I was down with a small group in Private Camp between September 21st and 24th 2007. Our group had two hoteliers in it, one person who has owned a guest house, and two safari guides; a very “knowing” group and a tough group to please.
There was just nothing negative that one could come up with about Private Camp, its tents, food or staff. The whole time there went absolutely flawlessly, and this was during the middle of the busiest season in years; with a group of twelve coming in just after us.
Small examples; the staff asked how we would each like our tents prepared in the evening; I wanted my tent flaps tied wide open and all windows up, and a hot water bottle, others wanted theirs differently, and the staff never mixed it up once.
The watchmen were discreetly but continuously calling us over to point out wildlife that they had spotted in the camp environs.
Someone asked for Tabasco sauce for the next meal and two types of Tabasco sauce appeared, along with two local hot sauces.
I asked that we have meals outside the dining tent and every meal was set in the shade or by the fire with lovely lanterns set around, staff ready and waiting, food served hot even at night.
For our picnic breakfast I requested on thermos of tea and one of coffee, and we got tow of each, the staff explaining that they noticed that the group drank quite a lot and that the mornings were quite chilly those days.
The camp was always raked and swept, we were always greeted with fresh cloths when we came back from a game drive; the guys went tent to tent asking us if we would like a drink delivered, and stood quietly by at the fire every evening, always ready.
Once back in Nairobi, the clients, at our last dinner, were talking about the three highlights of the entire safari, and they were as follows: A picnic breakfast in Ruman National Park, a big bull elephant that stood by our vehicle at Lewa Downs and the ENTIRE TIME AT PRIVATE CAMP. That says it all; and I’m most grateful.
M. R.
October 12, 2007