🌍 Introduction
Kivuli Camp is a small, off-the-grid bush camp located in the heart of the Kipalo Conservancy, an expansive wildlife area bordering Tsavo West National Park. The camp is part of a broader community-driven conservation effort designed to protect wildlife corridors between Tsavo West and Mkomazi National Park (Tanzania) while directly benefiting local communities.
“Kivuli,” meaning shadow in Swahili, lives up to its name by offering a peaceful retreat under the shade of ancient acacia trees, with sweeping views across the plains and rugged hill country. This is a perfect destination for travelers seeking an authentic, intimate, and meaningful safari experience far from crowds.
📍 Location & Accessibility
Kivuli Camp is situated within the Kipalo Conservancy, part of the Mbulia Ranch, adjacent to the Maktau area of Tsavo West. The camp is built along a seasonal riverbed, with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro on clear days.
🛣️ How to Get There
- By Road:
- From Nairobi: Approx. 6–7 hours via the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway (A109), turning off at Maktau.
- From Mombasa: Approx. 4.5–5 hours.
- Access road requires 4WD, especially during the rainy season.
- By Rail:
- The Voi or Miasenyi SGR stations are the closest. Transfers can be arranged with advance notice.
- By Air:
- Nearest airstrip is Taita Hills, and chartered flights can also use the Kipalo Airstrip (with prior arrangement).
🛏️ Accommodation
Kivuli Camp is a small, low-impact eco-camp, offering just a few canvas tents for an exclusive, quiet stay. The camp is unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely and offering close encounters in a secure setup.
Tent Features:
- Spacious walk-in canvas tents with en-suite bush bathrooms
- Comfortable double or twin beds with mosquito netting
- Solar-powered lighting and water heating
- Open-air showers and eco-toilets with a view of the stars
- Private verandas with canvas chairs for relaxing or birdwatching
- Rustic, hand-crafted furnishings and woven décor
With only a handful of tents, guests are guaranteed privacy, quiet, and a deep connection with the natural environment.
💰 Accommodation Rates (Estimated)
Rates are per person per night (usually on Full Board basis):
- Residents: KES 7,000–10,000
- Non-Residents: $90–$130
- Children under 5: Stay free
- Children 5–12: Pay 50% when sharing with adults
- Group and long-stay discounts available
Rates include meals and access to the conservancy; park entry fees for Tsavo West (if entering the park) are charged separately.
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Dining at Kivuli Camp is simple, fresh, and personalized, with meals prepared daily using locally sourced ingredients.
- Breakfast: Fresh fruits, eggs, homemade bread, coffee, and tea
- Lunch: Light meals including salads, grains, grilled items
- Dinner: Three-course meals served communally or privately on request
- Specials: Bush breakfasts or dinners, sundowners, and picnic lunches can be arranged
- Drinks: Complimentary drinking water; wines, beers, and sodas available for purchase
Vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-conscious meals are catered with advance notice.
🌿 Eco & Community Ethos
Kivuli Camp is run as part of a conservation-tourism partnership with the surrounding community. Every stay contributes directly to wildlife protection and livelihood projects in Mbulia Ranch.
- The camp uses solar power, rainwater harvesting, and low-impact waste systems
- Staff are hired locally and trained in hospitality, guiding, and conservation
- Supports community projects including education and anti-poaching initiatives
- Guests are encouraged to engage with the local community and support sustainable tourism
🦓 Activities & Experiences
Kivuli Camp offers a wide range of low-impact, high-reward activities for guests looking to experience Tsavo from a different perspective.
🚙 Game Drives
- Drives within Kipalo Conservancy offer sightings of:
- Elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, lesser kudu, dik-dik, and more
- Occasional sightings of leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs
- Full-day drives into Tsavo West can also be arranged (additional park fees apply)
🐾 Guided Bush Walks
- Accompanied by local trackers and armed guides
- Learn about animal tracks, medicinal plants, bird calls, and ecosystem dynamics
- Sunrise and sundown walks are especially magical
🌄 Scenic Lookouts & Hiking
- Explore ancient rock outcrops with panoramic views of the Taita Hills and the plains below
- Short hikes up the surrounding ridges offer sunrise and sunset viewpoints
🦉 Night Drives
- Look for nocturnal species like genets, civets, hyenas, spring hares, and bush babies
- Star-gazing and storytelling by the fire enhance the night experience
🌍 Community Visits
- Meet members of the local Taita and Mijikenda communities
- Learn about conservation efforts and sustainable land use
- Visit schools or women’s cooperatives supported by tourism revenue
✅ What’s Included
- Accommodation in safari tent
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water, tea, and coffee
- Guided bush walks and conservancy fees
- Use of common lounge areas, fire pit, and trails
❌ What’s Not Included
- Game drives (charged separately)
- Park entry fees for Tsavo West
- Alcoholic drinks and sodas
- Transport to/from the camp (can be arranged)
- Laundry, tips, and personal expenses
🐘 Wildlife & What to Expect
Kivuli Camp’s setting makes it a perfect base for quiet, crowd-free wildlife watching in a beautiful landscape.
You may see:
- Elephants, often near the riverbed
- Zebras, giraffes, eland, lesser kudu, buffalo, dik-dik, warthog
- Leopards, especially during night drives or early mornings
- Hyenas, bush babies, and porcupines
- Over 300 bird species, including hornbills, raptors, rollers, and owls
Wildlife roams freely, and the camp often has visitors passing through its surrounding bush.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Group Friendly
- Tents can be arranged for families or small groups
- Nature-based activities suitable for older children and teens
- Entire camp can be booked for exclusive use, perfect for groups, retreats, or photographers
- Educational activities and hands-on conservation learning available for families
🌟 Why Choose Kivuli Camp?
- A true bush experience away from mainstream safari routes
- Operates with a strong focus on community-based conservation
- Ideal for eco-conscious travelers, slow travelers, and nature lovers
- Access to both Tsavo West and Kipalo Conservancy
- Offers affordable yet meaningful safaris
- Amazing for walking safaris, birding, and stargazing
Kivuli Camp offers a rare safari experience — wild, peaceful, meaningful, and connected to the land and people. If you’re seeking privacy, authenticity, and purpose in your travels, this hidden gem in Tsavo’s backyard is the perfect retreat.