Travel Tips (getting to Lewa)

Arriving in Kenya

You will need a visa to enter Kenya. Visas can be obtained from the Kenyan Embassy in your country prior to flying and usual take five working days to process. Alternatively single entry visas can be purchased at immigration on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi.
Visitors will need to show return tickets, a clean page on a passport valid at least three months beyond the date you intend leaving Kenya, and for a single entry, $25 US or £20 or 20 Euros.

For anyone on an extended trip, it’s useful to know that a Kenyan Visa also allows you to enter Uganda and Tanzania, and return back to Kenya, even if it of the single entry type. For more information, visit www.kenyahighcommission.net.

Many international airlines fly to Nairobi daily from major destinations. There are regular flights from London on Virgin Atlantic, British Airways & Kenya Airways and from Amsterdam on KLM.

Getting to Lewa

The simplest way of reaching Lewa is by flying direct from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) with SafariLink or Air Kenya. There are daily scheduled flights to the Conservancy.
For up to date fares and bookings please visit www.safarilink-kenya.com http://www.safarilink-kenya.comor www.airkenya.com.

Please note that, as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility programme, Safarilink donates $5 for each passenger into or out of Lewa to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. So every time you fly Safarilink, you are making a contribution to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy!

The Lewa airstrip also allows private or chartered planes to land & deliver guests. There are a few private charter companies you can contact in and around Nairobi:

You can also get to Lewa by road. Only 4 hours drive from Nairobi, head out through the Thika road. Pass through Thika, Makuyu and Karatina. Turn right before Nyeri Town (about 16km before the town there are signs to Buffalo Springs and Samburu). Pass through Naro Moru, Nanyuki, and Timau. Approximately 15km after Timau is the Meru/Isiolo junction. Turn left at this junction heading towards Isiolo. Approx 3km further on at the bottom of the hill on the left hand side is the main entrance to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Transport & Safari Drives

To preserve the wildlife natural environment and keep our guests’ exclusive experience, minibuses are not permitted within the Conservancy. All game drives are done in four wheel drive vehicles provided by Lewa, or the selected safari companies accompanied by Lewa’s trained guides.

The Rains

Although there is some flexibility the rains in this part of Kenya normally falls in April and in November.

During the rains the camps and lodges are closed:

  • 1st of April to 1st of May
  • 21st of October to the 1st of December

During this rainy season we will not permit any traffic through Lewa. This especially important for visitors who are driving to Il N'gwesi and Tassia.

Electricity

All the camps and lodges on Lewa are powered by 220V generators. You will be able to charge your camera batteries without any problems. The electric sockets are the British 3-pins standards sockets.

Immunizations

No immunizations are required by law to enter Kenya if you are traveling directly from Europe or the US. If you are traveling from a country where Yellow Fever is present you will need to prove you have had the innoculation.

Several vaccinations are highly recommended, they include:

  • Yellow Fever
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis A
  • Diptheria

It is also recommended that you are up to date with your polio and tetanus vaccinations. Contact a travel clinic at least 3 months before you plan to travel. 

Malaria - Due to its privileged location, Lewa is a low risk malaria zone. Please consult your travel doctor when traveling to East Africa for vaccinations required. Visit http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/ for more information.

It is essential to have medical insurance whilst visiting Kenya, and also recommended to take out Flying Doctor cover.

Be Prepared

Lewa is situated at 4,500 to 6,500 feet (1,400-2,000 meters) above sea level. The days are usually hot and dry and the nights quite cool. Clothing should be light for the day and warm for the evening game drives and sundowners followed by the night game drive home. A windcheater or fleece is essential, as are good walking shoes.
Sun protection - hat, sunglasses and high factor sun cream is recommended.

Safety

In general people are extremely friendly in Kenya and you will be humbled by their hospitality. But, there is real poverty in Kenya and you will soon realise that you are far richer and more fortunate than most local people you meet. You will probably attract your fair share of souvenir hawkers and beggars, but try and take the time to meet ordinary people going about their day to day business too. The experience will be worth it. Don't be afraid to step out of that tour bus, just take some precautions.

Basic Safety Rules for Travelers to Kenya:

  • Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage.
  • Don't walk on your own at night in the major cities or on empty beaches.
  • Don't wear jewelery.
  • Don't carry too much cash with you.
  • Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes.
  • Don't carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities.

If you would like more information about traveling to Kenya and to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, please contact us at info@lewa.org.