Campi ya Kanzi

I recently had the immense pleasure of spending ten unforgettable days in the Chyulu Hills with my husband and our two sons. We were fortunate to stay with the extraordinary team at both Campi ya Kanzi and Chyulu Lodge, and I feel compelled to share our deep gratitude for the experience.||This was our third visit to Kenya and our second time returning to Campi ya Kanzi. We first visited in 2012 when I was pregnant with our first child and the trip left an indelible mark on our family. In 2020, we returned to Kenya and spent 8 days in the Maasai Mara. We were struck by the abundance and accessibility of wildlife - it was truly remarkable to see so many animals, so frequently, throughout our stay. However, while the game viewing was extraordinary, we found ourselves missing the deeper sense of authenticity and the meaningful connections that come from truly knowing and learning from our guides. That absence only reinforced our appreciation for what makes Campi ya Kanzi so special and made our decision to return an easy one. We knew we wanted to return not only to the breathtaking landscape of the Chyulu Hills, but to the place where we first fell in love with the soul of Kenya - the people, the wildlife, the culture, and the deep sense of stewardship that Campi ya Kanzi embodies.||Returning to Campi ya Kanzi felt like coming home. From the moment we arrived, we were reminded of what makes this place so rare and extraordinary. Every detail - from the beautifully prepared meals to the immaculate accommodations and the unforgettable safari experiences - reflected a level of TLC that made us feel truly welcomed and cared for. This care went far beyond comfort and hospitality; it extended to moments that truly mattered. When my husband experienced a sudden medical emergency, Sunde, our guide, responded with calm precision and unwavering confidence. He intuitively leapt into action, assessed the situation with remarkable clarity, and within 3 minutes had arranged for a pilot and plane to be on standby for immediate evacuation to Nairobi Hospital, if necessary. Both Sunde and Lisa’s preparedness and composure gave us tremendous peace of mind during a very stressful 45 minutes, and it was yet another example of the exceptional care and professionalism that defines the Campi ya Kanzi experience.||Above all, I want to express my deepest thanks to our incredible guides, Parishi and Sunde, who again made our experience truly unforgettable. Parishi, with his quiet wisdom and steady presence, was the cornerstone of our experience in 2012 and 2025. As an elder, he carries a reverence for the land and its traditions that is both grounding and deeply moving. His knowledge is expansive, his guidance gentle but assured, and his connection to this magical place unmistakable. To us, he embodies all that Campi ya Kanzi stands for – deep respect for nature, meaningful connection with the Maasai community and its rich culture, and a profound sense of purpose for conservation and sustainability. Parashi truly holds a very special place in all of our heart’s and we will never forget the sight of our boys herding cattle with him as well as the beautiful harmony of his family singing and dancing with us inside their home. Sunde possesses a remarkable ability to articulate stories with both depth and breadth, weaving together knowledge, history, and lived experience in a way that captivates and enlightens - even two tech-obsessed preteens from Los Angeles! Sunde’s storytelling is only surpassed by the passion he brings to his work - a passion that is palpable, infectious (as is his smile), and deeply inspiring. Parashi and Sunde’s ability to create such an authentic and enriching experience is a true gift, and we feel so fortunate to have had them as our guides during both of our stays.||We felt truly cared for by Lisa, the camp manager, who was an exceptional host - elegant, articulate, attentive, and thoughtful in every interaction. We were also fortunate to learn more about the inspiring work of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust through meaningful conversations with a fellow guest.||As we return home, we carry with us more than just memories - we carry the spirit of Campi ya Kanzi in our hearts. Our time in the Chyulu Hills was not simply a journey across landscapes, but a journey into something far deeper: a place where people, wildlife, and wilderness are woven together with purpose, care, and soul. Thank you for creating and sustaining such a rare and remarkable sanctuary. We are profoundly grateful for the experience, for the people who bring it to life, and we already find ourselves dreaming of the day we will return.

Fantastic safari experience at Camp ya Kanzi,,Chyulu Club, and Saruni Samburu. All arranged through Luca and his crew at ya Kanzi. We were so well taken care of and exposed to amazing experiences. Guides and staff were superb, food was great, lodging wonderful. And these camps are far away from the heavily touristed areas. Walking in a gorgeous enormous valley with zebra and wildebeest, Kori birds, and amazing vistas was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All under the watchful eyes of Kilimanjaro. Do this trip if you can.

Words fail to describe the amazing experience you will have at Campi ya Kanzi. It is a perfect combination of luxury, authenticity, adventure, and education. The beauty of the Chyulu Hills, the wildlife, and the people are memories you will cherish forever. It is romantic (we originally went 16 years ago as a newly married couple) and fun for a family (we returned with our 10 and 13 year old kids). I look forward to when we can return again to this magical place, but until then, a piece of my heart is left behind at Campi ya Kanzi.

Campi ya Kanzi is the most wonderful place on earth to experience wilderness as its best. Not only because of its amazing location but thanks to the well-prepared team in the camp! They made us spent far more than an amazing family holiday, they went beyond the imaginable! And whenever we thought that was it, there was another surprise! Another big experience. From wonderful walks through the savanna, exploration in the forest, sundowners at breathtaking lookouts, coffee at dawn overlooking the Kilimanjaro, (hearty) breakfast in the middle of the savanna, dinner in a cave... all these framed by the wonder of pure nature, it's sound and it's animals. Just amazing! |Not to talk about the great cuisine! Fabulous menus every day, exquisite combinations from the starter to dessert.|Safari was not only looking for animals, we also got a nice explanation about most of the species and plants and trees we passed by. |Tent was beautiful and provided every comfort. Overlooking a pond where animals came to drink water allowed us to see many of them at different times of the day. Touring with an electric jeep - no words!|By far the most amazing experience we have done in Africa. We can only recommend it!

This is a place I will never forget, not just because of the incredibly comforting amenities and impossibly beautiful location, because of the amazing staff and all they did to make us feel not only welcome but like family visiting. The food was also an incredible surprise!

It doesn't get better than this. Campi ya Kanzi provided us with an unforgettable safari experience that is different from any other I've been on. I visited CyK 15 years ago, and my return visit confirmed what I'd experienced all those years before, with updates + new surprises in store (no spoilers here). From the moment we arrived, we felt the personal touch in every aspect of our stay. Nestled in the untouched beauty of the Chyulu Hills, the camp offers stunning views and a serene environment. The staff’s commitment to safety and personalized service made us feel truly at ease -- the latter of which isn't easy when you're gluten and dairy-free. Each day was a new adventure, with bespoke safari experiences that connected us deeply to the heart of the wilderness. The delicious food, prepared with local ingredients, was a delightful highlight of our stay. This is a trip you can feel good about—Campi ya Kanzi is owned by the Trust, and proceeds are invested in conservation and community efforts that we chose to visit. For our game drives, we used two custom EV Rivans, which provided a silent safari ride and were safer for the planet. We left with cherished memories and a profound appreciation for the environment and the Maasai community. Luxury without the White Lotus vibes. Beauty and authenticity that touches your soul. An experience that gives back and sustains, that you can feel good about. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a unique and personalized safari experience.

Our stay at Campi Ya Kanzi with our host, Luca and his staff, was everything you could ask for in a safari. We felt like we were part of the family during our holiday and I was truly sad to leave. This was my first time in Africa. Luca welcomed 10 of us traveling as a family to his home and conservancy and explained the trust and his commitment to being carbon neutral, which our visit helped to pay for. He is also very involved with giving back to the local village and community. The staff, particularly Claudia, Parishi, and Pasheit took good care of us during the three-day vacation. The accommodations were perfect, the common area/lodge has a Hemingway feel to it, both comfortable and intriguing and at night when completely lit by kerosene lamps it is magical. The large tents with en suite bathrooms that are on platforms were comfortable and spacious. The warm water bottles in bed at night are a cozy touch. We saw a great deal of wildlife including elephants, zebras, giraffe, wildebeest, impalas, topis, gazelles, hartebeest, warthogs and buffalos and even a couple of lions early one morning. The food was plentiful and tasty. The small impala that they rescued who is aptly named, Bambi, acted like our family pet – greeting us when we returned from any excursion. Our hike to a beautiful view to have sun downers the first evening showed us the otherworldly light that Africa is known for but is difficult to describe in words. We also climbed to the Cloud Forest for more spectacular views, had a picnic breakfast out in the bush after tracking some elephants, visited the local village and school, and had a walk to a lava tunnel where a special surprise awaited us. Luca is passionate about Africa, conservation, and educating the local children, and that passion is palatable and contagious. We thoroughly enjoyed everything about our magical stay at Campi Ya Kanzi.

We had the most wonderful five days at Campi Ya Kanzi and Chyulu Club last month. It is a beautiful location and we loved being able to walk in the hills surrounding it. It is very special to feel so close to wildlife in such a beautiful safari camp. The staff were all charming and we felt part of the family - our one year old son absolutely loved it too. I would recommend Campi Ya Kanzi as a magical safari lodge to anyone who is interested in conservation, delicious food, stunning views and wildlife.