hosted by thc
Overview of Rhino River Camp
Opened in August 2010, the luxury Rhino River Camp, situated in Meru National Park Northern Kenya, is a collection of five stylish tents and one en-suite tent raised above the romantic Kindani River, ensuring intimacy and exclusivity. Each tent features a wide bedroom a bathroom, a wardrobe and it is surrounded by a lush riverine forest. The wooden platform is linked to an intimate Zen tent where guests can unwind after an exciting game drive. Meru National Park hosts a large population of elephants, hippos, buffaloes, lions, cheetah, leopards, and a diversity of games. The camp has private access to the Rhino Sanctuary with 66 white and black rhinos, one of the main attractions of Meru NP.
General Infomation
Length of stay: we suggest a duration of at least 3 nights to better enjoy the stay at Rhino River Camp and the Meru National Park. Climate: rain “long” in April-May, rains “short” in November.
The hottest months: March and October. Temperature: min. 15° – 32° max Your Suitcase: the atmosphere at Rhino River Camp is informal; we suggest neutral-colored casual clothing, comfortable walking shoes. Long trousers and long sleeves, golf, sweatshirt or a jacket for the cool of the evenings.
For the pool: bathing suit, flip-flops. Internet Services: Free Wi-Fi access is available Do not forget: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, camera.
How to get there:
Rhino River Camp is 360 km from Nairobi.
- By air: Air Kenya scheduled flights and charters from Nairobi Wilson airport (50mins) to Kinna airstrip and a half-hour offroad drive safari.
- By car: 5/6 hrs drive from Nairobi along a tarmac road and access Meru NP from Murera Gate.
Number of the tents and description | N. 5 including 1 Suite – all double bedroom with a private bathroom with shower, dressing room, external “Zen” reading room, electricity, and running water 24 hours a day. The Karen Blixen Suite has two bathrooms and an outdoor tub. |
Kids | Yes |
Double | Yes, double bed – twin bed on request |
Triple | On request, extra bed |
AC | No |
Laundry | Yes complimentary |
Mosquito nets on beds | No, not necessary; tents are mosquito proof |
Swimming pool | Yes |
Bathroom | Shower, WC, bidet, lavabo, cotton terry towels, soap, shampoo, shower gel, moisturizer |
External tub | Yes, only on the terrace of the Suite Karen Blixen |
Hairdryer | Yes |
Room service | Yes |
Phone | For emergency |
Internet | Yes, at cost, in the lounge area |
Safe in the tent | No, give your values to the manager |
Guests with handicap | Yes, with assistance |
Electricity | Available 24h |
Check out | Organized for the flight or at 10 am |
Accommodation for Private Guide | 2 tents – or in a single bedroom at the Staff Quarter |
Vehicles 4WD | N. 3 Land Cruiser open side and roof, 5 side seats; |
The camp has a total of 7 tents.
- 5 tents are built out of sumptuous caramel canvas and sustainably grown wood raised on platforms above the gently flowing Kindani River will turn your stay at Rhino River Camp into a quiet, exclusive experience.
- 2 Tents are located away from the river, facing a natural forest for those that prefer to be away from the sound of Kindani Rivers running water. 2 of the river-facing tents have their own private ‘zen’ area where you can meditate, re-read your favorite novel, or simply unwind.
Tents by authors: The tents at Rhino River Camp are named by authors who devoted beautiful and epic pages to Kenya and Africa. The Suite is dedicated to Karen Blixen: her Out of Africa is one of the moving glimpses of life and love in Kenya. Ernst Hemingway, who painted in bright colors, thrilling pages of safari hunting in his Green Hills of Africa and The snows of Kilimanjaro. A tent is dedicated to the visionary writer Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan story. One tent is named after the Kenyan Nguji Wa’Tiongo, tracing the history of his people and the human condition, who has become one of the greatest writers from Africa. Finally, artist and photographer Peter Beard that shot the most breathtaking images of Kenya.
The Karen Blixen Suite: The Suite is 100 sq meters (330 sq. feet) and has a master bedroom, a sitting room (easily doubling as a second bedroom for kids), two bathrooms, an external plunge pool, and an ample balcony. It is along the river and surrounded by huge raffia palms. Ideal for honeymooners, for families, or for couples who like large spaces!
Activities
- Game Drives: Meru National Park is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife. Our four-wheel-drive vehicles and professional guides are at your disposal to explore the bush at your pace. Seen in their natural habitat, the animals of Meru afford the visitor a wonderful experience of African wilderness and raw, unspoiled nature, complemented by the beautiful landscapes visible at every turn. You are likely to see rhinos, lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, reticulated giraffes, and many more. Not to mention birdlife in Meru is peculiarly diverse with over 600 species listed. Our guides are all members of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association.
- Fishing: Enjoy casting your fishing line along Rojewero and Tana rivers to catch the many edible species living in the park. You can “catch & release” or bring your fish to cook at the camp!
- Bush Meals: Ask us to arrange for a bush breakfast or a bush lunch. This will allow you to spend more time on your game drive not to mention the thrill and the pleasure of having a meal in the wilderness of Africa.
- Bush Walks: In our privately owned compound we have carved a few paths which will allow you to walk comfortably around our pristine environment on foot. The paths are specially selected to take you to where you are most likely to see unusual birds and many other small creatures around the camp. One hundred and eighty-nine different species of birds have been officially identified in the compound of the camp alone. You can also leave the confines of the lodge and explore by foot nearby farms, villages, and the countryside.
- Hiking: We will bring you in our vehicle at the foothill of “Kilimajero” an extinct small volcano at just 4 Km away. The crater can be easily climbed to discover the small forest hidden inside it and to enjoy 360° views over the Park from its rim. The more energetic could walk (about 5 Km) to the discovery of the Kiolu river falls: magnificently encompassed by a steep rock amphitheater, the falls are a hidden secret reward.
- Swimming Pool: You can relax in our swimming pool near the Kindani River Which runs beside the Camp. Enjoy having a bath after the Game Drive while your children play and splash in the water. You can sunbathe in one of the canvas chairs or relax under the shade of various trees surrounding the pool.
- Mountain Bike Riding: ride a mountain bike provided on one of the many paths and dusty roads surrounding Camp. You’ll ride through “shamba” (farms) of maize and bananas, through tiny villages, or you can get wet crossing one of the rivers of Meru. An opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery and rhythms of life that are classically African…
- Sundowner: Sundowners are the ideal way to end your day. Enjoy a drink with a view from the small crater “Kilimajero” which is a short distance from Rhino River Camp. The setting sun on the Nyambeni Hills will add to your enjoyment. Or ask us to arrange for a sundowner in one of the spots we have selected into the Park.
- Massages and beauty treatments: After a busy day of adventure in the bush, why not relax completely with a massage or a beauty treatment from our skilled masseuse? A break at Rhino River Camp is a break away from the stresses, deadlines, and worries of a busy life back home, so take this opportunity to indulge yourself in the beautiful surroundings of Meru.
- Library: In the tents and the main area there is a vast selection of “Africa” novels, essays and coffee table books for guests to enjoy freely
Cuisine
Let us surprise you with a selection of gourmet dishes with an Italian accent. Our food is praised by every single guest. It is refreshing, after a morning or an afternoon spent in the bush, knowing that you can expect a meal up to the highest standard. Our chefs are known for their very high standard of international haute cuisine with an Italian touch, always excellently rated by travel guides and our guests
Meru National Park
The Meru National Park is also known as the “Complete Wilderness” covers an area of 870 sq. km. It straddles the equator about 360 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. Its western boundary is delineated by Nyambeni volcanic hills that rise to 2500 meters above sea level. These hills, with their peaks covered with forests, act as a formidable river system, creating 13 permanent rivers that crisscross the park. Such an abundance of water that flows through a largely arid part of Kenya creates a mosaic of different habitats that make the Meru one of the most biodiverse parks in Africa Swamps, rainforests, savannah, thin and thick forest, giving way to create a stunning and varied landscape of unparalleled compared to many other parts of East Africa. This type of vegetation is home to an equally varied enormously varied and abundant wildlife. At Meru, we can easily spot all the Big Five – elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard – and the Special Five: gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, onyx of Beysa, reticulated giraffe, and Somali ostrich among other varieties of mammals, and 600 species of birds. The Meru NP is contiguous to a huge protected area that includes the Reserves and National Bisanadi, Mwingi, and Kora National Park, forming a protected area of over 4000 sq. km. The Rhino Sanctuary: From the late ’90s, Kenya Wildlife Service has re-introduced in the Meru National Park is the white rhino is the rarest black. The rhinos were captured and transported from areas where their population exceeded sustainability. The 60 rhinos in Meru NP come from the Nakuru National Park, Nairobi National Park, and Lewa Downs Conservancy