Elsa’s Kopje was designed and built by Stefano Cheli, and opened in 1999 by Dr Richard Leakey (chairman of KWS), and Virgina McKenna, the star of the 1960’s film “Born Free”, and founder of the “Born Free” foundation.
The lodge can be credited with single handedly saving this beautiful National Park which had suffered from little or no income from visitors. Before the opening of Elsa’s Kopje and subsequent income from visitors, there was talk in government of de-gazetting the park and turning the well-watered fertile land into rice plantations.
Widely acclaimed as one of the most spectacular locations and lodge designs in Africa, Elsa’s is built round a granite hill with each cottage individually designed to take advantage of the stunning views, and the natural curves, rocks, and trees on the hillside.
With passion for the environment, Elsa’s Kopje was designed to blend in with its surrounds, uses minimal power, and adheres to innovative policies of minimal environmental impact. Elsa’s Kopje received the first Eco-rating in Kenya in 2003, and now boasts a Gold Eco-Rating as well as an International Silver-Level Certification with Sustainable Travel International.
The lodge can be credited with single handedly saving this beautiful National Park which had suffered from little or no income from visitors. Before the opening of Elsa’s Kopje and subsequent income from visitors, there was talk in government of de-gazetting the park and turning the well-watered fertile land into rice plantations.
Widely acclaimed as one of the most spectacular locations and lodge designs in Africa, Elsa’s is built round a granite hill with each cottage individually designed to take advantage of the stunning views, and the natural curves, rocks, and trees on the hillside.
With passion for the environment, Elsa’s Kopje was designed to blend in with its surrounds, uses minimal power, and adheres to innovative policies of minimal environmental impact. Elsa’s Kopje received the first Eco-rating in Kenya in 2003, and now boasts a Gold Eco-Rating as well as an International Silver-Level Certification with Sustainable Travel International.
ACCOMMODATION
Cottages
Nestled into the hillside, and overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park, each of Elsa’s Kopje’s open-fronted cottages are unique in design and offer an elegant safari style.
6 en-suite cottage suites:
Brand new and with panoramic views of the Park. The Family Cottage is a spacious 2-bedroom cottage with a double and a twin room, both en-suite, a beautiful living room, large private deck and an outside bath by the master bedroom.
Cottages
Nestled into the hillside, and overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park, each of Elsa’s Kopje’s open-fronted cottages are unique in design and offer an elegant safari style.
6 en-suite cottage suites:
- 5 doubles and 1 twin / double
- Each cottage consists of a main bedroom, en suite bathroom and private deck.
- N.B. Cottage 3 has a private sitting room rather than a deck.
Brand new and with panoramic views of the Park. The Family Cottage is a spacious 2-bedroom cottage with a double and a twin room, both en-suite, a beautiful living room, large private deck and an outside bath by the master bedroom.
Honeymoon Suites
Overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park, Elsa’s has three Honeymoon Suites. Two of the suites have romantic outside baths and one suite has three levels featuring a private sitting room, main bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a small private deck.
Private House
Overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park and facing Mt Kenya, Elsa’s Private House consists of one en suite master bedroom with dressing room, one en suite twin bedroom, a large dining and sitting room, a private garden and infinity swimming pool.
The Private House can fit two extra beds, for children under 16yrs.
Overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park, Elsa’s has three Honeymoon Suites. Two of the suites have romantic outside baths and one suite has three levels featuring a private sitting room, main bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a small private deck.
Private House
Overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park and facing Mt Kenya, Elsa’s Private House consists of one en suite master bedroom with dressing room, one en suite twin bedroom, a large dining and sitting room, a private garden and infinity swimming pool.
The Private House can fit two extra beds, for children under 16yrs.
DINING
Elsa’s Kopje is renowned for its delicious cuisine. With sumptuous fresh salads and pastas for lunch, combining North Italian recipes with more unusual dishes (such as crispy Tempura Vegetables, Aubergine, Feta and Tomato Stacks with Parmesan ‘Snaps’ and Danish Layer Cake), meals here are simply heavenly…
Using fresh salads and herbs from its own garden, and serving homemade bread freshly baked in the camp’s own traditional outdoor pizza oven, you will feel absolutely spoiled.
At Elsa’s Kopje, guests eat on their own individual tables. Dinner is almost always outside, with candlelit tables laid out under the stars. Private romantic dinners can also be arranged.
Elsa’s Kopje serves a set menu which can easily be tailored for preferences and special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.
Please make sure to inform the camp well in advance though, so that the camp managers can prepare for your arrival.
Elsa’s Kopje is renowned for its delicious cuisine. With sumptuous fresh salads and pastas for lunch, combining North Italian recipes with more unusual dishes (such as crispy Tempura Vegetables, Aubergine, Feta and Tomato Stacks with Parmesan ‘Snaps’ and Danish Layer Cake), meals here are simply heavenly…
Using fresh salads and herbs from its own garden, and serving homemade bread freshly baked in the camp’s own traditional outdoor pizza oven, you will feel absolutely spoiled.
At Elsa’s Kopje, guests eat on their own individual tables. Dinner is almost always outside, with candlelit tables laid out under the stars. Private romantic dinners can also be arranged.
Elsa’s Kopje serves a set menu which can easily be tailored for preferences and special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.
Please make sure to inform the camp well in advance though, so that the camp managers can prepare for your arrival.
ACTIVITIES
At Elsa’s Kopje, there are several activities one can take part in. From Game Drives, Excursions at Tana River, Visiting the Rhino Sanctuary, River Fishing, Bush Breakfast, Sundowner, Guided Nature Walks etc...
Game Drives
The Elsa’s Kopje guides are based at the lodge in Meru National Park, they have the whole park to themselves, and know their backyard intimately. All the guides are Gold, Silver and Bronze level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified.
Elsa’s Kopje has open gamedrive vehicles. The current fleet are specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – open sided with 3 rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Clients will share gamedrives unless “exclusive use of vehicle” has been pre-booked at an extra charge.
The park has enormous diversity of habitat and wildlife, gamedrives will take you through forests, past giant baobab trees, through clear spring fed streams lined with palms.
Meru has many rare species including caracal, the beautiful Lesser Kudu, aardwolf, and over 400 species of birds.
Night game drives
Elsa’s Kopje has the whole National Park almost exclusively, and offers pre-dinner game drives with a red-light spotlights. Gamedriving at dusk and early evening opens up a whole new world, bushbabies, hunting predators and owls.
Day excursions to the Tana River
Take a picnic lunch, and take the whole day to explore the sandy Tana River, Kenya’s longest River. Rising in the highlands of Mt Kenya and travelling 704kms before emptying into the Indian Ocean.
Rhino Sanctuary
The National Park incorporates an 84 sq km rhino sanctuary, home to over 70 rhino, both black and white. The size of the sanctuary ensures that finding the rhino is still a gamedriving challenge!
At Elsa’s Kopje, there are several activities one can take part in. From Game Drives, Excursions at Tana River, Visiting the Rhino Sanctuary, River Fishing, Bush Breakfast, Sundowner, Guided Nature Walks etc...
Game Drives
The Elsa’s Kopje guides are based at the lodge in Meru National Park, they have the whole park to themselves, and know their backyard intimately. All the guides are Gold, Silver and Bronze level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified.
Elsa’s Kopje has open gamedrive vehicles. The current fleet are specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – open sided with 3 rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Clients will share gamedrives unless “exclusive use of vehicle” has been pre-booked at an extra charge.
The park has enormous diversity of habitat and wildlife, gamedrives will take you through forests, past giant baobab trees, through clear spring fed streams lined with palms.
Meru has many rare species including caracal, the beautiful Lesser Kudu, aardwolf, and over 400 species of birds.
Night game drives
Elsa’s Kopje has the whole National Park almost exclusively, and offers pre-dinner game drives with a red-light spotlights. Gamedriving at dusk and early evening opens up a whole new world, bushbabies, hunting predators and owls.
Day excursions to the Tana River
Take a picnic lunch, and take the whole day to explore the sandy Tana River, Kenya’s longest River. Rising in the highlands of Mt Kenya and travelling 704kms before emptying into the Indian Ocean.
Rhino Sanctuary
The National Park incorporates an 84 sq km rhino sanctuary, home to over 70 rhino, both black and white. The size of the sanctuary ensures that finding the rhino is still a gamedriving challenge!
Guided Walks
Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, naked mole rats and micro-ecosystems.
Elsa’s Kopje offers guided walks to the very top of Mughwango Hill, enjoying a 360 degree view from snow-capped Mt Kenya in the west to the vast Meru plains to the east.
River Fishing
Take your rod, afternoon tipple with some canapés and a good book, and settle on the palm lined banks of one of Meru’s many rivers. Fishing here is fun, with plenty catfish, tilapia and barbell. Share your prey with herons, monitor lizards and spectacular kingfishers.
Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, naked mole rats and micro-ecosystems.
Elsa’s Kopje offers guided walks to the very top of Mughwango Hill, enjoying a 360 degree view from snow-capped Mt Kenya in the west to the vast Meru plains to the east.
River Fishing
Take your rod, afternoon tipple with some canapés and a good book, and settle on the palm lined banks of one of Meru’s many rivers. Fishing here is fun, with plenty catfish, tilapia and barbell. Share your prey with herons, monitor lizards and spectacular kingfishers.
Bush Breakfast and Sundowners
Take a moment to sit back, enjoy the spectacular views, the fresh air, the colours, and the gentle breeze.
Bush breakfast, give you a chance to enjoy a full breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plains, surrounded by wildlife.
“Sundowners” are a safari tradition – after a day of safari; stop, watch the spectacular sunset; traditionally with a gin and tonic in hand.
Spa Treatments
Massage, Manicure and Pedicure
Safari is also a holiday and a rest – a break from today’s frenetic lifestyle.
Elsa’s Kopje has professional therapies who will massage you and ease the stress out of your tired shoulders and backs. As well as manicure and pedicure to compliment those tanned limbs!
Weddings and Honeymoons
Honeymoons
There is nothing more romantic than a safari! Already an unforgettable, once in a lifetime and pampered experience; safari offering an incredible sunsets, with romantic tents and spectacular views, and a relaxed al fresco dinners.
All the cottages at Elsa’s Kopje are outstanding suites, the camp has a “Honeymoon Suite” which can be booked especially for a honeymoon.
Being a very special occasion, there is often special offers and upgrades for honeymooners.
Weddings
Over the years, Elsa’s Kopje has hosted very many beautiful weddings and renewal of vows for the guests.
From small simple ceremonies involving merely a glass of champagne at the end of a gamedrive; to elaborate three day events, with over 20 guests taking over the whole property.
Honeymoons
There is nothing more romantic than a safari! Already an unforgettable, once in a lifetime and pampered experience; safari offering an incredible sunsets, with romantic tents and spectacular views, and a relaxed al fresco dinners.
All the cottages at Elsa’s Kopje are outstanding suites, the camp has a “Honeymoon Suite” which can be booked especially for a honeymoon.
Being a very special occasion, there is often special offers and upgrades for honeymooners.
Weddings
Over the years, Elsa’s Kopje has hosted very many beautiful weddings and renewal of vows for the guests.
From small simple ceremonies involving merely a glass of champagne at the end of a gamedrive; to elaborate three day events, with over 20 guests taking over the whole property.
Another Interesting Activity
Cultural Visits
Elsa’s Kopje works closely with the Tharaka community, and there are ways that you can get involved.
Traditionally known for their ornate clothing including distinctive leather skirts and long cowrie shell decorated aprons for women, while the men wore animal skin cloaks and feathered headdresses that were a sign of prestige. Their houses are round with conical shaped roofs, thatched with grass.
The Elewana Collection
Elsa’s Kopje joined the Elewana Collection in 2015, a collection of 15 boutique lodges, camps and hotels renowned for their unique accommodations in iconic locations throughout East Africa.
Elewana Collection provides exceptional and authentic safari experiences in comfort and style.