The permission to build bush camp stats
with a procedure which have to be
followed. Here is a short version of what
we had to do:
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foregoing the procedure outlined before setting up such a
setup.
The procedure is tedious and not cheap but it just has
to be followed precisely if all needed permissions are to be
granted (see box).
A good location is key for a successful bush camp, but it
requires far much more than just a location. It does not start
and end on location.
Instead of creating a ‘standard’ bush with square green
tents on the ground we wanted a unique camp, something
different;that which is hidden in the bush but with great
views over the surrounding area.
We came up with a design where the guest tents were
built on three-meter high platforms, under the big trees,
overlooking both the lagoon and the surrounding plains.
Instead of dark green tents we opted for lighter khaki
(Savannah color) under a funky freeform canvas roof.
The camp is completely green with all solar generated
electricity. We invented a system to run geysers on small
elements so even the water was heated by our central solar
system.
We prepared all the building materials. Poles were bought
and soaked in the lagoon (this makes poles much harder and
last longer). With heavy rains in the beginning of January
we had to rescue the poles from a flooding river, not a
simple task in crocodile infested waters…. (See picture).
While the access roads were impassible during the rainy
season, we walked regularly to the location to inspect the
building site.The furniture was home made at Mukambi
Safari Lodge and at the end of the rainy season we were
ready to start the construction works.
The planning was to start in the beginning of April but
hit a snag due to heavy rains.
We were behind schedule for at least four weeks and only
managed to get to the site with a truck of building materials
in the beginning of May.
Letter of in