Kenya Camps & Lodges
El Karama Lodge, Laikipia, Kenya
A Lodge or Hotel in Kenya
Camp Details
El Karama Lodge is an intimate, owner-operated, award-winning lodge and safari adventure experience located on a private wildlife conservancy in the foothills of Mount Kenya.
Built by one of Africa’s most gifted contemporary wildlife sculptors Murray Grant and his wife Sophie, El Karama Lodge is unique, authentic and focused on immersive safari experiences. Known for its broad roster of activities, exceptional wildlife diversity and the warm and hospitable team of Kenyans who have been trained up to host you, this is an unforgettable safari destination!
El Karama offers a home-grown African safari destination with high levels of privacy and tailor-made adventure for small groups, couples and families. El Karama Wildlife Conservancy is located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, in the heart of one of Kenya’s most beautiful wildlife areas: the Laikipia Region. With 14,000 acres of private land and views of over 200,000 acres, El Karama is one of Laikipia’s most magical habitats.
Offering a range of accommodation options giving our guests the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in nature, lead by passionate and experienced guides.
WHY CHOOSE EL KARAMA LODGE?
- Lodge is on private property so you can do what you want when you want unlike national parks and conservancies.
- Owner run, 4th generation Kenyan authentic but progressive property.
- Only one lodge on property with 3 vehicles on property at any given time.
- Hugely private and strong family friendly feel.
- Enjoys views of Mt Kenya, the Aberdares and Loldaiga hills
- Usual Laikipia wildlife (elephant, lions, leopard, cheetah, hippo etc.). Unique Northern Kenya five (Besia Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Grevy Zebra, Gerenuk Antelope & Vulturine Guinea Fowl).
- 427 bird species identified on the ranch making it an ‘Important Bird Status’ area. (Rhino experience 40 mins away.)
Questions about El Karama
Who runs the lodge?
It is owner-operated by the contemporary wildlife sculptor Murray Grant and his wife Sophie, on land held by a fourth-generation Kenyan family. The team hosting guests are Kenyans trained up in-house, which gives the place an authentic but progressive character rather than a corporate one.
How private does it feel?
There is only one lodge on the property and never more than three vehicles out at any time, across 14,000 private acres with views over more than 200,000. Because the land is private, you can go where you like when you like, which is not possible in a national park.
What might we see here that we would not elsewhere?
Alongside the usual Laikipia wildlife of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and hippo, El Karama is good for the northern Kenya five: Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk and vulturine guineafowl. The ranch has 427 recorded bird species and Important Bird Area status, and a rhino experience lies 40 minutes away.
Activities
El Karama Lodge Rates, Activities & Amenities
Rates
| Year | Season | Type | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 December – 10 April; 30 June – 31 October | MAIN LODGE | US $ 680 |
| 2025 | 5 December – 10 April; 30 June – 31 October | RIVER COTTAGES | US $ 720 |
| 2025 | 1 November – 5 December; 11 April – 29 June | MAIN LODGE | US $ 580 |
| 2025 | 1 November – 5 December; 11 April – 29 June | RIVER COTTAGES | US $ 650 |
| 2026 | 15 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026; 10 – 25 Feb; 10 – 23 Oct; 1 July – 31 Aug | MAIN LODGE | US $ 800 |
| 2026 | 15 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026; 10 – 25 Feb; 10 – 23 Oct; 1 July – 31 Aug | RIVER COTTAGES | US $ 830 |
| 2026 | 1 – 15 Sept; 1 – 14 December; 16 Jan – 09 Feb; 29 March – 20 April; 11 – 30 June | MAIN LODGE | US $ 750 |
| 2026 | 1 – 15 Sept; 1 – 14 December; 16 Jan – 09 Feb; 29 March – 20 April; 11 – 30 June | RIVER COTTAGES | US $ 780 |
| 2026 | 26 Feb – 28 Mar; 21 – 30 April; 1 – 10 June; 16 Sept – 9 Oct; 1-10 Nov | MAIN LODGE | US $ 700 |
| 2026 | 26 Feb – 28 Mar; 21 – 30 April; 1 – 10 June; 16 Sept – 9 Oct; 1-10 Nov | RIVER COTTAGES | US $ 730 |
Rates are Per Person Per Night unless otherwise specified.
Inclusions
El Karama Lodge rates include:
• Accommodation
• All meals and bush meals
• House drinks
• A guide and shared vehicle for game drives, night drives and
• other activities
• Guided walking activities
• Adventure fly camping
• Farm, boma and garden visits
• Bush School kids’ programme
• Volleyball, jogging, use of yoga mats
• Transfers from Conservancy airstrip
Questions about El Karama
Who runs the lodge?
It is owner-operated by the contemporary wildlife sculptor Murray Grant and his wife Sophie, on land held by a fourth-generation Kenyan family. The team hosting guests are Kenyans trained up in-house, which gives the place an authentic but progressive character rather than a corporate one.
How private does it feel?
There is only one lodge on the property and never more than three vehicles out at any time, across 14,000 private acres with views over more than 200,000. Because the land is private, you can go where you like when you like, which is not possible in a national park.
What might we see here that we would not elsewhere?
Alongside the usual Laikipia wildlife of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and hippo, El Karama is good for the northern Kenya five: Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk and vulturine guineafowl. The ranch has 427 recorded bird species and Important Bird Area status, and a rhino experience lies 40 minutes away.
Activities
Child Policy
Children of all ages are welcome at El Karama Lodge.
Questions about El Karama
Who runs the lodge?
It is owner-operated by the contemporary wildlife sculptor Murray Grant and his wife Sophie, on land held by a fourth-generation Kenyan family. The team hosting guests are Kenyans trained up in-house, which gives the place an authentic but progressive character rather than a corporate one.
How private does it feel?
There is only one lodge on the property and never more than three vehicles out at any time, across 14,000 private acres with views over more than 200,000. Because the land is private, you can go where you like when you like, which is not possible in a national park.
What might we see here that we would not elsewhere?
Alongside the usual Laikipia wildlife of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and hippo, El Karama is good for the northern Kenya five: Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk and vulturine guineafowl. The ranch has 427 recorded bird species and Important Bird Area status, and a rhino experience lies 40 minutes away.
Activities
Activities
Amenities
Map
Reviews
Read El Karama Lodge Reviews on TripAdvisor
Gallery
Video
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