Overviews of Shompole Wilderness Camp
Location & Ownership
Shompole Wilderness Camp is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River within the Shompole Conservancy, nestled in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley between Amboseli National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The conservancy is community-owned and operated by the local Maasai, offering a deeply authentic and less-visited safari experience.
…with over 250,000 acres to explore! Set in the heart of Southern Maasailand, Shompole is hot and dry, but curiously filled with a wide diversity of birds, reptiles and large mammals. All of the ‘Big Five’ are found here, with the exception of rhinos. The Ewaso Ng’iro river brings water from the Mau highlands to feed the wildlife, people and their livestock who coexist together here.
Camp Design & Management
The camp is family-run, led by Johann and Sam du Toit and their family in close collaboration with the Maasai community.Nestled amid colossal fig trees and elevated on wooden platforms, the tented camp offers a “treehouse-like” feeling with privacy and understated luxury.
Accommodation & Facilities
- The camp features six luxury tented suites, each with en-suite bathrooms, verandas, and river or bush views.
- Interiors are equipped with solar lighting, hot bucket showers, flush toilets, fans, and sometimes plunge pools.
- The communal area includes a lounge, dining spaces (varying in setting), a library, Wi-Fi, and a swimming pool.
Private, spacious, and rustic All six tents are set within the thick cordia bushes; two with river view, two looking out over the plains and two with a treehouse feel.They are all hidden from each other and totally private with large verandas. They have large netted windows all the way round to allow a good air flow through the tent. The bathrooms are all en-suite with flush loos and hot and cold running water for showers.
The tents are situated on raised platforms and surrounded by vegetation which gives one the feeling of being in a tree house as well as providing shade to keep the tents cool.Tents can be made up into doubles or singles and there is space for one extra cot bed. The camp has been designed to keep a traditional feeling of being in the bush while maintaining a comfortable, homely feel. The coolness of the river brings lots of birds, monkeys and other animals to the river to drink while you watch from your veranda.
Experiences & Activities
Shompole Camp are very fortunate to be able to offer you a wide variety of activities to fill up your days .(All activities are included for Non Residents except Helicopter flights.(For Kenyan residents contact us for more information).
Shompole Wilderness Camp offers a rich variety of immersive safari and cultural activities:
- Game Drives (day & night) through the conservancy with expert Maasai guides.
- Walking with habituated baboons, guided by local experts from the Lale’enok Resource Centre.
- River adventures: kayaking, tubing, or swimming when the water levels allow.
- A professionally designed photographic hide, built with photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, featuring underground sleeping accommodation, ground-level views, dimmable lighting, and Starlink internet for unforgettable wildlife photography.
- Cultural engagements: learn Maasai traditions, herd cattle, visit villages, and enjoy meals “under the stars.”
- Bird watching and wildlife viewing: with over 400–450 bird species and an array of mammals including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and desertadapted species.
Shompole Hide-A photographer’s dream
The Shompole Hide is a new activity/feature that has been added to the many activities one can do with us.The Hide is 4.7 kms from the nearest water, making it an attractive spot for birds and mammals to quench their thirst.
Conservation & Community Impact
Shompole Wilderness Camp is deeply committed to sustainable, community-led tourism:
- The land is Maasai-owned; the camp leases it and ensures that 100% of conservation and bed-night fees go directly to the community.
- About 87% of the staff are local Maasai, and the camp supports local businesses through sourcing food and crafts and commissioning beadwork.
- The camp was built mostly using local labor, many of whom now form the staff, contributing to livelihoods and skills training.
- Sam du Toit actively supports regional conservation efforts through organizations like SORALO and the Lale’enok Resource & Education Centre.
Why Shompole Wilderness Stands Out
- Secluded and intimate safari experience, away from the crowds of major parks.
- Eco-conscious design, blending comfort, sustainability, and local culture.
- Unique photographic opportunities, especially via the exceptional hide.
- Highly personalized service, ideal for photographers, families, couples, and nature enthusiasts.
Shompole Wilderness Rates
A Quick Summary of Shompole Wilderness Camp
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Shompole Conservancy, southern Rift Valley (Kenya) |
| Ownership | Maasai community land; du Toit family-run camp |
| Accommodation | 4–6 luxury tented suites with en-suite comfort |
| Activities | Game drives, night drives, baboon walks, river excursions, photographic hide, Maasai culture |
| Wildlife & Birding | ~450 bird species; wide range of mammals including big cats and elephants |
| Conservation | Community-driven; fees reinvested in local services and wildlife protection |
Gallery
Getting there
By Road (from Nairobi)
- Route & Approximate Distance
The journey is around 160–165 km, taking 4–6 hours depending on road conditions. - Directions
- From Nairobi, take Magadi Road (via Lang’ata Road), passing through Kiserian, Corner Baridi, and Kisamis, then onward to Magadi Town.
- After the Tata Magadi Soda Company checkpoint, turn onto Shompole Road and continue through another checkpoint
- From there, follow dirt/murram roads along Lake Magadi’s edge toward Olkiramatian, then head south into the rugged terrain until you reach the Conservancy and the camp.
- Vehicle Requirements
A 4×4 vehicle is essential, particularly during the rainy season, to handle rough and unpaved roads.
By Air (Charter Flight)
If you’re looking for a smoother, quicker journey:
- Arrival via Wilson or Jomo Kenyatta Airport
Many safari packages include a charter flight from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Rangers Airstrip, located approximately 10 km north of the camp. From there, it’s a short transfer to Shompole Wilderness Camp. - About Rangers Airstrip
A 1,300-meter dirt airstrip, operational in most weather conditions. Charter operators such as Scenic Air Safaris, Boskovitch, and Yellow Wings frequently fly in.