Location: Mukogodo Division, Laikipia District, Laikipia County, Kenya.
Overview
II Ngwesi Group Ranch is the Ranch in which the Lodge sits, and consists of 8,645 hectares of community-managed land located in north of Mount Kenya, the II Ngwesi Lodge is owned and run by the Maasai community, offering visitors a full wildlife and cultural experience, and the only tourist facility within the Group Ranch.
The Lodge is accessible by road, and schedule flights through Lewa Downs airstrip a 2 hours drive, and by charter flight to II Ngwesi airstrip, a ten-minute drive to the lodge.
The Camp has six lodges built in 1996, offers the ultimate personal experience, constructed entirely out of local materials, this award-winning Lodge is perched on the edge of the Mararoi hills close to the Ngare Ndare River in Laikipia.
The main areas include the dining terrace and bar, partly shaded and beautiful wooded deck among the nearby trees. Through the main long footpath, up the ridge is the free-form infinity pool and partly shade pool terrace.
Lunches are normally served by the pool terrace and the main dining is located at the reception connecting through the bush, access to the kitchen, small crafts, and curios shop and back-of house areas.
Uniqueness of this Camp
- Award winning enterprise that combines eco-tourism with sustainable environmental management and community development.
- The rustic charm and authenticity
- The Lodge is not fenced, wildlife roam freely
- The open room style allows one to sleep under the stars
- Constructed entirely out of local materials.
Accommodation
Room 1: Rhino also known as ‘Prince William room’ considered a honeymoon suite, in a private location on the northwest edge of the hill & Room 5: (‘Buffalo’) have extra-large decks, with only a low barrier of branches at the edge. Instead of ordinary double beds, these rooms are furnished with “star beds” – double beds on wheels that can be pulled out onto the deck for a night under the stars.
Room 2: Oltome (‘Elephant’) & Room 3: Orgatuny (‘Lion’) normally used for families due to their proximity and connected by a little wooden.
Room 4: Osiruwa (‘Eland’), Room 6: Emara (‘Giraffe’), each cottage has a wash basin, washstand, toilet slightly separated for visual privacy from main lounge and sitting area. Most of the rooms, have the ‘loo with a view’ offering unobstructed panorama beyond the bush. Below the steps is a separate outdoor, open air walled shower well stocked with natural Cinnabar Green toiletries.
Amenities
The Amenities:
- Indoor and outdoor dining
- Backup generator
- Disabled access on request
- Laundry facilities, laundry (hand-washed and line-dried) is included in the rate, but no underwear is taken.
- Safety box: a safe in the office for valuables.
- Only cash is accepted for payment of extras at the lodge.
- No Wi-Fi at Il Ngwesi.
- There is no TV
- Drinking water in bottled water, washing water comes from the river and their local spring.
- Baby sitting facility should be requested at point of booking.
- a helicopter landing pad in case of emergencies.
Activities
- Game drives in 4×4 vehicles
- Sundowners
- Bush breakfast by the Ngare Ndare River
- Visits to the Mukogodo Forest & camping overnight
- Swimming pool
- In-house beauty/massage therapist
- Viewing wildlife at the waterhole from main house or hide.
- Guided walk to the rhino sanctuary
- Visit local Maasai Cultural Boma, learn traditions, honey collecting, entertainment and goat eating* incur additional charges.
- Guided walk to climbing the Mukogodo Escarpment with an armed ranger (six hours)