Elsa's Kopje

Elsa, born to be free

To visit one of Kenya's best-kept secrets, Meru National Park, there is nothing quite like Elsa’s Kopje lodge. Made famous by the film «Born Free» about George Adamson’s lions, the lodge blends seamlessly into the kopje (rocky promontory) and offers 9 luxurious cottages and a private house with a highly original African ambience. Elsa’s Kopje gets its name from Elsa the lioness at the heart of the Adamsons« autobiographical film »Born Free«. The lodge is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the savannah of Meru National Park, above the Adamsons» original camp. A private house and 9 delightful stone and thatched-roof cottages merge with the rock and offer a unique layout with refined African decoration and the integration of natural elements of the site: rocks, trees, etc. Paved pathways, lit by lamps at night, lead from each cottage to the main structure which features a panoramic bar, comfortable lounge and table d’hôtes dining room. Space, style and relaxation are the watchwords at Elsa’s Kopje and the infinity pool overlooking the plains is a pure delight for relaxing after a day on a 4x4 safari or a guided bush walk.

STYLE

The cottages are designed in a classic and relaxed safari style

SITUATION

On a rocky headland overlooking Meru National Park

CAPACITY

9 cottages including 1 family cottage & 1 2-bedroom private house

HIGHLIGHTS

Each cottage is different and charming, but the highlight remains the rolling views across the Meru plains.

THE EXPERIENCES

  • Day and night 4x4 safari, walking safari
  • Cultural visits, visit to the rhinoceros sanctuary
  • Day trips to the Tana River, fishing
  • Bush spa, swimming pool

THE EXTRAORDINARY

Elsa’s Kopje is a legendary spot, the Adamson family's base camp, and the setting for the reintegration of Elsa, an orphaned lioness, into the wild to escape the fatal outcome of a zoo. It is also a superb park, among the least frequented in Kenya, dotted with palm trees and baobabs, and teeming with rich wildlife.

ETHICS

Elsa’s Kopje operates exclusively on eco-tourism principles, notably the use of local construction materials, African-style architecture crafted by local artisans, integration into the natural site, solar panels, waste sorting, support for the Tharaka tribe, reduced light pollution, etc.