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Shompole is located in a private conservancy on
the edge of the Nguruman Escarpment in
Southern Kenya, overlooking the vast plains and
volcanic hills of the Great Rift Valley. Each room,
designed to harness Ihe oolours and textures of
the surrounding natural landscape, combines a
variety of white quartz stone, pale thatch, polished
fig-wood and smooth white walls that give it both a
unique contemporary style and a touch of the
Afncan bush.
Water is a main feature of the property, flowing
through each room and collecting in private cool
pools where one can peacefully enjoy the
expanse that stretches to the horizon.
 
Activities
Shompole has been designed to accommodate those that would like to relax in
a beautiful environmenl, listen to the sounds of the bush and lake pleasure in
being inert! That is not to say, however, that there is a shortage of activities to
participate in, to the contrary, Shompole is fortunate to be located in one of the
most diverse environments in Kenya, and there is plenty to keep the more
active well occupied.
Being located in a private conservancy, Shompole is able
to offer guests the chance to enjoy the local flora and fauna on foot with the
added benefit of a very experienced guide who is there to enlighten you with
information about what you ere seeing. Walks normally take place in the cool of
the morning or evening and are a very enjoyable way of appreciating some of
the small miracles of the African bush. A refreshing breakfast on the plains or in
the shade of the fig forest makes a perfect end, followed by a clip in the pool
when you return to the lodge.
Game-viewing in the conservancy can also take
place in our specially-modified safari 4x4 vehicles and can often be very
rewarding. Wildlife in the area includes lion , buffalo, leopard, giraffe, eland ,
wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, cheetah , elephant and many more . Night drives
also present a great opportunity to see some of the rarer animals such as
aardwolf, bat-eared fox, serval, genet and honey-badger, to name but a few.
These are often combined with a sun-downer on the open plains where you can
watch the changing colours of the African sky as the dust settles and the air
cools.
As a community initiative, your Maasai hosts are pleased to initiate you into
their ways and traditions. A visit to Shompole village on market day can be
great fun as can a visit to the bead-hut where Maasai ladies from the nearby
villages gather to work on clothing and accessories for the Maasai Collections
label which is exported to Europe and America and provides a valuable income
to these local women.
 
Shompole is located on the edge of the Great Rift Valley where much of the
topography was shaped by volcanic movement in centuries past. As a result.
the scenery is spectacular and we are fortunate to be located near the unique
soda lakes of Magadi and Natron. Natron provides one of the only famingo
breeding habitats in Africa and as it shimmers a deep red colour from the algie
on which the birds feed, the lake was named the Lake of Fire by the Maasai
Natron provides an interesting morning or evening excursion to see the
flamingos and the surrounding lake-shores which are home to the beautiful
desert rose.
Inflatable canoes ilre also available for a leisurely afternoon drift down the
Ewaso Nyiro River where the banks are lined with yellow fig trees and the
peace and tranquility is extremely relaxing.
To celebrate a special occasion or perhaps just for a romantic moment, we can
organise a candle-lit bush dinner under the stars. Here you can enjoy the
sounds of the African night and the hospitality of our experienced staff to make
your evening truly memorable.
All photos courtesy of Shompole Lodge
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