Ithumba Camp - Tsavo East NP?
Feb 17th, 2013, 08:17 AM
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Ithumba Camp - Tsavo East NP?
We are interested in seeing our fostered elephants at the Sheldrake Ithumba Camp in Tsavo East NP. How do we obtain information about the costs, logistics, and reservation process? We are planning to travel in September 2013 and any tips and advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Barbee
Thanks,
Barbee
Feb 17th, 2013, 09:40 AM
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Contact Sheldrick for the details.
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
There are a few threads here on Fodor's from some who have stayed. Use the 'search' feature above specifically inputting Ithumba Camp or Sheldrick at Ithumba Camp.
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
There are a few threads here on Fodor's from some who have stayed. Use the 'search' feature above specifically inputting Ithumba Camp or Sheldrick at Ithumba Camp.
Feb 17th, 2013, 01:01 PM
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Hi Barbee as Sandi says above contact Sheldricks, and we're going there in May and will post a report on our return.
Both Leely and Patti have been there and have reports here and on SafariTalk as well.
Both Leely and Patti have been there and have reports here and on SafariTalk as well.
Feb 17th, 2013, 03:46 PM
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You can email [email protected] for information and booking. The last time I checked, it was $500 per night (might have gone up since). That's for the entire camp on a self catered basis. I would definitely check on availability now for this September as they can get booked up rather early.
I have 2 trip reports that include Ithumba -
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...y-in-kenya.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ther-tales.cfm
And here's Leely's report http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ation-tour.cfm
I have 2 trip reports that include Ithumba -
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...y-in-kenya.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ther-tales.cfm
And here's Leely's report http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ation-tour.cfm
Feb 17th, 2013, 05:55 PM
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About 6.5 hours from Nairobi. 4 hours of that is on the highway to the turnoff at Kibwezi followed by about 2.5 hours on a dirt road to the Kasala gate and camp. Allow some variation depending on where in Nairobi you're starting from and how much traffic there is.
Feb 18th, 2013, 08:36 AM
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Here are some additional driving notes from my first trip report:
<i>After 4 hours, we turned off the highway at Kibwezi (note: if you stay at Panari you could probably cut an hour off this drive). We refueled at Kibwezi and from there it was about 70 km of dirt road to the Kasala gate (approx 2 hours) and another 15 km to Ithumba Headquarters where you’re actually checked into the park (no smartcard reader at this gate). On the way to the gate we crossed the Athi and Tiva rivers. Between Athi and Tiva there was a small bridge which wasn’t on the map from Sheldrick but Tiva is a large paved bridge (just in case you get confused like we did). There were some sandy stretches of road and it’s probably not the greatest road to travel on after heavy rains. It’s well signed 40 km from HQ where you need to turn right (which happens to be the same place as the Barack Obama tree). Good thing because all of the towns we passed looked like the town pictured on the map where we needed to turn. There are more signs at 34 and 23 km before HQ. It was actually much easier to find than we anticipated.</i>
<i>After 4 hours, we turned off the highway at Kibwezi (note: if you stay at Panari you could probably cut an hour off this drive). We refueled at Kibwezi and from there it was about 70 km of dirt road to the Kasala gate (approx 2 hours) and another 15 km to Ithumba Headquarters where you’re actually checked into the park (no smartcard reader at this gate). On the way to the gate we crossed the Athi and Tiva rivers. Between Athi and Tiva there was a small bridge which wasn’t on the map from Sheldrick but Tiva is a large paved bridge (just in case you get confused like we did). There were some sandy stretches of road and it’s probably not the greatest road to travel on after heavy rains. It’s well signed 40 km from HQ where you need to turn right (which happens to be the same place as the Barack Obama tree). Good thing because all of the towns we passed looked like the town pictured on the map where we needed to turn. There are more signs at 34 and 23 km before HQ. It was actually much easier to find than we anticipated.</i>
Feb 20th, 2013, 09:48 AM
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Thank you all!! We did get in touch with Lina at Sheldrick and are booked for the 15th and 16th. We will have a driver as we are incorporating this with additional touring and are so excited. Four of the elephants we foster are in Ithumba, 2 are in Voi and 2 at the Nursury in Nairobi. It will be quite a trip and we appreciate all of your MOST HELPFUL information. Great little community we have here!
