Poised on a rocky kopje, the Loisaba Star Beds command sweeping views over an undulating valley and a permanent waterhole, frequented by resident wildlife.
Handcrafted four-poster wooden beds sit on raised wooden platforms jutting out from a thatched-roof accommodation and are rolled out each night for guests to enjoy the most memorable sleep under the endless African sky.
Rustically designed to complement the surrounding environment, each star bed is individually built in harmony with the natural rocky features, incorporating a sitting area, and open plan bathroom with a view.
A team of traditional Samburu & Laikipiak Maasai warriors welcome and host you with their customary warm African hospitality.
Rising early to watch sunrise from your Star Bed with a comforting hot beverage, the day ahead promises adventure, with a myriad of activities by which to experience Loisaba. A day of fun is rounded off with drinks by the log fire in the Star Beds lounge, sharing tall tales of the African bush, with the tale-telling continuing over a delicious shared dinner.
Loisaba Star Beds is a truly authentic and intimate African experience.
Loisaba is a 57,000 acre conservancy within Laikipia County that is owned by Loisaba Community Trust, a Kenyan Trust incorporated under the Perpetual Succession of Trustees Act, and is committed to wildlife and ecological conservation. The Loisaba mission is to protect and enhance critical wildlife diversity, abundance and habitat in the Loisaba landscape, which sits on the western edge of one of Kenya’s most important elephant movement corridors, while concurrently supporting sustainable livestock production and improving the lives of neighbouring communities.
Guiding & Activities
Loisaba is made for adventure: guests enjoy complete freedom to choose how they spend their time so the only barrier is your own imagination. Trek through the bush with camels, mountain bike down the escarpment, horseback-ride or drive through the wild canyons of the two great rivers that span the vast property.
WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
Loisaba is immense: bigger than ten of the world’s fully-fledged nations. You could take months exploring this land and never encounter the same view twice. We can assure you that you will not bump into anyone else and you will see the most extraordinary natural wonders – spectacular animal life that is wild, free and exhilarating to observe and a kaleidoscopic variety of birds, both endemic and migratory.
GAME DRIVES
One of the best ways to view the wildlife at Loisaba is on a game drive. Whether you go early in the morning or late afternoon, you own informative guide will take you in an open vehicle across the open plains, through the bush or along the river bank viewing the wide variety of game, birds, plants and trees.
Fishing can be arranged in the river and dams, kindly note this is seasonal and depends on the rains. Equipment, both modern and traditional can be supplied.
HORSE RIDING
Experience the unique exhilaration of riding on the plains with a herd of zebra,walking gently through a graceful forest of giraffe or past a herd of elephant. On horseback it is possible to get unusually close to wildlife and our stable of horses have all been reared from birth in the bush so are quite accustomed to its presence. We do, however, require a reasonable degree of riding skill.
WALKING
A great way to view the stunning diversity of Loisaba is on foot. You will be accompanied by traditional Samburu guides whose knowledge of local flora, fauna, cultural and history is unmatched.
For a unique cultural experience, spend an afternoon down at the traditional Masai village – a great experience see how the Masai live, watch them dance and view some of their beadwork.
CAMEL SAFARIS
The traditional mode of transport in the dry land of Northern Kenya and another great way to experience Loisaba. Short or longer walks can be arranged.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
For some excitement and adrenalin, take a mountain bike and your guide and explore some of the biking trails around Loisaba Conservancy on two wheels.
LOISABA CONSERVANCY’S ANTI POACHING UNIT
Loisaba Conservancy has its own dedicated anti-poaching team, comprising of four sniffer dogs – Warrior, Machine, Memusi and Nanyokie – and their human handler team. Visit the team and learn about their day to day training and activities, and also view an anti-poaching demonstration in action.
Accommodation
Unique to Loisaba, the Star Beds are a truly memorable African experience. Handcrafted four-poster beds with wheels, are rolled out onto raised wooden platforms so that guests sleep under the endless African night sky. The open-to-air bathrooms are designed around the rocky features of the kopje with a plumbed shower offering piping hot solar-heated water, a basin and flush loo, as well as beautiful views over the valley below.
Double Rooms
Three ensuite Double Rooms, featuring a seating area, wardrobe and safe, and an ensuite bathroom with shower, flush toilet and vanity, all under the cover of a thatched roof.
Family Room
One ensuite Family Room, with two double beds pushed out onto separate platforms. The room features a sitting area, wardrobe and safe, with a bathroom set slightly apart adjoined by a short undercover walkway.
All rooms can fit an extra single bed that can’t be rolled out.
Rates & Seasons 2023
| ALL RATES ARE PER ROOM IN U.S. DOLLARS | 1ST JUL – 31ST OCT 20TH DEC – 3RD JAN 2023 | 4TH JAN – 31ST MAR 1ST JUN – 30TH JUN 1ST NOV – 19TH DEC | 1ST APRIL – 31ST MAY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROOM | HIGH SEASON | MID SEASON | GREEN SEASON | |
| Star Bed Full Board | Double / Twin | 1,008 | 778 | Closed |
| Single | 756 | 584 | ||
| Family Room | 1,134 | 877 | ||
| Star Bed Game Package | Double / Twin | 1,260 | 1,062 | Closed |
| Single | 945 | 769 | ||
| Family Room | 1,418 | 1,154 | ||
Full Board (FB) Includes:
- Accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits, teas, coffees and refreshments (on the property), and laundry services. The rates exclude champagne, private cellar wines and premium spirits
Game Package (GP) Includes:
- Full-board package, scheduled and shared game drives, activities including guided walking safari, bush sundowners, transfers to and from our designated airstrips.The game package excludes champagne, private cellar wines and premium spirits.
Vehicle Code of Conduct:
- Only 4×4 vehicles which are shades of green or brown in colour are permitted on Loisaba Conservancy. Saloon vehicles and mini-buses are prohibited and exceptions to this may be authorised by Loisaba Conservancy management.
| APPLICABLE FEES, LEVIES AND/OR TAXES TO BE ADDED | ADULT | CHILD |
|---|---|---|
| (Mandatory and Non-Commissionable, Per Person, Per Night) | ||
| Conservancy Fee | $150 | $75 |
| MAXIMUM ROOM OCCUPANCY | NUMBER OF GUESTS |
|---|---|
| Star Bed | 2 Adults |
| Star Bed Family Room | 2 Adults and 2 Children |
| ACTIVITIE, EXCURSIONS AND EXTRAS (PER PERSON, NET RATES) | ADULT RATE | CHILD RATE (<18) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared, Scheduled Game Drives, Morning or Evening (Included in Game Package Rates) | 105 | 105 |
| Guided Walking Safari, 2 hours (Included in Game Package, Min 2 Guests) | 84 | 84 |
| Camel Riding within the Conservancy (Included in Game Package, Min 2 Guests) | 68 | 68 |
| Horse Riding within the Conservancy (Included in Game Package, Min 2 Guests) | 68 | 68 |
| Bush Breakfast (Included in Game Package, Min 2 Guests) | 68 | 42 |
| Sundowners (Included in Game Package, Min 2 Guests) | 68 | 42 |
| Mountain Biking Escorted, 2 hours (Included in Game Package) | 58 | 37 |
| Sniffer Dogs Experience (Included in Game Package) | 37 | 37 |
| Exclusive use of a Safari Vehicle with Driver Guide | 440 | |
| Walking Safari – Long Walk (4 hours, min. 2 guests) | 105 | 105 |
| Night Game Drive (2 hours, min, 2 guests) | 95 | 95 |
| Yoga amenities pack (bookings made for Yoga retreats only) | 95 | — |
| Extra Lunch at Property | 47 | 42 |
| Samburu Village Visit, 3 hours | 40 | 40 |
| Picnic Lunch Box | 32 | 32 |
| Minimum age for guided walking safari is 16 years | ||
Getting There
Loisaba airstrip is a 1hr flight from Wilson Airport, and a 15 minute drive from Loisaba Star Beds.
- Once daily scheduled Safarilink flight departing Nairobi Wilson
- Once daily schedule Air Kenya flight departing Nairobi Wilson
- Private charters from anywhere
- Road transfer in Elewana vehicle to/from any of Elewana’s other Northern properties or Nanyuki (travel times between 3.5 and 8 hours)
CAMP & AIRSTRIP COORDINATES
- Loisaba airstrip coordinates: 0°36’43.6”N 36°48’03.2”E
- Loisaba Star Beds coordinates: 0°37’54.8”N 36°50’45.5”E
Community & Conservation
After only a few hours here, our guests see the world anew. Thinking more clearly about the basics of life brings everything else into focus. Loisaba is not just a holiday destination of peerless beauty and infinite variety; It is a practical project in sustainable land-use. This basic premise infiltrates every part of the ranch.
A working ranch
The property is untamed bush but also a working cattle farm; it conducts important wildlife research and – crucially – works closely with the community who have defended this land for generations. Guests see Africa as it was before fences were invented. Here there are no game park rules, no caged animals and none of the constraints of western life. Like the wildlife we nurture, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. The local Samburu and Maasai tribes are full partners in the project so your visit not only conserves the environment but also pays for the education and welfare of the people who call this remote and magnificent region home.
The Maasai community
The Loisaba Community Conservation Foundation (LCCF) is a US 501 c3 Foundation. It aims to assist the area surrounding Loisaba Conservancy by encouraging community-driven enterprise and fostering the development of philanthropic based community initiatives.
Conservation
Revenue generated from conservancy fees and bed nights at Loisaba are dedicated to conservation of the 230km2 private wilderness area, in addition to supporting community orientated health, education and enterprise programmes outside its boundaries with the neighbouring Samburu and Laikipiak Maasai tribes.
Loisaba Conservancy’s Anti Poaching Unit
Loisaba Conservancy in partnership with The Nature Conservancy has its own dedicated anti-poaching team, comprising of four sniffer dogs – Warrior, Machine, Memusi and Nanyokie – and their human handler team. Warrior and Machine are bloodhound brothers who came from Ol Jogi Conservancy, and Nanyokie and Memusi are brother and sister bloodhound bluetick coonhound crosses from the Mara.
Every morning their dedicated handlers take them on different routes keeping them fit and ensuring they are always ready to go. Whether they’re driven out into the bush to pick up the scent or they need to jump into a plane and help further flung neighbours, the dogs and their handlers are always prepared. Guests staying here at Loisaba have the opportunity to be part of a tracking demonstration to see them in action.
Bloodhounds make great tracker dogs because they have more than 200 million olfactory cells (“scent receptors”), which are about 40 times as many as humans! Their droopy ears and wrinkly skin help collect older molecules and sweep them towards the dogs’ noses.
JOSEPH EKARAN
Ekaran joined Loisaba Conservancy in 2005 as one of our rangers, and joined the canine unit in 2006 after attending a three month long bloodhound handling course held at Ol Jogi. He enjoys his position as lead dog handler due to the vital role the dogs play in preventing poaching and the overall security of the conservancy, and being able to assist with issues in the surrounding communities. His favourite part is when he is out with the dogs tracking offenders.
CHRISTOPHER GIKUNGUTE
Chris joined the canine unit in March 2016, after two years at Loisaba as a ranger. He has undergone ranger training at Loisaba and as successfully acquired his certificate in dog handling from the Police Dog Unit College. His favourite part of being a dog handler is the ability to assist the local communities on property recovery, and the part they play in general wildlife conservation and protection.
JOHN POIS
John joined the team in June 2018 after carrying out a six month paramilitary course. He too successfully completed an assessment course at the Police Dog Unit College, and understands the importance of the dogs regarding wildlife protection and conservation. His favourite part of the job is the success of recovering stolen items.
AMOS NAIPUTARI
After Amos completed his secondary education, he stayed at home running a small business and taking care of his father’s livestock. He joined Loisaba Conservancy in May 2018 as a dog hander, and is receiving continuous dog handling training from his colleagues. He also recognises the vital role the dogs play in wildlife protection, and admires their ability to assist the local communities with the recovery of stolen items.
