Sleeping Warrior – Lake Elementaita Hotels

On the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Elmenteita lies a vast, extinct volcano. Seen from the distance, its time-eroded crater suggests the profile of a massive Maasai warrior, resting in peace until the end of time. On the slopes of the volcano, surrounded by 20,000 hectares of the private Soysambu Conservancy, nestles an exclusive tented camp, theCamp of the Sleeping Warrior.

Location
The Lake lies 140 kms from Nairobi – a 2-3 hour journey depending on road conditions.

The Background
The Soysambu Conservancy is part of the lands of Lord Delamere, one of Kenya’s most prominent colonial figures. Formerly a cattle ranch, which includes the western shores of Lake Elmenteita, one of Kenya’s most beautiful soda lakes, the land has never been open to the public. Even today, access is strictly limited to the guests of the conservancy. Utterly pristine and hauntingly beautiful, Soysambu is one of only a handful of private conservancies in Kenya.

Accommodation
The camp offers six eco-friendly accomodations, each of which lies in its own Leleshwa grove surrounded by lava stone walls. All have ensuite facilities (hot and cold running water, solar-powered electricity, natural rain-water). Long Hill and Scout Hill sleep 2-3 people, Half Hill Tent sleeps 2, Boma tent sleeps 2 and will also accommodate an additional tent for children. Eagle’s nest is a lava stone honeymoon getaway located on a secluded rocky outcrop, and features a star bed (open to the stars) and its own lava rock pathway. Ututu Room is located within Ututu House (private bathroom with bath and shower).

Dining and bars
Ututu House has a central dining room and lounge with an external natural stone terrace with magnificent views. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the dining room – home-cooked and to the highest quality. Sundowners are traditionally taken on one of the surrounding volcanic hills, with campfire and home-cooked ‘bitings’.

Conference and event facilities
The camp can be adapted so as to accommodate small meetings, conferences or workshops.

Child-friendly
The camp is child friendly, but parents are requested to keep children under close supervision. Children’s meals can be prepared and a family tent enclosure is available.

Wildlife highlights: 
Rothschild giraffes, Defassa waterbuck, gazelles, antelope, colobus monkey, rock hyrax, impala, dik-dik, bush pigs, aardvark, leopard, striped hyena, bat-eared fox, wild cat, reedbuck, buffalo and more. Plus over 400 species of birds.

Other attractions
The camp is committed to sustainable eco-tourism and shares certain wildlife and water management responsibilities with Soysambu Conservancy, a non-profit organization established to protect this 20,000 hectare-area of land. Guest pay $30 per person for access to the conservancy, which goes directly to maintaining the environment and the local communities. The camp also employs local Maasai women to gather sustainable Leleshwa (wild sage) wood for water-heating purposes. Additionally, the camp is sponsoring five local children through school.