Camp Muhaka

 

 

 

 

Quick Links         

 

Location
Accommodation Style
Food & Drink
Communications
Culture
Transport
Projects
Video

 

 

Overview         

 

Camp Muhaka (Moo- haa- ka) is Camp Kenya’s newest camp, which was purpose built and opened early 2007 specifically for Gap volunteers. To say that we are proud of this new location would be a major understatement indeed. We think its great!

 

Muhaka Camp is set in the heart of a small African community on the lower slopes of the Shimba Hill’s, on the boundary of the beautiful ‘Kaya’ (sacred & protected) Muhaka rain forest. This amazing setting provides a great backdrop for volunteers to fulfill their African dreams. Close interaction with the local community and the Muhaka Primary School students is totally unavoidable given the camps central location in the village! You will be able to experience first hand the effects that your work and effort have, not only on the primary school and its students but also on the community as a whole.

 

 

Location

 

Muhaka Camp is 50 km south of Mombasa, near the small town of Ukunda. The Muhaka community is predominantly made up of the Digo tribe who are a very friendly and accepting people with extremely interesting traditions…… (more on arrival!) The actual camp sits right in the middle of a forest, rich in palm and mango trees and the community surrounds the camp on all sides. Muhaka primary school, which is literally just across the road provides the main focus for the community projects, as is the sacred ‘Kaya’ Muhaka forest where our primate conservation projects take place.

 

Muhaka Camp is situated around 15 Km from the unbelievably beautiful Diani beach, which is both the mainstay location for well earned rest & recreation (R & R) as well as our base for all the exciting water sports on offer from Camp Kenya. There is always a bit of potential for some sunbathing and partying as well… …

 

 

Accommodation Style

 

Muhaka, unlike most of our other camps is a permanent bush camp. It consists of three tastefully built makuti (thatching made from coconut palm fronds) roofed accommodation Bandas, kitchen, workshop, ablution and laundry block as well as a large makuti thatched dining Banda and R & R area. The accommodation Banda’s are situated under enormous mango trees and oil palms, which provide much needed shade and sun protection during the hot season. The enormous trees also serve as a great home for monkeys and bush babies who were there long before us lot! Do not leave food lying around they WILL grab it…..!

 

The accommodation Bandas are situated at the rear of the camp, which is surrounded by a traditional ‘boma’ (Massai for fence) to provide security and a degree of privacy. There is one large mess area with comfortable seating and music as well as a large campfire area where you can kick back in the evening after a hard day on projects. There is also a small shop and R&R area including a pool table.

 

Each specially thatched ‘Banda’ has been equipped with net covers (to keep out previously mentioned long term residents!) and everyone has their own individual mosquito net, which ensures a ‘dudu*’ free sleep. The large high roofed Bandas are divided into two and sleep 8 volunteers each, which can accommodate either girls or guys depending on booking numbers.

Individual sleeping units consist of a single bed, high-density mattress, sheets, blankets, pillows and individual sleeping nets as well as shelves to keep your belongings and a lockable box for anything valuable.

 

You will be happy to know that the toilets here are not a hole in the ground but are proper flushing toilets with seats!! (be warned.. not the same on all Camp Kenya locations..) The washrooms are divided into girls & guys and have several toilets and showers per block. The water for washing is pumped from a fresh water underground spring on site, which has been purified ready for use. There is also a large purpose build ‘dhobi’ (laundry room) for volunteers to do their laundry.

 

Muhaka Camp is connected to the mains or Kenya Power and Lighting (some refer to as Kenya Power & Darkness given frequent irregularity) with generator back up in case of power failure. There are British 3 pin sockets in camp throughout for you to power and charge your electric items and batteries.

 

* dudu… Look it up..!

 

 

Food & Drink

 

There is a large, well-equipped kitchen in camp, manned by our head chef who, with his team supplies a daily menu of fresh, local produce. Our camp kitchen crews generally live in or around each camp, and are responsible for providing three healthy, well balanced and very tasty meals a day. The food is absolutely delicious and all diets are catered for.

 

Our camp crew are very accommodating and will insist that you relax, sit back and enjoy all they can offer after project work, however we would prefer it if you got stuck in and helped wherever possible, assisting in the preparation of meals as well as cleaning up and other camp duties e.g. chasing monkeys out of the store, collecting firewood, opening coconuts etc etc.

Local cooking techniques are also taught and utilized, (ever rolled 50 Chapatis ? * now is your chance). As in all our camps unlimited drinking water is supplied as standard: the water is purified through European standard filters and chemical purification, which reduces risk of waterborne diseases. Soft drinks and beer can be provided at your expense and a dedicated fridge is provided in camp for this purpose.

Our Camp Manager, Eustace (top man) is responsible for the entire camp operation as well as smooth running of your stay with us in Kenya. There is management accommodation in the camp and a member of the team is on site 24/7 in case of any urgent issues.

* Chapatis… Look it up !!!

 

 

Communications

 

Camp Muhaka is equipped with radio communications directly to Head Office. There is a good mobile phone reception and all Directors, key management and drivers carry mobile phones. If you have 'international roaming' activated on your phone you will be able to make and receive calls. We suggest you purchase a Kenyan sim card if you intend to use your phone in order to avoid the horribly high roaming bills….. trust us!

 

 

 

Culture

 

You will be living amongst the tight knit local 'Digo' community, who provide the basis for an amazing integrated, non-tourist cultural experience. Muhaka Village much like Makongeni and other surrounding villages is an underdeveloped and cash poor community which benefits from the positive infrastructure developments and local employment possibilities provided by Camp Kenya and YOUR booking.

 

Check the new coffee house café at the road entrance to camp when you get there. Went up one week after we opened camp…..

 

Kenyan entrepreneurial ship at its best, we like it!

 

Use your time to understand the people. Compare their situation, outlook and dreams to yours and you will quickly see that you can help each other learn.

 

 

Transport

 

Camp Muhaka is supported by all of our available transport, which varies from minibuses to our beloved Bedford's & 4x4 Toyota land cruisers. Local, safety vetted taxis are available for a small fee to transfer between camp and the beach if you want to get out outside organized R & R (rest & relaxation) times.

 

 

 

Projects

 

We are committed to a large variety of long term and sustainable development programs with Muhaka Primary School and the surrounding community as a whole. Our already significant achievements are thanks to all of you who have and continue to participate and contribute their efforts. Core projects focus on education initiatives, which benefit the local school and its constantly expanding classes. In the past half a year alone our collaboration with Muhaka primary school has already seen a very promising increase in the student population and the students respective academic results.

 

Muhaka Camp has a specific community focus for projects and the following list provides you with a feel for what you will be involved with:

 

• General Renovation
• Teaching
• Construction of Classrooms
• Construction of toilets
• School fencing
• Painting
• Tree Planting
• Desk Making
• Sports and Coaching
• Sacred Kaya Muhaka Forest (which provides the backbone of our Primate conservation program).

 

We expect you to give 100% effort to the project work and be prepared to get your hands dirty with ALL that is put in front of you, from mixing cement to planting trees. You will be integrated into a teaching rota and the rewards of standing in front of a class of young African children are immeasurable.

 

Life at Muhaka is a once in a lifetime experience that we know will stay with you for the rest of your lives.

 

Follow this link to find out more about the project initiatives for Camp Muhaka.

 

 

 

Video