Shompole Wilderness
South Rift, Kenya
Where the Rift Valley Belongs to the Maasai
In the far south of Kenya‘s Great Rift Valley, close to the Tanzanian border, Shompole Wilderness sits beneath towering fig trees on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The Nguruman Escarpment and the Loita Hills rise to the west, while to the south lie the soda flats of Lake Natron, blushed pink by Lesser and Greater Flamingos. This is Maasai community land rather than a national park, which means few other visitors and the freedom to explore on foot as readily as by vehicle.
Johann and Sam du Toit live here with their two children, and the camp carries the easy warmth of a family home, run alongside a local Maasai team. Canvas, timber and deep shade set the tone, and a small waterhole in camp draws a steady procession of birds from an area that records more than 450 species.
The raised tents are tucked into cordia thickets for privacy. Some look over the river, others across the open plains, and a pair sit up among the branches with the charm of a treehouse. Each has a generous veranda for long afternoons, and because the camp accepts a single booking at a time, the whole place belongs to your party.
A varied, unhurried pattern, set by the river and the seasons, brings fresh choices each morning. Walk the plains behind camp, paddle by kayak or drift downstream on an inflatable tube. Game drives cross the river into the conservancy by day and continue after dark, when lion prides and nocturnal creatures emerge. Meals are shared around the family table or beneath the figs, and for the closest encounter of all, a night in the Shompole hide brings wildlife to within metres of your pillow.
You will love
- Exclusive use, one booking only
- Floating the river on tubes
- Overnight in the wildlife hide
- Flamingos on Lake Natron
- Hosted by heritage family
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
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Buckingham Family
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Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
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