ELEPHANT WATCH CAMP

The Elephant Watch Camp, an eco-camp, is owned and managed by the Douglas-Hamilton family. Oria Douglas Hamilton writes: ""The idea of Elephant Watch Safaris came to me as I was sitting on the roof of my Landrover, watching elephants. A young female walked towards me and lifted her trunk. I held out my hand to the tip of her long nose and murmured a low rumble-call while her warm breath flowed over my fingers. For a while she remained by the car, flapping her ears, ripping grass and twirling her trunk. As I looked at her closely I felt a silent new friendship was developing." Oria Douglas-Hamilton and her husband Iain have been privileged to work with elephants for more than thirty years. They wrote the books "Among the Elephants," an account of their time spent studying elephants in Lake Manyara and "Battle for the Elephants," which documents their years undertaking an Africa wide elephant census to put an end to the slaughter of elephants for the ivory trade. Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton is now the Chairman of the registered charity, "Save the Elephants" and he was recently involved in the production of the Discovery Channel IMAX film, "Africa's Elephant Kingdom." Iain and his Save the Elephants research team are currently monitoring long-distance movements using high-tech GPS radio collars on some of the wild elephants roaming throughout the Samburu Reserve in Northern Kenya.

Elephant Watch Camp is the only camp of its kind in Samburu National Reserve.

Elephant Watch Camp was selected as a world "hot spot" by Conde Nast Traveller 2002 and voted Best Tented Safari by The Week magazine in 2003.

About Elephant Watch Camp

• The Elephant Watch Camp is an exotic eco-camp, perched on the sand banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, beneath big Kigelia trees and Acacia Elatiors.
• The camp, which is totally eco-friendly, has been specially constructed for comfort and coolness, accommodating a maximum of ten guests with its wide and breezy desert tents, individually styled, draped with colorful cloth and unusual furniture.
• Bathrooms, which are long-drops are built around trees, giving AfricanMecca guests a novel washing experience with plenty of sun heated water and lights.
• Everything about Elephant Watch Camp is a feast for the senses, with bright swathes of cotton fanning the breeze, huge cushioned sofas, woven local mats and special beds and furniture made from fallen trees.

Culinary and Dining Experience

• Menus are a fusion of bush gourmet, fresh from local farm, with tropical fruit and drinks, and a selection of good wine.

Nature Experience and Activities

• Elephant Watch Camp is home to some of the largest bulls in Samburu who can often be spotted resting under an acacia tree or picking pods beside the tents. The trees are filled with a multitude of birds and monkeys. At dawn a gentle chorus echoes overhead announcing the new day in t he wild.
• Elephant Watching begins on arrival. The Elephant Watch guides can meet their guests at either of the two airfields and drive them gently through the Reserve spending time with many of their well known elephant families as well as introducing them to some of the particular Northern inhabitants - the slim necked Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy Zebras and over 400 species of birds. A special visit to Save the Elephant Research Center can also be organized.
• Each day opens with a new adventure: early morning or evening bush walks along well-traveled elephant paths or collecting medicinal plants and honey and always accompanied by local Samburu Warriors. At times one can witness the great river crossings of camels and cattle, fire making and Samburu ceremonies.
• Books, films and information on elephants are provided for guests. At night, flame torches and lanterns light up the camp along the river.