Loisaba Tented Camp by Elewana — Hotel in Laikipia County

Loisaba Tented Camps is a true gem – I returned after visiting last year.||Why? Because Loisaba Tented Camps is beyond unique – it is special, intimate, and led by a team of exceptional staff. It offers the perfect combination of stunning vistas, abundant wildlife, superb cuisine, excellent tents, and the most amazing guides. |This year, I traveled with my daughter and from the moment we arrived, we were embraced by the wonderful Philip, and quickly introduced to our full-of-grace server, Ephatus (Effie) who immediately guided us to lunch on the spectacular outdoor deck. His welcome smile, polished butler demeanor and keen observations throughout our stay meant he anticipated our every need. Each meal had several options and the chef prepares delicious and visually-beautiful cuisine from an on-site garden. Chef Peter allowed us to tour his garden and his pride was obvious and wholly authentic. The plates of food were artwork.|This review follows many that describe the food and tents, and we confirm the location and accommodations are fantastic. They think of everything.||What sets Loisaba Tented Camps apart is the people.||There is a new manager, Luke Clarke McLeod and he is smart, engaged, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and has brought fresh thinking and new ideas to an already high-quality property. One can tell he is a rising star at Elewana. There are some new staff and he clearly hires with a keen eye for talent. He is also generous and helpful, which was necessary on this trip as we had a medical issue during our stay. Luke, Dora, and the entire leadership team made all the difference.||Every staff member greets you, knows about you, and has the most wonderful attitude and passion for their jobs. It is evident in their attention to detail, professionalism, kindness, respect, attentiveness, and knowledge. ||The Guides.|In a word, spectacular.|The daily game drives are beyond description. Our guide was Dalmas, who speaks 6 languages and has an ability to find rare and aloof wildlife, including his beloved leopards. We saw 7 during our stay, include 3 cubs. Dalmas also carefully discovered a cheetah eating its kill and guided us to an unexpected view of the newly-arrived rare white rhinos. For 6 days he drove a large Land Rover with blankets to keep us warm and binoculars to scan the conservancy. Delmas is passionate about his work and his love of this 50,000+ acre ecosystem is evident with every word. He knows the region intimately. He ensured we saw lions, rhinos, giraffe, elephants, hippos, baboons, hyenas, many hoofed animals and my daughter’s favorite, hyrax. He even found more than one pride of lions with cubs. More importantly, his respect for the animals combined with his welcome descriptions meant we could immerse ourselves slowly and deliberately when we spied a particular animal. For example, we spent a long time experiencing elephants drinking from a water hole, playing with their children, forming bachelors groups, eating acacia tree leaves, rubbing against trees, and eating prickly pears. We saw a leopard battling two hyenas over his tree-placed impala. It was an epic sight. ||Dalmas quietly and carefully drove us to the perfect viewing sights to follow many astonishing sights and animals. He also made sure we had a “breakfast in the bush” and organized the perfect riverside experience. As a Maasai, he shared his history and culture, along with his path to guiding, and it is truly a remarkable story. He was in the camp in 2024 the day the black rhinos arrived. He pauses at certain moments and listens - he can hear animals and their sounds guide his every step. He shared knowledge of vegetation, birds (including birds of prey), and even insects. He organized a beautiful sunset drive with a picnic – I will not share his secret location. You will have to go to Loisaba. Dalmas is smart, he listens to you with intent, answers every possible question, and has amazing ideas and creative drives.|| Every drive is unique and special with Dalmas.||This year, we visited the anti-poaching unit and met the K9 team, witnessing their skills at tracking – it was an experience we will never forget. Let’s just say it was participatory. My daughter took a horseback safari and came back with stories from the guides who led the way. We were fortunate to meet the head of all wildlife security, and his passion for conservation and animal protection is legendary. It was an honor to sit with him. ||A final shout-out to Luke. He and his family are clearly making an impact at Loisaba and his leadership, vision, and intellect have taken Loisaba Tented Camp to a new level.||This long review must return to the entire staff at Loisaba Tented Camps. Know you will be in the best of hands. A final personal thank you to Dalmas, our beloved guide.|| We...

Loisaba Tented Camp was an absolutely blissful experience. Everything from the accommodations, the food, the hospitality, the game drives, and of course the guides...all of it was truly special and luxurious.

Landing at the local Loisaba airstrip, the journey began with a pick-up from the guide Resin Ole. More on Resin later, however he is a very special person and exceptionally knowledgeable, capable, and kind. A short drive from the Loisaba airstrip and the open-air, 7 passenger Land Rover arrived at the Reception area of Loisaba Tented Camp. Greeted by the staff and leader of the group (Luke), warm welcomes and hot hand towels were passed out promptly. A short stop at Reception to visit with Luke and learn about the property before heading to Tent #2.

Tent #2 featured stunning panoramic views of the valley floor below. Hippos, elephants, rhino, zebra (both common and Grevy), gazelle, impala, baboons, lions, and many other animals frequent the large body of water situated directly within view of Tent #2's outdoor seating area. Inside the tent, a king bed, two desks for working if necessary (Wi-Fi throughout), water closet with plumbing, double vanity, large open rain head shower powered by a solar water heater (plenty of hot water), and a wardrobe closet with safe. Evenings offered restful sleeps, even with the occasional lion or hyena calling out in the night. The accommodations were fantastic and the luxurious feel is evident in the aesthetics and finishes.

For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, fresh meals are prepared daily. The food is delicious! Each guest is paired with a staff member for all meals and drinks so that the staff member learns guest preferences for food, drinks, and eating times. Ali was the staff member assigned and he is an absolutely wonderful host. He went above and beyond for the duration of the stay; best-in-class service!

There are 2 game drivers per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon / evening. Resin had the Land Rover prepared each day with binoculars, blankets, and a full tank of gas for each game drive. Because the Land Rover is an open-air vehicle, Resin takes great pride in maintaining a safety-conscious mentality. The conservancy is private so Resin would often drive to within feet of the animals. Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, rhino, zebras, and many other animals were seen within only a few feet. This created essentially endless opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime encounters and photo opportunities. Even though the encounters offer stunning photo ops, Resin always monitored the animals' behavior in order to keep everyone safe. I trusted Resin's judgement and felt safe at all times, even within a few feet of the lions and leopards.

Bush breakfasts and sundowners, Loisaba sprinkles in mysterious magic with preplanned meal and drink opportunities outside the lodge fencing and inside the conservancy. Fantastic experiences that set Loisaba apart from others. Camel rides, horseback riding, bush walks, Ranger / Hound walks, and many other unique excursions await.

For the time in between meals and game drives, the tents offer excellent opportunities to rest, relax, and recover. There are two pools, one next to the main dining area and the other past Tent #12. Definitely check out the pool past Tent #12. The infinity pool offers stunning 270 degree views of the valley below. In addition to the pools, there is a bar / lounge, pickleball, and of course a massage team that will setup their table in the seating area at the back of your tent for a wonderfully peaceful massage opportunity.

Overall, Loisaba Tented Camp by Elewana is a premier and world-class destination. Situated on 57,000 + acres of private conservancy, it truly is magnificent place to visit. Special thank you to Luke, Ali, and Resin for their superb service, hospitality, and generosity. Highly recommend!!

Here is a brief list of the animals seen: Lion Leopard Rhino Elephant Giraffe Hippo Crocodile Zebra (common and...

Where do I even begin? Our stay at Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp was beyond incredible — a true once-in-a-lifetime experience that redefined what luxury, hospitality, and adventure can look like. This was our family’s first-ever safari, and we were blown away not only by the breathtaking landscape and unforgettable wildlife, but by the exceptional care and thoughtfulness of the entire Elewana team.||||From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like family. The camp itself is stunning — every detail thoughtfully designed to blend into the natural beauty while still offering complete comfort. Waking up to the sound of birds and the view of endless plains from our tent felt like a dream.||||But what truly sets Loisaba apart is its people. Mo, our safari guide, is a legend. He went above and beyond, starting early and staying out late to make sure we saw everything — and I mean everything. Lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes… Mo somehow seemed to know where they’d be before they did. He’s not just a guide — he’s an animal whisperer, and his passion, knowledge, and dedication made every drive feel like a National Geographic special come to life.||||Equally amazing was Barnabas, our server for the week, who had what I can only describe as an impossibly tricky job: catering to a family with wildly different food preferences. Every single meal he ensured everyone was not only happy but delighted — and when my dad had an upset stomach on our final day (likely from his malaria meds), Barnabas quietly had the kitchen prepare homemade chicken soup and all-natural applesauce just for him. That level of personal care is rare, and we were deeply touched.||||The included activities at Loisaba blew our minds. Where else can you choose between a camel or horseback safari at no extra cost? As someone who rides regularly at home, I almost skipped the ride, assuming it would be the usual slow-paced trail experience. I couldn’t have been more wrong. For experienced riders, this is a must-do. The horses are beautifully cared for, the landscape is absolutely breathtaking, and the ride offers a completely unique way to explore the terrain. We were able to get remarkably close to elephants in a peaceful, unobtrusive way that isn’t possible from a vehicle. It was one of the most surreal and unforgettable moments of the entire trip.||||And without giving too much away… the surprises woven into each day add an extra layer of magic to the experience. Thoughtful, beautiful, and completely unexpected — these moments made us feel truly seen and celebrated, and left us smiling long after they ended. You’ll know them when they happen — and trust me, you’ll never forget them.||||Loisaba isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience that will stay with you forever. We arrived as safari rookies, unsure of what to expect, and left feeling like we’d been part of something truly special. The team here sets a standard for hospitality that is, frankly, unmatched. We are already thinking about...