Kambi Ya Tembo ('Camp of Elephants'), West Kilimanjaro

The top of some of the guest accommodation tents (with thatched coverings over their tops to keep them cool) are just visible from the camp's open air boma

We recently spent the day at a lovely, rustic tented camp in the West Kilimanjaro area called 'Kambi Ya Tembo' ('Camp of Elephants') - it is within driving distance of our farm, and we met some of our neighbours there (who farm in the same area as the camp) for Sunday lunch. This camp used to be a temporary camp (many temporary camps here dismantle during the rainy months when game viewing can be poor and roads a muddy mess !) but is now a permanent camp.

The airy, thatched lounge/dining area has comfy sofa's and a floor of powdery sand - a novel idea, and one which fits in well with the rustic atmosphere of the camp

The camp - which is inside a private concession of around 600 square km's - borders Kenya's 'Amboseli National Park' and Tanzania, and has magnificent, sweeping views out over Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and the surrounding Acacia studded plains. It is called the 'Camp of Elephants' due to the presence of huge elephant bulls (some as old as 50 years) which can at times be spotted here. (I spoke with a lady who had recently seen a small herd of elephant drinking from a waterhole within a stone's throw from the main dining area of the camp).

The magnificent views from the dining area give an idea of the vastness of the surrounding area

The concession in which the camp lies is part of a Community Conservation Project which benefits the Maasai people of the area. The Maasai in this area still live very much in the traditional way - dressing in their traditional tribal clothing and following age old ceremonies and rituals, and are relatively untouched by the 'outside' world.

Seats with a view - which can't be beat !

I'm sorry that I did not take any close-up shots of the guest tents (one of the waiters kindly gave us a guided tour) but they are very nice - clean, spacious, comfortable and nicely decorated and all with en suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/basin) and small veranda's with magnificent views out over the surrounding countryside.

Our dining table - situated under the airy, open central dining/lounge boma

The central camp areas consist of a huge thatched lounge and dining boma - with comfortable sofa's, coffee tables and a nice selection of wildlife books. The floor of these areas is sand, and it is quite novel to be sitting on a comfy sofa with sand at your feet ! The idea works well and fits in with the surroundings.

These main areas look out on to a man made watering hole - perfect for game viewing. After lunch a few of us went on a short walk around the watering hole, and we were told that longer guided bush walks could easily be arranged for guests, as well as night game drives and cultural day trips to local Maasai villages.

The open air boma where a camp fire is lit at night - the perfect spot for an after dinner drink !

There is also an open air boma adjoining the dining area, where a big camp fires is lit at night - a perfect spot for enjoying your after dinner drink !

The lunch which we had there was simple, tasty home cooking - vegetable stir-fry, beef and been stews, savoury rice, salad and for dessert we were served fruit salad followed by Tanzanian tea and coffee and vanilla sponge cake.

The staff were friendly and efficient and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this as a lovely camp to spend a few nights at. We''ll definitely return for another meal sometime, and I realise how very lucky we are having a lovely spot like this virtually on our doorstep.