Mbweha Camp

Acacia woodlands, rocky escarpments, and the famous soda lake itself characterise the Great Rift Valley ecosystem around Lake Nakuru, an area supporting significant populations of both black and white rhinoceros.

Mbweha Camp occupies a secluded location within a dry riverbed in the private Delamere Conservancy, approximately 160 kilometres from Nairobi and just outside the national park's formal boundary.

The Main Lodge and Grounds at Mbweha Camp

Local lava rock and high-pitched, makuti-thatched roofs form the central lodge area, creating a spacious and cool interior. This main building contains the reception, a communal lounge with an open fireplace, and the primary dining area.

Stone pathways connect the main lodge to the individual guest tents, which the camp strategically positions along the riverbed to afford a degree of privacy. The entire property is unfenced, allowing wildlife from the conservancy to move freely through the grounds.

Tented Cottage Accommodation at Mbweha Camp

The camp provides accommodation in ten cottages, each built as a permanent tented structure on a raised stone plinth. Canvas walls and a traditional thatch roof help the design blend with the surrounding bush environment.

Each self-contained unit is accessed via a short flight of stone steps that lead to a private verandah furnished with safari chairs.

Inside the Tented Cottages

Each cottage interior features a large, four-poster bed draped with mosquito netting, polished wooden floors, and an en-suite bathroom. The bathrooms contain a flush toilet, washbasin, and a shower with hot and cold running water.

A solar system with generator backup supplies power for lighting and charging electronic devices. Guests should anticipate that power for charging is restricted to specific generator running times. Key amenities include:

• En-suite bathroom facilities
• Private verandah
• In-room charging points on a generator schedule
• Complimentary bottled water
• Luggage rack and wardrobe space

Safari Activities from Mbweha Camp

Mbweha Camp's location within the Delamere Conservancy provides access to activities not permissible within the adjacent national park. The conservancy itself is home to a range of plains game, including eland, zebra, giraffe, and various gazelle species. This exclusive access allows for a more varied safari itinerary compared to properties located inside the park.

Guided bush walks and night game drives are the primary exclusive offerings. Night drives, conducted after sunset, present opportunities to observe nocturnal species such as aardvark, leopard, and bat-eared fox, which are rarely seen on standard daytime trips. Bush walks offer a ground-level perspective on the ecosystem, focusing on animal tracking, botany, and insect life.

For classic big-game viewing, the camp organises scheduled game drives into Lake Nakuru National Park. These excursions focus on locating the park's healthy rhino populations and observing its prolific birdlife, which includes vast flocks of flamingos, Great White Pelicans, and African Fish Eagles. The camp's proximity to the park's main Nderit Gate, a journey of approximately 20 to 25 minutes by vehicle, makes it a logistically efficient base for these park excursions.

Key Facts about Mbweha Camp

Our Expert Verdict on Mbweha Camp

Mbweha Camp suits safari-goers seeking a more exclusive and activity-rich experience than is typically available from lodges situated inside the national park. The availability of night drives and walking safaris within the private Delamere Conservancy offers a distinct advantage.

However, the camp's unfenced nature and the free movement of wildlife through the property make it less suitable for families with very young children or for travellers who are not comfortable in close proximity to wildlife.