The early morning sunlight penetrates Chogela’s shady camp and bathes my banda. The noises of the night are fresh in my mind: the sound of the wind through the trees and the tinkle of crisp, dry seed pods falling like tiny bells to the ground; soft footfalls of a human or camp dog gently passing my abode; a bush baby crying high up in the trees; a lone bell ringing through the camp at some deep point of my sleep; and, as morning comes round, the murmuring of human voices and the lowing of cattle that serve as a pleasant alarm clock. I did not hear the hyena call out to express its interest in the livestock corralled in a Maasai kraal on the edge of the camp: such was my deep sleep. There were many other delights in Chogela’s peaceful, tidy and well-organised camp: locally-woven baskets  upturned into a small table with the lid as a table top; the use of natural materials for the huts and toilet blocks; and a just-enough philosophy that provides sufficient comfort but does not pander to every perceived need and whim.

Visit the Chogela camp website: http://chogelasafaricamp.wixsite.com/chogelasafaricamp