Kalacha Camp Chalbi Desert, Kenya

Kalacha Camp; Kalacha Camp is situated on the edge of an oasis in the Chalbi Desert between Maikona and North Horr, and 40 miles south of the Ethiopian border. Kalacha Camp sits on the edge of a permanent oasis. The flight from Nairobi to Kalacha Camp takes 2.5 hours by charter flight. The Camp has been funded by the European Union, Farm Africa and the Estate of the late John Sutton, who used this area as a base for his bird shooting safaris. Kalacha Camp has been set up as a community based project for the Gabbra people of this area, providing them with a further source of income, and is managed by Tropic Air.

The Chalbi Desert is a huge area of around 100,000 sq km of virtually flat sandy desert, to the east of Lake Turkana. The reason to visit this incredibly remote palm-lined oasis is to watch the camels come to water and to interact with the fascinating Gabbra tribe's people. It is a simple camp, with just four rustic bandas and an open sided mess by a small swimming pool. Access is by private charter, your pilot acting as your guide during your stay, which will probably also include a flying visit to Lake Turkana on the way back. A fabulous and wild experience most cost effective in a group of four.

Kalacha Camp is run by a team of Gabbra, members of the Kalacha Camel Fund and Kalacha Self Improvement Group both are self help groups which are working to improve the livelihood of their community. As a visitor, it is gratifying to know that one's money is assisting with the welfare of rural communities, while at the same time helping to conserve the environment in one of Kenya's most remote region.

 

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Kalacha Camp Accommodation Rates

	Standard Single	Standard Double	Standard Triple
Non-Residents (self catering):	110 US Dollars	220 US Dollars	330 US Dollars
Non-Residents with food and drinks:	165 US Dollars	330 US Dollars	495 US Dollars

 

Notes

* Children between 5 and 12 years pay 10 US Dollars
* Use of Camp Vehicle: 2 US Dollars per Kilometer

* Gabbra Dancers: 30 US Dollars

 

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Kalacha Camp Accommodations

Kalacha Camp Pool at Sunrise Chalbi Desert - Kenya

Kalacha Camp in the Chalbi Desert - Kenya

Kalacha Camp in the Chalbi Desert - Kenya

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Kalacha Camp is a very simple camp, built using local materials, including doum palm trunks for the poles, and leaves woven into mats which have been used for the roofs and walls. The camp consists of 4 bandas with twin beds, and each banda has its own bathroom, with flush toilet and cold shower. The bandas have a small veranda on the front, and overlook the oasis. Kalacha Camp mess area is a circular building, and consists of the main living area and dining area. A kidney shaped swimming/plunge pool partly enters into the mess area – and is an extremely refreshing escape from the hot and dry desert weather.

The mess area is fully furnished with dining and lounge facilities. All bedding, nets, towels, cutlery, crockery, kitchen ware and cooking utensils are provided. Charcoal for cooking can be brought in the town. The camp is self catering, and one needs to be well stocked as very little can be brought in the way of food and drinks from the town. There is a paraffin fridge, which will help keep most foods fresh and drinks cool. There are 4 Staff who will be willing to help cook, clean, wash up and do any laundry you may have and will be happy to show you to the town.

 

Kalacha Camp Chalbi Desert Activities

Gabbra Dancers at Kalacha Camp - Kenya

Kalacha Camp Sandgrouse Shooting - Kenya

Kalacha Camp Village Visits Chalbi Desert - Kenya

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Kalacha Camp has great photographic opportunities with the beautiful and unusual desert scenery and constantly changing lights and colors. At Kalacha camp one can:

 

* Visit the village to gain an insight into Gabbra traditions

* Watch herds of livestock replenish with water at the oasis

* Visit the ancient 'rock art' of giraffe, elephant and antelope

* Take sundowners in the desert on the edge of the lava flows
* Enjoy Gabbra dancers and plays, demonstrating traditional Gabbra marriage ceremonies

* Visit Kalacha Town to see a small Catholic Church – the interior lined with amazing biblical paintings
* The area is famous for Sandgrouse. In the early morning huge flights of Sandgrouse arrive at the water holes from surrounding desert areas. Shooting seasons are 1st February to 31st March and 1st July to 31st October each year.

 

Other Attractions from Kalacha Camp

Kalacha Camp immediate surrounding areas can be visited by air for the day or in the morning.
* Visit South Island for a totally unique fishing adventure for Nile Perch and Tilapia.
* Lunch or tea at Oasis Lodge, Loyengalani, South Lake, where you can enjoy the swimming pool, surroundings areas and maybe take a boat ride to the El Molo village.
* Koobi Fora on the North Eastern shores of Lake Turkana. This area has great archaeological importance, and is a site the Leakey Family uncovered in the 1970’s. Today it is widely regarded as the ‘Cradle of Mankind”.

 

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Kalacha Camp. What to Take On Safari
* Food: BBQ meats are great for evenings. As it is so hot during the day, cold lunches are ideal. Traditional breakfasts always go down well. There are no food supplies at the camp, so do remember to take sauces and jams.
* Drinks: Please do take your own bottled water. One does get extremely dehydrated and thirsty at Kalacha, so take plenty of sodas, juices, beer, and also wine and spirits, depending on your preferences.
* Clothing: One really needs to bear in mind the high temperatures and the intensity of the sun in the Chalbi Desert. Cotton shirts and shorts are ideal. Hats and sun block are a necessity during the day. Evenings get a little cooler. There are mosquitoes at Kalacha and insect repellent is a necessity.
* You do not need to take: Toilet roll, bath soap, washing powder.

 

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