Loisaba Ranch and Loisaba Star Beds

Introduction + Destination

Loisaba bestrides the border of Laikipia and Kenya’s rugged Northern Frontier District. Only a few miles from the equator, this private game ranch on 60,000 acres is in a wilderness of remote beauty where the farm management and local Laikipiak Maasai & Samburu community work together to preserve the environment and abundant surrounding wildlife.

The view from Loisaba extends hundreds of miles – to Mount Kenya, the Loldaiga Hills and the Mathews Range. Through Loisaba roam Elephant, Lion and Leopard alongside the endemic northern species that thrive there – Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra and Reticulated Giraffe.

It is a setting little changed since the Great Rift Valley split Africa in two, creating the dramatic escarpment on which the lodge is built. Luxurious, yet in harmony with its surroundings; full of adventure, yet an oasis of calm.

The Experience

Loisaba is made for adventure: guests enjoy complete freedom to choose how they spend their time … the only barrier is your own imagination. Trek through the bush with camels, mountain bike down the escarpment, raft the Ewaso Nyiro, horseback ride or drive through the wild canyons of the two great rivers that span this vast area.

The ranch also owns a micro-light and aeroplane so there are no limits to what you choose to do: heli-camp, then surf the remote sand dunes of the Northern Frontier District, rock-climb the soaring pinnacles thrusting up from the valley floor or just play a little tennis and lie by the pool.

A place of deep serenity, Loisaba attracts big game just as it attracts guests: both know they will be safe and well looked after, free to roam unconfined and undisturbed.

The Star Beds – four-poster- on raised platforms provide blissful sleep under the vast African sky with only the stars and sky for a ceiling. Even the spa – where pampering is unrivalled – is sensitively constructed and set apart from the other buildings, so that the eternal drama of the bush unfolds before your eyes.

Accommodation

Set on the escarpment with panoramic views, the main lodge has 7 rooms – 4 doubles and 3 twins, all with ensuite bathrooms.

The celebrated Star Beds – Kiboko and Kioja – each comprising of 2 double star bed sleeping platforms and one large family platform which all have ensuite bathroom facilities and showers.

A separate truly exclusive, self-contained, serviced, private cottage is also available. With two double ensuite bedrooms, it has its own game drive vehicle.

Loisaba House and Cottage offer guests private and exclusive accommodation, they have their own staff, car and guide, as well as access to the main lodge’s facilities including the spa, swimming pool, and tennis court. Additional activities include horse riding, bush walking, game driving, and camel trekking.

In all, nineteen bedrooms are available in this wildlife haven.

More details about the Star Beds

The two sets of Star Beds are unique to Loisaba. The first and original set (Kiboko, meaning hippo) are located among a kopje of rocks in one of the eastern valleys overlooking the ‘Kiboko’ waterhole. The second and newer set (Koija) is located about 8 kilometres further south on the banks of the Ewaso N’giro River. These are cantilevered over the flowing river below and are reached by footbridge from the opposite bank.

These are named ‘Koija’ Star Beds and are part of an exciting new joint venture project that Loisaba has undertaken in partnership with the Laikipiak Maasai people from the Koija community.

Each Star Bed dramatically designed, handcrafted wooden raised platform, and partially covered with a thatched roof. Homemade ‘Mukokoteni’ (uniquely designed bed on wheels’), can either be wheeled onto the open deck area for a night under the stars, or left under the shelter of the roof.

All the beds have complete ‘four-poster’ insect netting. The Star Beds are normally reached by one of many options; on foot, horse, camel or vehicle and with two sets now in place create a unique opportunity to travel between them both and the lodge as part of a Star Bed Expedition.

Guests are guided and hosted by a team of traditional Samburu and Laikipiak Maasai warriors. Food is prepared in traditional camp kitchen, Barbeque style.

Both the Kiboko and Koija Star Beds comprise of 2 double sleeping platforms and one twin platform. Each double platform is designed for 1 or 2 people. The family platform accommodates 4 people (sharing bathroom facilities.) Each platform is en-suite and has a large camp-style shower. The platforms are sited to ensure complete privacy.

Activities

Mountain Biking, horseriding, rafting on the Ewaso Nyiro River (seasonal), game drives, bush walks, camel treks, quad biking, spa treatments, cultural visits and helicopter excursions.

Photo Gallery