Freeman Safaris
‘Yesterday’s Safaris Today’
Samburu Camp
A really great location in a part of the park where no one else is allowed to camp and a long way off the beaten track. It is a real privilege to share this with the elephants and hippos as well as the crocodiles who come out on to the sand banks just in front of the mess tent. David, who has been with me more times than I can remember, commented on his last safari, "I know elephants are my favourite but how did you organise the elephant show every lunch?"
I am sure you will see and feel the wildness, the rugged beauty of the camp under the dom palms within feet of the water. The camp is so well hidden that it can only be seen literally as you drive into the palms, it is so private and isolated. There is something special about this area which I have visited for many years, enjoying the spring at the foot of small hills about a mile behind the camp where hippo live and which is often home to a lioness with cubs. The water level can vary but seldom is our sand bank covered. How I enjoy the heat of the day in camp down by the river - cooling down usually lying in the water normally within sight of the waterbuck. It is difficult to get the message across that crocs favour fish as their staple diet, only attacking larger animals by waiting in ambush, and I can assure you there are never any waiting for me by the time I’ve finished scanning!!
There is something special about being close to water, especially where the conditions are as harsh as in the Northern Frontier District of Kenya. I am sure we share the elephant’s enthusiasm to get to the water, the need to relax and cool down. Just imagine sitting around the fire at the waters edge watching the river in the light from the fire and enjoying all the activity; seeing hippos feeding on grass further downstream, watching the large crocs fishing, hearing the occasional lion. And all around the sounds of the African night. There are a couple of warthogs who regularly visit but always manage to move away just before the camera button is pressed!
Francis is our Samburu askari whose tribe is akin to the Masai. Like the rest of our staff, he has been with us for many years, a lovely man who enjoys sharing his world with you and just loves having his picture taken.
“Every minute of every day was used to maximum effect; this is no rest cure. On each day Brian seemed to have some strange sense of where the best viewing would be. Hard, exciting work during the day was tempered by idyllic evenings of G & Ts by the fire followed by excellent meals with the night sounds of Africa all around.
After the hot showers, convenient layout of the large tents and comfortable beds of Brian’s camps in the bush, I really don’t think I can be bothered with hotels any more! To have that much comfort and attention in such remote and unspoiled country was a privilege indeed”
Andy
© Freemansafaris.com 2012
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