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Chyulu Camp

Discover the real Africa – an Africa beyond the usual tourist trails, in Hemingway’s “Green Hills of Africa” looking across to Mount Kilimanjaro. Nestled in the beautiful region of Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, Chyulu Wilderness Camp campers will explore pristine safaris, lush cloud forests, picturesque hills and protected reserves throughout their stay. In addition to learning about how wild animals can be best preserved through ecotourism, they’ll also have opportunities to engage with local communities – immersing themselves in dynamic new cultures as part of this unforgettable journey.

At Chyulu Wilderness Camp, campers participate in projects across four main areas – Adventure Expedition, Community Volunteering, Conservation and Mindfulness – for a memorable, hands-on experience of eco-tourism and sustainable development in the heart of the African savannah. Click here to view a sample programme, subject to changes.

Adventure Expedition

Trek into the heart of Africa with outdoor adventure and wildlife spotting led by Maasai guides and rangers on foot or in safari jeeps. Explore the cloud forest of the Chyulu Hills, one of the most iconic landscapes on the continent, to analyse its biodiversity in the company of guides and a botanist.

Conservation

Live in harmony with your surroundings, learning how nature can be a resource of value to local landholders and how humans and wildlife can sustainably co-exist. Our hands-on projects put you at the source to assess and action effective solutions.

Community Volunteering

Offer your time and support to the community, spending time with Maasai children, organising community sports and participating in traditional arts & crafts.

Mindfulness

Develop your understanding of the African culture, gaining experience of autonomy, meditation, self-realisation and African traditions to enrich your mind and enhance your well-being. You will be encouraged to step outside your comfort zone and build self-confidence.

The Lodge

Perched in the shadow of  Mt. Kilimanjaro at the border of Tsavo National Park, Chyulu Wilderness Camp provides an unforgettable journey to Kenya. The land is rented from the Maasai community and is situated with the 283,000-acre Maasai Group Ranch. The site covers 800 hectares and is equipped with its own private runway (45-minute flight to Nairobi). Trained personnel and emergency equipment are present at the camp; the camp plane can get to an excellent hospital within an hour.

The camp has been designed to respect traditional Maasai architecture and culture. It boasts a traditional African lounge, dining room, library, conference room, outdoor fireplace and cafe.

Chyulu Wilderness Camp can welcome up to 20 students to the camp during each programme. Each tent can house two to four students with an en-suite bathroom and is safely placed on wooden galleries. Boys and girls are in separate accommodations.

Meet the Team

Our team is made up of experts trained in wildlife conservation, education, camp direction, hospitality and management.

CHYULU WILDERNESS CAMP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAMP OVERVIEW

DOES THE CAMPING EXPERIENCE PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY?

​Sustainability lies at the core of Chyulu Wilderness Camp. The camp is a fossil fuel-free, carbon-negative eco-lodge. We use locally grown food, sustainable energy sources and water from the local pump, exposing the students to more eco-friendly ways of living.

HOW WILL THE STUDENTS LEARN TO BE MORE ECO-CONSCIOUS?

The education the students receive will be the first step in a long-term process of changing mindsets through awareness of economic and environmental difficulties in other parts of the world that they would not usually be exposed to in everyday life. Students will be immersed in sustainable tourism due to the nature of the lodge, and will also partake in eco-conscious activities such as tree planting, organic farming, and learning about conservation in various ways.

IS there any formal lesson or study during the camp?

“Classes” in the traditional sense are not part of the standard programme. There will be, however, allocated hours for reflection and self-study.

Students will have a formal presentation about the work of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust where they will learn about various conservation projects and have the opportunity to ask questions to the Maasai. They will also learn about Maasai culture during a conversation with Maasai elders.

IS THERE ANY AREA TO STUDY OR DEDICATED TIME TO STUDY?

This depends on the program, however, the main area has computer stations where students are encouraged to study / reflect during down time.

WILL THERE BE ANY SCIENTIFIC OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, LESSONS OR EXPERIMENTS?

Depending on the program, the level of depth of scientific activities varies. All students will experience outdoor activities, including conservation and/or science, including learning about the local flora and fauna, tree planting, or learning about sustainable farming.

WILL THERE BE ANY MEDITATIVE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS YOGA OR MUSIC?

This will depend on the program and the accompanying teachers. Yoga, music, or meditation can be easily included in the daily programme, especially in the mornings or evenings.

REGISTRATION

WHAT ARE THE CHYULU CODES?

The Chyulu Codes and Guidelines are our behaviour expectations for students on the programme. They will be shared with groups prior to their trip.

CAN STUDENTS BE EXPELLED FROM THE PROGRAMME?

Discipline must be enforced: the camp is a school entity. If a camper disobeys the Chyulu Codes, the camp director may punish him/her with various tasks (in the kitchen, in the gardens). In serious cases, he will refer the matter to the local authorities and will organize the return of the camper to his/her home.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

The application fee of CHF 1,000 is non-refundable and non-transferable.

I/ Up to 30 days before the camp’s arrival day:

  • refund of 50% of camp fees (excluding application fee). Full refund of pocket money.

II/ Between 30 days and the camp’s arrival day:

  • full amount (application and camp fees) is retained. Full refund of pocket money.

III/ If a participant is expelled for disciplinary reasons, or leaves before the end of the camp, no fees will be reimbursed.

IV/ Le Rosey Camps does not offer cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend that parents verify that their insurance can cover refund for cancellation before start of the camp or in case of early departure from the camp.

 

Click here to view our financial conditions.

CAN PARENTS JOIN THE STUDENTS?

In the launching stage, we will not allow parents to join the students. Regular updates will be sent from our Camp Directors to the families during the programme.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEES FOR THE CAMP?

The price of CHF 4900 will cover transport from/to Nairobi to the Camp, accommodation, food, and the safari experience expenses.

Flights from your home country and visa fees are not included in the price.

DOES MY CHILD NEEDS A VISA TO ENTER KENYA?

Parents are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa which can be done online for about 50 USD. You will need a formal invitation letter to obtain the visa, please send an email, including a copy of your child’s passport, to: contact@chyulucamp.com. The letter will be sent to you as soon as the payment for the camp has been received in full.

SAFETY AT CAMP

DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL VACCINATIONS OR MEDICATION AGAINST TROPICAL DISEASES?

No vaccinations or medication are needed for your stay as the altitude at camp guarantees safety from most tropical diseases.

CAN STUDENTS BRING PERSONAL MEDICATION?

It is forbidden to self-medicate in accordance with the Chyulu Codes. All medicine must be handed in to the nurse. Students are reminded of the Codes upon arrival.

IS THERE INTERNET ACCESS DURING THE CAMP?

We recommend a full nature immersion for the students when they come to the camp. Students might be allowed their phones in the evenings for a short period of time to talk with their parents.

Camp directors will provide frequent updates to parents regarding their children. Parents will also be given the camp director’s number in case they need to contact the camp in case of an emergency.

WHAT HAPPENS IF STUDENTS NEED TO SPEND ONE NIGHT IN NAIROBI?

There is a hotel within the premises of the airport. If the group or an individual has to stay the night, then a CWC member of staff would stay with them.

AFTER CAMP

WILL STUDENTS RETURN HOME WITH A PORTFOLIO SHOWING WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

Depending on the programme, students may have created a project on their experience during the camp.

Throughout the camp, students are encouraged to reflect in journals (which they are provided with), and take many photos on the provided cameras (in which they can take their SD card home).

HOW DO THE STUDENTS CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMP'S LONG-TERM GOALS WHEN THEY RETURN HOME?

We believe that it will be useful and beneficial for students to spend some time digesting their experience at CWC through reflective journaling, creative expression, carrying out surveys and presenting to their local communities at home. We will also work with the schools to debrief the students in order to monitor the programme continuously.

If you’re still unsure about any details or want to learn more about a particular part of Chyulu Wilderness Camp, send us a message at contact@chyulucamp.com.