Klein's Camp is a small, luxury lodge that was originally built as a hunting camp. It sits in its own 10,000 hectare private concession area in Loliondo. Klein's leases this land from the Maasai and is for the exclusive use of the guests who stay here.
The camp is set on the rocky slopes of the Kuka Hills; to the north is the Maasai Mara and to the west is the Serengeti. Due to its elevation, there are spectacular views over the valley and the woodland savanna - Acacia and desert date trees dominate the undulating hills here.
The design of Klein's has been kept practical and simple. The main dining and bar areas are next door to one another offering sweeping views over the valley. They have a relaxed and comfortable feel, but have been furnished to high standards. They are a short walk away from the rooms which ensures as much privacy and quiet as possible.
Dusty paths lead from the main areas of the camp to ten round, stone thatched cottages. All of these are well spread out and each has spectacular views over either the valley or the Grumeti River. Every pair of cottages also shares its own private butler. Again, these cottages have been furnished to very high standards.
Due to its location, Klein's makes a great base from which to experience the annual zebra and wildebeest migration, which generally passes through this area around October to November, as it makes its way south. Klein's Camp has particularly good resident game at other times of the year; lion, leopard and cheetah have all marked their own territories here and can be found along with herds of elephant and buffalo.
Birdlife is also prolific in the Loliondo area - there are 345 species recorded here. A pair of black Verreaux's eagles have made their eyrie close to camp and can often be seen soaring over the plains. There are also more common birds in the area, such as, the pygmy falcon and the slate-coloured boubou.
Activities at Klein's Camp are varied. Because Klein's is just outside the Serengeti National Park, it's possible to go on both night drives and bush walks in the concession area. Guests can go out for guided walks lasting from 1½ hours up to half a day. Klein's can also organise a visit to the local village, Ololosokwan, to get a taste of the local Maasai culture and daily life. Night drives are also possible in Loliondo which gives guests the opportunity to view nocturnal wildlife and the bush in a totally different light.
As with the other CC Africa properties, Klein's Camp offers very high standards of service and quality. Due to its location and size, there is a tangible feeling of exclusivity at Klein's. We found the staff charming and the hospitality second to none – the lodge manager, Alastair instantly made us feel at home.
A recent trip (September 2007) to this area included three CC Africa properties, and I found Klein's to have the most relaxed feel to it. Having said that, it certainly doesn't lack any of the professionalism or luxury of the other properties, it just does it in its own Klein's Camp style.
Central facilities: The large, open-sided sitting room / bar at Klein's Camp is reached down paved steps and a slightly uneven path. Like the bedrooms, this has been constructed out of makuti thatch and stone.
At the heart of the room is a deep, round fire pit complete with a polished, brass flue hanging from the thatch roof. Stylish leather armchairs and velveteen sofas have been placed thoughtfully around the room and the fire – not too close to one another or obstructing the panoramic view.
Intricately carved, wooden coffee tables and distressed chests carry trinkets, stems of scented flowers and historic looking wildlife books. There are also wooden board games dotted around the room for lazy afternoons in between safari drives.
Worn rugs cover the stone floors and an old-style gramophone sits adjacent to the bar. Although this is a large room and is open-sided, the furniture and the eccentric touches ensure there is plenty of character and warmth.
Klein's solid, wood bar sits just behind the comfortable seating area. There are a few high, cane chairs in front of it, however most guests sit in the sitting room to enjoy the view. This is a small bar, but it's very well-stocked and is open all day until the last person goes to bed.
These public rooms at Klein's are very reminiscent of colonial Africa mixed with old English charm.
There is a good shop at Klein's Camp. It is situated on the way to the bedrooms. Although it is small, it is well-stocked with African prints, jewelry, traditional African trinkets and beautiful wildlife books. There is a sofa in the small entrance hall to the shop which adds to the familiar feel at Klein's.
The swimming pool at Klein's sits at 6000ft and is close to the bedrooms. It is a large, kidney shaped pool with a shaded seating area. There are comfortable sun-loungers on a paved, stone terrace area around the pool. The pool itself is fresh water and has lovely views of the surrounding bush. As it has been set back from the main path and there is a brick wall and bushes, it has quite a private feel to it.
Directions: The camp is 10km from the Klein's airstrip.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Staff: Camp/Lodge Manager: Alastair & Petro Kilpin
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality:Breakfast is served according to your safari timetable. If you prefer to go on an early morning drive or have a bit of a lie-in, breakfast will be waiting for you. It consists of fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurts and a choice of a cooked breakfast.
Lunchis again flexible in its timings. The last time we were there we enjoyed a three course, cooked meal. Our main course consisted of a very tasty hot, noodle and chicken dish, accompanied by home-baked bread.
Dinner is a three course meal in the dining room or if you prefer you can have dinner on your room's verandah.
The food served at Klein's is fresh, very tasty and imaginative in presentation, ingredients and recipes.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Room service: Yes
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Drinks are included except for champagne and premium wines and spirits.
Special interests
Solo Travel: Klein's Camp has a very personal feel to it. The staff are attentive and friendly and would put the solo traveller at ease straight away. It would make a wonderful base for a couple of nights – wonderful views, activities, proximity to the Serengeti and its high standards all make this a great lodge.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Solo Travel
Wildlife: It is possible to go on night game-drives and day bush walks from Klein's. The lodge is also on the route for the Serengeti's great migration, which passes through this area between around September and December each year. The best time to see this in the Klein's area is generally between mid-October and end-November.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife
Children
Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Klein's camp as long as they are 12 years and over.
Age restrictions: 12+
Activities: None.
Equipment: None.
Generally recommended for children: We would recommend this lodge for mature children only – as dangerous game will sometimes pass through it.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is limited signal for cell phones.
TV & radio: None.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: All of the guides and managers at Klein's Camp are first aid trained and they have first aid kits at the lodge.
There is a ten room health centre at Ololosokwan Village.
They also have links with the Flying Doctor.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Askaris (watchmen) will escort guests to and from their rooms at night.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers around the lodge. All of the staff are trained to use them.
