Campi ya Kanzi, meaning “Camp of the Hidden Treasure”, a community boutique eco lodge situated in the Ernest Hemingway’s iconic Green Hills of Africa, was built in 1996 as a partnership with the Maasai community of the 280,000-acre Kuku Group Ranch. Campi ya Kanzi demonstrates a unique commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable community development, through ecotourism ventures.

The creation of the Campi ya Kanzi Kidz Camp seeks to show to it’s participating clients the importance of three main concepts. First and foremost – the Campi ya Kanzi family loves and cherishes the idea of kids having fun! Luca and Antonella, the founders of Campi ya Kanzi, have happily raised their three children (5 years old, 7 and 11) in the safety and exclusivity of the Chyulu Hills of Kenya. This concept remains important in their continued vision of the camp, and they have hope of passing on the same enjoyment that their children were exposed to, to the visitors of their home.

Secondly, Campi ya Kanzi withstands a lifelong commitment to the environment. The importance of community development will only survive if the next generations are part of it – and that’s where kids come into it the equation.

And finally, there is so much to share about the Maasai community of Kuku Group Ranch and the Maasai culture in this region of Kenya, and what better way for visitors to Campi ya Kanzi to learn about it, then first hand with their Maasai guide and tracker. Whom is not only a loyal and long-term staff of Campi ya Kanzi, but a landlord and keeper of the very land in which is being visited.

What is Kidz Camp?

Campi ya Kanzi Kidz Camp Program is gauged towards children from ages 4-16. Children can enroll in a 2.5-hour morning or afternoon session of Kidz Camp at any point during their stay at Campi ya Kanzi. There are times that younger children will not want to go on another hike or game drive with the rest of their family, if so, what a tremendous opportunity to take part in one of the following activities (all activities will be closely supervised by Maasai staff, and are not be tried at home):

  • Learn how to (safely) throw a spear and make bows and arrows in a traditional Maasai way
  • Learn how to start a fire by rubbing sticks together
  • Learn about how Maasai men are some of the greatest jumpers on earth – and children can learn their technique (who knows, maybe they will be the next Javier Sotomayor?)
  • Girls (or boys) can learn about the different singing and dancing techniques that Maasai women traditionally have done for Centuries
  • Learn to bead bracelets and ornaments and play traditional Maasai games
  • Learn how the Maasai make the traditional red paint that they apply to their hair during ceremonies. Have fun painting each other’s hair – great photo opportunities!
  • And as we wind down to the end of the program, the kids will sit in a circle and share stories. They will listen to stories from Maasai children about how their lives are, and the visiting children will have the opportunity to share stories of their lives with the Maasai children. The children will hear about the traditions of the Maasai from some of our local elders – an incredible experience that they will hopefully cherish for many years.

Participating children in Kidz Camp will ‘graduate’ with a Campi ya Kanzi Kidz Camp certificate!

What is the significance of Kidz Camp?

Campi ya Kanzi prides itself on being a family. It is not just a family that embraces and helps to serve the thousands of Maasai who live on the ranch, it is not just a family of employees who work at the camp, but the presence of the founders, Luca and Antonella, and their children, is always felt while visiting Campi ya Kanzi.

The relevance of Kidz Camp aligns closely with the strong philosophy of the camp, the guiding principles of our camp, as well as our Trust – the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Focusing on conservation, health and education, the Trust partners with the camp – and therefore with all visitors who stay at the camp.

The success and true significance of these ideals Campi ya Kanzi would like to strive to be embraced by children from all over the world. Conserving the culture of the Maasai, conserving this sacred land, conserving the wildlife that they have shared the land with, will continue to be a reality when this generation of children is able to understand the significance of it.

Finally, Africa travellers – both young and old – are striving to get more out of their safari experience, more now than ever before. They want to feel like they have contributed to something, they want to walk away with new skills, new information or a new understanding. Campi ya Kanzi Kidz Camp is the perfect conduit to achieve these goals and the program is happily offered at no cost to any children visiting the camp.

Campi ya Kanzi welcomes all travellers to Kenya to experience and be a part of their story, to join their family in their home in the bush, and live their dream safari in the Green Hills of Africa.

For more information:
www.maasai.com