Elsa’s Kopje is sculpted into Mughwango Hill in Meru National Park, Kenya. Unashamedly romantic and beautifully styled. It is named after Elsa the lioness, from George and Joy Adamson’s biographical book and film, Born Free. Elsa’s Kopje overlooks George’s original camp where he raised and released orphan lions. Long before conservation became fashionable.
There is a fertile spring to the east of the hill and guests can watch vast herds of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes make their way across the plains below. Meru National Park is a wild and semi arid landscape. Dotted with palms and traversed by weaving green lines of the 13 life giving rivers, home to basking hippos. It offers wonderful game watching opportunities and is one of the best locations to view rhinos in their natural habitat.
Elsa’s Kopje is an environmental award winning, boutique lodge and is widely renowned as one of the most elegant lodges in Africa.
It is one of only two lodges in the National Park, and so guests will have this vast wilderness practically to themselves. An elegant and comfortable lounge and dining area, gorgeous infinity pool, and stunning sundowner viewpoint help make Elsa’s Kopje the ultimate safari retreat. Massages are available and there is free WiFi in public areas and rooms.
Rhino Sanctuary
Meru National Park incorporates an 84km² rhino sanctuary, home to over 70 white and 30 black rhinos, making Meru one of the best areas in Kenya to see rhinos in their natural habitat.
The Adamson Story
The lodge overlooks the site of George Adamson’s camp at the foot of the hill and the park was the playground of Elsa the lioness of Born Free fame. The lodge is full of memorabilia and images of George, Joy, and their lions.
Exclusive Meru Park Safari
With only a handful of camps and lodges in and around Meru, Elsa’s guests have the luxury of enjoying the Park almost entirely to themselves. The lodge has a special license to walk, fish, and conduct night game drives (pre-dinner). The highest peak in Meru Park, Mughwango Hill enjoys 360° panoramas over the volcanic plains.
Unique and Elegant Boutique Lodge
The lodge is beautifully designed and furnished with elegant antiques and historical pictures. Elsa’s Kopje boasts one of the most picturesque infinity pools, its design incorporating the natural rocky features.
Abundant Birdlife
For bird lovers, Meru offers spectacular bird watching opportunities, with over 450 species recorded in the park.
Elsa’s Kopje Accommodation
Every cottage is the ultimate ‘room with a view’. Uniquely designed and crafted, incorporating the natural features of the rocky hillside.
Safari Cottage
The 6 x spacious cottages (70m2) offer views from their private verandas across the adjacent Meru National Park plains. Each cottage consists of a main bedroom, en suite bathroom, and a private deck or verandah.
N.B. Cottage 3 has a private sitting room rather than a deck.
2 of the rooms can fit one extra bed, to accommodate a child under 16.
Cottage
Family Cottage Suite
The Family Cottage is a spacious 2 bedroom cottage with a double and a twin room, both of which are en-suite. A beautiful living room, a large private deck, and an outside bath by the master bedroom complete this 170m2 cottage. There are panoramic views of the park.
Suitable for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. It can fit two extra beds, suitable for children.
Family cottage – master bedroomFamily cottage – outdoor bath
Safari Honeymoon Suites
The ultimate in romance and seclusion, the honeymoon suites overlook the vast plains of Meru National Park. Elsa’s Kopje has 3 x Honeymoon Suites of approximately 90m2. Two of the suites have romantic outside baths and one suite has three levels featuring a private sitting room, a main bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, and a small private deck.
Honeymoon Cottage outdoor bathHoneymoon Cottage
Private House
Elsa’s Private House is slightly away from the main lodge, overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park and facing Mt Kenya. It consists of one master bedroom with a dressing room and one twin bedroom. The master en suite has a bath and an outdoor shower. While the twin en suite has an indoor shower. The Private House can fit two extra beds, for children.
The Private House is an exclusive retreat for families, with its own garden, infinity swimming pool, sitting room, and dining area.
The bath with a view in Private House at Elsa’sPrivate House Master bedroom and swimming pool
Meru (Kenya) Family Safari
Elsa’s Kopje is not only romantic and ideal for honeymooners but also a very family-friendly lodge.
Kids of all ages are accommodated at Elsa’s Kopje
Children’s Activities include:
Camp and Mughwango Hill bush walks with family-friendly guides who are great with children (age restrictions for children under 16yrs for Mughwango Hill walks)
Fishing
Swimming pool (the private house also has its own swimming pool)
School visit – normal term times and at an extra cost
Children’s menu
Child Policy at Elsa’s Kopje
Children under 12 years
Free
Children 12 to 17.99 years
Child in own room
75% of the adult single room rate
Two children in own room
75% of the adult sharing rate per child
Three children in own room
75% of the adult triple room rate
Child sharing with 1 adult
50% of the per person adult sharing room rate
Two children sharing with 1 adult
50% of the per person adult sharing rate per child
Child sharing with 2 adults
25% of the per person adult sharing rate
Child policy applies at all the Elewana properties except Kilindi where there are no children allowed.
Elsa’s Kopje Activities
Guests can enjoy inimitable seclusion in the vast expanse of Elsa’s Kopje, boasting 870km², the equivalent of 215,000 acres, of authentic African landscape. The park offers a thriving rhino sanctuary and is famous for large elephant herds, hippo, lion, and bird life. Meru National Park is recognized as having more diversity of animal species than any other park in East Africa.
The Elsa’s Kopje guides are all Bronze or Silver level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified.
Meru National Park History
In the 1980′s and 90′s, poachers slaughtered many of the elephants in Meru National Park, and rhinos were completely eradicated from the area. The park’s infrastructure was deadened with a horrendous blow to conservation. Tourism plummeted and rumors circulated that the government was at the point of de-proclaiming the park. Despite the park’s state of despair, with a passion for this beautiful wilderness, Elewana believed that they could build a successful lodge to secure Meru’s future existence. Since then, Meru National Park has experienced a steady increase in tourist numbers and now has a reputation as one of the best wilderness areas on the safari circuit.
Elsa’s Kopje contributes to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) through lease payments and park fees. This has enabled at least 1,350 animals to be successfully translocated to Meru. Species include the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, impala, Bohors reedbuck, leopard, and elephant. The rich diversity also includes more than 400 bird species.
KWS has also opened a 20,750 acre rhino sanctuary that protects a population of over 70 white and black rhinos. All this considered, Elsa’s Kopje has undoubtedly made a huge contribution to ensuring that Meru National Park is once again a viable conservation area.
More information on activities, Sustainability and how your can contribute ↓
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
The park has an enormous diversity of habitats and wildlife. Game drives will take you through forests, past giant baobab trees, and through clear spring fed streams lined with palms. This is lion and elephant country. But also Meru has many rare species specific to Northern Kenya. These include the beautiful Lesser Kudu, aardwolf, Grevvy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. Plus an abundance of common game and over 400 species of birds.
Reticulated giraffesElephants on safari
All Elewana open game drive vehicles have individual armrests, elevated seats with pockets, and ample legroom. Seats have added padding for superior guest comfort. With a fridge full of cold drinks.
Photographic Safari
The vehicles are suitable for both amateur and professional photographers. Other features specific to photographers include:
Retractable windscreens to afford 360 degree views.
Bean bags in the vehicle to assist photographers to steady their camera.
Extra padded bags, pillowcases, etc can be provided to assist photographers with camera storage.
Guides are familiar with the wildlife movements and can assist the photographer to get the best possible shot by positioning the vehicle in the best place.
Exclusive Use Safari
Guests can enjoy an exclusive-use vehicle with experienced driver-guide for the day. Should guests wish to stay out all day, this exclusive-use vehicle includes the option of a picnic hamper.
For keen photographers, seats can be removed to allow for additional space for photographers to move around. The two front seats can be replaced with a mattress for photographers that want low angle shots.
Exclusive Use (per Game Drive Vehicle)
2026 & 2027
1 – 2 people
$540
3 – 4 people
$300
5+ people
Free
Rhino Sanctuary
The National Park incorporates an 84 sq km rhino sanctuary, home to over 70+ rhinos, both black and white. The size of the sanctuary ensures that finding the rhino is still a game driving challenge!
Day Excursion to Tana River
Take a picnic lunch, and take the whole day to explore the sandy Tana River, Kenya’s longest. Rising in the highlands of Mt Kenya and traveling 704 km before emptying into the Indian Ocean.
Guided Bush Walks
Leave the vehicle behind and enjoy a slower pace with your guide. Enjoy the smaller things. Tracks, dung beetles, naked mole rats, and micro-ecosystems. Take a walk up to the very top of Mughwango Hill. Enjoying a 360 degree view of the snow capped Mt Kenya in the west to the vast Meru plains to the east.
Line Fishing
Take your rod, afternoon tipple with some canapés and a good book, and settle on the palm lined banks of one of Meru’s many rivers. The fishing is fun, with plentiful catfish, tilapia, and barbell. Share your prey with herons, monitor lizards, and spectacular kingfishers.
Bush breakfasts and sundowners
Take a moment to sit back, and enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colors, and the gentle breeze.
Alongside a freshly brewed coffee, drink in the sights and sounds of the African bush over a full breakfast, served with a view over the plains or along the Tana River.
After a day spent on safari relax with a gin and tonic and watch the spectacular sunset.
2026 and 2027 Experiences & Activities (US$ per person)
On Game Package
On Full Board Package
Scheduled and Shared Game Drives, Twice Daily
Incl
$220
2 hr Guided Walking Safari with Professional Guide *
$90
4 hr Guided Walking Safari with Professional Guide *
$115
Night Game Drive | Min-2 : Max-6 **
Incl
$120
Fishing | Hand Line, Catch-&-Release, with Guide
$135
Airstrip Transfer | Meru – Kinna (per vehicle)
$120
* Walking Safaris attract additional per person per day park fees.
** Night Game Drives attract additional per person per night park related fees.
Experiences and activities are subject to availability, and weather conditions.
Sustainable Tourism at Elsa’s Kopje
Elsa’s Kopje has been awarded “Silver Level” by the internationally recognized Ecotourism Society in recognition of its high level of environmental responsibility. It was the first lodge in Kenya to receive an Eco-rating. The lodge consumes a minimum amount of energy through investments in LED and energy saving bulbs, solar water heaters, and power to supplement the generator, limiting diesel generator use to only 6 hours per day. To limit their carbon footprint, wherever possible, fresh produce is sourced from the farmers on the borders of the park and local traders, and timber used by the camp is taken from renewable sources. Rubbish is responsibly disposed of or recycled and separated glass is sold to the recycling plant ‘Central Glass’ in Nairobi.
Visits to the local school and community
Elsa’s Kopje works closely with the local community, and they will happily take you to visit a local village or school.
Ura Gate Primary School
Being able to really make a difference in the lives of children in a rural community can be a life changing experience and an unforgettable memory from your safari in Kenya.
Elsa’s Kopje and the Land and Life Foundation work closely with Ura Gate Primary School (just 45 minutes’ drive from Elsa’s). They identify and address the school’s most urgent needs. Ura Gate Primary caters for hundreds of students aged between 6-14 years old. Very few of these children had any access to textbooks when the support program began. However, thanks to the generosity of a great number of Elsa’s visitors, we were able to donate textbooks and repair and reconstruct some classrooms.
If you would like to bring donations from abroad, visit the Pack for a Purpose website for very specific advice on what is needed. Please do note that when flying within Kenya, the internal flight weight restriction is 15kg and may therefore limit what you can carry with you to the camps and donate to the rural communities in person. We can always, however, donate anything over and above your weight limit on your behalf at a later date. Let us know if you have any questions.
How To Get To Elsa’s Kopje
Mughwango Airstrip (private airstrip) is a 5 min drive from the lodge; Kinna Airstrip is a 45 min drive from the lodge.
Both are a 1hr flight from Wilson Airport which has daily scheduled flights to these airstrips. Private Charters from anywhere into Mughwango Airstrip and there is a helicopter pad at the lodge.
We can arrange road transfers or private air charters to/from any area in Kenya.
When to go to Meru National Park
The days are hot, but comfortable with minimal humidity. Evenings are warm.
The wet months are April, May & November.
Elsa’s Kopje is located in a dry area of low population density, as such it has a very low malaria risk. The cottages are sealed with mesh screens and beds have mosquito nets.
Elsa’s Kopje Accommodation Rates
Elsa’s Kopje Camp offers either full board or ‘game package’ rates.
2026 Elsa’s Kopje Accommodation Rates
Full Board
Game Package
Mid Season:
1st to 30th June
Per person sharing
$594
$794
Single room
$891
$1,091
Triple room
$1,336
$1,786
Safari Honeymoon Suite
Family Suite
$2,047
$2,796
Private house
$2,666
$3,415
High Season:
1st July to 31st October
Per person sharing
$833
$1,033
Single room
$1,249
$1,449
Triple room
$1,874
$2,324
Safari Honeymoon Suite
Family Suite
$2,822
$3,592
Private house
$3,530
$4,300
Mid Season:
1st November to 19th December
Per person sharing
$594
$794
Single room
$891
$1,091
Triple room
$1,336
$1,786
Safari Honeymoon Suite
Family Suite
$2,047
$2,796
Private house
$2,666
$3,415
High Season:
20th December to 3rd January 2027
Per person sharing
$833
$1,033
Single room
$1,249
$1,449
Triple room
$1,874
$2,324
Safari Honeymoon Suite
Family Suite
$2,822
$3,592
Private house
$3,530
$4,300
2027 Elsa’s Kopje Accommodation Rates
Full Board
Game Package
Mid Season:
4th January to 31st March
Per person sharing
$624
$824
Single room
$936
$1,136
Triple room
$1,404
$1,854
Safari Honeymoon Suite
$1,560
$2,060
Family Suite
$2,149
$2,936
Private house
$2,799
$3,586
Green Season:
1st April to 31st May
Per person sharing
$404
$604
Single room
$606
$806
Triple room
$909
$1,359
Safari Honeymoon Suite
$1,010
$1,510
Family Suite
$1,471
$2,243
Private house
$1,854
$2,626
Mid Season:
1st to 30th June
Per person sharing
$624
$824
Single room
$936
$1,136
Triple room
$1,404
$1,854
Safari Honeymoon Suite
$1,560
$2,060
Family Suite
$2,149
$2,936
Private house
$2,799
$3,586
High Season:
1st July to 31st October
Per person sharing
$891
$1,091
Single room
$1,337
$1,537
Triple room
$2,005
$2,455
Safari Honeymoon Suite
$2,228
$2,728
Family Suite
$2,963
$3,772
Private house
$3,707
$4,515
Mid Season:
1st November to 19th December
Per person sharing
$624
$824
Single room
$936
$1,136
Triple room
$1,404
$1,854
Safari Honeymoon Suite
$1,560
$2,060
Family Suite
$2,149
$2,936
Private house
$2,799
$3,586
High Season:
20th December to 3rd January 2028
Per person sharing
$891
$1,091
Single room
$1,337
$1,537
Triple room
$2,005
$2,455
Safari Honeymoon Suite
$2,228
$2,728
Family Suite
$2,963
$3,772
Private house
$3,707
$4,515
There are a limited number of triples available.
The Safari Suite can sleep up to 3 guests.
The Family Suite can sleep 2 x adults & 2 x children.
The Private House rate is for up to 4 adults.
Additional adults and children can be accommodated in the Family Suite and Private House at an additional cost and on request. Adults are 75% and children are 25% of the per person sharing rate.
The first single room in any booking will not incur a single room supplement. Any additional single rooms in the same booking will be charged at the full single room rate. Except when a booking contains more than 3 single rooms. Any additional single rooms beyond the first 3 single rooms will be charged at the double room rate.
The full board rates include:
Accommodation,
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Soft drinks, house beers, house wines and selected house spirits, teas, coffees, and refreshments (on the property).
Laundry services.
Game Package rates include:
Game package rates include the full board package, PLUS
Twice daily shared game drives.
Drinks on activities.
Transfers to/from designated airstrip(s).
All rates exclude:
All drinks on full board. Premium drinks on game package rates and full board.
Any additional meals (early arrivals/late departures).
Transfers (other than to/from designated airstrips).
Flying doctors medical evacuation insurance.
Flights and airport taxes.
Gratuities.
Park or reserve fees, conservancy fees, and camping fees, as applicable.
Elsa’s Kopje Accommodation Special Offers and Packages
Please note: check with us as offers change and some are valid for short times etc.
Offers cannot be combined with any other offer / discount and are subject to availability.
They are applicable on accommodation rates only.
Elewana Circuit Discount
Elsa’s Kopje is part of the Elewana Collection. A collection of luxury boutique lodges, camps, and hotels in iconic locations across Kenya and Tanzania. Stay longer at any combination of these properties and get great discounts.
2026 Elewana Circuit discount
4th January to 30th June 2026 and
1st November to 19th December 2026
6+ nights
10%
8+ nights
15%
10+ nights
20%
1st July to 31st October 2026 and
20th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Only pay for 3 nights. Your 4th night is on us between 5th January – 31st May 2027 or 1st November to 19th December 2027! That’s a 25% discount!
Valid at all Elewana properties as detailed in above circuit discount offer except Arusha Coffee Lodge and Kilindi Zanzibar.
Pay 4 Stay 5
Unwind a Little Longer: Book 4 consecutive nights at a single property or at a combination of Elewana lodges and enjoy the 5th night complimentary. For travel dates between 5th January – 31st May 2027 or 1st November to 19th December 2027. That’s a 20% discount!
This offer can be redeemed at all Elewana properties, excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge and Kilindi Zanzibar.
10% Discount Offer
Enjoy an exclusive additional 10% discount on Elewana’s rates when you book and travel within 8 weeks up to 31st August 2026.
Tanzania: Serengeti Migration Camp, Serengeti Pioneer Camp, Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Kilindi Zanzibar
Kenya: Sand River Mara, Elephant Pepper and Little Elephant Pepper Camps in the Masai Mara, Elsa’s Kopje in Meru
This offer stands independently and cannot be combined with other special offers or discounts
Terms and conditions apply
Returning Guests
Elewana rewards its returning guests with a 5% discount on accommodation rates on top of any other special offer. Along with 20% off all Spa Treatments (where available).
It can be combined with any other special offer.
Elsa’s Kopje Honeymoon
The location of Elsa’s, built into a rocky kopje overlooking miles of pristine wilderness, is arguably one of the most romantic settings in East Africa. With the lodge being the only permanent guest accommodation in the 870 sq km Meru National Park it is completely normal to feel like you have the place to yourself. There is nothing more romantic than a safari!
With three honeymoon suites offering seclusion and stunning design, Elsa’s Kopje is the perfect location for a honeymoon.
The honeymoon package at Elsa’s offers a generous 50% discount on accommodation for the bride. There are also thoughtful added extras including a romantic candle lit dinner, flowers in the room on arrival, a special romantic tun down service and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine.
This offer is available for bookings of a minimum of three nights, can’t be combined with other offers and is valid for stays until the 3rd January 2027. For 2027, valid during mid and green seasons (4th January – 31st May & 1st November – 19th December 2027).
Book by 19th December 2026. A marriage certificate will be asked for before check in and couples can travel withing six months of that date.
Elsa’s Kopje Wedding or Renewal of Vows
Over the years, Elsa’s Kopje has hosted very many beautiful weddings, blessings, and renewal of vows for its guests.
From small simple ceremonies involving merely a glass of champagne at the end of a game drive. To elaborate three day events, with over 20 guests taking over the whole property.
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