Elsa’s Kopje and Elephant Pepper Camp return with new design and dining focus

Kenya’s Elewana Collection has completed extensive upgrades at two of its best-known safari properties, introducing refreshed interiors, expanded wellness offerings and new dining concepts

Minor Hotels’ Elewana Collection has unveiled significant renovations to two of its iconic Kenyan camps: Elsa’s Kopje in Meru National Park and Elephant Pepper Camp in the Maasai Mara. The updates include reworked interiors, new culinary concepts and enhanced guest facilities, designed to elevate comfort while preserving each property’s character.

Elewana operates boutique lodges and camps across East Africa and is known for its conservation focus and low-impact design. The most recent upgrades are described as a way of “deepening the connection between guest and place”, according to Elewana’s Chief Operating Officer, Kieren Day. “Elsa’s Kopje and Elephant Pepper Camp are two of our most beloved properties, each with a distinctive spirit. These enhancements honour their stories while enriching every aspect of the guest experience,” he added.

Elsa’s Kopje Meru: Upgraded interiors and expanded spa

Built into the rocky hillside above the site of George and Joy Adamson’s former camp, Elsa’s Kopje is closely associated with the film Born Free. The latest renovations retain the lodge’s architectural identity while updating its interiors for added comfort – guest suites have been reworked with upgraded furniture, Nero-finished bathroom floors and revised lighting design, while the refreshed Private House now features a new bath and outdoor shower.

Communal spaces have seen similar treatment: the main and private pools are now finished in terrazzo tile, and the lodge’s spa has been expanded to allow for more wellness treatments. A new sundowner deck has been introduced, with an outdoor cinema set to begin screening Born Free later this month.

“Careful attention has been paid to ensure the refreshed Elsa’s Kopje still holds the heart and soul of what makes it so special,” said Callum Oliver, Operations Manager Kenya at Elewana Collection. “Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the updates enhance the comfort and elegance of the lodge without losing the deep connection to the wilderness and history of Meru.”

The lodge’s dining offering has also been reimagined, with menus now blending traditional Kenyan flavours with a polished edge, from slow-cooked stews to grilled meats and lighter dishes using seasonal produce.

Elephant Pepper Camp: Fire-based dining and reworked tents

Elephant Pepper Camp, located in the Mara North Conservancy, has completed the final stage of a multi-year renovation. Guest tents have been updated with new furnishings, and the camp’s mess and bar areas along with the entrance area have been reconfigured.

A key addition is Elephant and Pepper, a new culinary experience centred on open-flame cooking. The menu includes slow-smoked meats, ember-roasted vegetables and seafood grilled over acacia wood. The setup uses traditional braai equipment, with dishes designed to reflect both bushcraft traditions and modern fire-cooking techniques. Foraged ingredients and smoke-infused cocktails round out the offering.

“Elsa’s Kopje and Elephant Pepper Camp are two of our most beloved properties, each with a distinctive spirit,” said Day. “These enhancements honour their stories while enriching every aspect of the guest experience.”

elewanacollection.com