also nearby cave paintings to discover, crab fishing in freshwater springs, and family farm visits to learn how life thrives in this corner of Kenya.
Every family is assigned a dedicated safari guide, meaning each day’s adventures are tailored to children’s ages, interests, and energy levels. The result is a deeper connection to the land – and a far more enriching experience than the usual safari animal spotting.
Saddle Up!
One of the most exhilarating ways to explore Lewa is on horseback – and yes, it’s family-friendly too. Led by expert horsemen and women, many of whom grew up riding these trails, guests of all abilities can saddle up and canter alongside zebras, weave through ancient fever trees, and observe wildlife without the hum of an engine.
“It’s truly quite a privilege,” says Miranda Simpson, Sales & Marketing Manager at Lewa Wilderness. “Riding one of the Lewa Wilderness horses allows you to enjoy the wildlife in its most natural form, without the sound of a car engine.” It’s safari at its most immersive – and a memory your children will retell for years.
Adventures Beyond the Conservancy
Outside the lodge gates, the wild gets wilder. A day trip to Ngare Ndare Forest brings high-canopy treetop walks and splash-filled swims beneath jungle waterfalls. For cultural immersion, families can visit the nearby Il Ngwesi Maasai village – a powerful way for children to understand the rich heritage of Kenya’s Indigenous people.
Guests are also invited to connect with the community in a meaningful way by visiting the Rehema Destitute Home, where Lewa Wilderness supports the care and education of orphaned children.
A Place That Feels Like Home – Only Wilder
Accommodation is made for families, with connecting rooms, flexible layouts, and plenty of space to rest and recharge between adventures. Children are free to roam the safe, open grounds, where they might spot rock hyraxes sunbathing or birds flitting between fig trees.
As Miranda Simpson adds: “So many of our returning guests first came as children themselves – now they’re bringing their own families. That’s the kind of magic Lewa Wilderness holds. It stays with you.”
Whether it’s their first lion sighting, a game of tag with a Maasai warrior, or just a star-filled sky that silences the chatter – this is a summer that will shape their stories for years to come.
£££: Rates for Lewa Wilderness start from $1,110 / approx. £862 per person per night and from $8,370 / approx. £6,326 per night for Private Wilderness (price base on minimum of 6 people). All safari activities, including pony rides, horseback safaris, and camel trekking, are included in the nightly rate.
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