Lewa Wildlife Conservancy's code of conduct

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is first and foremost a wildlife reserve. As a visitor you have been given privileged access to a delicate wildlife area, and care and attention is required if damage and disturbance to the environment is to be avoided. 

LWC reserves the right of access and may ask anyone perceived to be causing disturbance or damage to the environment to leave the Conservancy

Welcome to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC), a working wildlife sanctuary of 62,000 acres (including the Ngare Ndare National Forest ). We do hope you enjoy your stay and appreciate the wildlife and scenery here in Northern Kenya .

LWC is a not for profit, working wildlife conservancy with vibrant community support education and healthcare programmes run through the Northern Rangelands Trust and Lewa Education Trust

General Conduct

• Please observe the maximum speed limit of 40kph.
• Only 4 wheeled drive off road vehicles are permitted to view game on the Conservancy.
• Game drives for tourists staying at Wilderness Trails, Lewa Safari Camp , Lewa House, Kifaru and the camp sites are to be conducted only with LWC authorised guides.
• Driving off road is not prohibited! However it is not recommended and care must be taken (there are many hidden holes and boulders).
• Wildlife always has right of way.
• Do not light fires.
• Do not discard litter or cigarette butts anywhere other than at a designated dump.
• Wildlife surrounded by vehicles is unpleasant and can cause distress to the animals. We suggest a maximum of two cars to an animal at any one time.
• Please be quiet when viewing game, keep a sensible distance away and ask your driver to switch off the engine.
• Please take care when visiting the Blinds - there may well be wildlife very close by.
• Always please leave the blinds in a tidy condition.
• Donors and guests to Lewa may conduct games drives without rangers but must be fully briefed on this code of conduct prior to drives.
• There must never be more than two vehicles around any animal.
• Always be considerate and keep noise levels down.
• Never feed wildlife from your car, in the wild or at your lodge/house. It will upset their diet and lead to unnecessary dependence on people.
• Spotlights can be disturbing to wildlife so use them sensitively.
• Please do not damage or remove any flora or fauna, including bones.
• Report any concerns or contraventions of this code to the Radio room.

Camping:

• Camping on LWC is restricted to designate campsites.
• Campers are requested to take all their litter / waste away with them.
• Firewood may not be collected along the main river route, or around the swamp.

Education:

• The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is an active and busy conservation organisation. For a better understanding of the development, history and day to day activities of the Conservancy, we encourage you to visit the Lewa Visitor Centre, which has a display area, a shop and a presentation room for slide shows. - Maps of the conservancy are available from the Lewa shop.

Safety:

• Never approach animals on foot. If animals are in the way, pedestrians should wait, or if necessary go round.
• We insist that you only walk away from your lodge/camp/house/vehicle in the company of an armed guide.
• Running for exercise is not permitted on the conservancy except during Safaricom Marathon week and accompanied by a vehicle and ranger

Camping:

• Camping on LWC is restricted to designate campsites.
• Askaris must be employed at camp sites.
• LWC authorised guides must be used on driving safaris.
• Walking safaris must be accompanied by armed rangers.
• Campers are requested to take all their litter/waste away with them.
• Firewood may not be collected along the main river route, or around the swamp.

People and customs - N.B. Visitors to Il Ngwesi /Tassia:

• Maps to Il Ngwesi and Tassia are available at the Gates or at the Lewa Tourism Office. Through traffic is requested to proceed directly along the route of the map.
• If you would like to photograph the local people please ask their permission first. You may be expected to pay.
• Please do not give sweets or money to children - it encourages begging and is demeaning.
• Please drive carefully after leaving the conservancy - there are children and animals en route

General:

• Only visitors with reservation vouchers or confirmed appointments will be given access to / through the Conservancy.
• Without specific permission, access will only be given to 4WD vehicles of neutral colour. Any other cars will be expected to park at the main gate and visitors will proceed in a LWC vehicle.
• In order to allow exclusivity, please use the Lewa Radio Room to book a game blind or a sundowners spot.

For more info rmation, please ask at the Lewa Office.

We appreciate feedback and comments - if you see anything during your stay that you feel may be worth our attention please info rm the Lewa Office.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT

LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
PRIVATE BAG, ISIOLO.
TEL/FAX: 0164.31405
254 (0) 2 607893
EMAIL: info @lewa.org
www.lewa.org