Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp is the Laikipia honeymoon pick for couples who want a view to match the Maasai Mara's wildlife, plus far more to do than sit in a vehicle. The camp's 12 tents line the edge of a steep escarpment in the Loisaba Conservancy, each with floor-to-ceiling windows looking across the plains toward Mount Kenya. Below, a waterhole draws elephant, buffalo and plains game throughout the day.
Because Loisaba is a private conservancy, activities go well beyond daytime game drives. You can ride horses or camels, walk with guides, mountain bike, fish at Kiboko Dam, take night drives and meet the conservancy's anti-poaching dog unit. The camp's overflow pool, which hangs over the escarpment, is billed by the camp as one of the most scenic in Africa.
It also gives you access to Loisaba Star Beds, a sister camp where four-poster beds on wheels roll out onto open platforms so you can sleep under the stars. Many couples book a night there in the middle of their stay. Loisaba suits active couples and repeat safari-goers; first-timers set on seeing the Great Migration should pair it with the Mara.
Highlights at a glance
- Just 12 tents on a Laikipia escarpment
- Overflow pool facing Mount Kenya
- Horse, camel, walking and night safaris
- Loisaba Star Beds sleep-out nearby
- Waterhole views from the deck
Why Couples Love Loisaba
Laikipia is high country, cut by the equator and dotted with former cattle ranches turned conservancies and Loisaba sits on its northern escarpment. The result is a landscape that feels huge and empty, with clear air, cool nights and a horizon that seems to go on for days.
The camp makes the most of that. Tents are spaced along the ridge, so your windows look out rather than at your neighbors. Breakfast on the deck comes with a view of the waterhole, where you might see elephants drinking before you have finished your coffee.
The flexibility is the other draw. One partner can ride out on horseback while the other takes a gentle walk or stays by the pool and you can reunite for a sundowner. With only 12 tents, guides get to know your tastes quickly and can shape each day around them.
Tents and Star Beds
Each of the 12 tents is custom-built in an African style with a European touch: high ceilings, polished wooden floors and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Laikipia plains. Connecting tents exist for families, so if you want maximum quiet, ask for a tent away from the family units.
Loisaba Star Beds is the experience to add. The sister camp sits among a rocky kopje in one of the conservancy's eastern valleys, overlooking Kiboko Dam, where a family of hippos lives. Handcrafted four-poster beds sit on wheels and roll out onto raised wooden platforms, so you fall asleep under an equatorial sky with very little light pollution. Samburu and Laikipia Maasai warriors guide and host the stay.
Most couples book one night at Star Beds within a longer stay at the Tented Camp. It sells out, so request it early.
Food, Drink and the Pool
Meals are served in the main tent, with open-air dining, a lounge and a well-stocked bar known for its signature cocktails. A rustic wooden deck is used for outdoor breakfasts and lunches when the weather is fine, with the waterhole below.
The overflow pool is the camp's showpiece. It sits right on the edge of the escarpment and looks out across the plains, so a midday swim between activities comes with wildlife spotting. It is the place to spend the hot hours of the afternoon before setting out again at four.
Guides also set up bush breakfasts at sunrise and sundowners at sunset in different corners of the conservancy. Tell the team if you would like a private dinner for two during your stay; small camps are usually happy to arrange something special for honeymooners.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Loisaba's private status opens up a long menu of activities. Game drives in Land Rover safari vehicles run by day and by night and nocturnal animals such as aardvark, genet and hyena often show up after dark. Laikipia is also home to special northern species such as reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra.
On horseback or camelback, you can move among giraffe and zebra in near silence. Guided walking safaris teach you to read tracks and dung. There is mountain biking, fishing for tilapia and catfish at Kiboko Dam and visits to Samburu villages. The camp's sniffer dogs, part of the conservancy's anti-poaching work, make for a memorable morning.
Nights can be cool, so pack a fleece. Laikipia is a malaria area; talk to your doctor about prevention, use repellent and if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Kenya.
Getting There
The usual route is a light aircraft flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport (WIL) to Loisaba Airstrip, which takes about an hour, followed by a 15- to 20-minute drive to camp. International flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), so most couples overnight in Nairobi before flying out the next morning.
Elewana also runs road transfers to and from Nanyuki and its other northern Kenya properties, taking roughly two to six hours depending on the route. Nanyuki is about 78 kilometers away by road.
Bush flights have strict luggage limits, usually around 15 kilograms per person in soft-sided bags. Pack light and check the exact allowance with your operator. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want an active, varied safari with real views, yes. Rates are approximate and change by season, but expect a typical high-season stay to run from well over a thousand dollars a night for two, usually including meals and most activities. Check exactly which activities are included and which, such as horse riding or Star Beds supplements, cost extra.
Compared with the Maasai Mara, Laikipia trades the sheer density of big cats and the drama of river crossings for space, silence and freedom to walk and ride. Many couples combine the two, spending three nights in each.
If your dream is lions on every drive or the Great Migration, prioritize the Mara. If you love horses, walking or the idea of sleeping under the stars, Loisaba is hard to beat.
Insider tips
- Book one night at Loisaba Star Beds in the middle of your stay, not on the last night.
- Ask for a tent away from the connecting family units for more privacy.
- Try a night drive at least once; Laikipia's nocturnal wildlife is excellent.
- Pack in a soft bag within the bush flight luggage limit.
