Loisaba Tented Camp

Location

This 58,000-acre conservancy forms part of a crucial elephant movement corridor, supporting Kenya’s second-largest elephant population as they migrate between the Matthews Range and Mount Kenya. Your ridge-top position offers commanding views across the entire ecosystem from the Ewaso Nyiro River valley to distant volcanic peaks.

The landscape here differs markedly from southern Kenya’s tourist circuit. Instead of endless savannah, you will find dramatic escarpments, seasonal rivers, and diverse habitats ranging from riverine forest to thornbush scrub, variety that supports over 60 mammal species and 265 bird species. African wild dogs, thought extinct in the region until recently, have returned to hunt these valleys, while three resident lion prides patrol territories that overlap with the camp’s traversing area.

The exclusive access extends across the entire conservancy, ensuring that even during peak season, you will rarely encounter another vehicle. The ecosystem’s position near the equator creates remarkably stable temperatures year-round, though the 5,800-foot elevation keeps conditions refreshingly cool compared to Kenya’s lowland parks.

Rooms

Loisaba’s tents present a polished, contemporary style that feels closer to a modern suite than a traditional canvas camp. Elevated wooden platforms, clean architectural lines, and wide glass fronts make the landscape the hero, with uninterrupted views across the escarpment and down to the wildlife-rich waterhole. The atmosphere is calm, spacious, and quietly luxurious, without drifting into excess.

The standard tents have generous layouts with polished wooden floors, well-positioned beds facing the view, and considered touches that create an easy sense of comfort. Bathrooms are particularly well executed, offering double vanities, enclosed toilets, and reliable solar-heated rainfall showers that work consistently at all times of day. Storage and desk space are well arranged, making the tents practical as well as elegant.

The family units connect two tents via raised walkways, forming private compounds that work exceptionally well for families or two couples travelling together. The main tent includes a king bed and sitting area, while the second offers convertible twin beds and a separate bathroom. Shared lounges and wide verandas provide additional living space between activities. One unit includes a private infinity pool, adding a rare level of exclusivity for families seeking additional privacy.

Across all room types, the design approach favours understated elegance rather than overt safari styling. Natural timber, soft neutral tones, and subtle textural details give the interiors a contemporary feel that complements the landscape rather than competing with it. The verandas function as true outdoor living areas, often offering clear views of elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife moving below the escarpment. The result is a stylish, uncluttered environment that remains firmly rooted in its setting.

Communal Areas

Loisaba’s communal spaces are centred around a substantial main lodge where canvas, timber, and glass come together in an open, contemporary design. High canvas ceilings and polished wooden floors create a sense of space, while the lounge is arranged in relaxed clusters of sofas and armchairs set around low tables. Books on local wildlife and artwork add character without clutter, and the curved bar along one wall provides a natural gathering point as the day winds down. The dining area flows onto a broad deck, where al fresco meals make the most of the ridge-top setting.

The camp’s signature infinity pool is one of its defining features. Its dark finish helps maintain a comfortable water temperature, and the vanishing edge gives an uninterrupted view across the escarpment. From this position, it is common to see wildlife at the waterhole below and, on clear mornings, Mount Kenya in the distance. A second pool positioned closer to the eastern tents offers a quieter setting when the main deck is busy.

Power throughout the camp is supplied entirely by an advanced solar system with battery storage, reducing noise and ensuring consistent electricity for charging devices and running essential services. Wi-Fi is available in most communal areas, though coverage is intentionally reduced towards the pool deck to maintain a more tranquil, offline atmosphere.

Between activities, the main deck becomes the natural social centre of the camp. Guests gather here for morning coffees, compare sightings during the heat of the afternoon, and enjoy sundowners before dinner.

Activities

The breadth of activities at Loisaba is one of its defining strengths, setting it apart from properties that rely solely on vehicle-based game viewing. The conservancy supports a wide range of ways to explore the landscape, from traditional day and night game drives to guided walks, mountain biking, fishing, cultural visits, and specialist conservation-focused experiences. This variety gives each day a distinct rhythm and perspective.

Game drives cover varied terrain, and the time of day can shape sightings significantly. Mornings often focus on predator activity, with resident lion prides, leopards, and increasingly frequent cheetah encounters. Since January 2024, black rhino tracking has become possible following the reintroduction of twenty-one individuals, adding a notable conservation dimension to game viewing. Night drives using spotlights reveal nocturnal species such as aardvarks, bushbabies, and, at times, African wild dogs moving across the plains.

Loisaba’s anti-poaching demonstration is another highlight. The conservancy’s renowned bloodhound and tracker dog unit showcases the techniques used in frontline wildlife protection, offering an engaging and informative look at how security teams operate.

Guided walks with Samburu guides shift the focus from large mammals to subtler details: medicinal plants, bird calls, geology, and traditional tracking techniques. Walks can be adapted to suit different fitness levels, from gentle routes to more demanding escarpment hikes.

At Loisaba you have the option to explore the bush on four or two legs horse riding and camel trekking add a truly different dimension to your safari. The camp’s stable of bush-raised horses allows guests to ride quietly through herds of zebra, giraffe or impala, approaching wildlife in a way that vehicles cannot match.
Both activities are optional extras and must be arranged through the camp’s guiding team; they are popular with guests seeking a more immersive, low-impact way to experience the landscape and wildlife.

Mountain biking offers a more energetic option, particularly on routes descending from the escarpment, while fishing at Kiboko Dam provides a quieter alternative, with the chance to observe hippos while trying for tilapia. Cultural visits to nearby Samburu communities offer insight into pastoralist traditions and how they intersect with modern conservation; contributions for these visits are paid directly to the communities.