Our Treat-trip to Sirikoi, Multi-Award Winning ‘Kenya’s Leading Safari Lodge’ Lewa, Laikipia, Northern Kenya

What a mix of emotions this family holiday would be. Firstly, Sue and Willie (the owners of Sirikoi) were my first ever bosses when their son Richard and I managed their Rusinga lodge back in 1993; not only did I feel part of the family for five or six years but I learnt so, so much, about everything ‘tourism’ and I thank them for that (apart from Willie introducing me to wonky-picture-frustration-syndrome 😂) … I couldn’t wait to catch up after so long, but saddened that part of this amazing family is now flying with the angels. Secondly, we were delivering one of our gorgeous Cocker Spaniel puppies which was a little sad (I’m fully aware I get too attached 😉) and finally, we were going to stay at Sirikoi, Sirikoi guys ‘Kenya’s Leading Safari Lodge’, for two nights, with my entire family. Aren’t we lucky?

Before our journey began, I couldn’t help but think, Sirikoi is indeed expensive, is it actually worth it? And how? Why?

Well, well, well …. It jolly was worth it!!!

A family-owned luxury eco-lodge, Sirikoi Lodge is surrounded by 68,000 acres of the pure wilderness of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an award-winning model for community conservation. With 4 beautifully large en-suite tents on wooden decks, a house with 3 en-suite bedrooms and a 2 en-suite bedrooms cottage, this eco-chic lodge offers incredible beauty, in privacy, whilst being completely unpretentious.  

Could you beat the location? Of course not, it’s in an UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Can you beat the grounds? No, of course not, lush green rolling green lawns, beautiful landscaping & aloe beds, the gorgeous swimming pool, the continuous view throughout the lodge onto the wilderness teaming with incredible wildlife (elephant, rhino, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, impala etc. etc. … etc. etc.) at all times. Where much of our time was spent was the gorgeous wooden deck that you perch on to eat & chat, enjoy your sundowners & chat, sip freshly ground coffee & chat, feed Nditu and Kiko the friendly giraffes, at all times checking out this 24-hour a day wildlife spectacle … and chat! It’s utterly incredible.

Could you beat the rooms? Nope, of course not …. they were just perfect in my opinion; magnificent, comfortable and snug, each with beautiful views … but not chichi, not even at all… and the baths🌈🛁 hhhmmmmmmm

Could you beat the organic fruit & veg garden and their produce (fresh every morning was a selection of berries, papaya, tree tomatoes, passion fruit, bananas, pomegranate, mangoes etc. and the incredibly fresh salads & crunchy veggies throughout the rest of the day)? Not in a million years …..

The wildlife experiences & guiding, could you beat that? Honestly not, the scatterings of incredible cats (including a strangely relaxed serval), the 3 million assorted plains game, the 4 million rhino, 5 million elephant, 6 million Grevy’s zebra … it was the best of bonkers. You will always see elephants, have an open safari vehicle and an amazing guide to yourself but you may also view this incredible wildlife from the back of their beautiful horses or belching camels, all notches for their bulging experience belt!

What blew me away more than I imagined were the people. Never before have I encountered such a well-oiled machine in Kenya.  The utterly incredible, amazing, fantastic team. The hosts are varied and heavenly in every way. The back-of-house team manage an incredibly impressive and tight ship! I’m very lucky to have visited most lodges in Kenya and many in surrounding countries, I’ve been lucky to have travelled the world over my tender under-50 years😉, but never have I come across a more committed, successful, fun, kind, informed, interesting, gentle bunch of people … what an inspiration.