Il Ngwesi Lodge

• Owned and run by the Maasai community
• Mix of safari and cultural activities
• Just 6 guest rooms, 2 with starbeds
• Inviting swimming pool
• Watch wildlife at the waterhole

Open: Il Ngwesi is open all year. It first opened in 1996.

Location: The lodge on a private reserve of 16,500 hectares in Laikipia, bordering Lewa, Borana and Lekurruki. The lodge’s own airstrip is available to very small planes and helicopters, and the next nearest airstrip is at Nanyuki.

Rooms: There are 6 guest rooms, sleeping from 2 to 4 people each. 2 of them have enlarged decks with 4 poster beds for sleep-outs. Rooms are set into the hillside which protrude outwards on elevated decks. Each has a sitting area, a basin and toilet to one side, and a bathroom on a lower level with a shower that is open to the sky.

Activities: Go for game drives and guided walks and hikes, enjoy bush breakfasts and sundowners, spend time at a rhino sanctuary, and visit a Maasai village. You can also watch wildlife at the waterhole while relaxing at the lodge, and get closeup views from the viewing hide.

Facilities: The main lodge has sitting area, bar, reception and dining terrace and a deck. A little way away there’s a freeform swimming pool and sundeck. The gift shop sells a range of handicrafts and gifts. The lodge offers spa services. There is a wildlife viewing hide near the waterhole. The lodge offers a free laundry service.

Dining: Meals are eaten in the main lodge, on the terrace, by the pool and in the bush. Dining is at individual tables.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome, but they must be kept under supervision at all times. Babysitting can be arranged.

Health: This is a malarial area.

Communication: There is no internet access and limited mobile phone coverage.

Notes: Il Ngwesi is owned and run by the Maasai community. Lodge staff are all drawn from the local community.