Fly Camping: The Luxury of Simplicity

Step back in time to the elegantly simple safaris of Ernest Hemingway and Denys Finch Hatton.  Back in the 1930s, before in-flight movies and infinity pools, explorers enjoyed a different kind of luxury: the serene splendor of unspoiled wilderness.  Fly camping at Campi ya Kanzi is a tribute to a bygone era, a blend of old Africa and modern comfort in a pristine, timeless landscape.  Imagine tracking elephants with a Maasai guide before cozying up to the fire with a glass of fine wine and a view of Mount Kilimanjaro.  Eat a three-course dinner under a sprawling shroud of stars.  Then retire to your tent with a kerosene lamp and a warm Maasai blanket.  You can even take a hot bucket shower to keep with tradition.  Who needs five stars when you can sleep under a billion?

A classic safari tent awaits you at our fly camp in Motikanju Conservancy.

You may be asking yourself, "What is a fly camp exactly?"  A fly camp is a simple, mobile camp in a remote area.  Fly camps were once used by hunters who needed to pack light and move quickly in order to follow game.  The fly of a tent is the top outer layer that shelters the structure from the elements.  If hunters were in a hurry, they could sleep under a fly without pitching a tent.

At Campi ya Kanzi, "fly camp" has a dual meaning because we also fly to the location.  Guests enjoy a short, scenic flight to and from the fly camp in our giraffe-spotted bush plane, soaring over green hills, lava forests, and herds of hartebeest and elephants.  Our fly camp is located in Motikanju Conservancy, a private nature reserve that is dedicated to wildlife and free of human presence.

Our bush plane flies in for a landing at the fly camp.

Campi ya Kanzi guests who would like to experience an authentic, old-fashioned safari in "Out of Africa" style can request to go fly camping as a special added activity.  This is offered as an extra for those who would like to try something new and spend a night away from the main lodge.  The rustic charm of the fly camp has captured many hearts and imaginations, and it is a beautiful place to make safari memories.  Scroll down to see photos of our simple savannah paradise.

The top cover of a tent is called the fly, hence the name fly camp.
Get back to basics in a cozy tent like this one.

Each tent can sleep one or two people in twin-size cots.

The dinner table is set under an acacia tree as the sun goes down.

A cook and waiter on site serve the same delicious cuisine
that is served in Tembo House at Campi ya Kanzi.

Guests can gather around the fire to watch the sunset and enjoy a drink.

A Maasai attendant builds a warm fire that will glow through the night.

On a clear evening, you may see the moon rise over the Chyulu Hills.

This saffron savannah moon is the best we have ever seen at the fly camp!