Quick Facts
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
|---|---|
| Style | Private fly-in safari — your own vehicle and guide |
| Vehicle | 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep |
| Flight Time | Approximately 45–60 minutes, Nairobi (Wilson) to Lewa Downs airstrip |
| Destination | Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, northern Kenya |
| Price From | USD 1,100–3,200 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing, including flights) |
| Best For | Travellers who've done the Mara before and want something quieter, or anyone prioritising rhino sightings and conservation-focused tourism |
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is northern Kenya's rhino sanctuary, home to over 12% of Kenya's black rhino population and the world's largest population of Grevy's zebra. This 3-day, 2-night fly-in safari gets you there in about an hour by air instead of a 4–5 hour drive up the Thika Road.
Unlike the Masai Mara's crowded vehicle circuits, Lewa caps visitor numbers. You get low vehicle density, off-road driving rights, night game drives, and guided walking safaris, activities not permitted in the national reserves.
This is a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep with your own driver-guide, not a shared van.
Safari Highlights
- Flight time under an hour, versus a 4–5 hour road transfer
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep and driver-guide throughout
- Over 12% of Kenya's black rhino population, plus healthy white rhino numbers
- Off-road driving, guided walking safaris, and spotlight night game drives
- Rare northern-Kenya species: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx
- Optional horse riding, camel treks, and Ngare Ndare Forest canopy walk
- Low visitor density, since Lewa caps the number of guests
- Connects well with the Masai Mara or Amboseli on a multi-park itinerary
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Pickup from your Nairobi hotel or JKIA, then transfer to Wilson Airport for check-in, 60 minutes before departure. The scheduled flight to Lewa Downs airstrip takes roughly 45–60 minutes, passing over the Central Highlands with views of Mt. Kenya on a clear day.
Your driver-guide meets you at the airstrip and takes a game drive route to your lodge or camp, rhino sightings are common on this short transfer. Check in, have lunch, then relax before an afternoon game drive from around 3:30 PM until sunset. Dinner and overnight at your camp.
Day 2: Full Day at Lewa
Early morning game drive before breakfast, followed by a full day exploring the conservancy. This can include off-road tracking of black and white rhino, a guided bush walk with an armed ranger, or a visit to the Lewa headquarters to learn about the conservancy's anti-poaching and community work.
Sundowners and a night game drive with spotlight are possible after dinner, a Lewa specialty not available in the Mara reserve.
Optional Add-Ons
Many camps offer horse riding, camel treks, or a stop at nearby Ngare Ndare Forest for its canopy walk and waterfalls, all at an additional cost.
Day 3: Lewa – Nairobi
Final early morning game drive before breakfast, then check out and transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Wilson.
Drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or JKIA for onward travel. Departure time is typically mid-to-late morning, so you keep most of Day 3 for game viewing.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Rates are per person sharing, in a private Land Cruiser jeep with a dedicated driver-guide. Pricing depends on camp category, group size, and season.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonMarch–May, November
- High SeasonJanuary–February, December
- Peak SeasonJune–October
Private Fly-In Safari Rates (Per Person Sharing)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $1,350–$1,750 | $1,200–$1,550 | $1,100–$1,400 |
| High Season | $1,750–$2,300 | $1,550–$2,050 | $1,400–$1,850 |
| Peak Season | $2,300–$3,200 | $2,050–$2,850 | $1,850–$2,600 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Return scheduled flights, Nairobi (Wilson) – Lewa Downs – Nairobi |
| ✓ | Airport/hotel transfers in Nairobi |
| ✓ | All ground transfers and game drives by private 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep |
| ✓ | 2 nights full-board accommodation (meals, standard soft drinks, house wines/beer at most camps) |
| ✓ | Unlimited game drives, plus one guided bush walk |
| ✓ | Lewa Wildlife Conservancy entry/conservation fees |
| ✓ | Dedicated English-speaking driver-guide |
| ✓ | Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover |
| ✗ | International flights and visa/eTA fees |
| ✗ | Tips and gratuities |
| ✗ | Premium spirits, champagne, and cellar wines |
| ✗ | Horse riding (from $85 pp) and camel treks (from $55 pp) |
| ✗ | Ngare Ndare Forest visit (from $55 pp adult) |
| ✗ | Il Ngwesi community visit (from $40 pp, minimum 2 pax) |
| ✗ | Optional hot air balloon safari, where available |
| ✗ | Laundry, phone calls, and other personal expenses |
| ✗ | Travel insurance |
| ✗ | Credit card surcharge (5–7%) if paying by card |
Getting There
All flights depart from Wilson Airport (WIL) in Langata, Nairobi, not JKIA. If you're arriving internationally, we transfer you from JKIA to your hotel first, then to Wilson the next morning, unless timing allows a same-day connection.
Safarilink, AirKenya, and Tropic Air run scheduled flights to Lewa Downs airstrip, generally with one morning and one afternoon departure daily. Flight time is around 45–60 minutes on most routings, though some connect through other airstrips first, which can extend it to 90 minutes or more. On arrival, the drive from the airstrip to most camps takes 10–30 minutes, often doubling as a mini game drive.
Baggage
Baggage is limited to 15kg per person in soft-sided bags only; hard suitcases aren't accepted on the aircraft. We can store excess luggage at your Nairobi hotel or a Wilson Airport locker for a small fee. Charter flights are available if the scheduled timetable doesn't match your itinerary, at extra cost.
Get Free Quote ›
