MAASAI.COM Campi ya Kanzi O n e H o m e. O n e C o m m u n i t y 1
CAMPI YA KANZI WELCOME TO OUR HOME IN THE BUSH Luca first arrived here in 1975 with his parents (1); his first African safari. It made such a big impact that he dreamt of living in Africa ever since. Campi ya Kanzi is the result of his love for wilderness, wildlife and the Maasai. Antonella helped Luca accomplish his dream. We came here together in 1995, and after 6 months of planning with the Maasai landlords we started building. It took nearly two years to be ready to host the first guests. This has been our home ever since! 1 The first two years were spent in a very tiny tent, with the luxury of a bucket shower and a pit toilet! We spent 8 years in a tent and finally moved into a house when our daughter Lucrezia (whose first tent is now the Hemingway suite) was nearly two years old. We welcome you, in what we consider our paradise, hoping you will love it as much as we do! Here, you will be able to experience a very unique safari, in deep and genuine connection with the Maasai landlords. 2 3 4 You will be able to walk, explore, look out at the hills, riverine forests, and the cloud forest of the Chyulu Hills, the Green Hills of Africa of Ernest Hemingway. Pashiet (2), Parashi (3), Matasha (4) have been with us since day one. They will be your guides and share their home with you, and so will we! Karibu (Welcome)! Luca & Antonella, with Lucrezia, Jacopo and Lorenzo (5) 5 2
MAASAI.COM WHERE WE ARE Campi ya Kanzi is located in southern Kenya, just a few miles from the Tanzanian border. The camp is a joint venture between Luca and Antonella and the local Maasai landlords. Their Maasai Ranch (approx. 400 square miles, so 2/3 the size of the famous Masai Mara) borders the Chyulu Hills National Park to the east, Tsavo West National Park to the south and is next to Amboseli National Park to the west. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, lies just 35 miles away (in Tanzania), to the west of the Ranch. 3
CAMPI YA KANZI YOUR HOSTESS YOUR COMFORT Claudia Ogoti will be your hostess at Campi ya Kanzi. Claudia is also involved with our conservation partner, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Please let Claudia know if there is any way in which we might be able to enhance your visit, any special requests you might have, or any personal preferences it will be our pleasure. Campi ya Kanzi exists for 2 reasons: 1. Prove to the Maasai landlords that wilderness with thriving wildlife is an economical productive resource. 2. Providing our guests with the most authentic, profound and memorable safari experience. 4
WATER 1. All our water is cropped from the rains, please use it sparingly. 2. No plastic bottles: all our water is purified in a state of the art plant, flasks are provided to you on safari and jugs are filled up daily in your tent. 3. Laundry is complimentary, the only garment we ask to self-wash is undergarments. 4. Detergents: as we recycle all our water, please use the soaps provided as they are 100% natural. 5. Hot water: fully solar, best time to shower is late afternoon/early evening. ELECTRICITY 1. 100% solar, please use it sparingly. 2. We have special hair dryers compatible with our solar system, please ask for them. 3. There is a multi-plug charging station at Tembo House as well as a universal plug in your tent. MAASAI.COM VALUABLES Should you wish to store your valuable in our safe deposit facility, please let us know. This is not, however, considered necessary but we cannot take responsibility for any loss. WIFI Communication: you are wirelessly connected to Nature, if you do have an emergency need of communication you are welcome into our office, during office hours. We have WiFi there and also a satelite phone. SMOKING May we request that you do not smoke inside any rooms. While on safari, please do not throw away your cigarette ends in the bush this is dangerous to the wildlife and can easily cause a serious bush fire. If you wish to smoke on safari, please let us know and ashtrays will be provided throughout. CHILDREN Whilst we welcome family groups, we wish to remind you the environment you are in: true wilderness. We therefore, request that you never leave your children unattended, especially at the swimming pool. Remember it is not safe to walk around without one of our trackers. TOWELS In order to conserve water - our scarcest source - please let us know if you require either your towels or your linen to be changed. If so, simply leave a towel or a pillowcase in the laundry basket. SAFETY 100% SOLAR For your own safety we would advise you not to walk alone outside the paths to the tents, as the wild animals are free to roam wherever they wish and can be dangerous. 5
CAMPI YA KANZI SAFARI We are here to arrange a tailor made safari for you. 1. We suggest you enjoy what is not allowed in National Parks: game walks, especially in the Chyulu cloud forest. 2. Engage with the Maasai: this is a Maasai community eco-lodge, get involved with the Maasai! 3. Horses, massages, fly camp, scenic flights: just ask and we will arrange it! 4. Help us preserve what you are here to enjoy: take nothing more than pictures, leave nothing more than footprints! WINE & SPIRITS Fresh-pressed juices, soft drinks, beers, wines (from Antonella s vineyards in Italy) spirits and liqueurs are complimentary. Champagne is also available (this will be charged to your account). TIPPING A liberality, to appreciate staff service. If you wish, leave a common tip in an envelope and we will distribute it to the entire staff, no need to tip guides separately unless you wish to. A general tip of $25 to $35 per guest per day is our guideline. DINING Early morning tea: early morning coffee or tea may be brought to your room, if desired. (Your preferences will be requested at dinner). Breakfast: breakfast is served in either the dining room in the house or al fresco, at a time to suit you. (Your preference will be requested at dinner). Luncheon and Dinner: Luncheon (normally at 1 pm) and Dinner (8 pm) will be served in the dining room or al fresco, please let the host/hostess know your preference. Dietary preferences: unless you have already done so, we will much appreciate your advising us as to any dietary preferences. CONSERVATION COMMUNITY & CULTURE Campi ya Kanzi is the tourism partner of Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Founded by Luca and Antonella in 2000 to protect the wilderness, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Maasai. UN Ambassador for Biodiversity, Edward Norton, is the President of the US arm of the Trust. Deeply rooted in the Maasai community, the Trust now employs 300+ local people. It runs education, health and conservation programs. We will be delighted to tell you more about it and/or to arrange a visit to the MWCT headquarters. Simply ask! 6
MAASAI.COM MAASAI CHIC Our boutique, Maasai Chic (located at Campi ya Kanzi) showcases a fascinating range of safari clothing, jewelry, fashion accessories, Maasai arts & crafts (made by women from the local community), uniquely different gifts and souvenirs, and an interesting collection of books. Visa and American Express cards are accepted. Please ask Claudia to assist you. CONSERVATION FEE You may like to know that for each day you spend at Campi ya Kanzi, a $116 conservation fee is made to the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. The money is used in many ways; to improve health facilities and education, to provide water, to compensate for loss or damage caused by wildlife and, most importantly, to preserve this land as a private wilderness for the future. The Maasai community and the Campi ya Kanzi team would like to thank you for this contribution. 7
CAMPI YA KANZI THE SAFARI EXPERIENCE Be a real eco-tourist: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos! Your guides are professional safari guides and know the Chyulu Hills and surrounding area intimately. They will be delighted to work with you to plan your preferred safari. We would also like to suggest that the most enjoyable safaris are those that combine an easy walk with a game drive in an open Land Rover. Being in one of the few remaining true wilderness areas of Africa, here you will able to enjoy wildlife that is truly wild. The biodiversity is rich (more than 400 bird species, more than 60 large mammals). We are not in a National Park: wildlife is not habituated to either vehicles or people, so it is important to remain silent while on safari. We will do our best to show you the different landscapes and wildlife, we will certainly try to get to see elephants and big cats, but there is no guarantee to see them. Simply enjoy the African paradise which is surrounding you, do not have the anxiety of too many expectations. Enjoy what you see rather than going out with the desire to see one particular animal. 8
MAASAI.COM WALKING THE CHYULU HILLS The great advantage of being in a Maasai reserve rather than a National Park is that you are free to walk. An early morning walk (with a Maasai tracker) with the chance of spotting cheetah or leopard will be an unforgettable experience. For our more active guests we can also suggest some beautiful walks through the Chyulu Hills, along the savanna plains, beside rivers or amongst the lava flows of this fascinating volcanic landscape. KILIMANJARO SCENIC FLIGHT & CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST Should you wish to fly over the Snows of Kilimanjaro, or The Green Hills of Africa (the Chyulu Hills), or over the magnificent wilderness of Tsavo West National Park in search of elephants, our commercial pilot will be delighted to assist. Our Cessna 206 seats maximum 5 passengers. Your flight will last for about one hour and end with a fantastic Champagne bush breakfast: unforgettable! Ask your guide or hostess for the rates of the flight. EVENING SUNDOWNER One of the great traditions of the classic safari, the sundowner experience, is not to be missed. Whether you arrive by vehicle or on foot, you will enjoy a panoramic al fresco drink, with a selection of bitings or snacks. Sundowners areusually timed to begin around 6pm. After the sun has set, you can experience a guided night game drive back to camp in time for a freshen up and supper. THE CLOUD FOREST High in the Chyulu Hills are some of the last remaining areas of indigenous clouds forests in Africa. Huge trees, with buttressed roots, are hung with moss and lianas; trails lead through dense forest, alive with birdcall and bedecked with wild orchids and flowering trees. Being on foot in the primeval African wilderness (with a professional guide and Maasai tracker) is also a memorably unique experience, which is highly recommended. Get on the inside track: our senior Maasai guides, Matasha, Pashiet, Parashi and Muli, will also be happy to share their in-depth knowledge of birds, animals, tracks, flora, medicinal plants and Maasai lore. 9
CAMPI YA KANZI GET TO KNOW THE LOCAL MAASAI If you would like to learn more about your Maasai hosts, we can arrange for a cultural visit to a local village. You will be escorted by your Maasai guide and/or tracker, who will be best placed to introduce you to their village, people and the intricacies of the Maasai culture. Since we work closely with the local community, the Maasai are always delighted to welcome our guests, proud to invite you into their homes, meet their children, show you their livestock and share their cultural heritage, as well as being ever willing to exchange ideas. You will always be most welcome. 10
MAASAI.COM PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION, HEALTH & EDUCATION When we created Campi ya Kanzi, our goal was to demonstrate to the Maasai landlords that their beautiful land was worth more if protected as a wilderness with thriving wildlife. In order to achieve that goal and prove that the Natural resources of Kuku Group Ranch are worth more protected than used unsustainably, we created the MAASAI WILDERNESS Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. You are part of it, as for every night spent at Campi ya Kanzi, you are contributing $116 conservation fee to the Trust. CONSERVATION TRUST $1 offsets the carbon emissions due for your stay, making your safari totally carbon neutral, including your flights from Nairobi to the camp. $115 are earmarked for Wildlife Pays, a compensation program which reimburses the Maasai landlords for the livestock predated by wildlife. It is a wonderful program which is protecting lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and all other predators. Thank you for making sure lions will be here for generations to come! SINCE 1996 maasaiwilderness.org The Trust employs 300+ Kenyans, assisting the Maasai community not only with conservation services, but also with health and education. In 2012, the Trust has been celebrated by the UN, when in Rio+20, we received the Equator Prize from UNDP and when our Chairman, Samson Parashina, was named one of UNEP s Champions of the Earth. President of our USA arm is UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, Edward Norton. The Trust has also been meaningfully supported by UN Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Climate Change, Leonardo DiCaprio, through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Want to learn more and visit our research centre? Ask your hostess. We trust the information witin this book has proved informative, and we remain on hand to provide additional insights and information. Have a fabulous stay, WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE, THRIVING WILDLIFE AND A VITAL ECOSYSTEM. 11
CAMPI YA KANZI WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE TOURISM? Environment: to minimise the environmental impact created by tourists * Your stay with us is Carbon Neutral through our Carbon Fee per night. Social/Economic: involving the local community is essential for a sustainable touristic development. * 100% of our staff is Kenyan and most are from the local Maasai community.. Culture: we respect the local culture by including its essence in the overall touristic development. Creating an awareness of the local culture, its traditions, the lifestyle, local food and handcrafts * Your Maasai guide and tracker welcome you to visit their home and meet their family for a truly authentic learning experience of the Maasai culture and traditions. Each member of the Campi ya Kanzi team is also very open to sharing her or his history, simply ask them any questions you might have! ACCOLADES 100% SOLAR & RAIN WATER we are 2004 World Legacy Award, finalist 2005 Skal Ecotourism Award, Winner 2006 Tourism for Tomorrow Award, Winner 2006 Eco Warrior Award, Winner 2008 Condè Nast Wolrd Savers award, Winner 2009 Nominated by National Geographic as one of the top 50 eco-lodges in the world 2010 Fodor s Choice 2012 UNDP Equator Prize (MWCT), Winner 2012 UNEP Champions of the Earth (MWCT- Samson Parashina), Winner 2014 Global Vision Award by Travel & Leisure, for Conservation, Winner 2016 IE Award for Sustainability, Winner 2017 Eco Warrior Award for Climate Change, Winner 12
MAASAI.COM Campi ya Kanzi One Home.One Community 13