Kenya Safaris: Malewa Wildlife Lodge and Kigio Wildlife Camp

Malewa Wildlife Lodge and Kigio Wildlife Camp 5

Malewa Wildlife Lodge

The striking Malewa Wildlife Lodge is set within a glorious Yellow-fever tree woodland along the Malewa River which attracts over 250 species of exotic birds. Once a rudimentary lodge, it has been transformed into a stunning luxury eco-lodge incorporating a dramatic architectural style and traditional African building methods and concepts. The mess area is a beautiful double-storey structure made up of a massive thatched roof covering games and relaxation areas on the upper deck and a lovely communal sitting area with fireplaces, dining room and bar on the ground level. A dramatic entrance to the lodge and a soaring mud clad chimney exemplifies the creativity of the designer Ben Jackson, who also designed Greystoke Mahale on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Accommodation is in 5 individual and traditional-styled buildings with 6 bedrooms (one is a 2-storey family cottage with 2 rooms) and 4 stunning river suites on stilts (including one honeymoon suite with outdoor bath), all offering spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms within an acacia forest filled with wildlife. To comply with the eco-footprint, electricity is generated by solar power, waste recycled, water drawn using hydro power, hot water supplied by efficient 'kuni' boilers, cooking done with gas and eco-bricks from sustainable sources and food sourced from local farmers.

The lodge and the conservancy will work closely with the surrounding communities to offer wildlife courses, placements to students and assistance to schools, clinics and local enterprise. Malewa Wildlife Lodge is a very special retreat. Here guests can enjoy an allencompassing nature experience that includes gentle walks with expert naturalists, fishing, biking, bush breakfasts or lunches besides day or night game drives. A minimum of 2 nights stay is recommended but many guests have commented that they would have preferred to stay much longer.

Malewa Wildlife Lodge - Cottages
Malewa Wildlife Lodge has four single-storey cottages and one 2-storey cottage with 2 bedrooms (suitable for a family). All cottages are ensuite and can have twin or king size double beds with warm duvets. Each room has a uniquely designed shower with a roof light, flush loo, safe, 24-hr solar power and a battery charging socket.
FACT FILE:
*4 single-storey cottages
*1double-storey cottage with 2 bedrooms
*Large twin or king-size beds with duvets
*Flush Loo, shower
*Solar Power, Battery Charging Socket, Safe

Malewa Wildlife Lodge - River Suites
Malewa Wildlife Lodge has four River Suites that overlook the Malewa River. Each suite is 72 Sq Mtrs and is fronted by large glass windows and a balcony. All suites have ensuite shower and flush loos, large twin or kingsize beds, sitting area, desk, 24-hr solar power, battery charging socket. One of the four suites is a honeymoon suite containing an outdoor bath and 2 wash basins. The suites are secluded and enjoy excellent views and birdlife. Over 200 species have been recorded near the river.
FACT FILE:
*4 x 72 Sq mtr River Suites with sitting areas
*Large twin or king-size beds with duvets,
*Flush Loo
*Shower (honeymmon suite also has a bath)
*Solar Power, Battery Charging Socket, Safe

Kigio Wildlife Camp

Kigio Wildlife Camp is under construction (opening Feb/March) approximately 2kms from Malewa Wildlife Lodge. It will be a superb all-suite camp surrounded by a beautiful Yellow-fever tree woodland overlooking the Malewa River. The camp is constructed from sustainable pine-wood, local earth from the conservancy, traditional thatch provided by the surrounding community and canvas panels - there has been minimal usage of cement and steel and the environment has been carefully preserved during its construction. Power is provided by solar panels.

Accommodation is in eleven spacious suites (each 72 sq mt) and one 2-bedroom family suite, each built on deck and containing a large bedroom and sitting area, a private bathroom with flush loo, shower and balcony. The dining and sitting areas are situated in a glade overlooking a towering red cliff that houses colonies of bee-eaters. A most attractive bar sits between two tall fever trees facing the cliff while dining decks are extended up to the river. At night hippo and buffalo visit the camp to feed on ground salts and vegetation, in the morning zebra and giraffe wander through as more than 250 types of birds sing way. Kigio Wildlife Camp will not only offer some of the highest standards of accommodation in the Rift valley lakes area but also a rewarding wildlife experience that could consist of several outdoor pursuits including nature walks with naturalists, fishing and biking, besides day and night game drives. For those who wish to get out of the vehicle to pursue a more active safari in glorious natural surroundings, a minimum of 2 nights stay is recommended at the camp.