Sweetwaters Tented Camp lies in
the heart of 24,000-acre Sweetwaters Game Reserve, with
magnificent views across the plains to the snow capped
peaks of Mount Kenya. The 30 luxury tents overlook the
waterhole, floodlit by night, providing excellent and
secluded rarely seen game viewing. This game sanctuary
is the closest reserve to Nairobi (2.5 hours drive)
home to all the big five game, and has the highest ratio
of game-to-area of any park or reserve in Kenya. At
Sweetwaters, there is plenty to do.
Game drives at Sweetwaters are indeed a pleasure. Game
viewing may also take the form of game walks accompanied
by our Resident Naturalist, and game rides on horseback.
Camel riding, night game drives and "bush" lunches or
dinners are a delight. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary &
Information Centre, Morani the tame black rhino and
the Visitor's Information Centre are most informative
and entertaining and should all be visited while in
the Game Reserve.
Accommodations
There are 30 luxury en-suite tents - 8 doubles, 14 twins
and 8 triples. 10 of the tents are raised on a platform,
20 on the ground floor. 10 extra beds can be made available.
4 baby cots and 2 high chairs can be made available
on request.
25 of the tents face a large waterhole, and beyond,
the magnificent views of Mt Kenya. The second row of
tents is erected on raised wooden platforms. All tents
are covered by a thatch roof and are cool even during
the hottest day. Each spacious tent has a verandah with
two camp chairs and a table, both overhead and bedside
lights, a dressing table and cupboard with hangars and
a suitcase rack, an umbrella, a thermos flask filled
daily with drinking water and four glasses, windows
with mosquito proofing gauze and flaps, zip-up tents,
insecticides and air fresheners, a flashlight. Each
bathroom has a shower stall, flush toilets, washbasin,
shampoo, body lotion, bath and shower gel, and bathrobes;
Freshly laundered towels; Hot and cold running water;
No electrical outlets in tents.
Room service offers tea/coffee with wake-up calls. This
service is not a common feature at Sweetwaters but meals
and beverages can be served in tents on request
RHINO RESTAURANT
Set in the main building, the Rhino Restaurant's windows
let in a lot of natural light and a delightful breeze
in this warm climate. The restaurant has a view of the
waterhole. There is a cosmopolitan menu, a combination
of European, African and Asian dishes, made from an
abundance of fresh Kenyan produce. Both breakfast and
lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a 5-course
Table D'h?te, with a choice of main courses. The Rhino
Restaurant is open for breakfast from 0700 to 1000 hours,
lunch from 1230 to 1430 hours, dinner from 1930 to 2130
hours and for Children's early dinner (on request) from
1830 to 1930 hours. Seating capacity is 80 people.
KHASHOGGI BAR AND LOUNGE
Also located in the main building, the Khashoggi Bar
is a comfortable lounge which extends into 3 sections:
2 of these have a shared fireplace lit from 1700 to
2300 hours, while the third is an annex to the rhino
Restaurant. This annex has a small verandah, which leads
out into the Waterhole Bar, and is decorated in warm
colours with cushions and deep stuffed sofas and rugs.
Afternoon tea, liqueurs, beers, soft drinks, wines,
spirits, cocktails, tea and coffee are served here.
The Khashoggi Bar and Lounge is open from 1000 to 2300
hours, and for afternoon tea from 1600 to 1730 hours.
Seating capacity is 40 people.
WATERHOLE BAR
Elevated some 20 feet off the ground, this Bar overlooks
the waterhole giving you a superb view of the wildlife
visiting to quench their thirst. The Waterhole Bar is
an ideal venue for small cocktail parties or dinner
parties. Served here are liqueurs, beers, soft drinks,
wines, spirits, cocktails, tea and coffee. The Waterhole
Bar is open from 1000 to 2300 hours, and seating capacity
is 30 people, or 20 people for Cocktail parties, and
12 people for private dinner parties.
SWIMMING POOL BAR
Located by the swimming pool, the bar is really a verandah
with a generous barbeque pit. The area around the swimming
pool is ideal for private cocktail parties, dinners
and barbeques. Barbeque dinners are served on request,
and curry lunches on Sundays, weather permitting. This
pool bar serves liqueurs, beers, soft drinks, wines,
spirits, cocktails, tea and coffee. The Swimming Pool
Bar is open from 1000 to 2300 hours, and seating capacity
is unlimited.
SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool is manned by an attendant from 0600
hours to 1800 hours. The wooden trellis with bougainvillea,
and Golden Shower creepers allow dappled sunlight through
on some spots, a relief from the sometimes scorching
sun. Sun-beds and mattresses are available. Towels are
provided. There are men's and ladies' changing rooms,
each with showers. Children under the age of 12 must
be accompanied by an adult at all times.
VIDEOS
Wildlife movies are screened in the Morani Room on guests'
request.
BIRD WALKS
Our bird specialist escorts you through the surrounds
of Sweetwaters Tented Camp, pointing out many of the
resident species, which include Speke's Weaver, brown
parrot, black cuckoo shrike and green hoopoe.
CAROL
Carol is a tame warthog who lives in an enclosure near
Morani with her three piglets.
MORANI AND THE VISITOR'S CENTRE
Morani rates special mention. Morani is a tame black
rhino (a rare phenomenon) born in 1974. He was brought
to the ranch after his mother was killed by poachers,
and ever since is resident in his own sub-sanctuary
8 km away from Sweetwaters Tented Camp. A visit to Morani
is an especially wonderful treat for children. At the
entrance to Morani's Boma is the new Visitor's Centre
which is aimed at teaching guests about the Game Reserve.
A definite must!
CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY AND INFORMATION CENTRE
A 200-acre Chimpanzee sanctuary has been set up at Sweetwaters
Game Reserve. A visit to this Sanctuary and the 30-minute
boat ride (subject to fine weather) on the river among
the chimps attracts no extra charge. The aim of the
project, initiated by Lonrho East Africa, Kenya Wildlife
Services and the Jane Goodall Institute, is to set up
a colony where chimps can be introduced, rehabilitated
and taught to fend for themselves in an area similar
to their natural living conditions. Priority is given
to orphaned and abused chimps. The Sanctuary currently
has 24 chimps, including two babies born in the Sanctuary.
CAMEL RIDES
Seeing wildlife within the sanctuary, perched atop camels
is a unique experience. Sweetwaters Tented Camp has
three camels each carrying two people, and a guide always
accompanies guests. The camel safari lasts for 1 hour,
and can be taken at any time, subject to availability,
from 0800 to 1700 hours.
DAY GAME DRIVES
On offer are 2-3 hours morning game drives, starting
at 0630 hours or 2-3 hour afternoon game drives, starting
at 1600 hours. Seat-in-car game drives are available
(i.e., charges are made per person, rather than per
vehicle). Sweetwaters Tented Camp has three available
vehicles which can also be booked for exclusive use.
Each vehicle capacity is 7 seats, with 5 window seats.
Full-day game drives with a picnic lunch start at 0900
hours and finish off at 1600 hours, in which case the
vehicles have to be booked for exclusive use.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES
This is a special drive as night game drives are not
permitted in National Parks and Reserves in Kenya. Generally
all sorts of nocturnal animals such as aardvark, porcupine,
silver-backed hyena, and leopard can be seen. You can
either go on the early drive (1900 - 2100 hours) or
after dinner (2100 - 2200 hours). Seat-in-car night
game drives are available (i.e., charges are made per
person, rather than per vehicle). The vehicles can also
be booked for exclusive use. The vehicles' capacity
is 6 seats.
WALKING SAFARIS
Accompanied by a naturalist/ armed guide, this is a
very detailed exposure to the natural habitat, where
vegetation, bird, insect and game species will be pointed
out to you. Game walks are billed on an hourly basis.
Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted
to participate.
The Ereri multi-cultural Manyatta
Located one kilometre outside the Serat Gate on the
north border of Sweetwaters Game Reserve, this Multi-cultural
Manyatta (village) is the perfect introduction to the
Tribes of Kenya. Watch demonstrations, traditional dancing,
observe building techniques, buy jewellery and other
souvenirs. You can also watch traditional cattle blood
letting (prior arrangement needed) Open 10.00 - 12.00
daily.
Rhino patrols
Venture on foot into the Sweetwaters Game Reserve to
find and monitor black rhinos. Experience the excitement
of being in the bush with nothing but nature between
you and these magnificent beasts. Join a rhino patrol
with our experienced armed rangers to guide you."
Wild dogs (LYCAON PICTUS) return to Sweetwaters after
an absence of 30 years A pack of between 12-14 wild
dog has recently been sighted on a number of occasions
within the Sweetwaters Game Reserve in Laikipia. This
pack currently appears to be moving between the neighbouring
Ol Pejeta Ranch and the Sweetwaters game reserve, having
originated from nothern Laikipia. This particular group
is well known to the Laikipia Predator Project which
is based on Mpala ranch to the north.
Wild dog are one of the rarest carnivores in Africa,
having disappeared from large parts of their former
ranges. Indeed, this species was all but eliminated
from Laikipia 30 years ago, persecuted by pastoralists
and farmers alike. Their return demonstrates how Laikipia
has begun to emerge as one of Kenya's foremost conservation
areas. Laikipia now boasts a thriving wildlife tourism
industry and a density of wildlife second only to the
Mara area of southern Kenya."
Remarks:
RATES:
Special Discounted Mid-Season Rates for 01 November
to 22 December 2007
Single ...US$ -191 Double ..US$ -237
Triple ....US$ -356
Rates are based on Fullboard Accommodation
Rates DO NOT include SANCTUARY FEES
Easter & Christmas(24-26th, 31st December &
01 January) Supplements Applicable
CHILDREN POLICY:
Children under 2 years sharing with adult(s) are accommodated
on a complimentary basis.
Children 2-12 years sharing with adult(s) pay 50% of
adult rate
If in own room, 75% of the adult rate is charged
Young adults (13-17 years) are charged 75% of adult
rate.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation is subject to a fee charged for bookings
already reserved. Conditions and cancellation penalties
apply.
NB: Prices and availability
are subject to revision without prior notice owing to
currency, tax, levy and seasonal fluctuations
We also offer safari, car rentals and flight bookings
which we can organise for you with your hotel/lodge
enquiry www.roamingafricasafaris.com.
| |
Single |
Double |
Triple |
Period |
Low season |
US$ 202 |
US$ 248 |
US$ 371 |
01/Apr/08-31/May/08 and 01/Nov-22/Dec/08 |
Mid season |
US$ 207 |
US$ 253 |
US$ 380 |
01/Mar/08-31/Mar/08, 01/Jun/08-30/Jun/08 |
High season |
US$ 225 |
US$ 299 |
US$ 449 |
01/Feb/08-29/Feb/08, 01/Jul/08-31/Oct/08 |
Sweetwaters Camp Aberdares Booking |
