Larsens Tented Camp Samburu is situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the ruggedly beautiful Samburu National Game Reserve Kenya, features safari-chic style luxury tented camp in the midst of Kenya’s untamed wilderness. Unquestionably one of Kenya’s pre-eminent safari destinations, Larsens camp Hotel Samburu is named after Erik Ole Larsen, a legendary Dane credited with defining the Kenya luxury safari under a tented camp and Mobile camping. Designed in contemporary safari style, luxury is blended with the stunning surroundings of the spectacular Samburu Game Reserve.

Samburu Larsens Camp was opened in 1987, and is 320 km north of Nairobi, Kenya, on the border of the old Northern Frontier Province. Tranquility and nature embrace you the minute you enter Larsens Lodge Hotel with the river being the perfect stage for an endless pageant of wildlife – elephants rolling and trumpeting in the shallows, timid impala nervously drinking, baboons and vervet monkeys swinging through the canopy of trees. The only man made noise is that of the young Samburu flutist as he slowly makes his way along the river front. He unobtrusively doubles as a palm nut thrower when the monkeys become too bold. Larsens Tented Hotel is located in Samburu Game Reserve. It is a fifteen minute drive from the Samburu Airstrip.

Larsen’s Tented Camp has undergone a recent refurbishment and although it has changed a bit from its original rustic bush image, it is still a pleasant and now more comfortable place and fills a niche between the small exclusive tented camps and the bigger hotels & Lodges in Samburu. Large tents on raised platforms overlook the Euaso Nyiro and guests can enjoy fully kitted-out en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water. The decor in Larsens Camp Samburu has retained it’s 1920’s feel and there are old trunks and pith helmets for authenticity.

A new pool and open air jacuzzi adds a little luxury and is a nice feature for the hot afternoons, although some may find it a little incongruous in the dry bush of Samburu. Larsen’s camp provides quite a good alternative if guests are looking for something a bit more affordable than the exclusive camps but would prefer a smaller, more intimate option. The leopard is the big attraction and other big cats are fairly common, but you should also look for Grevy’s zebra and the reticulated giraffe. Both species are particularly finely marked and can only be seen in Samburu.

You can also expect to see elephants, greater kudu, gerenuk, oryx, Somali ostrich and the vulturine guinea fowl among many others. Many a tale is exchanged around the fire each evening. Amidst the glow from the embers, the calls of the African night, a waft of cigar smoke and the kick of a White Mischief liqueur, game drives are relived and personal histories exchanged – it’s a wonderful venue for making new friends and imbibing the essence of Africa as did the safari pioneers so many years ago. An animal viewing platform in a tree lets you scan the vast Samburu plain.

There are game drives, champagne breakfasts on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro river, sunset cocktails in the wild, bird walks and black tie dinner in the dining tent. The hotel dining options are an integral part of the Camp Larsens experience and are designed to pleasantly surprise: from a champagne breakfast by the river to a five-course dinner served by the campfire.

The weather at Camp Larsens is great and the camp is a true delight. The tents are large and recently renovated, beds and furnishings are excellent and the bathroom is huge. Tents are old time safari decorations and gave you the feel of being on a classic safari.

The food at all meals is excellent and the service from all of the staff is superb and friendly. Monkeys join you at your tents and at outdoor lunches but they never get overly friendly and they are fun to watch. The grounds are beautifully set on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River with a lovely deck where you can eat lunch outdoors.

The entire camp is very well maintained – including a beautiful swimming pool with a gorgeous view. The staff is incredibly helpful and goes out of their way to accommodate anything you may need. They even bring you coffee or hot chocolate with some cookies every morning as your wake up call in your tent. At Camp Larsens you also feel very safe as the grounds are surrounded by an electric fence and there are guards patrolling round the clock. Larsen’s also offers the opportunity to tour the local Samburu tribe and we would highly recommend this. It was an amazing experience to see how the Samburu tribe lives and to meet the people and the children!

Larsens tented Camp is by far the smallest with only 20 tents; the others Camps Lodges and hotels in Samburu are much larger some with over 100 rooms, the smaller safari camp means a very personalised service, something which you would not get at the larger safari camps. The management Mike and Sue are incredibly helpful and goes out of their way to accommodate anything you may need and one of them was always around when you came back from a game drive.

When you arrive back from your morning drive breakfast is cooked especially for you, apparently in the other lodges they are mainly buffet and if you are late back there is nothing left. The tents are very large with extremely comfortable king size beds and large showers with Molten Brown toiletries. There are bath robes and slippers and a hair dryer if you wanted to use it. Laundry service is available but at a cost.

Technorati Tags: Camp, Kenya, Larsens, Samburu, Tented

Nick shows us how to dig your campsite out of a snow bank.

Technorati Tags: Camp, camping, tips, winter

When you talk of base camping you are going to camp on campgrounds that you no longer have to hike to be able to go there. This is the best place to spend quality time with your loved ones and kids since this is more convenient than camping to camp sites that are located in high mountains. They are too dangerous for the kids. However, going on this type of outdoor adventure would require camp tents. These tents will serve as your shelter for your entire stay on the site.

If you are a first time camper, you would really have a hard time looking for the right tent since there are so many camp tents that are out in the market nowadays. They come in different brands, types, features and prices. If you do not have enough understanding on this gear, finding the right one will definitely become a headache. Family tents come in so many types and sizes. They also have to be in time for the season. There are tents that are for summer, spring or winter. It will depend on the weather on when you are going to use them.

Normally, big families prefer to buy cabin tent since they are big enough to hold a standard family. Though it is a bit pricey compared to conventional types but you are guaranteed that everybody is comfortable inside. In fact they can hold from six to eight persons inside. So just try to imagine if there are 6 members in your family. The tent is big enough to hold everybody and you can still put some of your personal belongings inside. It is really hard to camp if your tent is too small for you. It would really be a nightmare for everyone when you sleep.

Camp tents are said to be the most important gears when you go on camping. It is important that you bring along the right type so you will be comfortable at night when you sleep. Though you can compare it to how your house could give comfort but as much as possible tents should help you relax after the long day of hiking and walking. Remember you are staying away from your home, even if you can not see your bed you would still wish to sleep on a comfortable place.

If there are kids with you, it is necessary that you make their stay as comfortable as possible. They are not used to this type of set up. But you would want them to experience another environment that would help them appreciate what nature has given them. So your camp tent must still give them the feeling of staying inside the house. Thus, cabin tent is the best type for your family to avoid getting crowded inside.

Camping is really a fun and great experience for the family and friends. However, you have to make sure that you bring the right tools, gears and gadgets to make your stay comfortable and convenient. If you fail to do this, the trip will definitely become the most terrible experience of your life.

Technorati Tags: beginners, Buying, Camp, guide, right, tents

When you talk of base camping you are going to camp on campgrounds that you no longer have to hike to be able to go there. This is the best place to spend quality time with your loved ones and kids since this is more convenient than camping to camp sites that are located in high mountains. They are too dangerous for the kids. However, going on this type of outdoor adventure would require camp tents. These tents will serve as your shelter for your entire stay on the site.

If you are a first time camper, you would really have a hard time looking for the right tent since there are so many camp tents that are out in the market nowadays. They come in different brands, types, features and prices. If you do not have enough understanding on this gear, finding the right one will definitely become a headache. Family tents come in so many types and sizes. They also have to be in time for the season. There are tents that are for summer, spring or winter. It will depend on the weather on when you are going to use them.

Normally, big families prefer to buy cabin tent since they are big enough to hold a standard family. Though it is a bit pricey compared to conventional types but you are guaranteed that everybody is comfortable inside. In fact they can hold from six to eight persons inside. So just try to imagine if there are 6 members in your family. The tent is big enough to hold everybody and you can still put some of your personal belongings inside. It is really hard to camp if your tent is too small for you. It would really be a nightmare for everyone when you sleep.

Camp tents are said to be the most important gears when you go on camping. It is important that you bring along the right type so you will be comfortable at night when you sleep. Though you can compare it to how your house could give comfort but as much as possible tents should help you relax after the long day of hiking and walking. Remember you are staying away from your home, even if you can not see your bed you would still wish to sleep on a comfortable place.

If there are kids with you, it is necessary that you make their stay as comfortable as possible. They are not used to this type of set up. But you would want them to experience another environment that would help them appreciate what nature has given them. So your camp tent must still give them the feeling of staying inside the house. Thus, cabin tent is the best type for your family to avoid getting crowded inside.

Camping is really a fun and great experience for the family and friends. However, you have to make sure that you bring the right tools, gears and gadgets to make your stay comfortable and convenient. If you fail to do this, the trip will definitely become the most terrible experience of your life.

Technorati Tags: beginners, Buying, Camp, guide, right, tents

Grumeti River Camp is a luxury safari tented camp located in a remote valley in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park Tanzania, just 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest lake. Flanked by two hillsides, this flamboyant exclusive camp overlooks a by-water of the Grumeti River and offers a comfortable haven to experience the truly wild pulse of Africa.

Grumeti River Camp Hotel is nestled in a remote, untouched area of the western corridor of the Serengeti; on the by-waters of the Grumeti River, the riverine trees surrounding the camp are home to the black and white Columbus monkey and a large variety of birds, although located in a quiet secluded valley this area is very much alive with hippos and crocodiles.  By day and night, guides drive guests into the savannah woodlands and open Serengeti plains bursting with great concentrations of wildlife.  Alongside herds of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, giraffe, and eland, this region boasts some of the highest densities of cheetah in Africa, huge prides of lion, and solitary leopards.

At Grumeti River Lodge you will feel privileged by your return to a more natural world.  The spacious tents are a delight enveloping their guests in luxury accommodation each equipped with a viewing deck, and en-suite hand basin, private bathroom and a shower open to the starlit sky.  There is also a plunge pool on the banks of the river and a spacious deck from which you can enjoy sundowners.  At night, the Grumeti River Camp buildings and paths are magically lit by flaming torches and lamps.

The Grumeti Camp use of local materials and colorful décor creates a playful and vibrant, yet very African safari style.  Guests cannot help but gain an appreciation of this area and surrounding landscape as you become part of Africa. Every year during Africa’s Annual Wildebeest Migration, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and other herbivores cross the Grumeti River, risking the jaws of some of the largest crocodiles on earth.

Large pods of hippo grunt from their watery hideaway below the camp and black-and-white Colobus monkeys live in Grumeti’s bird-filled riverine trees. At night, the nocturnal orchestra of owls and bush babies is punctuated by the primeval sounds of lion and hyena.

The utter luxury and superb standard of accommodation found at the Grumeti River Camp often seems a little odd when you think about where you are – right in the middle of one of the world’s most famous remaining regions of wilderness. Nevertheless, there it is – ten spacious, comfortable and opulently decorated safari tented camps with en suite bathrooms complete with hot and cold running water. Each beautifully set out banda has a huge double bed, and a private balcony with wonderfully comfortable chairs int

o which you can sink after a day’s game driving in the beautiful Western Corridor. The Grumeti River Camp lies on a bend of a tributary of the Grumeti River, and the resulting small pool is often filled with hippos and crocodiles. The well-stocked bar and restaurant deck overlook the pool, as does the swimming pool, so you can relax and let the wildlife come to you! While decidedly not the cheapest accommodation option in the Serengeti National Park, the CC Africa’s Grumeti River Camp does at least deliver a high standard of luxury which is perfect for those who feel the need for pampering as well as

The theme of Grumeti River Camp is very elegant yet unusual; the massive large safari tents with extravagant bright colors of the chaise lounge or accessories found through out the Grumeti Camp complement the dark handcrafted furnishings, the tents are furnished with large dramatic beds styled to resemble a regal crown. The tents are built on the banks of the river and in the evenings hippos can stroll near the tents to feed. This is quite an adventure for some people.

From the camp, you can enjoy some of the world’s largest crocodile enjoying the watery carpets of lilies of the Grumeti River Tributary. Documentaries on crocodiles have been filmed from Grumeti River Camp. The best time to overnight at Grumeti River Camp is from June to early August when the resident animals have the company of the migratory wildebeest and zebras.

The communal areas are again made in wood and stone and this includes the dining area which has a central open fire and outdoor pizza oven to incite a healthy appetite and spend nights under the Serengeti skies. Nearby, the pool is cool, clear and well-tended. Safari guests at Grumeti can enjoy flamboyant tents under thatch. The vibrancy of kente cloth and local sculptured furnishings bring the excitement and romance of Africa to life. Grumeti River Camp provides for a very intimate, avant-garde and romantic safari experience, this combined with wonderful dinners under the stars and lively nights with grazing hippos and roaring lions creates, in our opinion, one of the finest tented lodge in Tanzania.

We think it is simply heaven staying here, however, Grummet River Camp will not appeal to everyone’s tastes and the nearby Kirawira Camp may make a better choice for some individuals. Two potential problems at Grumeti River Camp are

It can be very intimidating for some people as hippos commonly graze on the sweet grass between the tents during the evening. Kirawira Camp, located about 30 minutes to the southwest, is significantly less expensive and may make a better choice for some people seeking a more ‘conservative’ tented lodge experience. In Africa, luxury does not necessarily correlate with higher prices or comfort but rather with intimacy, adventure and uniqueness. A stay at Grumeti River Camp will certainly deliver these latter aspects but careful consideration must be given to your specific tastes as to whether Grumeti River Camp or Kirawira Camp makes the most sense in your Tansania safari itinerary. Please feel free to talk it over with our tour consultants.

Grumeti River Camp is usually incorporated into our flying safaris in and drive-back itineraries at the beginning of your Tanzania safari. You will most likely be arriving via the nearby Grumeti Airstrip on your regional flight departing from the Arusha Air Strip.

A night or two at the beginning of your safari is a superb way to kick off your adventure before traveling to other areas of the Serengeti and onwards to the Crater and the other great parks of Northern Tanzania. From Grumeti River Camp, it is about a 2-hour drive east to the Seronera Valley of the Central Serengeti. The main road to Seronera follows the Grumeti River through the Musabi plains and all the way into the Central Serengeti.

Flamboyant safari accommodation: This splendid safari camp is renowned for its stylish, vibrantly African designed tented suites set along the banks of a by water of the Grumeti River, offering exceptional crocodile and hippo viewing. Accommodations at Grumeti River Camp consist of a main lodge area set on the banks of a small hippo pool and 10 sleeping tents generously spaced throughout the property to ensure privacy. All 10 tents are furnished with 1 double bed, which can be converted to 2 twin beds upon request. Unfortunately, no triples are available.

Each tent is built on a raised stone platform and encased under a wooden thatched roof. There is a small private deck in front of each tent with safari chairs and lounge chairs. The interiors are quite eclectic and feature vibrant African fabrics. Upon entering your tent, you are greeted by a colorful and oversized bed with a spectacular headboard.

Just in front of your bed are two bright cushioned chairs and a small coffee table with 3 jars of tasty hard candy. Immediately behind the bed is a single washbasin with electrical outlets where you can charge your batteries. To the left and right of the washbasin are two separate wooden doors that lead to the shower and toilet. The toilet is completely enclosed while the beautiful alfresco shower is open under the stars.

Please note that the generator is turned off each night at 10.30PM.  The main guest areas are just as impressive as your room and consist of a lounge, domed bar, game-viewing deck and inside and outside dinning areas. The lounge overlooks a lush tributary of the Grumeti River containing approximately 20 resident hippos. During your stay at Grumeti River Camp, make sure to set aside an hour or two to watch these entertaining animals. There is even a small ornate plunge pool from which you can lounge in and watch the hippos down below doing the same.

The service at Grumeti River Camp is unbeatable. There is a team of 34 staff (accommodating a maximum of 20 guests) that will go out of their way to make sure your stay is completely enjoyable. They really are a friendly bunch and their pleasant and engaging personalities are certainly one of the highlights of a stay here.

During the night, the surrounding area comes alive with the sounds of hippos grunting, lions roaring or a hyenas calling. Hippos are mainly nocturnal grazers and it is quite common that you will hear them grazing next to your tent during the night. There are no fences around Grumeti River Camp and because the camp resides in a low-lying area and next to a river, many animals freely move through the camp during the night. For obvious safety reason, it is imperative that you do not walk around unescorted during the night. There will be a safety briefing upon arrival and someone will be waiting outside your tent each evening to escort you to and from dinner. Additionally, because of the large presence of insects attracted to the nearby river, please make sure to use insect repellant frequently when staying at Grumeti River Camp

10 spacious safari tents with ceiling fans
All with en suite bathrooms
Boma (outdoor dining area)
Expansive game viewing deck
Sparkling plunge pool
Funky guest areas
African crafts shop

The food at the Grumeti River Camp is delicious. Wake up calls are taken the night before and coffee or tea and biscuits are delivered to your tent in the morning at the predetermined time. Breakfast boxes can be arranged for early morning game drives or you can enjoy breakfast on the outside patio.

Breakfast consists of a mixed buffet with orders taken for eggs, omelets, bacon, toast, pancakes etc. The buffet consists of yogurt, nuts, cereal, breads, fruit and juice. Similarly to breakfast, you have your choice of dinning in for lunch or enjoying a lunch box if you plan a full day adventure game drive. The lunch boxes at Grumeti River Camp are noteworthy as they are among the tastiest you will encounter on your safari. Lunches are usually served on the open lawn if front of the river.

Dinner is a splendid production and is always a memorable occasion at Grumeti River Camp. Drinks and appetizers are first offered in the bar/lounge. Guests are then led to the open dinning area next to the river. Dinner is then served by candlelight and under the stars. It is a delicious 4 courses and consists of Pan-African cuisine and a mixed buffet cooked on the brick fire pit.

Your waiter will serve you hot rolls and soup with your choice of wine. The main courses are buffet style and typically consist of chicken or beef, pasta, vegetables, potatoes and rice. Vegetarian options are available upon per request. Dinners are on a 7-day rotation ensuring each night you will enjoy a unique and delicious meal. There are a good variety of soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits available and most are included in your safari package.

Technorati Tags: Camp, Grumeti, Serengeti, Tanzania

Dave and Nate Ainley played Dora and Diego in this video shot for youth group. We really want the kids to go to camp, so this is how we decided to show it. Truthfully, you likely will not swing on tires, vines, or travel on a magical dragon through space and time when you go. Just a quick side note..

Technorati Tags: Camp, Diego, Dora

Anyone who has ever been to Algonquin Park in Northern Ontario can immediately see the importance of practicing “Leave No Trace” camping.  Many of the Portages on heavily used canoe routes there can resemble a parking lot.  Campsites that are devoid of vegetation are sometimes the rule rather than the exception. The amount of use that parks like Algonquin see in a year is simply mind boggling. There is a very real danger that Algonquin can’t recover from the damage we inflict on it year after year.  If we don’t practice LNT in these high use areas, places like this will be destroyed very quickly. 

There are however areas of backcountry in Ontario that see very little or no usage. It is areas such as these that “Sustainable Use” takes on a slightly different meaning. I grew up in Northern Ontario, where a lot of people’s livelihoods depended on the backcountry. I was taught to respect the land and only take from it what you needed. This was our definition of sustainability. 

When I am guiding a backcountry canoe trip in high use areas like Algonquin Provincial Park, I pack a portable stove and leave my axe at home. To me this is just common sense, since finding wood for a cooking fire may be difficult and time consuming, if not impossible. But in lower use areas where it is sustainable to do so, we often do have a campfire. It is these times that I wouldn’t dare be with out a decent camp axe.

So what is a “decent” camp axe? Ask that question to any backcountry guide and you will most likely get a different answer from each one. But generally there are a few qualities that they all have in common. They should be fairly light, usually weighing somewhere between  1¾ to 2¼ lbs. And they will be made of high quality steel that that can be sharpened relatively easily with a file or honing stone (read: soft enough) and yet stay sharp with prolonged use (read: hard enough). The length of the handle and the shape of the head are all matters of personal preference. 

I have owned several camp axes over the years, but my favorite is a 1¾ pound Hudson’s Bay Pattern made by Norland. Sadly the original Norlund company is no longer around. There is still a company making axes under the Norlund name, but everything I have read about them suggests that the quality is inferior to the older ones.  Because of this the older ones are hard to find, and can fetch a hefty price.  Try to buy an vintage Norlund on EBay and you will see what I mean. 

As I stated above the length of the handle (also known as the “haft” ) is a matter of personal preference. Most people using an axe in the backcountry prefer a haft length between 20 and 28 inches.  I find that a handle length of 24 to 26 inches is just about perfect. This length will allow for comfortable two handed swings, but is still light and compact enough to pack on a backcountry trip.  I know some of you out there will argue that a shorter handle on an axe is more dangerous, and I would agree.  However, it is also my opinion that anyone who hasn’t been trained to use a camp axe properly, has no business using one in the first place.  Take a saw instead, it’s much more efficient anyway. 

If you are in the market for a camp axe, and have read the above, I can only offer one other piece of advice. Get the best quality you can afford, with the exception of loss or misuse, a quality axe will last you a lifetime or even several lifetimes. My Norlund has served me well for over 35 years now. Like any other tool, better quality usually means higher price. Some companies worth looking at are Gransfors, Wetterlings, and Snow and Nealley

Don’t forget to keep your axe in a sheath when it’s not being used.  A sheath not only protects you from the axe, it also protects the cutting edge on your axe from getting dull or damaged, and that will minimize the number of times you have to sharpen it or have it re-ground.