Serena Hotels - Sweetwaters Tented Camp
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Hotel is a luxury permanent tented camp and lies in the heart of privately owned 24,000 acres of
Sweetwaters Game Reserve, enjoying magnificent views across the game - studded plains to the snowcapped peaks of
Mount Kenya. Sweetwaters Tented Camp is a two and a half hour drive from Nairobi. Alternatively, Nanyuki airstrip is a one-hour drive away. Overlooking a floodlit waterhole, the camp offers visitors an unforgettable opportunity to watch and photograph animals in their natural habitat.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp is in a class of its own. Abounding with wildlife unfettered by the more rigorous strictures of the Kenyan National Parks and designed to offer a charming blend of under canvas ambiance and uncompromising luxury. Thanks to its private status it also allows such unforgettable pleasures as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary -The only camp in Kenya to see these highly endangered Chimpanzee primates , visits to Morani, a tame black rhino, night game drives, guided bush walks and camel-trekking across game-teaming plains. Sweetwaters Hotel we built in the early 1970s, the main building was originally the residence of billionaire Adnan Khashoggi’s ranch manager. An addition in 1988, the luxuriously appointed en-suite tents overlook the waterhole, a haven for thirsty wildlife.
Sweetwaters is the name adopted by the local people of this area for the fresh, sweet, water tapped from the ground. Sweetwaters Tented Camp lies in the heart of 24,000-acre Sweetwaters Game Reserve, with magnificent views across the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. Floodlit by night, the waterhole provides excellent and secluded game viewing, rarely seen elsewhere. Located in typical savannah grasslands interrupted by the whistling thorn shrubs and Acacia trees, Sweetwaters is truly an oasis. It offers guests the indulgence of a swimming pool, some of the finest tented accommodation in Kenya and a personalized service and attention.
At the Sweetwaters Tented Camp Hotel, there is plenty to do. Guests set out on game drives where their companions are Giraffe, Zebra, Eland, Oryx, Waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, Elephant, Buffalo, Cheetah, Lion, and Silver-backed jackals, Ostrich, Hartebeest, Baboon and Rhino. There are also several hundred-bird species to be observed. Game drives are indeed a pleasure! Here the flora and fauna are found in their totally natural state. Unlike some Kenyan National Parks, the Sweetwaters terrain is not eroded by scores of vehicles; hence the game grazes blissfully, indifferent to the stares of their inquisitive visitors. Game viewing also takes the form of game walks accompanied by a Resident Naturalist, and game rides on horseback.
There also is camel riding, and night game drives are a definite must for guests, as are "bush" lunches or dinners. A new addition to the Sweetwaters family is the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and this site is also dedicated to the black rhino breeding area, which all guests are thrilled to visit. A boat ride through this haven is a pleasure indeed. This game sanctuary is the closest reserve to Nairobi (2.5 hrs drive) home to all the big five game, and has the highest ratio of game-to-area of any park or reserve in Kenya. Luxury tents, excellent game viewing, and superb cuisine places Sweetwaters Tented Camp in a class of its own.
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is incorporated within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and is the only place in Kenya where this highly endangered and remarkably intelligent species can be seen. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened in 1993 in a negotiated agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Jane Goodall Institute. The facility was initially established to receive and provide life-long refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from west and central Africa. An initial group of three chimpanzee orphans were brought to the sanctuary from a facility in Bujumbura, Burundi in 1993.
This group of chimpanzees needed to be evacuated due to the outbreak of civil war in Burundi. This was followed in 1995 by another group of 9 adult chimpanzees, followed by another 10 in 1996. Over the last decade Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary has been compelled to keep accepting chimpanzees rescued from traumatic situations bringing the total number of chimpanzees in the sanctuary to 43. At Sweetwaters Sanctuary chimpanzees are being carefully nursed back to health so they can enjoy the rest of their days in the safety of a vast natural enclosure. The chimpanzees live in two large groups separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River. Sweetwaters is a chartered member of the Pan Africa Sanctuary Alliance an alliance of 18 sanctuaries in 12 African countries, currently caring for over 800 orphaned and/or confiscated chimpanzees. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary role is to help conserve chimpanzees and other primates and their habitats through public education and lobbying for political goodwill.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Hotel Accommodation
Accommodation in Sweetwaters Tented camp is provided in 39 luxuriously appointed tents. Each tent has a thatched roof, an ensuite bathroom and its own veranda with views over the waterhole. Full room service is provided. There are a total of 39 tents composed of 7 doubles, 28 twins and 4 triples. 10 of the tents are raised on a platform, 20 on the ground floor. 10 extra beds can be made available. 4 baby cots and 2 high chairs can be made available on request. 25 of the 39 tents face a large waterhole and beyond, the magnificent views of Mount Kenya. Behind the tents on the ground level, erected on concrete plinths, are those on raised wooden platforms.
All Sweetwaters tents are covered by a thatch roof and are cool even during the hottest day. Each spacious tent has a verandah with two camp chairs and a table. Sweetwaters Tented Camp has both overhead and bedside lights, a dressing table and cupboard with hangars and a suitcase rack. Also in the tent is an umbrella, boiled water and glasses, insecticides and air fresheners and a flashlight. Mosquito proofing gauze and flaps cover the windows, and the tents are front zip-up. Each bathroom is provided with a shower stall, flush toilets in the bathroom, and washbasin. The camp provides shampoo, body lotion, bath and shower gel, and bathrobes and freshly laundered towels. There is hot and cold running water in each tent but no electrical outlets in tents.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Restaurant
Khashoggi Lounge: Also located in the main building, the Khashoggi Bar is a comfortable lounge which extends into 3 sections: 2 of these have a shared fireplace lit from 5.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m., while the third is an annex to the Rhino Restaurant. This annex has a small verandah, which leads out into the Waterhole. Bar, and is decorated in warm colors with cushions and deep stuffed sofas and rugs. Afternoon tea is served here from 4.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Rhino Restaurant: Set in the main building, the Rhino Restaurant's windows let in a lot of natural light and a delightful breeze in this warm climate. The restaurant has a view of the waterhole. The menu is a combination of European, African and Asian dishes, made from an abundance of fresh Kenyan produce. Both breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a 5-course Table D'hôte, with a choice of main courses. The restaurant can seat 80 people, and is open for breakfast from 7.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., lunch 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. and dinner 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.. Children's early dinner (on request) is from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Waterhole Lounge: Elevated some 20 feet off the ground, this lounge overlooks the waterhole giving you a superb view of the wildlife visiting to quench their thirst. The Waterhole Lounge is an ideal venue for small cocktail parties or dinner parties. The seating capacity is 30 people, or for cocktails 20 people. Private dinners can be arranged here for up to 12 people.
Swimming Pool Verandah: Located by the swimming pool, the verandah has a generous barbeque pit. The area is und the swimming pool is ideal for private cocktail parties, dinners and barbeques. Barbeque dinners are served on request, and curry lunches on Sundays, weather permitting.
Room Service: Room service only offers tea/coffee with wake-up calls. This service is not a common feature at Sweetwaters but meals and beverages can be served in tents on request.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary: The chimpanzee sanctuary is the only one of its kind in Kenya. Visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity of observing the chimps by boat on the Uwasi Nyiro River. The riverine forest and the savannah grassland of the sanctuary are home to 26-orphaned chimpanzee primates. Here one has the opportunity to meet with Poco, who spent six years of his life imprisoned in a small birdcage suspended from a roof, a garage. Now poco is a handsome, contented chimp, able to explore his habitat.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Facilities:
Sweetwaters Tented Camp is well equipped with facilities such as:
● Warm Towel & Welcome Drink
● Exquisite Rhino Restaurant providing Al fresco & Table d’hôte Dining
● Waterhole Bar with uninterrupted view of the waterhole
● Kashoggi Bar & Lounge to enjoy a light aperitif or a relaxing nightcap
● Outdoor Swimming Pool
● Laundry & Valet Services
● Business Centre & Facilities, including Secretarial & Internet Services
● Health & Sports Activities
Special Features:
● Gift Shop
● Sundowners
● Bush Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities:
● Game Drives
● Nature Walks
● Horse Riding
● Camel Trekking
Conference facilities: - The camp can be adapted to form an exclusive private conference centre with full communications and organizational backup and a wide range of delegate-tailored events.
Weddings: - An exquisite wedding venue, Sweetwaters offers the ultimate blend of sublime location, superb catering, unique accommodation and "Out of Africa" mystique.
Facts about Sweetwaters Tented Camp:
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Location: Sweetwaters and Ol Pejeta Game Sanctuary, Kenya, Africa.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp Accommodation Rooms Available: 39 luxuriously appointed tents. Each tent has a thatched roof, an ensuite bathroom and its own verandah with views over the saltlick and waterhole.
Maximum Occupancy at Sweetwaters Tented Camp: 4
Sweetwater Tented camp a classic family accommodation –yes
Sweetwaters Tented Camp is a base to climbing Mt Kenya and close to luxury Mount Kenya safari club
Sweetwaters Tented Camp in Mount Kenya including hotels in Mount Kenya with Mount Kenya holiday experts offering tours to Mount Kenya African Safaris Adventure.
