News from Campi ya Kanzi …

June 2015

Campi ya Kanzi is more than just an ecolodge. We also organize private air safaris throughout Africa. In our latest edition, we flew 6,808 miles from Kenya to Namibia and back! We visited eight countries, fifteen lodges, and two oceans over a period of thirty-four days, traveling with ten guests and two airplanes. We call it the "epic" air safari because we cannot think of a better word to describe it. The excursion was life-changing and unforgettable.

Whether flying through the gorges of Victoria Falls, skimming the water along the Skeleton Coast, or surveying hundreds of thousands of wildebeest in the Serengeti, we were constantly in awe of our bird’s eye view of Africa. When our feet were on the ground, we enjoyed hiking with chimpanzees in Mahale National Park, quad biking in the Namib Desert, and observing elephants at Mana Pools. We also ventured into the water by canoeing through the Okavango Delta, scuba diving in the Indian Ocean, and swimming with dolphins in Zanzibar. For a full account of our journey, please visit our blog.

Flying over the Okavango Delta

The Great Migration of wildebeest in the Serengeti

King of the Serengeti

The exquisite view from private Mnemba Island in Zanzibar

After our thrilling air adventure, we returned home to Campi ya Kanzi with renewed confidence in our lodge, our mission, and our service. We visited some spectacular lodges on our trip, each one notable for different reasons, but none was like Campi ya Kanzi. Our camp has some unique, stand-out features that we didn’t find elsewhere in Africa:

• Campi ya Kanzi is the only camp in an area of immense, pristine wilderness (280,000 acres). The safari experience is quiet and private.
• The camp has a profound and genuine partnership with the local Maasai, who own the camp, compose most of our staff, and benefit greatly from your safari.
• We, the founders, live on site and still personally host our guests.
• The camp is 100% solar-powered.
• All our water is cropped from the rains.
• The surrounding ecosystem boasts great biodiversity, including 60 mammal species, over 400 bird species, and 1,000 tree species.

At the end of the air safari, we asked our guests to name three highlights of the month-long excursion. Pierre, a seasoned traveler, said, "Campi ya Kanzi, Campi ya Kanzi, Campi ya Kanzi." That was a proud and moving moment for us. It is rewarding to know that our guests feel as at home in the Chyulus as we do.

There is so much to see and do at Campi ya Kanzi that there is never a dull moment here. We offer a wide variety of activities and customize every safari to the needs and interests of our guests. Whether you want to wake up early for a game drive at dawn or take it easy with a massage in the cloud forest, we will tailor your visit exactly as you see fit. You have all of the following options and more!

• Hike to the cloud forest of the Chyulu Hills to see panoramic views and enormous strangler fig trees.
• Take a game drive with a local Maasai guide to track elephants and lions.
• Eat a bush breakfast under a baobab tree or take a picnic lunch into the hills.
• Ride through the plains on horseback.
• Take a scenic flight around Mount Kilimanjaro or to any destination in Kenya.
• Visit the local Maasai village with a guide who lives there.
• Meet the students at the local school and speak to the doctor at the clinic.
• Get involved with the Maasai performing traditional songs and dances.
• Enjoy a massage, swim in the pool, or take a dip in the hot tub at Kanzi Amani.
• Take a course in transcendental meditation.
• End your day with a "sundowner" as you watch the sunset from a beautiful lookout hill while sipping the drink of your choice.
• Savor a lamp-lit dinner in a magnificent lava cave.
• Go fly camping in the style of Ernest Hemingway.
• Take a day trip to Tsavo West National Park or Amboseli National Park.
• Visit orphaned elephants that are being reintroduced to the wild at Ithumba or Umani Springs, two camps run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
• For kids, train with Maasai warriors and learn how to throw a spear.
• Custom-design a private air safari in eastern or southern Africa.

Hiking in the cloud forest of the Chyulu Hills

Horseback riding near zebras

Dancing with the Maasai

In the last week, wild dogs have been spotted twice near Campi ya Kanzi. We are always pleased to see these intrepid, endangered creatures on Kuku Group Ranch. The open wilderness here provides a healthy habitat for the strong yet struggling species.

Watch our Kili Live webcam:

Helping the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust is just a click away.

We hope to see you soon at Campi ya Kanzi!

All our best,

Luca, Antonella, Samson, Stefano, and all the Campi ya Kanzi team