Tandala

An ideal haven for those who desire exclusive privacy and peace

5 Bedrooms with en-suit bathrooms

(Please indicate the number of guests as it may make a difference to the price)

Check-in time: 12:00 noon

Check-out time: 10:00 am

About the property:

Tandala is the Robert’s family bush home where guests experience the remote atmosphere and charm of rural Africa. Tandala, is 1 and 3/4 hrs. drive from Nairobi and 1 and 3/4 hrs. drive to Amboseli Park at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Tandala translates to Kudu in Swahili and is located in the secluded Maparasha Hills in the Northern district of Amboseli. The house overlooks a waterhole and offers sweeping views across to the Pelewa Hills. The entire house is made with locally sourced materials and blends in with the environment perfectly.

Exposed timber beams, shining dark wooden floors, log fires, shady verandahs, Thunbergia covered walkways and Lily covered ponds create an oasis of calm luxury.

“All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it yet – but when I would wake in the night, I would lie, listening, homesick for it already.” ~ Ernest Hemmingway

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Accommodation and House information:

(We ask all our guests to remain respectful and considerate of the environment, as we try to encourage wildlife. Please keep noise levels down.)

Bedrooms:

Tandala has five bedrooms: Including three double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and two twin room with en-suite bathrooms. Provided are: Loo roles and natural hand-made soap.

Kitchen and Dining:

The kitchen is fully equipped with a solar fridge, solar chest freezer and gas cooker. Some basics are provided which include: Dried herbs/spices, salt, washing-up paste. The large sitting room has a log fireplace and leads into the elegant dining room. Dining can be in the dining room or alfresco – either next to the pool or at the dining area on the verandah. The swimming pool has a pool house with a log fire, barbeque and brasserie cooker. The roof terrace offers magnificent views of the surrounding bush and hills and is the perfect place for sundowners.

Solar power and WIFI:

The property is completely off grid. A solar system powers the house. Please be careful not to leave the lights on when they are not required. Hair dryers, baby bottle sterilizers and other heavy wattage appliances must not be used. WIFI is provided and there is mobile phone network.

Tandala Staff:

The staff include: Housekeeper, house girl, garden/maintenance/pool attendant, all of whom will make your stay as comfortable as possible.

A freelance Chef can be hired for 3000/- per day. The telephone number for a chef will be sent once a booking is made.

Pets:

As much as we love them, no pets are allowed – we try to encourage wildlife and pets often cause a disturbance.

Key values at Tandala:

For the short time we are here on this earth we feel it is of prime importance to try and protect this small piece of Africa. We frequently patrol the area for snares and do our utmost to protect the wildlife. Our neighbours also feel the same and we have all agreed not to fence as many areas as possible to allow the game to roam freely between our properties. You may see a variety of wildlife such as: Lesser Kudu, Buffalo, Impala, Eland, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Duiker, Dik-Dik, Warthog, Hyena, Ostrich, Giraffe and Leopard in the area. We have also spotted Wild Dogs, Aardvark, Wildebeest, Zebra and the occasional lion and cheetah. The bird life in the area is superb, so bring your binoculars!

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Guest access:

By plane:

Private charter flight to Neylan’s Farm, 20 minutes from Nairobi. – Coordinates: South: 02° 07’ 241” East:036° 48’ 629”

By helicopter:

Tandala’s Helicopter Pad – Coordinates: South: 02° 09’ 443” East: 036° 49’ 508”

By road:

1 and 3/4hrs. drive from Nairobi. (Via Athi River or Kiserian) – (The main gate is on Google maps)

There are two routes that can be driven from Nairobi:

Route 1:

Drive down the Mombasa Road to Athi River; be careful not to miss the slip road on the left, which takes you under the bridge the main road passes over. Drive through Athi River/Kitengela and continue straight onto Isinya then Kajiado then Il’Bisil.

At Il’Bisil drive over rumble strips and bumps. As the main town ends, look for a white water tank on the left. Turn left here onto a dirt road and bear right toward the hills in front for approximately 7 km.

The drive takes approximately 15 minutes off road from Il’Bisil to the Tandala main gate and 10 minutes drive to the properties once through the gate.

A 4×4 is only necessary if there has been a lot of rain. A car with reasonable clearance is advised.

Route 2:

Drive past Banda School on the Magadi Road and continue on to Ongata Rongai then on to Kiserian. Turn left after Kiserian town and continue straight on to Isinya. Once at Isinya turn right to Kajiado and then Il’Bisil.

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Activities:

Hikes and strolls

Tandala is situated on 340 acres of natural bush. You are welcome to explore the property and take an accompanied walk. At the top of the ridge there is a historical gun safe emplacement ruin from WW1, which may be of interest to some guests.

Price for accompanied walks:

500/-   Per Group to Emisinga Hill

1000/- Per Group to Maparasha Hill

500/-   Per Group Property Half Circuit

800/-   Per Group Property Full Circuit

Horse riding

Accompanied horse riding on the property.

1500/- per person per hour

Spa treatments

Enjoy a relaxing massage or beauty treatment in our Spa room. The telephone number for the Therapist and Price Guide will be sent once a booking is made.

Visit Amboseli

Amboseli National Park (Meshanani Gate), is 1 and 3/4 hrs. drive from Tandala via Namanga.

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Other details to note:

Tandala is a self-catering property, which means that Food and Drink need to be brought with you. Tandala does not offer the services of a Chef so guests are responsible for cooking meals – however, a freelance Chef can be hired for 3000/- per day. The telephone number will be sent once a booking has been made. House staff are also on hand to assist with preparation and washing up

Water heaters are lit every evening. If you would like to have the water hot in the mornings, please inform the head of house.
Laundry service is provided for items used at Tandala, not from previous safaris.
Children must be supervised and the house staff should not be asked to act as nannies or child-minders. We do provide limited accommodation for an ayah (nanny). The cost is 1,000/- per person per day, which includes food and bedding. The accommodation is in the staff quarters.
Staff can only sleep in the house and use the facilities if they have been paid for as a guest, ie. Full Payment. There is accommodation available in Il’Bisil for drivers or for those that require more facilities.
The water from the taps is from our borehole and is safe to drink. If you prefer bottled mineral water please bring your own supply.
Only paying guests may enter the property. If this rule is violated access into the property will be denied.
Tandala is a private home containing the owner’s personal belongings, which must be respected.
We do not provide charcoal so please bring your own supply or it is possible to purchase some here with prior notice.