Luxurious tents along Ewaso Nyiro

By Philip Mwakio

Ashnil Samburu Camp along the shady banks of River Ewaso Nyiro is Kenya’s newest and apparently most luxurious tented camp. Strategically situated in the Buffalo Springs Game Reserve in Samburu, its 24 luxurious tents have a perfect view of the river and its hilly surroundings.

Bush breakfast is served in the open. The bar at night. [PHOTOS:COURTESY]

The luxurious tents have king-sized beds, spacious dressing and sitting areas, a luggage rack, indoor showers, and modern toilet facilities. In the camp’s public area is a large, well-maintained swimming pool with an adjacent small one for kids to cool off the Samburu heat.

A wonderful viewing deck allows guests to relax in the near proximity of a well-stocked gift shop, dining and lounge spaces. According to Ashnil Group of Hotels General Manager, Tom Were, the camp’s location is strategic to attract guests to the rare species of wildlife not found anywhere else in Kenya.

"We have the big five here together with reticulated giraffes (whose network pattern on body is different from the common Maasai giraffes), special antelopes with longer necks, Gerenuck antelopes that feed on lower acacia trees, Somali ostrich, the Grevy Zebras and Beisa Orxy,’’ he says.

These are found alongside plenty of wildlife like elephants, buffaloes, numerous birds’ species and other wild animals. Each of the luxurious tents offer a full view of the river and wildlife that traverse the banks to drink water.

Guests can take their drinks outside as they watch wildlife

Diverse Attractions

Seated on a 50-acre parcel of land, the camp is fully secured with an electric fence to ward off wildlife and intruders. The presence of military schools like School of Combat Engineering, School of Artillery and School of Infantry in the area is another plus to the security. British soldiers training in the Samburu ranges are frequent guests at the camp.

A World Bank funded project to construct the road from Isiolo to Marsabit has began and is expected to open up the area to tourism. "It is only a matter of time before we can start reaping the benefits of proper infrastructure when both local and international tourists come to sample our diverse attractions,’’ says Were.