A true community museum, set up to explain the lifestyle of the local peoples and to protect the rock art on the island.
Abusaba Community Peace Museum is on the Mfango Island in Lake Victoria, western Kenya.
A fantastic Camp in Tsavo East where you can watch the Elephants from your Tent or from the View Point.
Have a buffet lunch under the big Trees and relax at the Campsite.
SIKH TEMPLE MAKINDU (HISTORY)
Among the many Indians that were recruited by the British authorities to come and construct the railway line there were many pioneering Sikhs, who became part of the larger history of the Sikh contribution to the overall development of Kenya. They were great men of clear vision, far-sightedness and iron will. Many of them were lost in the tropical wilderness or picked up by the man-eating lions of Tsavo forests.
A place of shelter and service was the only answer to provide help and relief to one and all. It is believed those early Sikhs would gather under a tree near the railway station every weekend to offer their prayers and thanks to Waheguru. And to those humble and hardy Sikhs to set up a Gurdwara was within their limits of strength and savings. Their desire to establish a Gurdwara was seen as establishing a church by their bosses and colonial rulers. The British not only gave green light but also gave the Sikhs a piece of land near the station. The Sikhs were more than happy and together with their non-Sikh fellows, suppliers, contractors and rich community members laid the foundation of Makindu Sikh Temple. With the installation of one of the original versions of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the doors of the new Temple were opened in 1926 and ever since then this Sikh place of worship has continued to be a mystical inspiration to many visitors.
Makindu thus became an important stop for Sikhs and other Indian train passengers, who would especially come off the train to paytheir respects to the house of God. Among the founder fathers of the Temple were Bhai Tara Singh Ahluwalia, a shed master atMakindu and Bhai Lochman Das, commonly known as ‘Dipti’. S. Teja Singh, a guard with the Railways, performed the opening ceremonyof the Temple.
Even the Sikhs living at Makindu left the place, closing the Temple and leaving an African called ‘Gwalo’ as caretaker. A window was, however, left open so that travelers between Nairobi and Mombasa could stop and pay their respects to Sri Guru Granth Sahib through the opening.
In the early 50s a fire broke out and destroyed the main temple building, leaving only the Sri Guru Granth Sahib intact. At another time a plague of deadly ants ravaged the building, but again Sri Guru Granth Sahib remained untouched. Then one day Gwalo saw a miracle. He went and told a Sikh farmer in the area, known as Dhanna Singh that he had seen some Sikhs on horseback riding from the skydown towards the Temple. Gwalo saw a painting of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Dhanna Singh’s place and said he saw a person like that come down from the skyon a horese back.
Dhanna Singh came to Nairobi and related Gwalo’s story to other Sikhs. Thecommunity was shaken by Gwalo’s storyand felt the urge to do something to revive the Temple.
SIKH TEMPLE MAKINDU (History)
The beginnings of the “Sikh Temple Makindu” in Kenya can be traced back to the early 1900s, during the construction of the Uganda Railway by the British to open up the inland regions. The train started in Mombasa, with the first stop in Voi and then Makindu, where a small camp was built, which quickly developed into a small town by 1920. In those days, steam locomotives slowly pulled trains through the land where lions and the famous elephants of Tsavo ruled. The steam locomotives were refueled with firewood and water at Makindu station.
Among the many Indian workers hired by the British to build the railway, there were many Sikhs who became part of the great history of Sikh influence in the development of Kenyan history. They were great men with a clear vision, foresight, and iron will. Many of them were lost in the wild or to the man-eating lions of the Tsavo forest.
A place with a roof and provisions was the answer to the need for help and recovery. It is believed that these early Sikhs met on weekends near a tree by the station to pray to and thank their Waheguru. These kind and hardworking Sikhs built a Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) with their simple means. Their desire to build a Gurdwara was seen by the colonial rulers as a desire to build a church. The English not only allowed this but also provided a piece of land near the station for this purpose. The Sikhs were so happy that, along with non-Sikh workers, suppliers, construction firms, and wealthy groups, they laid the foundation stone for the Makindu Sikh Temple.
A picture of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was brought, and the doors of the new temple were opened in 1926. Since then, this Sikh Temple has had a mystical inspiration for many visitors.
Since then, Makindu has become an important place where Sikhs and other Indian train passengers stop to pay their respects to this house of worship. Among the founding fathers of the temple were Bhai Tara Singh Ahluwalia, who was the Shed Master in Makindu, and Bhai Lochman Das, known as “Dipti”. S. Teja Singh, a railway guard, performed the opening ceremony of the temple.
As the Sikhs who lived in Makindu moved away, the temple was closed, and an African named “Gwalo” was left in the temple to take care of it. A window was left open so that travelers between Nairobi and Mombasa could stop and pray to Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the temple.
In the early 1950s, a fire broke out, and the main house of the temple burned down, with only Sri Guru Granth Sahib remaining unscathed. Another time, a termite infestation struck the temple, and again, everything was destroyed except for Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Then one day, Gwalo witnessed a miracle. He went and told a Sikh farmer in the area named Dhanna Singh. He had seen some Sikhs on horseback descending from the sky towards the temple. Gwalo saw a picture of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Dhanna Singh’s house and said that he had seen a person like him descending from the sky.
When Dhanna Singh came to Nairobi, he told other Sikhs about Gwalo’s story. The Sikhs in Nairobi were moved by Gwalo’s story and felt responsible for reopening the temple.
Eburru Escarpment, Lake Naivasha The Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort borrows its name from the stunning land it sits on. The Great Rift Valley is one of the greatest natural structures on earth, visible from outer space, stretching 5,500 kilometers, spanning two continents from Jordan in the Middle East, through Kenya in East Africa to Mozambique in Africa. No country can boast of such vivid panoramas of the Great Rift Valley as in Kenya. Straddling the rim of the mighty Eburru, every view from the room shows a facet of the Valley’s dynamic vistas. Built around an 18-hole golf course, the lodge is leisurely set on a wide expanse of the massif – each villa and room opening to surreal settings. The Lodge Rooms On a quick break out of Nairobi or enroute from safari, the Rift’s rooms are spacious with a lounge and fireplace and private balconies overlooking the Aberdares, Kenya’s longest mountain massif stretching 160 kilometres, the Kinangop plateau lying a tier below the Aberdares and the plains of Eburru littered with black obsidian stone telling its volcanic past. You can choose between twin beds or a double bed. The mountain’s slopes full of indigenous plants attract an assortment of birds, which makes for bird watching from the comfort of your private balcony fun – and at night, looking out for constellations of stars and planets in the celestial skies exciting. The Longonot Villas Set on beautifully landscaped gardens of succulent plants and ponds, the Longonot Villas open out to the mighty mountain that is Longonot, an extinct volcano from the bygone ages of the Rift’s turbulent past filled dramatic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. On clear days, the mountain takes a double take, reflected in the fresh waters of Lake Naivasha, the highest of the Rift Valley lakes. Each of the 40 villas is a three-tier three-bedroomed house – a home away from home, a designer’s delight complete with every modern amenity to make the traveler feel right at home. The living room, dining room and kitchen take the entire floor with the master bedroom on the top tier. The ground floor with the two bedrooms open to the garden with every floor giving that unforgettable view of the mountain and the lake. The villas are ideal for families and friends wanting a home atmosphere with a choice of home cooking or eating out at the lodge’s restaurants. Restaurant & The ’19th’ Hole Sitting 7,000 feet on Eburru, the highland air and active lifestyle at the lodge works up appetites, making each meal to look forward to. Fresh salads from the lodge’s eco-garden, succulent meats and fish fill the buffet tables of the main restaurant. With a choice ranging from ten different salads from the lodge’s organic eco garden, the cuisine is specially prepared with your health in mind. Only the best ingredients are used to prepare every dish. There’s something for everyone on the menu ranging from the Continental buffet to African cuisine with favourites like irio – made with fresh vegetables – to spicy Indian delights like chicken tikka. Those on a special diet need only to alert the chef for their requirements. You are spoilt for desserts. There’s fresh, zesty fruit salads and rich puddings like chocolate mousses and strawberry tarts complemented with ice cream or fresh cream with a selection of cheeses to end every meal. If you want to dine al-fresco under the skies, just let the chef know. Golfing at the high altitude can be demanding. The exclusive bar and restaurant featuring quick snacks and main meals keeps the golfers energised. Meet up at the main bar on cool evenings to enjoy the fireplace. There’s a choice of liquors, spirits and the barman’s special cocktails like the Eburru Sunset complete with the feisty colours of the sun and delicious array of fruits and juices – with or without the alcohol. ctivities Drive to the Natural Steam Vents in the Highlands The Eburru sits on grand vistas, enticing the active to discover its secrets. Sandwiched between the two walls of the Great Rift Valley, the massif’s underbelly is still active, spewing vents of steam into the air.The Maasai call the mountain Ol Donyo Opurru, meaning mountain of smoke. Soaring 9,365 feet high, it is marginally higher than Longonot, which makes it the highest point in the Rift Valley. Drive or hike through the farmer’s fields to the steam vents, where you can hear the water simmer below the surface, releasing hot steam into the air.It’s easy to boil eggs here.The Eburru high vales are still clothed in ancient forests with some of the rare species of wildlife like the shy, nocturnal bongo – an antelope that was once common in the mountain forests.Eburru is also filled with craters, one with a natural steam bath in the forest – carry your swimsuit with you.Eburru’s peak is one of the few to give you a panorama of the three Great Rift Valley lakes so famous for their flocks of pretty pink flamingoes – Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementeita and Lake Naivasha. Riding on top the Horse or Camel Riding the ancient land of Eburru is an awesome experience.An early morning ride to the plains is an unrivalled experience, the best time to watch the plains game like the giraffes, zebras, warthogs, impalas, gazelles and perhaps the late hippo making it back to the lake.The light breeze scents the air with the fire-resistant leleleshwa bush.Enjoy your picnic breakfast in the land of Eden before riding back to the lodge.The scythes lead the horses and camels, so even if you’re a novice, you can enjoy a ride on the wild side. Bird Watching The diverse landscape from the plains to the peaks makes Eburru a bird watchers delight.There are 215 recorded species – fast fliers like the Pallid harrier to the elegant goshawks; from the colourful sunbirds flitting on the flowers to the superb eagles scanning the vistas for a prey.Keep your binoculars at hand. Nature Walks The Lodge’s naturalist is highly skilled in natural history and every walk turns into an animated discovery channel as the naturalist unearths everything from secret moth cocoons to scats of zorillas (not to be confused with gorillas).Get fascinated as the naturalist transforms the trees, shrubs and flowers into a pharmacy of natural medicines, food for the pallet or things to craft stuff from.A walk on the wild side does wonders for the brain and body. Golfing The good game of golf has been around since the 1400s, something you will learn while at the bar (which for golfers doubles up as the 19th hole). The Great Rift Valley Golf Resort on Eburru is both challenging and exciting, with golfers having to give right of way to the wild animals who have taken residence on the lush fairways and tiny islets in the ponds.Flocks of Egyptian geese, little grebes, squacco herons and blacksmith plovers nest on the islets and sun themselves on the greens without batting an eyelid at the golfers.The narrow fairways, freeform greens, uneven terrain and light wind makes the golf course extremely challenging.The 18th hole at 598 metres is the longest in Kenya. Conferencing Just an hour and a half away from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort has one of the best conferencing facilities in the country with three conference rooms set in beautiful grounds overlooking the Aberdares and Longonot. The rooms can sit 150, 80 or 50 people away from any distractions save for the resident birds and the views. The conference rooms are fitted with all the conferencing amenities including audio-visual materials. There’s also a boardroom for smaller groups of 20 people, which is conducive for strategic planning or smaller gatherings. Nobody has an excuse to be late to the conferences or workshops because there are no traffic jams to delay you. Plan your next conference right now.
Lamu Island, Kenya A place of fresh air and perfect peace Located on the ancient Arabian island-paradise of Lamu, Kipungani is one of Africa’s most remote, relaxing, and richly romantic coastal hideaways. Overlooking the tranquil waters of the sheltered Kipungani Channel, on the remote southwestern tip of Lamu Island, Kipungani is a dream destination for those seeking a true away-from-it-all desert island holiday. After a 90-minute flight from Nairobi, you will be met at Manda Island and transported by boat to the lodge, which is located two degrees south of the Equator, on the edge of a near-deserted 12-kilometre beach. Accommodation Our 16 spacious bandas sit at one end of Kipungani Bay, which is Swahili for ‘the place of fresh air’. Shaded by the palm trees that line our 600-metre beachfront, the bandas are constructed entirely from local materials, with mkeka palm floors and makuti thatch roofs woven by the residents of neighbouring Kipungani village. The large interiors are a picture of rustic simplicity, with giant king-size beds and furniture all handmade from local mangrove and palm woods. Each banda has an ocean-facing veranda with local funzi sofas and chairs piled high with colourful cushions. Amenities include freshwater showers, flush toilets, and separate dressing areas with wash basins. Restaurants & Bars The sunset-facing lounge and bar at Kipungani are furnished for complete relaxation, with cushion-piled driftwood furniture, hanging moon-beds, and a variety of natural discoveries ‘combed’ from our shores. The dining room sits in a small tropical garden, with an adjoining library offering guests a selection of books, magazines and board-games. In front of the building is a horizon-touching swimming pool, which offers the perfect venue for the ultimate romantic sundowner! Activities Snorkeling and swimming with ‘Africa’s friendliest dolphins’ on the reefs of Kinyika and Manda Toto Waterskiing and kayaking in the Kipungani channel Sailing and sunset cruises aboard our Arab dhows Barracuda fishing from beach, dhow or speedboat Deep sea game fishing (please book in advance) Crab-catching excursions with expert fishermen Bird walks around the property and beach dunes Visits to Lamu’s historic mosques, markets and museums Day trips to the ruined 14th century fort on Manda Island Tours of local boat-building and mat-weaving industries.
Voyager Beach Resort is a ship-themed resort ‘moored’ 7 km north of Mombasa town on the up-market Nyali beach-line. This cruise docks on different ports every evening, with themed cuisine and ‘on-board’ family entertainment – including classic Broadway musicals – and animations to match each port of call! The liner is ideal for family groups, with enthralling Adventurers and Young Rangers’ Clubs for the younger ‘sailors’, honey-mooning couples, youthful sailors, as well as older sea-farers!
North Coast, Kenya
The Liveliest Location on Africa’s East Coast
Kenya’s most popular and dynamic beach resort overlooks the sparkling white sands of Nyali Beach.
Moored seven kilometres north of Mombasa city centre, Voyager Beach Resort’s convenient ‘berth’ gives guests easy access to a huge variety of historical, sporting and cultural attractions, including Africa’s largest crocodile farm and the world-famous Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Trail).
The vibrant, ship-themed resort is famous for hosting some of Africa’s finest family entertainments and animation programmes, including unique themed journeys across the seven seas, culinary extravaganzas, and special music, fashion, comedy and acrobatic shows.
There are daily themes, adult and kids programmes. All these schedules are fortnightly and therefore repeat after every second week.
ccommodation
Voyager Beach Resort offers 232 spacious cabins, including 68, 96 garden-view cabins, 12 Superior sea-view cabins, 51 Superior garden-view cabins.
The Voyager’s Cabins are built with private balconies fitted with glass floor to ceiling sliding doors to give you uninterrupted views of the spread of the ocean and the tropical gardens. Depending on your taste, there is a selection of four cabin types to choose from with your comfort as the underlying principle.
Cabins on Board – Superior Sea View, Superior Garden View, Standard Plus Garden View,
Standard Garden View
Restaurants
Dining on board The Voyager is a feast for the senses. On a typical fourteen-day cruise, you will dock at various ports of call, savouring local tastes and entertainment. Three days are spent on the high seas with the captain of the ship inviting guests to the high table.
The Voyager’s main restaurant, the Mashua invites passengers for dinner, the menus featuring the cuisine of the destination
The Smuggler’s Cove is set in a natural cove of coral that was once under the sea, is a beautiful hideout for intimate romantic dinners or an exclusive family affair. The speciality seafood restaurant offers the best seafood with fresh lobsters, prawns and calamari cooked in Swahili style with coconut, or grilled and accompanied by mouth watering sauces and chutneys. You simply cannot miss out on dining in the cove – Smuggler’s Cove an experience to remember.
The Minestrone Restaurant enjoy a meal under the dazzling star filled skies of Africa indulging in Italian pizzas and pastas, meats and seafood with a cool sorbet to refresh the taste buds before embarking on the next course.
Kaskazi Snack Bar you can never go hungry on board Voyager – the Kaskazi snack bar offers delicious snacks all day. So if you sleep in late or miss lunch, there’s always the Kaskazi to head to where you can indulge in all time favourites like fish and chips and pizzas. And to keep cool there’s always ice cream available.
Pub Crawling
Kaskazi Bar keep in top form by the sports pool. Enjoy a refreshing drink and then head back to the pool for water aerobics or whatever is on the timetable. Working out under the tropical sun means that you need to keep hydrated for your muscles to work well.
Harbour Bar – 24 hours Enjoy the ambience of the Harbour bar by the quayside where you can meet almost everyone on the cruise or simply find your corner for a quiet drink.
Sports Bar for cocktails set in the Lighthouse, enjoy tantalizing cocktails at the Sports bar which features a TV screen for your favourite sports channels. The Lighthouse also features the cyber café for quick connections to friends, family or business.
Lookout Bar high on the cliff, the Lookout Bar looks over its private bay with stunning panoramas of the Indian Ocean. The bar is open till the last patron leaves.
‘I Do’
Celebrate one of your life’s most important milestones, your wedding by the sea. You can take your vows on the beach, the artificial rooftop beach, in the gardens or even on the reef. Your every wish is ours to make your wedding a wonderful day and to mark the occasion, you plant an indigenous tree marked with a nametag in the garden.
Standard wedding – US$ 1,140
✓ Local legal fees (Legal requirements)
✓ Registrars fees
✓ Ministers fees
✓ Marriage licence and certificate
✓ Wedding ceremony
✓ Wedding co-coordinator
✓ Decorated location
✓ Bouquet for bride
✓ Button hole
✓ Bottle of sparkling wine (SA)
✓ Wedding cake
✓ 2 T- shirts” I got married at the Voyager Beach Resorts”
✓ Dinner @ the romantic cove restaurant
✓ Upgrade to sea view room upon availability.
✓ Tree dedication
✓ Best man/ maid as witness if required.
✓ To publish their wedding photo in the local dailies
Deluxe wedding includes all the above plus – US$ 1,710
✓ 36 color prints plus negatives
✓ Thirty minutes Video CD
✓ Traditional dancers
We have various locations from which the couple can choose, including:
✓ Artificial beach – at the rooftop of the one of the decks with a panoramic
view of the beautiful blue waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a perfect choice for
those who would love beach weddings.
✓ Green Gardens – with the resort spread out on 22 acres of land with well-manicured gardens.
The lawns are overgrown with coconut palm trees hence you get the congratulations message
from the whispering palms as you take your vows.
✓ By the ship wreck – with Voyager themed after a ship, what is more appropriate than an old rustic
ship- wreck set between three fountains in pond a few meters from the entrance. It is a shift
that will forever linger-on any time you went down the memory lane.
✓ The Pavilion – this is a beautiful roof-top deck, thatched with makuti with a spectacular setting
and particial of the Indian Ocean. It is next to the artifical Beach.
All venues are always nicely decorated with plaited palm tree leaves with fresh tropical flowers.
Ahoy Mates! Planning to be on-board during the Festivities? This is what we have lined up for you.
Fun for Landlubbers
✓ Daily entertainments and family shows, with very special Christmas &
Easter ‘round-the-world’ tours
✓ Two tennis courts and a sand volleyball court
✓ Daily volleyball and Tug-o’-War competitions
✓ Table tennis, pool tables, dartboard & video games
✓ 18-hole golf at nearby Nyali Golf & Country Club*
✓ Visits to Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Trail), Mamba Crocodile Farm,
Gedi Ruins, Fort Jesus, Mombasa Old Town and Harbour.*
On the Ocean Wave
✓ Professional scuba-diving instruction with Kenya’s leading dive centre
and most qualified instructors*
✓ Special dives on East Africa’s largest artificial reef
✓ Big game fishing on our state-of-the-art fishing boat*
✓ Water sports Centre with modern range of water sports
✓ Full fleet of windsurfers, Toppers, canoes & fun-boats*
✓ Organised weekend sailing camps for young mariners
✓ Glass-bottom boat rides over magical coral reefs*
✓ Low-tide reef walks with special marine guides*
✓ Romantic dhow safaris with picnics and sundowners.
Adventures for the Kids
✓ Supervised kids’ activities and days out with Africa’s best-known and
most experienced children’s safari club
✓ Marine education centre with salvaged shipwreck displays
✓ Regular talks by knowledgeable local conservationists
✓ Hands-on beach conservation for eco-conscious kids
✓ Unique sports in our Beach & Pool Olympic Games
✓ Special kids’ programmes during Christmas and Easter
✓ Guided tours of Haller Park and natural & historical sites.*
Professional Diving at Voyager
Discover the secrets of the sea. The warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean are home to a stunning array of coral gardens and a rich diversity of coral fish in every size, colour and shape imaginable. For deep sea diving, the Buccaneer Dive Centre has qualified instructors to accompany you on the most fascinating diving sites along the coast. Closer to shore is the Mombasa Marine Park where you can snorkel in the company of the beautiful coral fish or simply watch them through the glass bottom boat. The dive center owns its own shipwreck, the MV Dania sunk in the deeper waters where you can dive to the ghost ship which has been colonized by the coral life. Night dives can be arranged on request.
The dive center offers PADI courses to both beginners and also to children – the only requirement is that you have to know how to swim.
For sporty sailors, go kayaking or sail the catamaran or the fun boat – if you are a novice, the instructors will guide you. All you got to do is sit back and enjoy the sea mist or join in and learn how to handle the ropes. The paddleboat is the easiest, requiring no skills but is great for the leg muscles. Enjoy the sea – it’s not only a fascinating world of the blue planet that we are on, but also great for the body and soul.
The Buccaneer Diving Centre works with local conservation groups involved in marine conservation such as the turtle and whale-shark groups, collecting data to monitor their movements so as to come up with strategies to safeguard their movements in the sea. You can sign up for the specialty digital underwater photography, turtle and shark awareness courses offered at the dive centre.
The dive center is also involved in the artificial reef project, investing in ‘reef balls’ made of cement and sunk at various points in the sea to create artificial reefs for the coral fish to habitat. The divers are also continually searching for new dive sites and have discovered secret alcoves of sea horses where only divers with Buccaneer are taken.
The Buccaneers collect rubber flip flops washed ashore for the Flip-Flop project. This innovative project has received worldwide acclaim as local artisans have built a life-size whale from the flip-flops washed ashore and other arty objects depicting sea life.
Passengers can join in the clean up activities in the sea or on beach. Competitions are arranged for the most bizarre object picked from in the ocean and the biggest haul collected. You make you mark as a concerned citizen of the world when you join us.
Tsavo West National Park, Kenya
With a spectacular view of mystical Mount Kilimanjaro, and easy access to the wild attractions of Tsavo West National Park, Voyager Ziwani offers a tranquil retreat in one of the wildest places left on Earth. Located on a private 30,000-acre farm on the western edge of Tsavo, the camp sits on a secluded dam on the Sante River – home to turtles, crocodiles and hundreds of basking hippos.
The 25 tents guarantee a high level of privacy and personal attention, and have made the camp one of Kenya’s most popular honeymoon destinations. Voyager Ziwani offers a host of exciting safari activities, from game drives in Tsavo West, night drives among the resident game, walks with highly qualified naturalists, and trips among the battlefields and colonial relics along the Tanzanian border.
Accommodation
Of the camp’s 25 tents, 16 sit on the southern bank of the Sante River and nine on the northern.
The spacious tents offer the classic ambience of a traditional African camping safari, with large secluded verandas overlooking the wildlife-rich shores.
Each tent is comfortably furnished with double or twin beds and has a modern en suite bathroom with a flush toilet and piping hot shower.
Our five special deluxe tents lift the luxury even higher, with huge king-size beds, classic furnishings, and spacious bathrooms with all mod cons.
Restaurants & Bars
With a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the big game of Tsavo on our doorstep, and a unique historical journey among the legendary battlefields on the Tanzanian border, Voyager Ziwani offers one of Kenya’s most exotic and fascinating wilderness retreats.
The main building overlooking the Ziwa Dam houses our bar and dining room, with a long veranda where breakfast is usually served. In the evening candlelit tables are arranged on the lawn so that guests can dine out under the night sky beside a roaring campfire.
Activities
Escorted game walks with our experienced naturalists
Night drives to view grazing hippos and nocturnal game
Boating among crocodiles and turtles on the Ziwa Dam
Walking and horse trails around historical Grogan’s Farm
Trips to the mystical twin volcanic lakes of Chala and Jipe
Visits to the historical tower and tombs of Grogan’s Castle
Tours of the World War II battlefields on ‘Slaughter Hill’
Bush breakfasts and barbecue dinners in our sanctuary
Nightly entertainment by Maasai, Kamba and Taita dancers
Informative talks and slideshows on local wildlife and culture
Childrens’ games and activities with our Adventurers’ Club.
Samburu National Reserve, Northern Kenya
Dry, rugged and stunning, Samburu’s landscape is at once stark and sensual, with its iconic loaf shaped Lolokowe Mountain and hills spreading in every horizon. Its life lung is the Usao Nyiro River coursing through its craggy terrain full of stone, thorn bush and the forked doum palms. In this arid zone where water is scarce and the land baked by the eternal sun, herds of elephants and the big cats roam the plains with the Samburu special – the Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and the long necked antelope, the gerenuk easily seen despite its harsh climes.
Located 345 kilometres north of Nairobi, the journey to the camp involves a 50-minute flight to the Samburu airstrip followed by a 20-minute drive through the reserve.
Accommodation
This luxurious tented lodge offers 30 modern and newly refurbished tents with a private view over the wildlife-rich riverbanks.
All the tents are large and spacious under palm-thatched roofs with netted screens to allow for the river breeze to keep them cool and give you stunning views of the land that is Samburu. Each tent sits on a raised deck overlooking the brown river where the elephants sometimes make an appearance or the crocodiles come out to lounge by the river’s banks. You can also choose to have private candlelit dinners on the deck of your canvas villa and should it get a trifle too hot, all tents are fitted with fans.
For families with children wanting more space, you have a choice of the family tents, an ensemble of two tents with a spacious lounge and a wide deck complete with lounging chairs and tables, ideal for relaxing and private meals. Beautifully styled with ethno-African and modern pieces, they are simply superb for family stays.
The bathrooms also offer twin washbasins, flush toilets, and sockets for shavers and battery charging.
Restaurants & Bars
Because of the warm climate, Samburu Intrepids’ public areas are all palm-thatched and open to the elements, raised on stilts to catch the cooling breeze blowing off the river.
The main dining room has a seating capacity of 60, and opens onto an outdoor terrace where buffet breakfasts and lunches are served overlooking the river. (Meals can also be enjoyed on your private veranda or at one of a series of specially selected ‘bush sites’ close to camp.)
Intrepids also boasts a spacious lounge and bar area, where our naturalists deliver fascinating slideshows on most evenings, and an intimate conference room with a television for viewing wildlife documentaries.
Behind the bar, surrounded by a shady sunbathing area, is our freeform swimming pool – a soothing drop of blue in this otherwise arid land.
Activities
Game Drives
Samburu is simply stunning – a photographer’s delight with its surreal settings and different lights to photograph it in. Guests at Samburu Intrepids can enjoy game drives in Samburu game reserve and the adjoining Buffalo Springs game reserve where you will see the natural spring pool believed to have medicinal properties.
Guests enjoy two game drives everyday in the reserve – the early morning from 6 am to 9 am; and the late afternoon from 3.30 pm returning to camp at sunset. Or you can indulge in a half-day game drive with breakfast on the plains and return to camp by mid-morning because after that it’s too hot even for the animals to come out of the shade.
Nature Walks
With its unique blend of flora and fauna, a nature walk in Samburu is a must. The naturalist will tell you about everything that comes in the path whether it’s a bird (of which there are more than 350 species in Samburu) or the history of the land. The varied landscape – from the river to the forest and than the arid plains offer a rich profusion of birds and one can record more than a hundred species in a day.
Cultural Visits
The Samburu are a regal people related to the Maasai. Like the Maasai, the Samburu have a rich history, a people who tracked down the Nile many centuries ago and separate form the Maasai. Traditionally a pastoral people in search of water and grazing land for their god given cattle, the Samburu are also adapting to life in the 21st century.
Guests at Samburu Intrepids can visit the Samburu manyattas or kraals where a local Samburu guide will give you an intriguing account of the Samburu of their past and present with an eye to the future.
Star Gazing
Samburu’s skies are stunning. Close to the equator and lying on the edge of the northern hemisphere so close to the southern hemisphere, the resident naturalist can take you on a celestial journey helping you to identify more than 60 constellations of the 88 known ones. You can spot the Southern Cross, the Scorpion and the Seven Sisters to countless others depending on the time of the year. The Samburu are respected star-gazers with many stories relating to the heavenly bodies, including the planets. Our guides will keep you looking at the heavens and make you night out in Samburu a celestial affair. more on Stars in the current months
Camel Rides
A ride on a camel is a biblical affair crossing the Uaso Nyiro to the Samburu villages on the land opposite the reserve. With a high vantage point, you may chance upon the giraffes or the tiny dikdiks of the dry lands or have to cut back your ride when the elephants block your passage. But it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet the Samburu villagers whose camels you are riding and by doing so, helping them to raise income for their community projects like building schools and taking their children to school.
