THE VENUE

GALDESSA CAMP - TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

Tsavo is home to the largest population of elephants in Kenya, and the southern area of the park is particularly renowned for the size of its herds. Across the open plains, find scores of buffalo, giraffe, eland, oryx, zebra, and more. This quiet corner is a place where big cats thrive, from the infamous Tsavo lions to stealthy leopards and speedy cheetahs.

At the heart of it all is the picturesque Galana River, a lifeline for wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Galdessa Camp sits on its banks, facing the landmark Yatta Plateau, which is the longest lava flow in the world. The camp offers a unique glimpse into this natural world: at any given moment, you might see hippos wallowing in the mud, elephants strolling down the shore, or crocodiles soaking up the sun’s rays.

Galdessa, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s newest property, is composed of two separate camps: Galdessa Camp and Galdessa Little. With its safari-style setting and front row view of all the wildlife activity on the Galana River, Galdessa Camp invites guests to immerse themselves in the untouched corners of Tsavo. Foster parent guests also have special access to the SWT’s Voi Reintegration Unit with prior written permission from Nairobi office, where they can have a firsthand look at our work raising and rehabilitating orphaned elephants.

Galdessa was originally built in the early 1980s, but it was later purchased by SWT. It was completely rebuilt in 2018, incorporating luxury touches while preserving the integrity of the property and the old-world charm it evokes.

Galdessa Camp and Galdessa Little along with four other properties, makes up the SWT’s not-for-profit portfolio of ecolodges. By staying at our eco-lodges, you are directly contributing to the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem: all revenue generated is put towards conservation initiatives within the Tsavo Conservation Area.

WATAMU TREEHOUSE

A handcrafted home built in synthesis with the stunning natural surrounds of Watamu Beach and the mangrove forest.

Infused with a style to nature, Watamu Treehouse is situated on one of the most picturesque stretches of Watamu beach, ideally located right opposite the Coral Gardens of the Marine Park. Built high in the trees, the Treehouse affords a 360-degree panorama of the Indian Ocean coastline on one side and native forest on the other.

The Treehouse offers seven spacious open ocean view rooms spread out over two towers rising out of the forest. A five-minute walk to the beach, daily yoga classes in the open topped ocean view studio and adventures in the water with Tribe Watersports.

The house has no windows - just frames around seascapes. You share the forest with the birds, insects, small mammals, reptiles and primates and the forest boasts many indigenous trees common to the coastal strip, including beautiful Adansonia (baobabs) and Afzelia quanzensis (mahogonny).

Both living and sleeping areas are situated just above the forest canopy, open to the cooling coastal breezes and the scintillating views. You sleep breathing the fresh air of the forest and awaken to the early morning calls of the wildlife - especially birds and sykes monkeys!

Unusually for the East Coast of Africa, Watamu Treehouse offers a complete horizon, affording sensational views of sunsets over forests, coconut plantations and Mida Creek, as well as sunrises and moonrises over the Indian Ocean.

You have a choice of several verandas and a sublime rooftop space, all designed to accommodate both communal activities and private retreats from which to contemplate the beauty of the surroundings.

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