Sirikoi Lodge, Kenya

The exclusive and charming Sirikoi Lodge is set amid rolling lawns, next to water holes that attract the Big Five, which roam freely on 64,000 acres of wilderness.

By National Geographic Traveller The Collection
Published 13 Jun 2017, 16:00 BST

The exclusive and charming Sirikoi Lodge is set amid rolling lawns, next to water holes that attract the Big Five, which roam freely on 64,000 acres of wilderness. As well as excellent game-viewing opportunities, the property has long been a leading model for wildlife conservation and low-impact community tourism.

Luxury surroundings

As a small and intimate family-owned safari lodge, Sirikoi offers unrivalled exclusivity and charm. The four luxury tents, Sirikoi Cottage and private Sirikoi House are perfectly positioned along the spring-fed Sirikoi stream, from which the lodge derives its name. Among the rolling green lawns and giant yellow fever trees, each room overlooks a natural water hole and marsh, which has become a favourite passage and sanctuary for wildlife. Surrounded by 64,000 acres of pure wilderness of the renowned World Heritage Site, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the location of the lodge is truly exceptional.

Sirikoi Lodge resembles an eco-chic African home and while it offers a sure sense of luxury and high level of service, it manages to be welcoming, comfortable and unpretentious. Each room is individually decorated with a combination of African art and textiles, impressive bronze wildlife sculptures, handmade furniture from the Sirikoi workshop, beautiful heirlooms and fascinating artifacts collected by the family over their five generations in Kenya. Rooms each boast a private game-viewing deck and are spacious and tastefully designed, with unique decor touches, a sitting area, big Victorian bathtubs, rain-showers and a fireplace (even in the tents).

A family run lodge

Willie and Sue Roberts, the founders and owners of Sirikoi, have poured their heart and soul into Sirikoi — and it shows. The family has been in the safari industry for over 50 years. Sirikoi is the third lodge Willie Roberts has built, with no help from an architect; just vision, experience and a great sense of style. Sue’s passion for botany has resulted in beautiful grounds — with rare creepers adding character to chimneys — and an organic vegetable garden that’s surely among the most prodigious of any lodge garden in Kenya. Most evenings, Willie and Sue join their guests around the fire for a sundowner, making sure everyone feels at home.

The food at Sirikoi is always a highlight. Meals are colourful, fresh and served on the Sirikoi deck. The simple and elegant home-style cooking is influenced by the lodge’s vegetable garden, which boasts an avocado grove, banana trees, berry bushes and plenty more.

A team of 48 staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to look after just 18 guests, the lodge’s maximum capacity. Most are from neighbouring villages and have worked at Sirikoi for years, developing and learning new skills along the way. There’s a great sense of pride and enjoyment, which shines through the team’s cheerful service and attention to detail.

The lodge is set in a malaria-free area and, thanks to the frogs in the Sirikoi stream (whose gentle cacophony provides a soothing backdrop), there are also few insects. With Kenya’s arid North to one side, and the lush foothills of Mount Kenya on the other, Sirikoi enjoys a spring-like climate almost all year. 

Big Five sightings and more

The wildlife on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is abundant and includes many rare and endangered species, such as the reticulated giraffe, both the black and white rhino, and the largest resident population of the Grévy’s zebra in the world. Guests enjoy frequent Big Five sightings, often in a single day. Families of elephants include Sirikoi in their migratory routes and can be seen almost every day, in front of the Sirikoi deck, feeding and drinking.

Days are as adventurous or as rejuvenating as desired, and Sirikoi offers a range of unique activities through which to experience and explore the wilderness and wildlife. Guests enjoy prime game-viewing on morning, evening and night game drives, in their own exclusive open-topped vehicle, or in a leather chair on the Sirikoi deck overlooking the busy water hole and wildlife on the lawns.

Activities for thrill-seekers include: helicopter excursions up Mount Kenya, fly fishing, quad bike trails, bush walks with a ranger, hanging out in the wildlife hide, visiting Lewa’s anti-poaching unit, dancing with Maasai and Samburu warriors, walking the canopy bridge, diving into the blue glacial pools and night fly-camping in the Ngare Ndare Forest. For the easygoing, a leisurely bush breakfast, cooling off in the infinity pool, relaxing with a massage or some yoga or simply browsing through the gift shop can be action-packed enough.

Environmental conservation

Sirikoi has always strived to operate in harmony with its environment. The lodge runs off solar power, taps all its water from a natural spring, uses all-natural cleaning products and toiletries, follows a strict recycling policy and grows its own vegetables. As a result of these efforts, Sirikoi has been honoured with a Gold Eco rating from Ecotourism Kenya for the past three years.

Sirikoi has a strong commitment to conservation. Through the protection of endangered species, the support of community conservation and development programmes, as well as the education of neighbouring areas in the value of wildlife, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has become Kenya’s leading model for wildlife conservation and low-impact community tourism. Sirikoi continues to contribute hugely towards Lewa’s community, education and health projects.

Need to know

Key facilities

• Luxury tented rooms
• Sirikoi Cottage
• Sirikoi House
• High-speed wi-fi
• Gift shop
• Exclusive vehicles
• Vegetable garden
• Private deck
• Fireplaces in rooms

Key activities

• Infinity pool
• Game drives and night drives
• Bush walks
• Helicopter rides
• Fly fishing
• Quad biking
• Horse- and camel-riding
• Ngare Ndare forest trip

Contact

T: +254 727 232 445
E: bookings@sirikoi.com
sirikoi.com

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