Kitaani Kya Ndundu-Tsavo Safari Camp was initially a hunting base only to become one of the earliest established tented camps in Kenya associated closely with adventurers & explorers including the famous hunter Glen Cottar as well as the world renowned photographer Peter Beard. Beryl Markham, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from London to North America (in 1936), spent a large part of her life in Kenya, using her skills and bravery as a pilot to spot game for hunters in Tsavo East. Elephants reputedly headed for cover at the sound of her plane approaching! It was in this region that ‘The Man Eaters’ of Tsavo- an episode of rogue lions attacked Indian labourers as they laid down the tracks of The East African railway running from Nairobi to Mombasa as recorded by Lieut Colonel Patterson.
Tsavo East National Park is located approximately halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa (a 3 hour drive to Mtito Andei from either city and another 45 minutes to the camp; or a 50-minute flight to the camp). It retains a pristine environment and complete ecosystem, sustaining the largest mammalian, ornithological, reptilian and insect diversity in the region, including the maneless lion, lesser kudu, red elephant, hippopotamus, the rare hunting dog, galago (bush baby) and African Scops owl as well as the many red billed and crowned Hornbills and darting Kingfishers amidst other creatures. An ornithologist’s paradise and an extensive range of thrilling wildlife, living in harmony. An abundance of vegetation, in both variety and volume, includes the frankincense and myrrh of biblical importance. Tsavo is thus a feast for the senses. Here, you will see the star-strewn nights, daily. Average, daily temperatures of 29 Deg C. during the day and 18 Deg C. at night with sporadic rains in the March/April & November/December periods.
The Athi-Galana river which is the longest in Kenya skirts the majestic Yatta Plateau,The worlds’ longest lava flow. A feature almost 300 km in length, the Plateau is a table mountain consisting of a raised river bed covered with a flow of lava from Ol Donyo Sabuk hill. With the surrounding landscape eroded down to well below the original river bottom.The riverbed with a lava cap is now a raised platform ridge following the original river. The Yatta offers stunning vistas of Mt Kilimanjaro, the Chyulu Hills, Ngulia Range and a meandering river below – Africa at its best, primeval, expansive and all pervasive.
Within close distance from the Camp is Sheldricks’ Blind. A concrete bunker built on two levels by David Sheldrick (1919-1977), who in April 1948 became the founder Warden of Kenya's largest and most important National Park - Tsavo. David's illustrious career with the Royal National Parks of Kenya was recognised in the 1962 Queen's Birthday Honors when he was awarded a D.B.E. ‘The Blind’ exposes breathtaking beauty - a never ending vastness of untouched wilderness. This overview rests on a steep slope of the Yatta above a natural spring where crystal clear water trickles from beneath huge lava boulders creating a lush oasis. Sheldricks’ blind is filled with a lazy peace and atmosphere of tranquility surrounded by wild animals and giant baobabs.
Kitaani Kya Ndundu-Tsavo Safari Camp is a hidden Treasure, an Oasis and a Gateway offering a rare & unique opportunity for those wishing to experience true adventure in a part of Kenyas’ remaining virgin territory.