Elephant Watch Camp (Samburu /
Shaba Game Reserve) Kenya
Location:
This exotic ECO-camp is perched on the sand banks of the
Ewaso Nyiro River, beneath wide spreading Kigelia trees and
Acacia Elatiors.
It is home to some of the largest bull elephants in
Samburu who can often be spotted mudding in the river,
resting under an acacia tree or picking pods beside the
tents. The trees are filled with a multitude of birds and
monkeys. At dawn a gentle chorus echoes overhead announcing
a new day in the wild.
Each day opens with a new adventure. Early morning or
evening bush walks along well-travelled elephant paths, or
collecting medicinal plants or honey and always accompanied
by our Samburu warriors. At times one can witness the great
river crossings of camels and cattle, while walking to
Samburu ceremonies and learning about their culture, dances
and fire making.
Accommodation / Facilities:
The interiors are individually styled, draped with
colorful cloth, unusual furniture and beds made from fallen
trees. Giving our guests a novel washing experience with
painted buckets filled with sun-heated water (from the camp
well) and watched over by spying monkeys from the treetop
while you wrap up in a colorful kanga robe after a hot
shower.
Elephants are never far away, often within hot breathe
distance - be careful! But Samburu warriors escort guests
after dark and keep watch throughout the night. The
bathrooms are built around a tree The camp, which is totally
ECO in every way has been specially designed and constructed
by Oria and her team of builders with a low footprint on the
environment, for comfort and coolness, for example there is
no waste, no pollution and no noise. Elephant Watch can
accommodate a maximum of twelve guests in six wide and
breezy desert-type style tents, under thatch, and the sand
floors covered in natural woven palm mats.
Game Viewing / Activities:
Elephant watching begins on arrival. Our specialized
guides meet their guests at the airfield and drive them
gently through the Reserve spending time with many of our
well known elephant families as well as introducing them to
some of the particular Northern inhabitants - the slim
necked Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy Zebras, Beisa
Oryx, over 350 resident birds with an extra 70 different
migrant species.
An elaborate picnic lunch is served by the river in
proximity of the elephants and eventually guests arrive at
camp welcomed by a line of tall, slim Samburu warriors
holding cool drinks and will accompany you to the huge mess
tent hung with swathes of brightly colored material floating
in the wind. What a way to arrive!
Relax in huge luxurious cushion-filled sofas and
Dali-esque chairs built from twisted acacia branches
collected from trees felled by elephants. Aromas of fresh
herbs grilling over delicious food drift in from the
kitchen. We have a charcoal cold room which keeps all our
farm-produced fruits and vegetables fresh. The power
supplied to all our lanterns and lamps in camp are run off
solar panels. Guests freshly laundered clothes are ironed by
irons filled with hot coals. Everything at Elephant Watch is
very simple! Our goal is to make your stay as comfortable,
fun and as stress-free as possible.
Full days of activities in Samburu are worked out with
the guides, driving you gently through the Reserve spending
time with many of our well known elephant families as well
as introducing you to some of the particular Northern
inhabitants - the slim necked Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe,
Grevy Zebra, Beisa Oryx, and over 350 species of birds.
Elephant watching, lion stalking, leopard searching, game
viewing, guided bird walks, hikes across the hills,
sundowners and a visit to meet some of the Samburu families
in their village where you can learn to milk goats, throw
spears and make jewelry or spend an hour in the Research
Centre, are all part of the day.
Before leaving our camp and your new family a simple
celebration awaits, on a hill overlooking the great wild
north, sipping cool drinks, dancing and singing with
warriors by fires lit with sticks, until the night sky is
filled with stars and gentle voices chatter. A delicious
warm supper awaits you on a candle-lit table.
You have now entered your African dream. Welcome back
again and again! (For the more energetic adventurous guests,
we can organize a trip up Ololokwe - the mountain of God -
you drive to the base of the mountain, ascend and can either
return the same day or spend the night at the top
overlooking hundreds of miles of wild Africa and cared for
by our Samburu guides who will prepare a simple but good
meal then drive you back to the camp with elephant watching
en-route).
Accommodation Rates:- From $525 per person per night sharing. Please
contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary
