Wildlife spotting
Located on the border of Tsavo West park, Lumo Conservancy was established in 1997 by three rangers who decided to form a wildlife nature reserve together. The landscape, with its mostly vast savannah: is breathtakingly beautiful and the Taita hills and Mount Kilimanjaro stand out on the horizon. The park is teeming with wildlife! You can spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other savannah lovers here.
Responsible safari
Because you go on safari in a conservancy, there are more lenient rules. You are not tied to specific opening and closing times. So you can go on a night safari accompanied by a ranger and carrying a big light or have a generous breakfast in the bush. And the money you pay? That goes directly to the community! Infrastructure, education, healthcare, everything is jacked up here thanks to the grants that come from conservancy money. Now that’s responsible safaris! Wondering why Lumo is worth even more? Read on here!
Softer rules because we are in a reserve. Better! For instance, you are not bound by specific opening hours and you will be much less affected by ‘massive safari tourism’ here than in national parks. There are several activities you can do in Lumo. Ready?
GAME DRIVE: Hit the road in the Land Cruiser and tear across the savannah, scouting for wildlife. Keep your eyes open at all times and enjoy what the rugged Kenyan wilderness has to offer!
BUSH BREAK / BRUNCH: Not quite in the style of Charlie’s Travels, as it’s a super touristy activity, but let’s be honest: how wonderful it is to arrive at a fully set breakfast table in the middle of the savannah, grab a fresh orange juice and be asked, “How would you like your eggs?”.
BUSH HANDING: A walk across the savannah with a ranger who not only ensures your safety, but also knows a lot about the local flora and fauna. Look for tracks, examine dried droppings and learn about local plants.
NIGHT SAFARI: This is really cool! Where you would normally lie in your tent listening to what animal is making all those sounds, now you will go and find it yourself. Accompanied by a ranger and with a big torch in your pocket, you drive into the eerie darkness of the savannah. Just watch out for hungry hyenas, because Mufasa is not here to rescue you….
Magical!
Make your safari even more fairytale-like by spending the night in the middle of the park under the starry sky or sleep in one of Kenya’s most beautiful lodges: Lion’s Bluff. Perched on a mountain ledge in the middle of the park, this accommodation overlooks the savannah where a procession of elephants regularly passes by. When you can also order a cold drink with such a view, you know for sure: magic exists!
After reading this, do you wonder what the difference is between a conservancy, national park or nature reserve?