PORINI AMBOSELI CAMP – SELENKAY CONSERVANCY

Porini Amboseli Safari Camp is set in the private Selenkay Conservancy close to Amboseli National Park and is small tented camp with just 10 spacious traditional style guest tents. Tents are tastefully furnished and have solar powered electric lighting with ensuite bathrooms including shower, wash basin and flush toilet. The camp provides an exclusive yet friendly experience on a fully-inclusive basis.  Game drives are in specially-designed, open-sided off-road (4×4) safari vehicles with expert Maasai safari guide and spotter.

Gamewatchers Safaris is supporting the conservation of wildlife through the community at Selenkay and is involved in managing the Selenkay Conservancy and operating the Porini Amboseli Camp.  This generates an income for the community and employment opportunities within the Selenkay Conservancy and at the Porini Amboseli Camp. The community is receiving a rent for the lease of the area by Porini Safari Camps, plus an entry fee for each tourist visitor. All roads have been constructed using local labour so that the members of the community gain employment from the Conservancy. In addition to the road maintenance team, Game Scouts have been employed to carry out patrols to see that the wildlife is protected.  The camp has a Gold Eco-rating.

LOCATION

Amboseli Safari Camp is located in the Selenkay Conservancy 10 miles north of Amboseli National Park in Kenya.

The Camp is located is a 5 hour drive from the capital Nairobi and a 45 minutes flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. The camp operates daily charter flights in high season to its Selenkay airstrip which is a short game drive from camp and in low season you will use the Amboseli National Park airstrip.

CAMP

All 10 tents are spacious and have private verandas along the length of the tent providing a private space for you to relax and enjoy the beauty of this African wilderness. The tents are comfortable and unfussy, fitted with wooden furniture and beds with comfortable mattresses with cosy duvets and blankets and soft rugs on the vinyl floors. These are traditionally themed safari canvas tents large, bright (three of the four walls are made of mosquito screen) and comfortably functional – perfect for people who want a tented camp experience without frills.

Each tent contains a double and single bed with bedside tables with LED solar bed side lamps, torch, wardrobe for hanging your clothes, luggage rack, ensuite toilet with bucket walk-in shower and wash basin sink, writing desk with solar lamp and carpets on the floor. Chairs and table on veranda for relaxing.  Hot water bottles in each bed keep you warm on chilly nights.

The dining and lounge tent is furnished in a neutral, modern style, with wood-frame armchairs, coffee tables and rugs. Coffee in a thermos and tea-making requisites are always on hand and meals are crafted to complement the authenticity of the safari experience.  All meals are served on a set menu basis with warming hearty breakfast in the morning, light lunches and three course dinners served in the mess tent. Bush breakfasts or lunches are also typically part of the experience and usually in a scenic setting or in one of the wildlife viewing platforms, depending on the weather.

Solar energy powers the lights in the tent and throughout the camp. There are no electrical outlets in the guest tents and all battery charging is done in the manager`s office. The tents do not require mosquito nets around the beds as the tents are insect proof with screen windows and a zipped up door. Insect repellent towelettes are provided in the tents Fire and safety equipment are strategically placed in the camp.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

10 miles north of Amboseli National Park, the Selenkay Conservancy shares the same eco-system as Amboseli and this pioneering conservancy is an important wildlife dispersal area for wildlife moving out of the park. The conservancy has no more than 1 tent to 700 acres and about 1 vehicle to 1400 acres. The exclusive conservancy ensures the best possible game viewing in proper off-road safari vehicles, off the beaten track and away from other tourist vehicles and minibuses.

Authentic Village Visit – on one of the days during your stay you will be escorted on a walk by Maasai warriors to a village to get an insight into their fascinating culture and way of life. Then take a game drive in the camp’s open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle into the conservancy, stopping for a sundowner at a scenic spot overlooking Kilimanjaro, followed by a night game drive to look for nocturnal animals such as aardvarks, serval cats, caracals, bat-eared foxes, African wild cats, and other species.

Game drives, Walks, Sundowners – shared game drives with excellent guides in the Selenkay Conservancy and in the Amboseli National Park, a full day (with picnic lunch) spent in the National Park to get close to the elephants and other wildlife, an escorted walk with Maasai warriors to visit an authentic Maasai village to learn the way of life of the Maasai community. Night game drives in the Selenkay Conservancy to seek out the nocturnal animals. Sundowners at scenic spots.

GIVING BACK

The primary purpose of our Porini Conservancy Concept and its operations is conservation of the environment in partnership with the local communities using eco tourism ventures; This venture is directly channeling over US$1.5 Million per Year to the local Communities plus jobs in areas where opportunities for jobs were almost non-existent for the locals.

PORINI AMBOSELI CAMP IS CLOSED 15TH APRIL TO 31ST MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 8 YEARS AND OLDER  – THE CAMP IS UNFENCED AND WALKING SAFARIS ARE NORMALLY FOR CHILDREN AGED 12+