With no other tourist facilities within the Group Ranch, it is the ultimate personal experience.
Location: Il Ngwesi Lodge is perched on a rocky outcrop at the north-eastern edge of the Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, a 16,500-hectare community-owned reserve on the Laikipia Plateau. Far from towns and close to the Ngare Ndare River, the lodge offers sweeping views across the wilderness towards Samburu. Its remoteness makes it feel wonderfully wild, yet it’s warmly welcoming thanks to being owned and run entirely by the local Maasai community.
Rooms: Accommodation consists of six bandas, each individually designed to follow the contours of the hillside and built from local materials. Spacious and open-fronted, they feature wooden floors, hand-carved beds draped in Maasai fabrics, and panoramic views over the landscape. The main house, Il Laikipiak Hall, looks north and east over the valley and waterhole, while the pool area provides another peaceful vantage point to soak up the surroundings.
Amenities: Guests can enjoy flexible dining, from bush breakfasts by the Ngare Ndare River to sundowners, communal meals in the main house, or private dinners. Families are well catered for, with meals tailored around children’s routines and babysitting available. A swimming pool, massage and beauty treatments, and a hide overlooking the waterhole make it easy to relax between activities.
Activities: Il Ngwesi offers a blend of wildlife and cultural experiences. Activities include guided game drives, nature walks, visits to Maasai villages, and excursions into the Mukogodo Forest. Guests can also join a walk to the nearby rhino sanctuary, enjoy local music and dancing, or even camp out under the stars.
Sustainability: A pioneer in community-led conservation, Il Ngwesi Lodge is built entirely from local materials and fully owned and managed by the Maasai community. Revenue from tourism directly supports education, health, and conservation projects within the group ranch. By staying here, guests help protect wildlife, preserve traditional culture, and sustain livelihoods.
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Best places to stay in Laikipia
Laikipia Trip Inspiration
When to visit Kenya
Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.
February
February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.
March
Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.
April
April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.
May
The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.
June
June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.
July
July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.
August
The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.
September
Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.
October
October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.
November
November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.
December
The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.
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