Trip Overview

 

Camp Tsavo is located in Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, an 80,000-acre area of private wilderness directly south of Tsavo East National Park, and it is our biggest and most ambitious wildlife project to date. Camp Tsavo (formally known as Taita Discovery Centre) re-opened in April 2008 after extensive refurbishment and is now managed and operated by Camp Kenya.

 

This unique facility has been providing a venue for a wide range of educational field trips and safaris for many years now, and has accommodated hundreds of students from as far afield as the UK, USA, Israel and Australia. Camp Tsavo is now available to all East African based schools, colleges & universities as a field study center.

 

 

 

 

Elements Of Kijana

 

Camp Tsavo is located in Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, an 80,000-acre area of private wilderness directly south of Tsavo East National Park, and it is our biggest and most ambitious wildlife project to date. Camp Tsavo (formally known as Taita Discovery Centre) re-opened in April 2008 after extensive refurbishment and is now managed and operated by Camp Kenya.

 

This unique facility has been providing a venue for a wide range of educational field trips and safaris for many years now, and has accommodated hundreds of students from as far afield as the UK, USA, Israel and Australia. Camp Tsavo is now available to all East African based schools, colleges & universities as a field study center.

 

This ecosystem is home to a large diversity of flora and fauna, many species of which are classified by IUCN (the World Conservation Union) as vulnerable, threatened or endangered, and boasts a large population of predators, especially lions. Rukinga Sanctuary forms part of a vital wildlife corridor across the ‘Taru desert’ for a population of almost one thousand elephants and hundreds of buffalo that migrate seasonally between the Parks in search of water. This temporarily gives Rukinga one of the largest populations of elephants on private land in Kenya.

Not only is this region extremely biologically and geographically important, but it is also steeped in culture and history.

 

 

 

Facilities Available

 

• Single sex bandas with separate teachers accommodation for up to 120 guests
• 2 single sex ablution blocks with showers
• Three delicious and wholesome meals a day including drinking water
• Affordable cash bar and Provision store
• Support staff to implement curriculum and education needs
• Fully stocked Laboratory with over 5,000 registered (KWS) Natural history specimens
• Presentation/study room
• Environmental utilisation demonstration exhibits

 

 

Projects

 

Camp Tsavo offers schools the opportunity to provide their students with exciting field studies opportunities in the heart of the Taru desert.

 

 

Projects and ongoing research at Camp Tsavo encompasses a wide range of subjects including:

 

• Geography and Geology
• Biology, Botany, and Zoology
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Wildlife Management and Conservation
• Land management, Forestry and Agriculture
• Anthropology, sociology, health and social care
• Tourism and Leisure studies

 

 

Geography Projects

 

• Geology of Taru Desert, Taita Hills & Mount Kasigau
• Analysis of soil types
• Surveys of Mount Kasigau
• Mapping and survey work
• Effects of overgrazing and fire
• Study of land use in Kenya
• Subsistence farming studies
• Community surveys e.g. livestock use, human wildlife conflict, weather etc

 

 

Biology Projects

 

• Monitoring wildlife movements in and around Rukinga Sanctuary
• Collect and analyse specimens in our well stocked laboratory
• Flora & fauna studies
• Invertebrate surveys
• Vegetation and animal sampling techniques
• Guided field trips

 

 

History Projects

 

• Recording oral histories from indigenous peoples
• Tsavo’s historic man eating lions
• The Tsavo Desert was home to many frontline battles with German troops who occupied Tanzania and the British in Kenya. Battle ground evidence including bunkers and trenches can still be seen in the area

 

 

Location and Accessibility

Camp Tsavo is situated 30 minutes south of Voi, 3 hours from Nairobi, and 2 hours from Mombasa. Its accessibility also makes it an ideal location for safaris to Tsavo East and West National Parks, and serves as a base for Mt. Kasigau treks.

 

 

Project Work & Adventure Activities

Camp Tsavo offers a wide range of adventure activities and is experienced in managing school groups. Our Student Adventure Activities can be bolted on as half-day adventure programmes as an addition, or in support of the school curriculum that is run by school staff. Specialist programmes can also be organised on request. A 4-hour elephant dung paper making workshop is included free of charge for all visiting students staying for a minimum of 2 nights, 3 days. All other projects are charged at minimum rates, designed to cover the costs associated with running the activity. All activities are designed to make a positive contribution towards the ongoing work of Rukinga Sanctuary, whilst educating and enthusing National and International participants on the pertinent issues facing conservation in Africa today.

 

Big Game Drives with specialist 4x4 viewing trucks: 4 hours

Experienced qualified local guides lead all of our game drives and an educational emphasis is placed on the conservation of the surrounding environment and its wildlife. Students are split into groups on our specialist 4 x 4 game drive vehicles and taught the importance of animal monitoring and sanctuary conservation. Some species that can be seen in the sanctuary include, elephant, buffalo, lion, lesser kudu, dik dik, giraffe, warthog, waterbuck, cheetah etc. Elephant identification through ear markings and tusk shape is taught to all students and sightings are recorded for conservation purposes. This information contributes to our understanding of the social structure and movements of these animals.

 

 

Night Big Game Drives: 2 ½ to 3 hours

Camp Tsavo and Rukinga Sanctuary is one of the very few locations in Kenya where night game drives can be organised. More than 40% of all mammals found here are nocturnal so these exciting and fun game drives offer a unique opportunity to view wildlife, not normally seen using specialist spotlights.

 

 

Elephant Dung Paper making workshop: 4 hours

This activity involves the collection of elephant dung and processing it with recycled paper to produce ‘elephant dung’ paper. The final product is then used to create items including scrapbooks, photo albums and notebooks by individuals or the group. The programme is run as part of a micro-enterprise with the local community and is an interesting and highly enjoyable project for students.

 

 

Bush Skills: 4 hours

An outward bounds activity that introduces students and allows them practice authentic bush skills in a safe and controlled environment. Activities may include the following:

 

• Orientation and map reading skills: After a brief lecture on orientation, small groups are given a series of coordinates that they have to find within the security boma of Camp Tsavo. At this point there will be a ‘clue’ that will lead on to the next activity.
• Animal tracking skills: a theoretical exercise covering animal tracking before finding real tracks and signs within Camp Tsavo. There may also be a ‘staged’ area to investigate within Camp Tsavo.
• Making fires: Small groups of volunteers will learn traditional methods of fire lighting under the strict supervision of an Activity Manager. The designated area must be either on concrete or on bare ground.
• Learning about the potential uses of the plants found in Tsavo. These may include medicinal trees, herbal remedies and essential oils.
• Basic survival techniques in the wilderness including how to build a shelter.

 

Sanctuary Maintenance Projects: 4 hours
Students are able to get involved with the maintenance of the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary under the supervision of an experienced qualified guide. Examples could include:

 

• Improving inflow channels and run-off to waterholes to ensure that water levels remain higher during the dry season and play a vital role in the survival of the wildlife in the area
• Maintenance of game-drive tracks
• Removal of invasive plant species

 

Elephant Deterrent Workshop: 4 hours
Students are given the opportunity to craft wildlife deterrent devices using pipe, wood, and roller bearings in our study centre. Minimum handcraft skills are required for this workshop, which provides a challenging and creative environment. Today more than 12,000 individuals live on the edge of the Sanctuary. Where people and animals are increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food. One way of reducing this human wildlife conflict is to create home made elephant deterrents to place around the villages and homesteads surrounding the Sanctuary to protect farmers’ crops. Students will attend a crafts workshop and fabricate ‘elephant clacker windmills’ which are placed on the borders of neighboring shambas to deter elephants and warthogs.

 

Community Tree Nursery: 4 hours
Through fun and hands on participation, students learn about the importance of trees in conserving and sustaining the environment and livelihoods. Volunteers will actively engage in the preparation of tree nurseries, planting and identification of indigenous and cash crop trees, as part of a wider reforestation scheme. In addition, during community project work, volunteers should take samples of wood that is used for charcoal production to try and identify those trees that are most threatened.

 

Woman’s Group (beading, weaving): 4 hours
Students get involved and assist various potential retail projects designed to provide means of alternative income generation for the local communities. This ongoing project ensures an sustainable source of income instead of being solely independent on harmful activities such poaching and charcoal manufacturing. Students will spend time with the local woman’s group making sisal baskets and beaded handicrafts.

 

Climb Mt. Kasigau: Full Day
The impressive outcrop of Mt. Kasigau rises to a height of 1,441 metres above sea level and 1,000 metres above the surrounding planes and is part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Mt Kasigau is classified as one of only 34 global biodiversity hotspots. The summit offers views across almost the whole of Tsavo. The mountain is home to many endemic bird and insect species, as well as the endangered Angolan colobus monkeys. This trek offers a striking transition from semi arid bush to lush cloud forest at the top through mature stands of hardwood trees.

 

Set off early in the morning and drive to the base of Mt Kasigau. From here it is an arduous 4-5 hour walk to the top where students can eat a packed lunch and take in the incredible views of the Taru Desert, Tsavo East & West National Parks and if they are lucky, a glimpse of the majestic Kilimanjaro. After summiting, climbers descend at a quicker pace to make it back to Camp Tsavo before nightfall. Fees include transfer to and from the base, packed lunches, local guide fees as well as safety briefings and risk assessment analysis for teaching staff prior to the climb. This climb can be used as accreditation for the expedition phase of the Presidents Award Scheme.

 

Presidents Award

 

• Community Service – work with one of the many Camp Kenya community development programmes (building, teaching, livestock, arts & crafts)
• Expedition Phase – Trek Mt Kasigau with local guides

 

 

Travel Dates & Camp Availability

Camp Tsavo acts as a base for hundreds of international School Expeditions and Gap Year programmes every year. Earth Watch scientific studies and a wide range of adult volunteer programmes also take place at Camp Tsavo.

 

Camp Kijana programmes can be run throughout the year, subject to availability, with the exception of July and August when the camp is fully booked for overseas school expeditions. Minimum age of students for the Kijana program is 7 years old but special exceptions can be made on request with adequate supervision in place.

 

 

 

Rates

These rates are valid until December 31st 2009 and only applicable to East African registered educational institutions.

 

 

Overnight Rates:

 

• Cost per student/day:
  2,000 Ksh Full Board Accommodation including drinking water
  
  
• 2 Teachers free 1:10 ratio:
  2,000 Ksh per extra teacher

Adventure Activities:

 

• Rukinga Ranch Game drives 4hrs:
  500 Ksh - Teachers free of charge 3 hrs (Inc Night)
  
  
• Elephant Dung Paper Workshop* 4hrs:
  200 Ksh - Teachers free of charge
  
  
• Elephant Deterrent Workshop 4hrs:
  400 Ksh - Teachers free of charge
  
  
• Mt Kasigau Climb (student) full day:
  1,500 Ksh Full day
  
  
• Mt Kasigau Climb (teacher) full day:
  1,000 Ksh Full day
  
  
• Community Tree Nursery 4hrs:
  400 Ksh - Teachers free of charge
  
  
• Wildlife Sanctuary Maintenance 4hrs:
  400 Ksh - Teachers free of charge
  
  
• Bush Skills 4hrs:
  400 Ksh - Teachers free of charge
  
  
• Game Drives to Tsavo East/West:
  Price on application

 

*1 Elephant Dung Paper workshop free of charge for all school teams staying 2 nights or more.

 

 

 

Booking

 

 

Please contact Nancy Muthoni or Dipesh Pabari:

Tel: 040 3202056 or 041 200 7761 or 0733 604422

Email: sales@campkenya.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Tsavo Movie:

 

An overview of Camp Tsavo, Kenya- Base camp of the Kijana programme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the latest news from our Projects in our Project Diary. Discuss your trip with other travellers in the Forum. Or get a look behind the scenes in the Staff Blog. Also, why not take a look at some of the photos in our Gallery or watch the camps DVD online in our Videos section?

 

 

 

Facebook

 

Check out some of our fan page on Facebook: