Fact File
A
Activities
We offer a variety of activities on and around Soysambu Conservancy. Please consult the “What to see and do” section of this folder for details and rates.
Airstrip
An airstrip is available for the use of our guests. It is 6kms from the lodge (a 15 minute drive).
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Bar policy
Lunch and dinner are inclusive of soft drinks. Non-resident full board and all-inclusive rates are inclusive of 3 glasses of house wine or local beer per person per meal. Any additional drinks ordered will be added to your bill. The bar price list is included within this compendium and displayed on the bar.
Bar opening times
The bar in the main lodge is open from 9am to midnight. We do not recommend that you walk to the main lodge after dark. For this reason one of our security guides will call at your room at 7pm to see if you would like an escort up to the lounge/bar.
Birthdays
If you have a birthday during your stay, please let us know – we can arrange a birthday celebration.
Baby-sitting/child supervision
We are happy to provide a baby-sitting service for your children (at additional cost). We would be grateful, however, if you could give us at least 8-hour’s notice of your requirement.
Blankets and additional pillows
Additional blankets and pillows are stored in the wardrobe in your room.
Bird watching
Soysambu hosts 450 species of birds (a bird list is included in this compendium). We offer guided bird walks and dedicated ornithological tours can be arranged for groups.
Breakfast
Is served 7am – 9am in the main lodge dining room. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.
Bush dining
We will be happy to arrange bush breakfasts, lunches or dinners (at additional cost) – please refer to our activities page for further details.
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Checklists: birds, animal, reptile
Mammal, reptilian and bird lists are included within this set of room literature please. Should you take a guided walk, your guide will also supply copies.
Check-out
We would appreciate it if our guests could checkout no later than 10.30am. Please contact reception if you would like to arrange for late checkout (which is dependent upon availability).
Children
We welcome children of all ages. Special children’s meals can be provided at a time to suit your children – please advise our reception staff as to your requirements. Baby cots can be provided as well as extra beds (with mosquito nets). We also offer baby-sitting services and a range of children’s activities. A selection of games is available from reception. We request that you supervise your children at all times and never allow them to play in the wilderness areas that surround the cottages, or on the link roads.
Complementary tea and coffee
Complementary tea (including herbal teas) and coffee are available in your room. Hot water (in a thermos) will be supplied in the morning and evenings. Orders for afternoon tea will be taken after lunch. Tea and coffee are also available from the bar from 6am to 10pm.
*Comments upon our services *
We will value any comments that you are kind enough to offer on the standard of the services we offer. You will find a comment sheet included within this compendium. If there is any area of our service that you feel we can improve before you depart, please let us know immediately.
Conservancy contribution
Guests are required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the private Soysambu Conservancy. Price per person per day: Non-Resident (adult)$40 (child $20 and student $20). East African resident (adult) Kshs 1,000 (child Kshs 500 and student Kshs 100). A relevant invoice will be supplied upon your departure.
Corporate services
We will be pleased to accommodate corporate parties for team-building exercises, retreats or working groups. The lodge can be also be booked in its entirety and special catering services organized. At present our dedicated conference facility is in the process of being completed.
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Dietary requirements
All meals are planned according to set menus. If, however, you have any dietary preferences please let us know at the time of check in.
Drinking water
We do not recommend that you drink the water from the taps. One bottle of mineral water per day is provided in your room with our compliments. Additional mineral water is available from the bar.
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Emergency
In the case of emergency, please call for a watchman or call 0733 385 156 or 0733 851 000
Electricity
Solar –powered electricity and generator back up is provided via 220-240V/ 3 pin square-plugs/shaver sockets. The power supply will NOT accommodate the use of hairdryers, (which will cause the power to short circuit). Camera batteries and mobile phones can be recharged in your rooms. In the interests of conservation, we request that all unnecessary lights be switched off when you are not in your room.
Early morning tea
Complementary tea (including herbal teas) and coffee are available in your room. Hot water (in a thermos) will be supplied in the morning and evenings. Tea and coffee are also available from the bar from 6am to 10pm.
Eco tourism
The Sleeping Warrior is powered entirely by solar electricity. The water, all of which is rain water, is heated by sustainably harvested Leleshwa wood, gathered by women of the local community and transported by donkey. The tents are roofed using traditional methods, locally sourced hay and local labour. The majority of the furniture is made from re-cycled cedar poles, once used for fencing on the colonial ranch. We are committed to sustainable eco-tourism and share wildlife and water management responsibilities with Soysambu Conservancy, a non-profit organization established to protect the 20,000 hectares. A percentage of the proceeds from the camp go to the local community, five of whose children are being sponsoring through school.
F G H I
Family friendly
We pride ourselves on being ultra-family friendly. For full details please refer to ‘children’ above, or consult our reception staff.
Fire safety
A fire extinguisher is provided in your room. In the case of fire please make your way to the main lodge and assemble in the car park area. In the case of emergency, in the event that you have a cell phone – call: 0733851000 or 0733385156.
First Aid
A first aid kit is available at the lodge. In case of emergency call 0733851000 or 0733385156
Game drives
We offer both day and night guided game drives; please refer to our activities page in this compendium. We regret that Soysambu Conservancy rules do not permit visitors to conduct their own game drives (unless in a 4WD and with one of our guides).
Guided Walk
We offer a range of guided walks; please refer to our list of activities included within this compendium
Hot Water
Hot water will be available in the mornings from 6am to 10am and in the evenings from 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Should you require hot water outside of these times, please let our reception staff know.
Hot water bottles
Hot water bottles will be placed in your bed at night.
Hair dryers
The lodge is powered by solar electricity, which cannot accommodate hairdryers. Please, therefore, DO NOT use hair dryers in the rooms, as the resultant surge will cause the electricity system to close down.
Honeymoons
We offer a range of honeymoon options; please request more details from reception.
Ice
All our ice is made using boiled water and is, therefore, safe for consumption.
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Laundry
We offer a full (chargeable) laundry service, which is operational from 9am (laundry will be returned the following day after 9am). A laundry bag/list is provided in your wardrobe. After completing the list, place your laundry in the bag and inform reception or housekeeping for collection. For cultural reasons, ladies undergarments cannot be washed by our laundry service. Soap flakes are available in your room for this purpose.
Lost and found
Lost and found items can be collected via reception.
Lunch boxes/picnics
We will be delighted to provide you with a picnic for your game drive or onward safari (at additional cost); please request a ‘lunch box’ on the evening before you require it; and indicate whether or not you have any specific dietary requirements.
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Meals and meal times
Meals (set menus) are served in the main lodge. Should you have any dietary preferences, please let us know at the time of booking or check-in. Meal times are as follows: Breakfast 7.00 am – 9.00 am. Lunch 12.30 – 2.00pm. Dinner 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
Medical emergency
Our staff is trained in the delivery of basic first aid. For emergencies requiring services beyond first aid guests must be evacuated either to the local hospital (30 minutes drive) or to Nairobi.
Malaria
Mosquito nets are provided in the rooms and will be lowered at nightfall. Additional nets will be provided for children. Insect repellent devices are also provided within the rooms. Whilst Elmenteita falls outside the malarial areas due to its elevation, we recommend that all normal precautions should still be taken.
Non-smoking areas
Smoking in public places is prohibited by the Kenyan government and the majority of the lodge is a non-smoking area. However, in the interests of those guests who wish to smoke, we have provided a designated smoking area on the terrace.
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Phone service
In the interests of preserving the wilderness environment, phones are not provided in the rooms. Should you require emergency use of a telephone, please contact our reception.
Payment
Payments can be made in cash in US dollars or Kenya shillings. We regret that we cannot accept credit cards or cheques (without prior arrangement).
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Recharging batteries and mobile phones
Camera batteries and mobile phones can be recharged in your rooms.
Safety deposit box
A safety deposit facility is available at reception and we strongly recommend that you use it for the storage of your valuables during your stay with us. We regret that we cannot accept any liability for the loss of or damage to any of your personal property during your stay.
Security
For your own protection, we do not recommend that you leave money or valuables in your room but that you place them in the safety deposit box at reception. Also, while the grounds are patrolled by our security services day and night, guests are requested
Never leave your room at night.
Always request an escort to the main lodge after night has fallen – simply specify the time you wish to be collected and one of our security guards will come to your room.
To obtain an escort please call the duty manager on
0733851000 or 0733385156.
Never wander beyond the boundaries of the lodge grounds.
Never get out of your vehicle while on the conservancy without a guide
Never allow your children to play unsupervised in the wilderness that surrounds the cottages and the lodge.
Restaurant
The restaurant, lounge and bar are in the main lodge. We request that you accept the services of our security guards and drivers in conducting you back to your room after dinner and up to the lodge for cocktails.
Sundowners
Cocktails served as the sun goes down from one of the vantage points of the conservancy are one of our most popular activities – please refer to our activities page for further details.
Tipping and gratuities
Should you wish to show your appreciation of our staff, a tip box is provided in reception, the contents of which are shared between all our staff.
Towels
In the interests of saving water, we request that if you wish your towels to be replaced daily, you place them on the floor of the bathroom.
U V W X Y Z
Vegetarian dining
Vegetarian options can be served at all meal times – please let us know your preference when booking or at check-in.
Weddings
We offer a wide range of wedding options – please request further details from reception.
Walks and climbs
We offer a range of guided walks, nature trails and climbs of the volcanoes that surround the lodge. We also offer walks around lake Elmenteita. For further details see our activities.
Visits to Lake Nakuru National Park and other areas.
