Campi ya Kanzi

Campi ya Kanzi means “Camp of the Hidden Treasure” in Kiswahili. For you, it means “safari in style” at a luxury tented safari camp. The camp lies within a 400-square-mile Maasai private land in Southern Kenya, dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro, just 35 miles away.

The property stretches from the Chyulu Hills to the foothills of majestic Mount. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa (19,342 feet). The altitude ranges from 3,000 to 6,900 feet, so the land includes a number of different habitats. Biodiversity is extremely rich.

Habitats range from the grasslands of the savannah to green river woodlands and cool mountain forests. The Chyulu Hills on Kuku Group Ranch were formed by very recent volcanic activity; some of the lava outflow age less than 200 years.

Being a natural corridor for wildlife between Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks, this land is to be protected. According to 30 years records by Dr. David Western, former KWS director, up to 90% of the population of some herbivores of Amboseli National Park, need this land for some part of the year, in order to survive.

Accommodation

Campi ya Kanzi accommodates a maximum of 14 guests in six thatched roof tented cottages and in the Hemingway and Simba suites. The first one is named after the famous author who wrote of the nearby Chyulu Hills in his book “Green Hills of Africa”, the latter one is named after the Swahili name for Lion. Each tented cottage enjoys a different view, and accommodates one or two adults. An extra bed can be added for a child.

They feature either twin beds or a king-size bed, made at the camp with local logs, with specially made linen imported from Italy. A table, two safari chairs, a colonial trunk, shelves and hangers for your clothes, and daily fresh flowers complete the interior décor. The suites feature king-size bed, a clothes room between the bedroom and the bathroom, with cabinets. Bathrooms have double sinks.

All tented cottages are constructed of stones, fabric, and wood and they feature a full elegant bath with shower, bidet, basin, and flush toilet and electric light; brass plumbing fixtures add an unexpected touch of elegance and comfort with hot and cold running water.

Each tented cottage has a wide veranda to provide superb views of either Mount. Kilimanjaro, the Tsavo Hills, and the Chyulu Hills. Our state-of-the-art solar system provides 220-volt electricity for your cottage (plugs and sockets are Italian).

With only eight tented cottages, there is ample distance from one to the other to guarantee every guest’s privacy. Each tented cottage has a dedicated Maasai attendant assigned to it. At night, Maasai askari (night watchman) patrol the camp.

Activities

Campi ya Kanzi stands for: a community ecotourism lodge, built, owned, run by a Maasai community, for the benefit of the local people. Here you will experience true ethical and solidarity tourism.

You will learn about Maasai lifestyle, about their land, their culture. You will learn it through them, in the most genuine way. Campi ya Kanzi is owned by the local Maasai community: you will enjoy true ecotourism and play an active role in the conservation of the land and of the Maasai culture.

Imagine a day that begins with the aroma of Kenyan coffee or tea brought to your tent by your personal Maasai attendant. Enjoy your coffee or tea and the view of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the veranda, and then head out for your morning walk or game drive.

After your safari, return to the camp for a breakfast that includes fresh local fruit such as mango and pineapple or enjoy a picnic breakfast in the middle of the savannah, complete of eggs and bacon cooked on a bush fire.

Following breakfast, you can enjoy an escorted safari on foot, or just relax at the camp. At lunchtime, we can organize a grand picnic for you, featuring fresh vegetables from our garden, or you can dine at Tembo House and then take an afternoon siesta.

It will be up to you to decide what you will like most to do.

Consider these options:

• Game drives in open Land Rover
• Maasai cultural villages visits
• Bush breakfast, picnic, dinner
• Forest walks
• Escorted game walks
• Bird watching
• Visit the Trust activities (schools, dispensaries, etc.)