I was down with a small
group in Private Camp between September 21st and 24th
2007. Our group had two hoteliers in it, one person who has owned a
guest house, and two safari guides; a very “knowing” group and a
tough group to please.
There was just nothing
negative that one could come up with about Private Camp, its tents,
food or staff. The whole time there went absolutely flawlessly, and
this was during the middle of the busiest season in years; with a
group of twelve coming in just after us.
Small examples; the
staff asked how we would each like our tents prepared in the
evening; I wanted my tent flaps tied wide open and all windows up,
and a hot water bottle, others wanted theirs differently, and the
staff never mixed it up once.
The watchmen were
discreetly but continuously calling us over to point out wildlife
that they had spotted in the camp environs.
Someone asked for
Tabasco sauce for the next meal and two types of Tabasco sauce
appeared, along with two local hot sauces.
I asked that we have
meals outside the dining tent and every meal was set in the shade or
by the fire with lovely lanterns set around, staff ready and
waiting, food served hot even at night.
For our picnic breakfast
I requested on thermos of tea and one of coffee, and we got tow of
each, the staff explaining that they noticed that the group drank
quite a lot and that the mornings were quite chilly those days.
The camp was always
raked and swept, we were always greeted with fresh cloths when we
came back from a game drive; the guys went tent to tent asking us if
we would like a drink delivered, and stood quietly by at the fire
every evening, always ready.
Once back in Nairobi, the
clients, at our last dinner, were talking about the three highlights
of the entire safari, and they were as follows: A picnic breakfast
in Ruman National Park, a big bull elephant that stood by our
vehicle at Lewa Downs and the ENTIRE TIME AT PRIVATE CAMP. That
says it all; and I’m most grateful.
M. R.
October 12, 2007
