Shompole Wilderness

Shompole Wilderness sits inside Shompole Conservancy in Kajiado, southern Kenya, on the edge of a river in Loodaklani Maasai territory. The camp accepts only one booking at a time, so the six tents, the pool, and all other facilities belong entirely to your group for the length of your stay.

Each tent stands on a raised wooden deck, which lifts you above the ground and gives the feel of a treehouse. All six look out over the river and have large windows, a lounge area, an en-suite shower, and a wide verandah where you can sit without leaving your tent. Linen is pure cotton; laundry is handled at no extra charge.

Activities cover a wide range. Game drives and guided walks take you across the plains surrounding camp; after dark, night drives are available as well. The river is used for kayaking and tubing, and catch-and-release fishing is on offer too. Birdlife is a particular draw — four hundred and fifty species have been recorded in the conservancy.

The Loodaklani Maasai community live and work in this landscape, with cattle at the centre of their pastoral way of life, and cultural visits are part of what the camp arranges. The kitchen defaults to a western menu but adapts to dietary needs, including vegetarian.

The camp is run by its owners, who live on site with their children. A private vehicle is available for transfers and excursions, and the camp provides internet access and battery-charging facilities.