ELEWANA ELSA’S KOPJE MERU

Description

MERU NATIONAL PARK

Unashamedly romantic and beautifully styled, Elsa’s Kopje is sculpted into Mughwango Hill, above the site of George Adamson’s original camp where he raised and released orphan lions, long before conservation became fashionable.

Each cottage is crafted around the rocks, with a large bedroom, open sitting room, veranda and spacious bathroom, each with breathtaking views.

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 birdlife; Meru National Park is recognised as having more diversity of animal species than any other park in East Africa.

The rugged and remote Meru National Park was rescued from oblivion thanks to Elsa’s Kopje, an environmental award-winning, boutique lodge. Winner of the Good Safari Guide’s ‘Best Safari Property in Africa’ award, Elsa’s Kopje is widely renowned as one of the most elegant lodges in Africa.

Elsa’s Kopje was designed and built by Stefano Cheli, officially opened by Dr. Richard Leakey (Director of Kenya Wildlife Service at the time), and Virginia McKenna of Born Free fame in 1999.  One of the most beautiful parks in Kenya, Liz & Stefano included Meru National Park on most of their mobile tented safaris.

Elsa's Kopje & The Born Free Foundation

Elsa’s Kopje was designed and built by Stefano Cheli, and opened in 1999 by Dr Richard Leakey, and Virgina McKenna, the star of the 1960’s film “Born Free”,
and then founder of the “Born Free” foundation.

About Elsa’s Kopje

Elsa’s Kopje was designed and built by Stefano Cheli, and opened in 1999 by Dr Richard Leakey, and Virgina McKenna, the star of the 1960’s film “Born Free”, and then founder of the “Born Free” foundation.

The lodge can be credited with single handedly saving this beautiful National Park which until our investment, 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.

Considered one of the most spectacular locations and lodge designs in Africa, Elsa’s is built round a granite hill, each cottage was individually designed to take advantage of the stunning views, and the natural curves, rocks, and trees on the hillside.

Being passionate about the environment, Stefano designed a lodge that was not only elegant, but deliberately hard to see, uses minimal power, and received the first Eco-rating in Kenya in 2003.

The Born Free Foundation

The Born Free Foundation – an international wildlife charity devoted to preserving our animal species across the globe and preventing extinction through careful and considered conservation and education – has had and is continuing to have a significant impact on the way the world cares for its animals. 2014 sees the 30th anniversary of this essential organisation, and it has had a touching and important history.

In 1964 Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna first travelled to Kenya to star in the classic wildlife film ‘Born Free’ – the inspiration behind the eventual formation of the foundation 20 years later. The film told the true story of George and Joy Adamson, who raised Elsa, a beautiful orphaned lion cub. They were later forced to give Elsa away, either to a zoo or release her to the wild. Having formed an everlasting bond with Elsa, Joy made the brave decision to work at releasing her back into the wild and natural habitat of Kenya – a move that changed public perception of keeping animals captive in zoos forever.

Spending the time in Kenya making Born Free had a profound effect on Virginia and Bill, which lead Bill to begin producing other wildlife documentaries. In 1969 ‘An Elephant Called Slowly’ was produced and was set to have a further profound effect on public perceptions. The story followed the fate of elephant calf Pole-Pole (Po-Lee Po-Lee) who was snatched from his mother as a gift from the Kenyan Government to London Zoo. Despite having no power to prevent the calf being taken from the wild and from its mother, the pair campaigned as much as possible to prevent the move, and worked tirelessly to ensure Pole-Pole’s welfare.

Bill and Virginia did not forget the plight of this little elephant. In 1982 they travelled to the zoo to see for themselves the fate of Pole Pole, and they found her lonely, frustrated, and aged by her experience in captivity. But, in a moment that changed Virginia’s life forever the elephant remembered them. As Virginia called out to her, she reached out to them in response. It was enough to rekindle their campaign to improve her life, and get her out of captivity. Unfortunately it was too late and in 1983, aged just 16, this influential elephant died – she lived a third of the life expectancy of an elephant in the wild.

Extremely saddened by the premature death of Pole Pole, in 1984 the Born Free Foundation was born. In its first guise the Born Free Foundation was established as ‘Zoo Check’ by Virginia, Bill and Bill’s son, Will Travers. They worked extensively to ensure the welfare of all animals in zoos across the UK, to ensure that zoos worked to provide the best conditions possible for animals. Still now Born Free works to phase out zoos and keep wildlife in the wild.

It was in 1998 that Born Free Foundation Ltd. was established as we know it today. The umbrella organisation now encompasses the Zoo Check campaign, Elefriends Campaign, Wolf Campaign, Dolphin Campaign, Primate Campaign, Big Cat Campaign, and the Bear Campaign. This was where the organisation really became a fundamental part of caring for animal welfare across the globe.

On its 25th anniversary in 2009 the Born Free Foundation thrust itself back into the media limelight and the public eye with a celebrity filled fundraiser in the Royal Albert Hall. Gabriella Cilmi, Martin Clunes, Bryan Adams and Joanna Lumely joined supporters to raise funds and to help save 25,000 animals world-wide.

In 2014 Born Free continues to change attitudes of humans and provide animals with a voice. By supporting responsible safaris Born Free seeks to protect animals, and to promote a variety of welfare campaigns such as fighting the Ivory Trade and hunting as a form of sport, challenging exploitation of animals in circuses and zoos, and opposing killing wild animals as bush meat. Through global initiatives they can respond to emergency situations and they currently participate in Global International coalitions such as the Species Survival Network, and the People & Wildlife project with Oxford University.

So their message is clear and one that we share. Animals need to be protected from human intervention and are best enjoyed where they can be healthy and happy: in their natural habitat.

Game Package (GP) Includes:

• Full Board Accommodation, all meals and drinks (excluding champagne, private cellar wines and spirits), shared and scheduled game drives, guided walking safari, sundowners and transfers to and from our designated airstrips, laundry, service charge and VAT.

Full Board (FB) Includes:

• Full Board Accommodation all meals and drinks on property (excluding champagne, private cellar wines and spirits), laundry, service charge and VAT.

Meru National Park Fee

Adult - $52

Child - $35