The rationale behind “Elephant Watch Safaris” is borrowed from whale watching; that there is more value in the live animal from people watching it, than there is from killing it for its products of meat, skin and ivory.

Elephant Watch Safaris is a first in Africa and I am delighted to be able to offer visitors this new and wonderful experience in the Samburu National Reserve in Northern Kenya.  While venturing into the secret world of elephants, our guests are also looked after in great style.

The exotic Camp is perched on the sand banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, beneath big Kigelia trees and Acacia Elatiors.  It 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 the wild.

The camp, which is 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 colourful cloth and unusual furniture. Bath rooms are built around trees, giving our 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 in the breeze, huge cushioned sofas, woven local mats and special beds and furniture made from fallen trees.  Menus are a fusion of bush gourmet, fresh from our farm, with tropical fruit and drinks and a selection of good wine.  Books, films and information on elephants are provided for guests. At night, flame torches and lanterns light up the camp along the river. Baboons call out as leopards stalk, while lions and elephants are always nearby.  It is the only camp of its kind in Samburu.

Elephant Watching begins on arrival.  Our Elephant Watch guides meet their guests at either of the two airfields and drive them gently through the Reserve spending time with many of our 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 Centre can also be organised.

Each day opens with a new adventure. Early morning or evening bush walks along well travelled elephant paths  or collecting medicinal plants and honey and always accompanied by our Samburu Warriors. At times one can witness  the great river crossings of camels and cattle, fire making and Samburu ceremonies.

Oria 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.

ACTIVITIES

Long distance hikes or short walks with the warriors in the surrounding hills

Collecting medicinal plants or searching for honey combs is fun

Visits to the Samburu village and eco workshops

Fire making with special sticks – always a challenge

Strolls on the river bed, elephant watching

Conservation in action with our Bees’n’Trees’ project

Sundowners, barbeques and Samburu dances at our “top of the world” spot

WHAT TO BRING

- Lightweight clothes, a large hat and binoculars.

- Casual wear for the evening, a shawl and mosquito repellants.

- Plenty of sunscreen and creams, medicine bag and sunglasses.

- Good walking shoes are essential and light shoes for camp.

- Cameras with a long zoom lens and plenty of camera films.

CLIMATE

The best times to take an Elephant Watch Safari in Samburu is May to August, after the rains and during the cooler months.  September, October and December - February is the hot dry season and is always interesting when the animals stay near the river.  Generally the climate in Samburu is hot and dry.  The Camp may be closed during part of April and November due to heavy rains.

HEALTH

Samburu does have Malaria.  To avoid infection, please bring insect repellents and Prophilactics.  Our tents are lined with mosquito nets.

Do contact us about any vaccinations required to visit Kenya.

We also recommend full medical and travel insurance.  EWS can organize emergency evacuation cover with the Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa if requested.