Satao Camp is one of Tsavo East National Park’s most celebrated permanent tented camps, occupying a unique position in a shaded grove of ancient tamarind trees overlooking a natural waterhole one of Tsavo’s most productive wildlife gathering points. Named after a legendary elephant who was one of Africa’s largest living tuskers, the camp operates a commitment to keeping the waterhole permanently filled, ensuring a constant procession of wildlife throughout the day and under the floodlights after dark. Operated by Southern Cross Safaris one of Kenya’s most established and trusted tour operators Satao delivers the classic ‘Out of Africa’ tented safari experience with genuine warmth and impeccable guiding.
Twenty spacious en-suite tents 16 standard tents and 4 suites positioned closest to the waterhole are arranged in a half-circle around the waterhole, each with a private veranda and views of the wildlife action. Tsavo’s famous ‘red elephants’ so called for the ochre-coloured dust they coat themselves in can draw up to 1,000 individuals a day to the waterhole, making the wildlife spectacle in camp alone a reason to visit. Game drives depart morning and afternoon in open 4WD vehicles with qualified Professional Safari Guides. Al-fresco lunch is served under a 200-year-old tamarind tree beside the waterhole. A comfortable lounge with watchtower, pool, bar, and campfire complete the communal areas.
Tsavo is served by several airstrips. Tsavo West’s Finch Hattons Airstrip and Kilaguni Airstrip are reached by charter flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL) in approximately one hour. Tsavo East is served by Voi and Manyani airstrips. Scheduled charters operate with SafariLink and Air Kenya. By road, Tsavo is approximately 4–5 hours from Nairobi and 4–6 hours from Mombasa along the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa highway. The SGR Standard Gauge Railway connects Nairobi and Mombasa with stations at Mtito Andei and Voi, both close to park gates.
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