Joy's Camp
JOY'S CAMP -
SHABA NATIONAL RESERVE, KENYA
Shaba National Reserve covers 300 sq kms, and covers more than 50% of the three reserves that make up “Samburu” – Shaba, Buffalo Springs and Samburu. Shaba is the most picturesque of the three.
Joy’s Camp has the whole of the eastern sector of the reserves to itself. Dramatic arid countryside with stunning views of beautiful Bodich and Shaba mountains glowing red in the evening sun. The reserve has natural salts and lush palm fringed springs that attract the wildlife. The northern border of the park is the great Ewaso Nyiro River with rocky gorges, waterfalls and sandy beaches to explore.
This is leopard, elephant and lion country. The leopard love the massive tortilis acacia trees, especially in the forest close to camp, and hunt for klipsringer on the rocks. In this landscape of yellow grass and rocks, the lion are pale in colour and truly wild. Being arid country, the reserve is host to herds of the rare Beisa oryx, families of Gerenuk, the splendid blue-legged Somali ostrich, Grevy zebra, the most beautiful species of giraffe – the rare Reticulated Giraffe, plus for the aficionados both the rare brown and rare stripped hyenas!
Accommodation For
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Joy’s Camp boasts a chic Boran style, with bright and uniquely modern tents.
• 10 en-suite cream tents
• 7 doubles and 3 twin tents
• Each tent is 100m sq and consists of a large main bedroom, with en suite bathroom (stone floors, flush loo, hot running water and shower), and large veranda with seating area.
• All tents can fit two extra beds, to accommodate children under the age of 16yrs only. Maximum is 5 extra beds in camp at any one time
Safari Dining
Fresh homemade breads and pastas, traditional Italian risottos, and fresh organic salads await you at this chic boutique camp in Shaba.
During lunchtime, gaze over the camp’s neighbouring lush springs teaming with elephant, buffalo and other plains game. After nightfall, while enjoying dinner, you will look out over the floodlit springs, where lion and other predators take advantage of the early evening darkness to hunt.
At Joy’s Camp guests dine individually (unlike some of our other tented camps, where dining is communal).
Private romantic dinners can also be arranged on request.
General mealtimes are as follows:
Breakfast 6:30am to 9:30am
Lunch 1pm to 2pm
Dinner 8pm to 9:30pm
Joy’s Camp is happy to cater to special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Please make sure your agent informs us well in advance though, so that the camp managers can prepare for your arrival. Each morning the camp’s daily menu is displayed in the bar.
Activities &
Wildlife
Game Drives
The Joy’s Camp guides are based at the lodge in Shaba National Reserve, they have the whole park to themselves and know their backyard intimately. All the guides are Bronze or Silver level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified.
Joy’s Camp has open gamedrive vehicles. The current fleet are new, specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – open sided with 3 rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Guests will share gamedrives unless “exclusive use of vehicle” has been prebooked at an extra charge.
This is elephant and leopard country – rocky hills, huge acacias, and lush springs, the perfect habitat. Shaba is also home to the rare northern species; gerenuk (giraffe antelope), herds of Beisa oryx, Grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, brown and striped hyena – and a wonderful place to see klipspringer!
Guided Walks
Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles and micro-ecosystems.
One of the most popular walks is along the river gorge, dramatic views, and if you are lucky catch a glimpse of shy crocodiles. Another favourite is walking along the Chaffa stream, starting at the spring – spectacular flowers, birds. Other special places to roam around out of the car is at “Penny’s Drop”, a waterfall dropping from a spring into the great Ewaso Nyiro river.
Painting
The colors, vistas and landscape in Shaba cry out to be painted! The camp has easels, paints, charcoal pencils, paper… all you need to settle in and create. Once you have caught the painting bug, the shop has mini painting safari packs for you to take onto your next stop.
Joy Adamson was also an accomplished artist, documenting the plants and peoples of Kenya for posterity. Another reason why she chose to live at this spectacular site!
Swimming Pool
Enjoy the cool waters in the heat of the day! The swimming pool has service from the bar, and overlooks the spring and the view.
Bush Breakfast and Sundowners
Take a moment to sit back, enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colours, and the gentle breeze. Bush breakfasts are a chance to enjoy a full breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plains, or by the river, surrounded by wildlife.
"Sundowners” are a safari tradition – after a day of safari; stop, watch the spectacular sunset; traditionally with a gin and tonic in hand!
Spa Treatments
Safari is also a holiday and a rest – a break from today’s frenetic lifestyle.
Joy’s Camp offers: Massages – a wonderful way to ease the stress out of tired shoulders and backs. Manicure and pedicure – compliment those tanned limbs!
Cultural Visits
Joy’s Camp works with closely with the Nakuprat Gotu community, and there are ways that you can get involved.
The Borana, Samburu and Turkana people that inhabit this area are truly nomadic, so sometimes there are villages conveniently close to camp, and sometimes they are too far to visit! Of Kenya’s colourful peoples they are probably some of the most traditional, herding sheep, cattle, goats and camels, and passing on their stories and customs through song.
Most of the staff in camp are from the Borana community, with striking very hansom features and brightly coloured clothes.
Magado Crater
A full day out with picnic lunch, the crater has natural salt pans which are mined by the local women. A colourful scene reminiscent of ancient times!
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