Sanctuary Private Camping

Overview

By "Sanctuary Private Camping", we mean that our experienced camping team prepares an exclusive safari itinerary agreed individually with each group of guests. This is a completely authentic camping experience that pays homage to the romance and style of a bygone era.

Private luxury tents are pitched in hand-selected areas in Kenya and Tanzania, and outfitted to suit the individual tastes of guests. The experienced Sanctuary Private Camping team moves the tents, following an individual itinerary designed exclusively for each group of guests.  This type of safari allows for an intimate bush experience without leaving a footprint - Sanctuary Private Camping  leaves no permanent fixtures and allows the landscape to remain as pristine as when first found.

Each extremely spacious tent is furnished with hand woven rugs and traditional campaign furniture. A personal tent attendant ensures that  the Egyptian cotton sheets on the comfortable king size beds are always freshly ironed, that a hot water bottle is slipped beneath the duvet on chilly nights, and that the naval bucket shower is mixed to the perfect temperature for whatever time of day, or night, guests choose to bathe. Each tent also has a fully flushing china toilet and running water in the basin. Bedside and bathroom lighting is solar powered.

Two weeks is the typical length of a Sanctuary Private Camping safari. However, there are of course no fixed timescales and we can design any length of trip.

Included Activities

At a private luxury camp there are no set schedules. Your safari guide will discuss each day and design activities to suit the pace of guests, seeking out the big game and introducing guests to the cultural and historical interests of East Africa.

Game Drives

All game drives are conducted in custom made safari vehicles, Depending on location, they may also include night game driving with filtered spotlights.

Sundowners

In the evening a game drive most often ends with a sundowner at a specially chosen vantage point where you may relax and enjoy a deserved cocktail as the sun sinks over the horizon.  Sanctuary's experienced guides know all the hidden spots and our customised open topped safari vehicles offer all-round views, allowing for excellent photography opportunities. 

Bush Breakfasts, Picnics and Dinners

Depending on how you and your guide have decided to design your day, you may choose to take a delicious bush picnic out with you on a full day excursion. Alternatively, you may choose to have your breakfast or dinner served to you out in the bush, with all the attention and excellence of service that you would expect back in your private mess tent.

Visit to a School

More and more popular are the visits organised by our guides to a variety of local schools during school term. These visits are free but we would recommend a donation to the school of anything upward of $15 per person.

Rates

 
Please contact us for more information about a tailored private camping experience.

Getting There & Away

Additional Activities

Depending on the location, there is also the opportunity for many different activities.

Visit to a Traditional Village

In many of the regions that we pitch our camps, there is an opportunity to learn about the local culture at source and in a relaxed atmosphere.  Learn about their traditions, the social structure of the homestead, the role of women in their society and many more aspects of their daily life.  Interaction and discussion is encouraged, so whether the ladies are building a mud hut, the warriors are dancing or making fire with stones and sticks, guests are free to join in. The cost to enjoy such a privilege depends upon the area you are staying but is anything upward of $20 per person.

Walking Safaris

Depending on the choice of camp location, there are also opportunities to venture out on walking safari. Accompanied by an experienced armed ranger, a bush walk allows a complete sense of connection and appreciation for nature and the environment around. The guide will share his intimate knowledge of the bush from the smaller things like insects and how plants are used by the local people to how to look out for animal signs as you approach big game on foot.
Prices start from $30 per person per walk.

Camelback Safari

In some areas walks can be supported by camels when the terrain allows. Prices vary according to location, but start at $30 per person per walk.

Horseback Safari

We are able to bring along horses to join you for the whole of your camping, or simply organise for you to go out for a morning riding experience (depending on location). A morning ride starts form $50 per person per ride.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

Your balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise and once aloft floats gently over the plains and the plethora of game.  After around one hour the balloon lands and nearby breakfast is already being prepared. The smells of bacon, sausages and eggs drift on the breeze as you begin breakfast with platefuls of  exotic Kenyan fruits and homemade pastries and, of course, glasses of bubbly to toast your flight  in a tradition initiated by the Montgolfier brothers. One can enjoy balloons in Amboseli, Maasai Mara and Lake Elementeita in Kenya and in the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Prices start at $425 per person per ride.

Flying Excursion to Lake Victoria

When in the Maasai Mara, you may fly by light aircraft to Lake Victoria and enjoy a full English breakfast on arrival at the islands of either Mfangano or Rusinga. Try fishing for the legendary giant Nile perch, explore the myriad of tiny islands or stop at a traditional fishing village and see how the villagers live from day to day. Lake Victoria is a spectacular sight, it is Africa's largest lake and the world's second widest freshwater lake. Birdlife is abundant and includes the spectacular fish eagles which can be seen perching high in the treetops or dramatically swooping across the lake as they capture fish in their fiery talons. An experienced and knowledgeable fisherman captains each boat as you head out into the lake in search of the legendary giant Nile perch found in these waters -Nile perch weighing over 150 lb are regularly caught.  Stop at a traditional fishing village before returning to the airstrip for your flight back to the Mara.

Prices start from $425 per person per trip.

Flying excursion in a Vintage Bi-plane

A flight of a lifetime in a bi-plane of the golden era, with all the mod cons, performance and safety requirements of a modern aircraft. This open cock-pit aircraft can carry 2 passengers side-by-side whilst the pilot fly’s from the rear. The hour long flight is a dream ride in the Finch-Hatton tradition.  These popular bi-planes were originally manufactured in the 1920’s and 30’s by Weaver Aircraft Company hence the rather odd name Waco. The new Jacobs engine has been given J.A.R approval, and passes the stringent European noise abatement laws. Waco have a beautiful leather interior, the best music intercom system and a 3-way camera system that will enable passengers to take this once-in-a-life-time flying experience home.

Prices start from $1000 for the rent of the bi-plane per flying hour.

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