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