Lewa Safari Marathon 2026: Running Among Rhinos on 27 June
On 27 June 2026, several thousand runners will take to the open savannah of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya for what is consistently rated among the world’s most unusual and meaningful race experiences. The Lewa Safari Marathon is not a city road race. It is a 21km or 42km course across untamed Laikipia plateau terrain, with black rhino, elephant, and buffalo as the backdrop — and Tusk Trust-backed conservation as the reason.
Since the race began in 1999, it has raised over KSh 1.3 billion for conservation and community development in the Lewa ecosystem and beyond. That is not charity window-dressing. That money funds wildlife ranger salaries, anti-poaching operations, school fees for Maasai and Samburu children, and veterinary care for the black rhino population that Lewa helped rescue from near-extinction in northern Kenya. 🦁
What the Race Involves
The marathon and half-marathon courses run across Lewa Conservancy at altitudes between 1,700 and 1,800 metres above sea level. The altitude alone makes this a serious athletic undertaking — finishing times run significantly slower than sea-level equivalents. Runners from elite Kenyan distance athletes to first-time marathon runners participate.
Security is managed by armed rangers who monitor the course perimeter for wildlife safety. The race has an excellent safety record across its 25+ year history. Wildlife encounters during the race are part of the experience, not a hazard to be hidden. For Trunktrails Safaris clients who want to combine tours and safaris with the marathon, the event creates a natural anchor around which we build a broader Laikipia circuit.
Entry is competitive. Slots fill months in advance. Registration opens through the official Lewa Safari Marathon website (lewasafarimarathon.com), with a portion of entry fees going directly to conservation programs alongside any personal fundraising.
Combining the Marathon with a Safari
| Marathon + Safari Component | Option A (fly-in) | Option B (road) |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi to Lewa | 30-min charter from Wilson | 4-hour drive via Thika/Nanyuki |
| Pre-race nights | 2-3 nights Lewa or Laikipia camp | 1-2 nights (road time eats a day) |
| Race day support | Ground crew at camp; vehicle for gear | Same |
| Post-race recovery | 1-2 nights at reduced activity | Same |
| Recommended duration | 5-7 days total | 5-7 days total |
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy sits in the Laikipia region, roughly 250km north of Nairobi — a 30-minute flight or a 4-hour drive. The conservancy is home to one of Kenya’s most significant black rhino populations, Grevy’s zebra, sitatunga, and several hundred elephant.
Trunktrails Safaris offers safari extensions around the marathon date that cover:
- Pre-race 2-3 night safari at Lewa Conservancy or nearby Laikipia camps (Borana, Ol Pejeta)
- Race day logistics including transport, crew support, post-race recovery
- Post-race recovery safari (1-2 nights at reduced activity level)
The Laikipia landscape — volcanic uplands, acacia scrub, dramatic Mount Kenya views — is completely different from the Masai Mara. For visitors who have done the Mara and want a more remote, lower-density northern Kenya experience, the Lewa marathon window is one of the best reasons to go.
The Trunktrails Advantage
Trunktrails Safaris is a TRA-licensed native Kenyan-owned tours and safaris operator with ground knowledge of the Lewa and Laikipia circuit. Our team can build a race + safari package that handles every detail — from Nairobi transfers to camp bookings to race-day ground support — so you arrive at the start line focused on running, not logistics.
Trunktrails Safaris has supported clients combining tours and safaris with the Lewa marathon experience for several seasons. We know the camp options adjacent to the race start line, the ground transport logistics between Wilson Airport and Lewa, and the post-race recovery itinerary that lets your legs recover while you watch a black rhino at dusk from a camp chair.
The Lewa Safari Marathon is one of the most genuine conservation-linked travel experiences in Kenya. Trunktrails Safaris recommends it to any wildlife-committed traveller who runs. 🌍
Book Your Lewa Marathon Safari
Space around the marathon is limited. Lewa camps are small and popular with international runners.
- WhatsApp: +254 113 208888
- Email: info@trunktrailssafaris.com
- Website: https://trunktrailssafaris.com
- TRA Licensed Operator
Image credits: Photo by Hugo Sykes on Pexels; Photo by Bharath Kumar Venkatesh on Pexels; Photo by Mr Sketch on Pexels; Photo by Wladimir Kühne on Pexels
