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Lemarti’s Camp

Lemarti’s Camp is a safari hideaway on the Northern Laikipia plateau, one of the last frontiers of virgin wilderness and home to the majestic Samburu people. The land is owned by the Samburu, one of whom, Loyapan Lemarti, built the camp along with his fashion-designer wife, Anna Trzebinski, who met him when he was her safari guide. Uniquely styled, the camp is set within a grove of palm and fig trees and features only 5 ultra-luxurious ensuite tents. Unlike all other such camps, however, Lemarti’s has no vehicles and no armed guards or perimeter fences. 

Here, in what is termed the ‘rites of passage’ experience, the guests leave their vehicles behind and walk into the wilderness with their Samburu warrior-guides, who are armed only with their traditional weapons, their sharp senses and generations of knowledge. A unique experience, the guests can learn more about the wildlife, traditional medicinal herbs and way of life of these gentle people during their stay. 

Location

The Laikipia plateau, which is a pristine wilderness area approximately 100 kms north of Mount Kenya, equates to that of the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania; and, as such, is larger than many of Kenya’s national parks. The Laikipia Plateau extends west from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the wall of the Rift Valley at Lake Baringo, and north from Nanyuki and Nyahururu to the lands of Samburu and Isiolo. It merges with the Lerochi Plateau south of Maralal. In the north the edge of the plateau drops abruptly to the northern frontier district. The land is generally flat (1800 m and 2100 m).

Background

The vast plateau of Laikipia rolls from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the arid deserts of what used to be known as the NFD, the Northern Frontier District. Wild and very beautiful it is not part of a national park or reserve, but is mostly occupied by large cattle ranches dating from the colonial period, when vast areas were sold at low cost as part of the ‘soldier-settlement scheme’ to soldiers British soldiers returning from the first world war.  

Home of community tourism

These days, cattle-ranching has largely been replaced by ‘community tourism’, an entirely new concept in Kenyan tourism, which represents a unique cooperation between the local people (Rendille, Samburu and more) and the old ranchers – who represent the new face of Kenyan ‘eco tourism’. As a result, visitors can enjoy not only an exclusive and private wilderness, but also pursuits such as walking, biking, camel-riding and horse-riding, none of which are permitted in the national parks).

More endangered species than anywhere in East Africa

As a result of its long exclusion from the normal tourist circuits, and its isolation in the arid north of the country, the region offers a real and pristine wilderness experience. More endangered species can be seen here than anywhere else in East Africa. Here too, the wildlife densities rank second only to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. 

Elephants, Grevy’s zebra, rhino and oryx

Half of Kenya’s black rhino are protected in the Solio, Lewa, Ol Jogi, Ol Pejeta and Ol Ari Ng’iro sanctuaries. The area also has largest elephant herds (over 3,200) outside the national parks, and is one of the few places in Kenya to see Jackson’s hartebeest. Laikipia is also home to about 25% of the world’s population of rare Grevy’s zebra alongside such other rare species as; wild dog and the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope. This is also the best place to view such northern species as; reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk, while the numerous impala and Grant’s gazelle ensure healthy numbers of lion, leopard and cheetah.

Accommodation

The camp offers just 5 ensuite tents, each with hot and cold running water and flushed WCs. 

Dining and bars

Meals are provided in a simple central mess area. 

Activities

Guided walk

Guided bird-watching 

Cultural visit

Educational talk

 

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