About
Kalacha Camp is a community-owned accommodation nestled on the edge of a permanent oasis within Kenya's vast Chalbi Desert, situated between Maikona and North Horr, approximately 40 miles south of the Ethiopian border. The camp serves as the sole lodging option in the immediate vicinity of the Kalacha village, which is characterized by lush doum palms sustained by underground springs. The Chalbi Desert itself is an expansive, virtually flat sandy expanse covering about 100,000 square kilometers, located to the east of Lake Turkana. Evidence of its ancient past as a large lake can be found in fossilized snail shells and fish vertebrae scattered across its basin, which occasionally fills with shallow water during heavy rains.The camp, a community-based initiative for the Gabbra people, was established with funding from the European Union, Farm Africa, and the Estate of the late John Sutton, and is managed by Tropic Air. It aims to provide a source of income for the local Gabbra community, who are nomadic pastoralists well-adapted to the harsh desert environment. Kalacha Camp offers a simple yet authentic experience, featuring four rustic bandas constructed from local materials like doum palm trunks and woven leaves. Each banda includes twin beds, a private bathroom with a flush toilet and cold shower, and a small veranda offering views of the oasis. A circular mess area provides communal living and dining spaces, complemented by a kidney-shaped swimming/plunge pool, offering a refreshing escape from the desert heat. While self-catering, guests are assisted by four dedicated staff members for cooking, cleaning, and laundry.Visitors to Kalacha Camp can immerse themselves in the unique cultural and natural offerings of the region. Key activities include observing herds of camels and other livestock gathering at the oasis for water, engaging with the Gabbra tribe to learn about their traditions, and exploring ancient rock art depicting giraffes, elephants, and antelopes. Evening experiences may feature sundowners amidst the desert's lava flows and traditional Gabbra dances or plays illustrating marriage ceremonies. A visit to Kalacha Town's Catholic Church, adorned with biblical paintings, also offers a cultural insight. For those interested in wildlife, the area is renowned for sand grouse, with specific shooting seasons from February 1st to March 31st and July 1st to October 31st. Further afield, accessible by air, are attractions like South Island for Nile Perch and Tilapia fishing, Oasis Lodge Loyengalani, and the archaeologically significant Koobi Fora, often referred to as the "Cradle of Mankind."
