LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY, Animal thieves had killed off most of Kenya’s rhino population, making the situation very bad. Twenty years before, there were 20,000 of these beautiful animals. By 1980, there were only 500 left. There was a need for action.Luckily, a cattle ranch in central Kenya was turned into a refuge for these black rhinos in 1983 so that they could be safe and healthy again. The project kept growing after a few years, and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was created because of its success. Lewa’s 61,000 acres are now one of the biggest wildlife refuges in Africa. They protect not only rhinos and elephants but also other rare animals.

Wildlife at the Lewa Conservancy

All five of Africa’s “Big Five” animals live in Lewa’s large fields. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs are the animals that live there. The rare Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk are among the animals that live in the conservancy. They are called “Northern Specialty Species.”

It is important to keep an eye out for the many birds that live in Lewa. These birds include pelicans, cormorants, herons, storks, flamingos, egrets, and quails.

A Unique Conservation Area

The different eco-systems in Lewa offer a wide range of beautiful scenery and views. It was given the honor of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its natural beauty and success as a refuge for wildlife.

The reserve is well-known among the wealthy and has drawn high-class tourists like Prince William of Wales. In 2010, the Prince asked Kate Middleton to marry him while they were on vacation here.

A Pretty Good Start

Lewa is seen as a success story for conservancies because it has been a model for sustainable tourism by protecting the land and animals and investing in the people who live there.

The Lewa organization puts money into health care, schooling, sustainable farming and water use, small businesses run by women, and mentoring programs for kids.

Don’t Forget…

Safari on Foot: Get up close and personal with the reserve. A walking safari with a guide is the best way to get to know the land, trees, and birds that are all around you.

Safari on Horseback—Take a game drive from the saddle for a slightly better view of the reserve. You can get a better look at the grazing groups on a horse safari, where you can ride along with giraffes, zebras, and impala.

Saddle up on a camel for an adventure experience that is very different from the norm. On these strange animals, you’ll slowly walk through the Lewa fields.

Local Villages—Take a culture trip to the nearby villages to meet the people, learn about how they live, and find out how the conservancy helps their community.

Go Behind the Scenes: You can watch and help with the many community and conservation projects in the area, such as their health outreach program.

Lewa Safari Marathon: This is a yearly fundraising event that is known all over the world. Runners try to beat their best times through the beautiful African scenery of Lewa. People from all over the world run in this big sports event, which is known as one of the ten “must do” marathons in the world.