Set at nearly 6500 feet in the ancient montaine forest high on the slopes of Mount Meru our Itikoni Seasonal Camp is a well kept secret. We originally started camping here as an acclimatization camp for our Kilimanjaro climbers, we have found that two nights spent here before the climb has a huge impact on our summit success rate on Kilimanjaro.
However, we have increasingly found our safari clients requesting a couple of nights in camp as a great way to jump right into their African safari and set the tone.

After a long and gruelling flight most clients find themselves 'having' to overnight in Arusha or nearby before heading off on their safari the following day.   What better way to start your safari with a bang by going straight from the airport to a comfortable camp set in the heart of a National Park.  We even have special permission to drive clients arriving on the evening flights - KLM or Precision Air / Kenya Airways - straight from the airport and on up to camp – arriving in the dark is a special treat with opportunities as you pass through the park to see rare nocturnal animals. The camp crew will be on hand to welcome the weary travellers - and usher them with a welcome drink into the warmth of the Lounge tent . 

To then wake the following morning to the unforgettable calls of Colobus Monkeys echoing through the forest – to sit outside the lounge tent with a cup of coffee watching the birds flit from tree to tree and gazing up at the six thousand foot cliff that leads to the summit of fifteen thousand foot Mount Meru - what a fantastic introduction to an African safari!

The camp, like our Mysigio Camp at Ngorongoro, is seasonal – this means we have the opportunity to make it far more homely than a mobile camp but that when we take the camp away we must ensure that we have left no impact - no holes or permanent structures – the sleeping tents are set sympathetically amongst the trees to minimise the impact rather than being laid out in neat straight lines. Each tent has a small private veranda with a couple of chairs and a traditional wash stand with a 'chungu' or pot of water. Inside there are comfortable wood framed beds and like all our camps, solar powered lighting – each tent has an en suite bathroom with a bucket type shower and ‘caravan style’ flush toilets.

The comfortable lounge tent is set in an open glade next to the forest and has been designed with a wide veranda to keep it cool during the heat of the day, at this altitude the sun's rays can be quite intense. There is something quite relaxing about sitting outside this tent looking up in the the crater of Mount Meru and marvelling at how nature has managed to colonise the are so effectively - of course there is always the chance that a giraffe may wander into view o break the reverie!  Then at night the flaps over the windows can be closed and the renewable charcoal burning stove is lit to provide a snug and cozy atmosphere. As with the lounge tents in all our camps tea and coffee are available and there is a selection of books and games. The separate mess tent serves wonderful food created by our resident chef over an open fire (he would love it if you visited the kitchen to see how he makes things like bread over and open fire!) and served, family style, around a table. One of our specialities at this camp is a wonderful barbeque with marinated meat and vegetable skewers .

Being so high on Mount Meru offers wonderful opportunities for hikes, these can be anything from a half hour walk up ‘sundowner Hill’ near the camp to gaze across the plains to Kilimanjaro, lit by the dying rays of the sun, or a longer day hike up into the crater of Mount Meru.

The thick forest is criss-crossed with narrow animal trails and is remarkably open below the canopy - moving quietly you may well come across some of the rare forest dwelling antelopes but simply the beauty of the forest with its sparkling streams, some are fresh and drinkable whilst others are ‘magadi’ or soda water – a result of the fractured volcanic history of the mountain. There are tumbling waterfalls and deep gorges to discover - with no man made trails to follow no two hikes are the same and your guide and an armed ranger will lead you using the slope of the ground and streams you cross for their navigation as you weave your way between towering cedar trees.

A longer days hike can take you right up into the crater of Mount Meru - a flattish plain with the huge 'ash cone' rising up on one side, the area is littered with pumice rock so light it floats - there is something bizarre about holding a huge rock over your head that weighs only a few pounds!

Of course if you don't want to hike for a full day then we can arrange a couple of hours to a waterfall and then a full on bush lunch with tables, chairs, fantastic food and a chilled glass of wine before heading back to camp

For those using the camp as a couple of nights of acclimatisation before taking on the challenge of Kilimanjaro it offers fantastic acclimatisation - particularly if you live at or close to sea level. You will find that just two nights here give you the head start that will help you get to the summit. Of course you should also choose a route up Kilimanjaro that allows your body to effectively acclimatise. The human body can only acclimatise to about one thousand five hundred feet of altitude gain each day - any more than that and you are become less efficient and going significantly faster can be very dangerous with the possible onset of pulmonary or cerebral oedema - both potentially fatal! it really pays to take acclimatisation seriously.

During the 'full day' between the two nights in camp Kili climbers would normally go for a half day hike higher up the mountain to boost they acclimatisation and to blow away some of the cobwebs and stiffness of the flight over. The other half of the day would be sent on a really detailed briefing about he climb - dealing with everyone's expectations of the climb and talking through the daily routines and some hints and tips for a successful AND enjoyable climb. Then the guide will go thought each person's equipment with them to ensure that they are well prepared and have the right personal equipment for the tough conditions high on the mountain.

The camp is a fantastic hideaway off the beaten track - the perfect jumping off point for a grand African safari or a Kilimanjaro climb.

Facts
Location : Above the Fig Tree Arch in Arusha National Park
Availability: June to October and December to April
Capacity: 9 tents – arranged as doubles, twins or singles
Features: Mess tent and Lounge tent
Bonuses: Wonderful ambiance, stunning views of Kilimanjaro and Meru and great walking