Satao Camp is one of the accommodations we regularly recommend for travellers visiting Tsavo East National Park, particularly for guests looking for a short safari from Watamu Beach or the Kenya coast.
The camp is located inside Tsavo East and is built around its own waterhole. This is one of the biggest reasons we like Satao. Elephants and other wildlife regularly come to drink, so you can sometimes continue watching animals even when you are no longer out on a game drive.
Instead of finishing your safari drive and simply returning to a normal hotel, at Satao you can sit on your private veranda, relax around the camp or enjoy a meal while still feeling connected to the wildlife around you.
Accommodation
Satao Camp has 20 en suite safari tents, including:
• 15 Standard Tents
• 5 larger Suites located closer to the waterhole
Each tent has its own private veranda and is positioned to give guests privacy while still providing views toward the surrounding bush and waterhole.
The style is traditional safari rather than a conventional hotel. You still have a proper bed, private bathroom and comfortable facilities, but you are sleeping inside Tsavo East surrounded by nature.
Why We Recommend Satao Camp
For us, the main advantage is its location and waterhole experience.
Tsavo East is famous for its large elephant population, including the well known red elephants of Tsavo, whose colour comes from the park’s red soil. Elephants frequently visit the Satao waterhole to drink and bathe.
Wildlife in Tsavo East can also include lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, leopards, lesser kudu, oryx, impala, gazelles, hyenas and many species of birds.
Of course, wildlife is completely natural and sightings can never be guaranteed, but staying inside the park gives you much more time to enjoy the safari environment.
Game Drives
Satao offers access to morning and afternoon game drives in Tsavo East.
The park is huge, covering approximately 11,750 square kilometres, and has much lower development in many areas compared with some of Kenya’s busier safari destinations.
During a longer game drive, you can also explore places such as Mudanda Rock, the Galana River and Lugard Falls.
Food and Relaxation
Meals are served at the camp, and one of the most enjoyable experiences is having breakfast or lunch while watching what is happening around the waterhole.
There is also a swimming pool and comfortable common areas where you can relax between game drives.
Satao can also arrange a sundowner experience, where you finish your afternoon game drive at a selected location and enjoy drinks and snacks while watching the sunset over Tsavo.
Excellent Choice for a Short Safari From Watamu
We especially recommend Satao Camp for travellers staying in Watamu who want to add a short wildlife safari without planning a long trip across Kenya.
A 2 day safari from Watamu to Tsavo East works particularly well because you can travel from the coast, enter Tsavo East for a game drive, spend the night inside the park at Satao Camp and continue your safari the following morning before returning to the coast.
For travellers who have only a few days available, this gives you a proper safari experience without needing to fly to the Masai Mara or spend several additional days travelling around Kenya.
For our clients combining Watamu Beach and Tsavo East National Park, Satao Camp is therefore one of the first accommodations we consider.
