GALDESSA
Tsavo National Reserve
Kenya

Introduction

Galdessa is an upmarket eco tented camp located 15km upstream from Lugards Falls in Tsavo East. The word Galdessa comes from the Walangulu word meaning 'baboon'. Located on the southern bank of the Galana River overlooking the Yatta Plateau, the camp's remote location in a very wild part of the park ensues that tourism is kept to a minimum.

Camp Description

Galdessa comprises of 11 comfortable and spacious thatched and semi-tented bungalows on wooden platforms. The bungalows are all fitted with an en suite bathroom with traditional bucket shower, flush toilet, basin with running water and private veranda. Each bungalow is situated a good distance apart to ensure the guests' privacy. Galdessa also boats a private camp with 3 en suite bungalows. Two of the bungalows (Banda 4 and 7) have separate sitting rooms and large, private verandas on stilts. The main lodge houses a spacious dining area, bar and comfortable lounge area. The thatch rood, Galana stone floors and deep, bed-size sofas give it a coastal atmosphere.

Game Viewing

Tsavo National Park is still very much pristine and without mass tourism which does not come to this remote yet magical part of the park. Tsavo West is an international wildlife and environmental treasure chest. It contains a variety or habitat, geological soil types, plants, animals and birds. Tsavo West is hillier, rockier, greener and more vegetated than Tsavo East. Wildlife regularly use the campgrounds, especially elephants at least 8 000 in number. The camp is located in one of Africa's most successful conservation projects, and Galdessa works closely with Kenya's Wildlife Service's black rhino re-introduction project. They are lucky to have 51 black rhinos in its direct vicinity, Africa's largest unfenced black rhino population. Lion, cheetah, serval cat, genet, Masai giraffe, waterbuck, impala, lesser kudu, Perter's gazelle, dik dik, zebra, fringe-eared oryx, eland, mongoose and monitor lizard frequent this area of Tsavo. The park is also rich in birdlife, with birds migrating from as far as Malawi, Oman, Iran, Germany and Russia.

Wildlife Activities

• Open 4WD game drives and wildlife sightings

• Walking safaris

• Day trips to the Rhino Sanctuary, Chaimu Lava Floor, Sheitani Lava or Roaring Rocks

How To Get There

SUNSAFARIS can arrange scheduled flights to Tsavo National Park's airstrips.
To/From Nairobi: The camp is a 1 hour flight from Nairobi. Galdessa has an all weather strip (Lugard) which is a 15 minute drive from the camp. Park entry must first be made at Manyani Airstrip to settle park fees. Manyani airstrip is a 30 minute drive from the camp. Flights can be arranged from Manyani airstrip to Lugard airstrip.
To/From Malindi/Mombasa: Private charter flights can be arranged. The flying time is approximately 35 minutes.

Child Policy

Children are welcome.

Electricty

Solar Power

Seasons

The camp is open for 11 months of the year. It closes in May.