Elephants

Welcome to Nairobi National Park, an island of incredible flora and fauna surrounded by a sea of humanity. Nowhere in the world is there a National Park of this magnitude, home to some of the most endangered species on the planet, next to a capital city. Where on earth can you land on an international flight and be amongst four of the big five in less than half an hour of clearing customs.

Nairobi is the gateway to the safari world, and what better place to arrive than in this incredible city and enjoy a wilderness that has been set aside by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta way back in 1946. This is Kenya’s first national park, and one of the first protected areas set aside for wildlife in the world.

The park is teaming with game and incredible birds, having boasted one of the highest world bird counts of a capital city in one day. There are over 400 species of birds in the park along with 80 species of mammal, over 40 different reptiles and amphibians and well over 500 tree and plant species. It is an extraordinary space!

The park is not only famous for its age, but also, and most importantly the hugely successful Black Rhino population with well over 80 Black Rhino and more than 10 White Rhino. The park is just under 120 Square Kilometres which makes it one of the largest Black Rhino populations in the world per square kilometre. The park Rhinos have been relocated to different areas in the country and the Black Rhino program is one of the most successful in Africa.

From other members of the Big 5, the park has over 30 adult resident Lions that roam the plains, and 10 resident Leopard which are being seen more frequently. Recently a female Cheetah with her three cubs have moved into the park and are seen on regular occasions in The Emakoko area.

Any visitors to Kenya and in fact East Africa MUST visit Nairobi National Park to not only support the incredible conservation work in the park, but also to enjoy the amazing views!

The Emakoko allows people to start and finish their safari in the wildlife environment they have traveled so far to enjoy. Within 15 minutes of clearing customs you can be viewing game in Nairobi National Park. The only “transfer” delays likely to be encountered en route to or from The Emakoko are the natural pauses to watch a pride of lions or waiting for a rhino or journey of giraffe to cross the road.

The Emakoko is a boutique lodge uniquely positioned on the edge of the Nairobi National Park. It is located a short 45 minute drive from either of Nairobi’s airports. The drive through the park itself, with its beautiful scenery and abundance of plains game is a superb way to start any East African safari. What better way to start a holiday by supporting the conservation of this unique area and in particular, by supporting the endangered black rhino which are prolific in this park.

The Nairobi National Park, despite its proximity to the capital city of Kenya, boasts a spectacular assortment of birds and wildlife, with over 400 species of bird recorded in one day. With an excellent possibility of spotting four of the Big Five, many Nairobi residents find the lodge a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. By staying at The Emakoko you are directly contributing to the protection and conservation of Nairobi National Park and its wildlife.

Take a private game drive into one of the most unique game parks in the world, Nairobi National Park or visit the communities that border it. Otherwise an excursion into Nairobi to visit the David Sheldrick wildlife trust, the giraffe centre, or the local shops is also possible.

Designed to preserve the integrity of the wilderness and support conservation within Tsavo National Park, Ithumba Hill offers increased comfort for guests exploring Tsavo East’s remote northern area, with spacious and elegant accommodation with 180 degree panoramic views of Ithumba’s stunning vistas. Guests at Ithumba Hill Camp have exclusive use of the property. No other guest belonging to another group will be booked at the same time.

All rooms are interconnected by impressive elevated walkways and the mess area includes a dining room and lounge offering fabulous views over Tsavo’s northern area. The beautifully designed private swimming pool and terrace is curved into the rocks where in blissful seclusion and gazing upon miles and miles of Africa one can relax and unwind.

By staying at the Sheldrick’s eco-lodges, you are directly contributing to the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem: all revenue generated is put towards conservation initiatives within the Tsavo Conservation Area.

The highlight of staying in Ithumba Private is the access to visit the orphans at the Ithumba Reintegration Unit in the early morning/evening, as well as at the mid-morning mud 
bath. Outside of those times, the Ithumba area is a beautiful part of the park to explore for game. Arrangements can also be made for a guided hike up Ithumba hill or along the Tiva river.

Foster parents guests also have special access to the SWT’s Ithumba Reintegration Unit, where they can have a first hand look at the work rehabilitating orphaned elephants.

Wedged between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks in the heart of the Chyulu Hills, the lodge, honed from the ancient lava rock that spewed out of Kilimanjaro 360,000 years ago, and creates a timelessness that touches everyone who visits. On the Mbirikani Group Ranch – 275,000 acres of private wild Africa bordering Chyulu Hills National Park and owned by 4,000 Maasai – ol Donyo Lodge blends contemporary design with the rich culture of the Maasai.

“I believe that a safari today must be a full and rich experience where there are no apologies for service, that must be excellent, for wildlife viewing, well-designed accommodation with a style we like to think of as a Great Plains style, but also vitally important for that extra magic of being a part of family… our family.” Dereck Joubert

Situated in the dry north of Kenya, in a land of endless rugged beauty and untamed wilderness, Elephant Watch Camp offers an authentic eco-luxury experience with a conservation focus. The camp is perched on the sandy banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, beneath kigelia and acacia trees in Samburu National Reserve. This ecosystem has one of the largest elephant populations in Kenya, each one individually identified and studied by researchers at neighboring Save the Elephants, a successful conservation program with strong ties to Elephant Watch Camp.

The area is home to a number of species only found in arid zones, including the Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, and reticulated giraffe. The reserve is also home to all three of the big cat species, wild dog, as well as 350 bird species. The nomadic Samburu people live here among the animals as they have for centuries.

Elephant Watch is an eco-bush camp. It has been cleverly made out of fallen trees and locally available materials. Green to the core, the Oria’s guiding philosophy emphasises recycling, composting, solar energy, and minimal pollution.

Elephant Watch has become home to some of the largest elephant bulls in Samburu, and they regularly walk among the tents. During the sagaram season, they in camp almost everyday.

Years spent among Samburu’s elephants mean that the herds are now so habituated to the camp’s specially modified open vehicles and expert guides that they allow guests right into the heart of their family groups. The camp guides are also experts on the big cats and are part of a Lion Watch monitoring programme that gets guests first on the scene. Guests often say that some of their most cherished moments were visiting the nomadic neighbours in the Samburu communities who welcomed them like long-lost friends.

Activities include game drives, bush walks with Samburu warriors, bush picnics and sundowners, hikes, optional helicopter excursions, and cultural interactions in addition to a visit to the Save the Elephants research centre where you will learn about local conservation efforts.

Conservation in Action

Elephant Watch Camp believes that elephants are special. Years of scientific research, along with their own daily observations, have revealed that elephants are highly intelligent, sentient creatures who thrive in close-knit families, feel complex emotions like empathy or compassion, are self-aware, and seem to have a concept of their own mortality. It is difficult not to draw parallels with our own human consciousness. Sadly, just as we are learning more about them, their existence is increasingly in peril from habitat loss and ivory poaching.

Elephant Watch is determined to find ways to protect the elephants and works closely with the charity Save the Elephants, based just downstream in Samburu National Reserve. Elephant Watch guides have been trained to recognise each of the sixty-six families that are mostly resident in Samburu, many of whom have recorded histories that date back to Save the Elephants’ foundation in 1997. All of the team’s observations are shared with the researchers and feed into their long-term monitoring database.