El Karama Lodge
Laikipia, Kenya
Treasured Ground in the Heart of Laikipia
In the heart of Laikipia, El Karama’s working ranch and wildlife conservancy runs along the Ewaso Nyiro River, with views reaching to Mount Kenya, the Aberdares and the Lolldaiga Hills. The name means ‘treasured possession’ or ‘answered prayer’ in Arabic, and the land supports more than 80 mammal species, among them elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, Grévy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
The Grant family have ranched here for generations, and Murray and Sophie built the lodge with their team from stone, wood and thatch gathered on the ranch itself. An artistic hand shows throughout. The central mess, with its large fireplace, bar and cosy reading corners, looks over the river and a salt lick visited by wildlife, while an eco swimming pool and poolside pavilions sit close by.
The riverside bandas each have a veranda for reading and stargazing, netted beds and a generous stone bath where hippo or an African finfoot may appear on the water below. Families gravitate to the Rondavel and the whimsical Hobbit House with its mezzanine lofts, while the Nilotica Private House offers exclusive use, with its own pool, an art-filled lounge and a waterhole visited by giraffe and impala.
An active, easy-going pattern, rooted in ranch and river, offers something different each day. Choose from game drives, night drives, walking safaris, birdwatching and fly camping, or fish the river and dams, join the herdsmen at milking time and let children loose on bush activities of their own. Yoga and spa treatments slow the pace, and meals are shared at a long table with a team, some of whom have been here for over twenty years.
You will love
- Stone baths overlooking the river
- Wild dog & Grévy’s zebra
- Fly camping on the ranch
- Hands-on ranch & farm life
- Built by the Grant family
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
Thank you so much for putting together the most memorable holiday for us. The experiences we have had in the last couple of weeks have gone beyond all expectations.
Jane & Col Loveday
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
