Luxury equates to very comfortable accommodations-private bath with hot and cold running water and electricity. Lanterns light the interior of the tent providing a very cozy atmosphere. Turndown service includes a hot water bottle under the sheets to keep you warm in the cool Africa night.
In the morning, a staff member brings you hot coffee or tea so that you can sit on your private deck and admire the peaks of Mt. Kenya while herds of zebra and giraffe meander by.
Sweetwaters overlooks a floodlit waterhole that attracts all sorts of thirsty creatures. Yes, even elephants. As the driver pulled up to camp in the dark African night and let his weary travelers out, a small family of elephants serenely drank from the water hole. Unfortunately, our attempts to remain quiet were futile and the elephants lumbered away into the bush.
The warm and inviting main building of Sweetwaters has a huge dining room with long tables to accommodate large groups. It also has a wonderful lounge area where you can sit outside if you choose and enjoy the cool African breezes. Like Samburu, the food is plentiful and delicious. We arrived late, so the food was our first taste of Sweetwaters, so to speak.
The day starts early on an African safari. Before 7 a.m., we spotted zebra, giraffe, gazelles, and Marabou storks and we hadn't left the deck of our tent! At breakfast, one Marabou stork waddled up to the deck just outside the dining room begging for a handout.
The first game drive provided a spectacular montage of animal viewing. In addition to zebra, giraffe, and Marabou storks, we added oryx, eland , waterbuck, and many, many warthogs to the check list of observed African animals.
The most memorable part of the game drive was the stop at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Here, a large number of chimps are protected from poachers in a very large natural habitat with help from the Care for the Wild organization . The Chimps seem to enjoy entertaining their visitors. You can also sponsor a chimp for a small donation to help keep the sanctuary in operation.
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