Galdessa Camp
LOCATION: Tsavo East National Park, on the banks of the Galana River overlooking the Yatta Plateau, 15 km upstream of Lugard’s Falls.
STYLE: The camp has a coastal/bush relaxed feel and is designed to blend with the environment using earthy colors and natural woods throughout.
DESCRIPTION: The camp is located along the Galana River under fringed doum palms and overlooks the Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest and oldest fossilized lava flow.
ACCOMMODATION: 12 comfortable and spacious thatched and semi-tented bungalows on wooden platforms, each with an en-suite bathroom and private veranda. Guests are ensured their privacy as all of the bungalows are situated a good distance apart and natural foliage is used to subtly conceal neighboring bandas. The bathrooms are large and have traditional bucket showers, flush toilets and basins with running water.
Private Galdessa Camp
LOCATION: Tsavo East National Park, on the banks of the Galana River overlooking the Yatta Plateau, 15 km upstream of Lugard’s Falls.
STYLE: The camp has a coastal/bush relaxed feel and is designed to blend with the environment using earthy colors and natural woods throughout.
DESCRIPTION: The camp is located along the Galana River under fringed doum palms and overlooks the Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest and oldest fossilized lava flow.
Galdessa Private Camp can be booked exclusively and is situated a short distance from the main camp. Exclusive booking allows you absolute privacy, your own dining room and lounge, as well as the freedom to plan your days and meals as and when you wish.
ACCOMMODATION: 3 comfortable and spacious thatched and semi-tented bungalows on wooden platforms, each with an en-suite bathroom and private veranda. Guests are ensured their privacy as all of the bungalows are situated a good distance apart and natural foliage is used to subtly conceal neighboring bandas. Two of the bungalows (Banda A & 7) have separate sitting rooms and large, private verandas on stilts. Both of these bandas are recommended for honeymooners, as you could sleep under the stars in complete privacy while being serenaded by the sounds of the African night. The bathrooms are large and have traditional bucket showers, flush toilets and basins with running water.
CONSERVATION: Galdessa works closely with Kenya Wildlife Service’s black rhino re-introduction project. Within Galdessa’s vicinity there are 51 black rhino; Africa’s largest unfenced black rhino population. The camp has been built with great care not to adversely impact the environment and recycles its waste, uses solar power for electricity and has installed a water treatment plant. Galdessa’s founder, Pierre Mourgue d’Algue, is a trustee of the TUSK Trust which works to protect the environment and habitats of Africa and distributes in excess of 90% of the funds it raises directly into the field.
ACTIVITIES: The camp’s activities include game drives in open vehicles; walking safaris along the Galana River and sand rivers; sundowners and bush breakfasts; and visits to the nearby Rhino Camp conservation project (15 minutes from Galdessa). The camp’s direct area is home to over 50 black rhino. Tsavo East National Park is a wilderness area of great bio-diversity. Uncommon species seen include lesser kudu, gerenuk, fringed-eared oryx, Hirola and Peter’s gazelle. The area is renowned for elephants particularly during the dry season: the last count (1999) recorded 8100. Tsavo is particularly rich in birdlife, with birds migrating from Oman, Malawi, Iran, Germany and Russia.
ITINERARIES: The camp tailors activities to suit each guest’s requirements. A minimum of 3 nights is recommended to fully explore the rich diversity of Tsavo East National Park. A typical day starts with a hot tea/coffee served on the privacy of your veranda, followed by a morning walk or game drive, accompanied by one of the camp’s many knowledgeable guides. Culminating in a hot, cooked bush breakfast beneath the shade of the doum palms is just one of the many extras the camp provides. In the afternoon, you can again choose between a walk and game drive, ending the day with sundowners and the spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
SEASONS: The camp is open for 11 months of the year (closed in May)
CLIMATE: Tsavo has a fairly unique climate as it is only 1400 feet above sea level and, therefore, is generally hot and dry. The Galana River and the Yatta Plateau create a constant breeze, so the nights are cool and pleasant. January to March and July to October are prime game viewing months and August to October and February to March are the driest months. Unlike the rest of the country, it normally does not rain in July and August in Tsavo, and the long rains are in April, May and sometimes June. The short rains usually take place from November to mid December.
Temperatures range from 17 C to 20 C at night and 22 C to 33 C during the day.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: (Full package clients only) Non-alcoholic drinks, accommodation, transfers to and from Manyani airstrip, game drives, activities and laundry.
WHAT IS EXCLUDED: Alcoholic drinks, health insurance, gratuities and park fees.
WHAT TO BRING: Sun protection (hat, glasses, and sun screen), ankle height walking boots and lightweight long trousers or walking shorts. T-shirts/shirts (no white please), one sweater or windbreaker, binoculars and film.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: It is advised that you consult your practitioner for anti-malarial prophylactic requirements. As with all destinations in Africa, we strongly advise that you take out a comprehensive medical insurance.
BACKGROUND READING:
Safari Style – Tim Beddow & Natasha Burns
The Man-eaters of Tsavo – Colonel Paterson
Safari Chic – Bibi Jordan
Out of Africa – Karen Blixen
