Camp Ya Kanzi

Unlike many other lodges, Camp Ya Kanzi is not in the national park. Instead, they are a community of eco-lodges, offering you a true to the core African experience. The fact that Camp Ya Kanzi means “Camp of the Hidden Treasure” makes perfect sense.

From: $750 p. p. n. sharing

Category:

Camp Ya Kanzi is an award-winning eco-boutique lodge and is located on a Masai owned group ranch in southern Kenya. The Camp lies within a big 400 square mile estate, with Mount Kilimanjaro only 57 kilometers. The camp itself is not a national park. Instead, it is an area made up of a community of eco-lodges, giving the guest a unique and authentic safari experience. Here, the Maasai are the landlords, specially trained for their positions, and their communities benefit directly from the camp’s revenues.

In stark contrast to what a traveler might expect from Africa, the landscape is lush and green, with granite pinnacles rising over rivers and forests. Because of the altitude ranges from 3000 to 6900 feet above sea level, the land and ecosystem are incredibly rich and bio-diverse. Habitats range from Savannah grasslands, woodlands to mountain forests. The area is also home to the Big 5, including cheetah and wild dog

Accommodation:

The camp has six tented cottages and two tented suites. 4 Of the tented cottages feature twin beds, and the other two cottages and 2 suites have a king-size bed, all with feather mattresses and specially made linen imported from Italy. The tented cottages all enjoy different views and can accommodate one or two adults: an extra bed can be added for a child.

Kanzi House accommodates up to 10 guests. There are three doubles rooms and two twins rooms. It also features a Jacuzzi and an 18-meter swimming pool. Kanzi House has to be booked by a single party.

The cottage and suites have a wide veranda to let you enjoy superb views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Tsavo Hills, and the Chyulu Hills. The cottages and suites are spaced far away from each other to offer guests maximum privacy. All the tents feature wooden floors, ensuite bathrooms, a colonial trunk, and table as well as a Private Masai Attendant.

Facilities:

  • Tembo Club House
  • Library
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Airport transfers from Nairobi
  • 6-Seater chartered flights
  • Airstrip

Dining:

The camp’s menu is constructed around fine Italian dining. The vegetables and herbs are grown locally, and the impact on the sensitive ecosystem is minimal. Only the freshest ingredients are used, and where possible are sourced directly from the communities.

Activities:

  • Game drives
  • Flight excursions
  • Guided walks through the cloud forest
  • Guided walks and tracking through the savannah
  • Outdoor meals in the heart of the bush
  • Dine in the cave where Maasai used to hide their cattle during raids
  • Stargazing with lectures
  • Visit the Trust Program and Maasai communities
  • Join “Among Lions” to study the lion population in the area
  • A trip to Mzaima Spring, home to a large hippo and crocodile population
  • A special trip to Tsavo East, where you can visit the orphaned elephant sanctuary
  • Yoga courses with accredited teachers