Sampu Camp

Sampu Camp is located west of Lake Magadi in the foothills of the Nguruman Range.  Sampu is a permanent camp with spaceous tents all with ensuite and can host 20 people.

This is a real wilderness area well off the beaten track.  The area is rich with game and the Olkirimatian group ranch will organise all game drives from the camp. The resident naturalist is available to take guests of the camp on guided nature walks, pointing out flora & fauna and their traditional uses.

Occassional bike rides can be organised for cycling enthusiasts. These bike rides will be on worn tracks where they'll have minimal effects on the ecosystem.

FACT SHEET

SAMPU CAMP

Position:

S 01 54.97’

E 036 02. 886’

Distances:

Westlands – Magadi                                       120kms

Magadi – Ewaso Nyiro bridge/ airstrip            35kms

Ewaso Nyiro bridge – Sampu Camp        approx 10kms

Road description:

Westlands – Magadi: good tar.

Magadi – Ewaso Nyiro: variable murram but fine for vehicles with good clearance [minibus’] and 4x4.

Ewaso Nyiro – Camp: drive slowly, follow the signs and beware of dust.

Cross the Magadi causeway and head directly west to the rift valley wall for 35kms until you arrive at the EWASO NYIRO BRIDGE crossing the river of the same name, do not deviate from the main road.

Signs are from the Ewaso Nyiro bridge to the camp, just follow these signs and they will lead to 1]public campsite 2]Sampu Camp 3]Shompole.

Pre amble.

Sampu Camp is a EU funded project set up to encourage tourism to the area in the hope that the revenue generated thereof, will help the group ranch with an alternative to only livestock rearing. It is also hoped that by bringing in tourism, that in itself will lend to game conservation and is beside Shompole Group Ranch, a similarly minded project thus making for a large buffer zone for wildlife conservation.

 The camp is situated on OLKIRAMATIAN GROUP RANCH which is approx 800sq kms in size and is the home to over 3000 residents.

7kms from the Ewaso Nyiro bridge are many fruit and vegetable farms supplying produce for export.

There is a Flying Doctor centre in the village offering first aid and general outpatient services for the local community.

Sampu Camp is built on a promonitory approx 100 ft above the surrounding hinterland and the Sampu stream flows beside the camp and forms the camps sole water supply. This stream flows from way up in the Nguruman Forest and starts as a spring with an uninterrupted supply year round and is also the water supply for the game that inhabits the surrounding forests, hills and upper plains.

The camp is built with eco friendliness in mind and itself comprises 10 large size en-suite tents, a main mess area situated in the side of the southern outlook with a splendid view of  Shompole Mountain, Mt Gelai, and on a clear day Ol donya Lengai can be seen. Lake Natron can also be seen from further up the hills.

The camps energy supply will comprise solar. Each tent will have 4 lamps, pathways will be lit by paraffin lamps, the mess will have several lamps. There will be a video battery charging facility and communication will be through satellite phone and camp radio. Mobile telephones can send text messages but signals are not strong enough for direct calling.

Each tent has a queen bed and single bed. This makes tents perfect for families. Five tents view southwards to Shompole, the other five facing north to the mountains and towards the Ngong hills.

Activities include:

*Game viewing from  4x4 game viewing trucks and drivers double up as naturalist.

*Game walks around the camp and hinterland is accompanied by local Maasai English speaking guide and security – we do not have guns.

*Cycling will be from the lower plains on mountain bikes accompanied by a guide and vehicular backup.

*Wilderness breakfasts with or without morning walks/ game drives will be offered.

*Evening cocktails after game drive/ walk can be arranged.

Safaris from Sampu can be arranged and these will include:

*Overnights climbing and exploring the Ngurumans.

*Cycling programmes leading to Shompole and Lake Natron and can be one or several overnights.

*Day excursions to Lake Natron to view the flora, fauna and geography.

Adda Wed Designs