Destinations Services Limited

George and Joy Adamson’s biographical book and film “Born Free" which was based on a lioness named Elsa is the name that this lodge is named after. It is located in Mugwangho Hill in Meru National Park. Kopje means small hill. It is invisible to the naked eye as you approach it since it has blended with the rocky crags. Meru has got rich wildlife diversity which includes rare species specific to Northern Kenya such as the Grevy Zebra,Gerenuk,Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Lesser Kudu as well as buffalo, elephants,lion,cheetahs ,leopards and more than 350 bird species.

What makes this lodge unique?

1. Rhino Sanctuary – There is a rhino sanctuary for over 40 white rhino and 20 black rhino. It is the best upmarket location to view rhino in their natural habitat in Kenya.
2. History – Elsa’s is built overlooking the site of George Adamson’s camp where the rock was the playground of Elsa the lioness
3. Location – It is the only fully operational upmarket lodge in Meru National Park. So guests have an entire park to themselves.
4. Highly Qualified Guides – The guides at Elsa’s have the impressive Silver level KPSGA qualification.

Accommodation

It has 8 ensuite open plan cottages of which 7 are doubles and 1 is a twin. The cottages have been uniquely designed and incorporated offering a room with a view. There is an infinity pool that overlooks the Meru Plains.

There is also Elsa’s Private House which is made up of 1 double room and 1 twin room both ensuite with a shared sitting room, verandah and private swimming pool. This spacious, stylish is set slightly apart from the main lodge offering exclusive hideaway.

There is also Elsa’s honeymoon suite which has 1 double room with private sitting room, ensuite bathroom and small private deck. It has breathtaking views.

The camp runs on solar inverter batteries and a generator.

The camp has received various awards namely:

1. Best Safari Camp in East Africa-The Good Safari Guide 2009
2. Best Development,CNBC International Property Awards 2008
3. Recipient of Africa’s 1^st Bronze Eco-Rating Certificate, Ecotourism Society of Kenya(ESOK) 2003
4. 101 Best Hotels-Tatler Travel Guide 2007
5. 10 of the WORLD’S Coolest Pools-The DAILY Telegraph, Spring 2005
6. The 50 best Honeymoons-The Independent, June 2001

Activities

1. Day & Night Game Drives
2. Guided Bush Walks
3. Bush Meals
4. Sundowners
5. Cultural Visits
6. Day Excursions to the Tana River with packed lunches
7. Line Fishing ( Catfish and Barbel)
8. Swimming Pool
9. Massage
10. Shop

Responsible Tourism

1. The farmers on the border of the park supply fresh produce to the lodge
2. The lodge maintains a close relationship with the Tharaka people where they buy their handcrafts to be sold in the shop
3. The lodge finances the building of a local school through their direct funds and donations from clients
4. The Tharaka people usually entertain the guests for a fee
5. Employees of Elsa are from the Kanjoo community
6. Rubbish is responsibly disposed of or recycled like glass is given to the East African Women’s League for their glass for glasses project
7. The lodge consumes a minimum amount of energy by using energy saving bulbs and trying to limit generator hours
8. Any timber used by the lodge is either deadwood or taken from renewable sources