Shompole,Kenya,Lodge,Safari,Luxury,Africa,Rift Valley

Breathtaking views from the Western escarpement of the Great Rift Valley, incredible sunrises and a lodge that is an architectural wonder. Shompole is an incredible, luxurious adventure into territories new.

Perched halfway up the western escarpement of the Great Rift Valley, at its southernmost end on the border with Tanzania, Shompole is the sole presider over a harsh landscape of  thorny bush, salt pans and volcanoes. Game is gradually finding its way back here - the northernmost end of the migration route - and many lion and leopard have returned to prey on it although this land is also home to the flamingo and hyena. Shompole is situated in the cradle of mankind, a place untouched by modern man where one can appreciate and absorb the surrounding wilderness landscape and environment.

The creation of a highly respected conservationist, Shompole has been built using local materials and with the full involvement of the local Maasai community so that everyone benefits - people, habitat and wildlife. Constructed using naturally occurring white quartz stone, pale thatch, hessian and the most beautiful fallen fig wood, each of the open tented rooms is enormously spacious and coolly shady. Water is the key at Shompole - flowing continually from a natural spring, each room has its own plunge pool and little waterway which cools the hot air as it drifts up from the valley below. The sensational infinity pool is a dream, taking its form from the hill, looking out to Shompole Mountain.

Quite simply, Shompole is extraordinary. One can happily gaze for hours at the magnificent vista, laze in the pool or loll in the lounge with a cool drink and a book. Alternatively, one can explore the valley more closely: there are walks, game drives, river trips on the Ewaso Nyiro and sundowner visits to Lake Natron where a leopard may join you amidst the young flamingoes.

The bush camp is well worth spending a night at, becoming more intimate with the environment and courageously earning the luxury that awaits, back on the hill! Bathrooms with views across the Great Rift Valley, fresh cuisine, abundant birdlife and noone around for miles and miles, Shompole sits in the cradle of mankind. Words and pictures cannot tell the whole story but once sampled, the magic of Shompole is not easily forgotten.