We'll Match Any Price
We have access to virtually every travel special out there.
Our agents make a commission from the travel wholesalers, same
as every other agent or online travel site.
Why wouldn't you want a real travel expert on your side...for free?
Need expert help?
|
|
Meet Brian, one of our travel experts for Kenya.
|
Brian has always nurtured his passion for travel in his spare time. He's traveled the world, visiting over 40 countries.
Over time, this passion grew to the point where he began to search for opportunities to work in the travel industry. He's been an African Specialist at Mango Safaris since early 2006.
|
|
The View at Elephant Watch Camp
Here, in Kenya's Samburu Reserve, Oria has preserved a magical piece of African wilderness with the help of the Samburu Warrior Guides, whose traditional knowledge, passion, sharp eyes and sense of humour make Elephant Watch Camp a genuine and rare gift.
Photo copyright Elephant Watch Camp-Bernard Spoerry.
|
Overview
This exotic camp is perched on the sand banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River, beneath wide spreading Kigelia trees and Acacia Elatiors. It is home to some of the largest bulls 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.
Under the thatched roofs in a blaze of colour is the welcoming sight of our eco-friendly Elephant Watch camp, cleverly made out of recycled trees and logs.
Whether walking in the vast and arid reserve or moving gently amongst the giants of the bush, nature feels closer, more intense, and real! For a moment one can disregard the clutter of urban life.
The bathrooms are built around a tree 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 colourful 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.
Elephant watching begins on arrival. Our specialised 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 coloured 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.
|