Location & Ownership

Shompole Wilderness Camp

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, Shompole Wilderness Camp sits in the heart of Southern Maasailand. It is hot and dry, yet surprisingly rich in birds, reptiles, and large mammals. The landscape offers verdant pockets and vantage points for observing wildlife. All of the Big Five are found here, with the exception of rhinos.

Visitors note the variety of habitats and the frequent bird life. This mix attracts researchers, photographers, and travelers seeking authentic wilderness experiences. The area remains relatively quiet, with wildlife visible at dawn and dusk.

The Ewaso Ng’iro river brings water from the Mau highlands. It feeds the wildlife, people and their livestock who coexist here. Its seasonal flow shapes grazing patterns and local communities.

Nearby communities welcome visitors who learn about conservation and daily life by the river.

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.

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 Wilderness Camp offers a wide variety of activities to fill your days. Additionally, 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 desert-adapted 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 km 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

Gallery

◄ 1 … 19 20 21 … 25 ►

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
  1. From Nairobi, take Magadi Road (via Lang’ata Road), passing through Kiserian, Corner Baridi, and Kisamis, then onward to Magadi Town.
  2. After the Tata Magadi Soda Company checkpoint, turn onto Shompole Road and continue through another checkpoint
  3. 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.