Campi ya Kanzi, Chyulu HIlls, Kenya

Campi ya Kanzi means "Camp of the Hidden Treasures" in Kiswahili.  For you, it means the ultimate in luxury tented safari camps.  The camp comprises seven thatched roof guesthouses and lies within a 400-square-mile private ranch in southern Kenya, in sight of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Maasai own this land, making it one of the last unspoiled areas of Africa.  Connecting three national parks, the property is home to a vast wildlife population. Tembo ("elephant") House is the heart of the camp.  The clubhouse has a thatched roof and is beautifully constructed of local materials such as lava rocks and native timbers.  It's open to the outdoors, and from its terrace you'll have a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Tembo House has a large lounge where you can enjoy our books about Africa, or relax with a refreshing drink after your safari. You'll also take your meals at Tembo House.  Crystal glasses, fine table settings and candlelight dinners will be a high point of your Campi ya Kanzi experience.  Our cook is specially trained in the preparation of fine Italian cuisine (home-made fresh pasta, risotto, biscuits, bread, ice-cream...), which we feature along with international and local dishes.    WILDLIFE The ranch is immense and has a wide variety of natural habitats, so it's home to a remarkable range of wildlife and bird species.  This diversity makes it a very valuable area for conservation in Kenya.  It also ensures a truly thrilling safari for our guests!  Of course, we have lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and the common animals of the plains, but also many rare species such as the African wild dog, lesser kudu, and cheetah thrive on the ranch.  Conservation efforts have been so successful that black rhino have recently moved onto the ranch! More than 50 species of mammals and almost 400 bird species inhabit the ranch. The most recent game count revealed an abundant local wildlife population: 312 giraffes, 289 buffaloes, 115 elephants, 37 lions, and 16 leopards. We also have hundreds and hundreds of gnus, zebras, waterbucks, Grant's gazelles, Thompson's gazelles, baboons, hartebeest, and impalas.  A walk through the gentle hills near the camp will reward you with a view of mountain reedbuck, the graceful klipspringer. While exploring the riverbanks, you might catch a view of the shy lesser kudu or the rare gerenuk. You'll find different wildlife on your safari to one of the nearby watering places, where lions, elephants, and other large game animals gather in the evening. For an authentic tribal experience, you can also visit the local Maasai village where your tracker lives.  Towards the end of the day, you'll find that early evening is also an excellent time for a safari.  At dusk, you can make an easy climb up one of the beautiful volcanic hills surrounding the camp. This provides a stunning view of animals grazing on the golden plains below you. No. of Bedrooms Campi ya Kanzi accommodates a maximum of 14 guests in seven thatched roof guesthouses.  One of these is named "The Hemingway Suite" for the famous author who wrote of the nearby Chyulu Hills in his "Green Hills of Africa".  Each guesthouse enjoys a different view, and accommodates one or two adults. 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 guesthouses are constructed of stones, fabric, and wood and they feature a full elegant bath with shower, bidet, basin, and flush toilet; brass plumbing fixtures add an unexpected touch of elegance and comfort with hot and cold running water. Each guesthouse has a wide veranda to provide superb views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Tsavo Hills.  Our state-of-the-art solar system provides 220-volt electricity for your guesthouse. With only seven guesthouses, there is ample distance from one to the other to guarantee every guest's privacy.  Each guesthouse has a dedicated Maasai attendant assigned to it.  At night, Maasai guards patrol the camp to ensure your complete safety. Find Similar Properties