Elewana Breathes New Life Into 2 of Kenya’s Iconic Safari Lodges
Design and culinary overhauls at Elsa’s Kopje and Elephant Pepper Camp enhance the guest experience while preserving the essence of two iconic East African safari lodges.
Photo: Courtesy of Elewana
Elewana Collection has refreshed two of its most iconic Kenyan lodges—Elsa’s Kopje in Meru and Elephant Pepper Camp in the Maasai Mara—with design upgrades and new culinary programs intended to strengthen their sense of place.
At Elsa’s Kopje, set above the plains of Meru National Park, the revamp preserves the property’s deep ties to East African conservation while refining the guest experience. The lodge, which is named after the lioness from Born Free and built into the rocky hillside above George and Joy Adamson’s former camp, now features upgraded furniture, new lighting, and Nero-finished floors. The Private House has been elevated with a luxurious new bath and outdoor shower, while the pools have been resurfaced in terrazzo. A new spa expansion offers more room for wellness rituals, and a dedicated sundowner terrace with panoramic views sets the stage for evening cocktails, soon to be joined by an outdoor cinema screening Born Free on-site.
The culinary program has also been reimagined to spotlight local flavors with elevated technique. Guests can expect a blend of Kenyan comfort food and refined lodge dining, featuring slow-braised stews, fresh pastries, and garden-forward fare at breakfast.
Further south, Elephant Pepper Camp has completed the final phase of its multi-year refresh, retaining its rustic ethos while upgrading the guest tents and common areas. Located in the Mara North Conservancy, the unfenced camp is a longtime favorite for safari purists seeking low-impact stays and top-tier game viewing. New furnishings and an improved arrival experience bring a heightened sense of welcome, but it’s the food that makes the biggest statement.
Elephant and Pepper, the camp’s new fire-focused culinary concept, brings bushcraft and bold flavors to the fore, serving ember-roasted vegetables, slow-smoked meats, and seafood grilled over local acacia wood, paired with smoke-infused cocktails and foraged ingredients.
The updates at both camps signal a continued investment in meaningful, conservation-led luxury. Elsa’s Kopje is ideal for clients seeking a quieter, off-the-beaten-path safari with historical resonance, while Elephant Pepper Camp appeals to return travelers looking for immersive wildlife and inventive dining. Both deliver high-touch service and a deep sense of place—reasons these lodges have long been, and continue to be, Elewana icons.
