Umani Springs – Forest Lodge in Kibwezi

Umani Springs is a small lodge run by Sheldrick Lodges, the hospitality arm of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It sits inside the groundwater-fed Kibwezi Forest at the base of the Chyulu Hills, a green oasis full of wildlife, birds and butterflies.

The lodge is let on an exclusive-use basis for up to ten guests in three private cottage units, each with its own bathroom, bathtub and open-sky shower. It is fully staffed with chefs, and guests share a spacious living and dining area, a lagoon pool and an on-site gym, with guided forest walks on offer.

The big draw is the Trust's Umani Reintegration Unit, set up in 2014 for orphaned elephants with the hardest histories. Guests can join the orphans and their keepers at sunrise and sunset at the stockades and at the midday mud bath. Sheldrick Lodges are not-for-profit, so stays support conservation.

Enquiries go to the Sheldrick Lodges team on 0111 044 200. Rates and bookings are on the Umani Springs page on the Sheldrick Lodges website.