Galdessa
Galdessa is composed of two separate camps: Galdessa Camp (sleeping 10) and Galdessa Little (sleeping 6). With its safari-style setting and riverside view of all the wildlife activity on the Galana River, a ribbon of green running across the full width of the park, acting as a magnet for the area’s wildlife during the dry seasons. Galdessa was originally built in the early 1980s, but has recently been completely rebuilt, incorporating luxury touches while preserving the integrity of the property and its old-world charm. By staying here you are directly contributing to the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem: all revenue generated is put towards conservation initiatives within the Tsavo area.
When we stay we have to book one or both camps in their entirety, which means we are not going to have our peace and quiet interrupted by anybody else and we are free to enjoy this special spot at our own pace.
The camp sits on the banks of the Galana River, where animals frequently come to drink and it is a great place to sit and wait to see what wildlife is attracted down to the water. There are also some excellent game drives to be had, east along the river towards Lugard’s Falls and beyond, to then drop down to Aruba Dam and the Kanderi Swamp. From here, a long loop can be made to return via Mudanda Rock where you can sit and look down on a natural waterhole. Alternatively, short drives in both directions along the river are always worth investigating, either first thing in the morning, or in the late afternoon, when the animals tend to be at their most active.
There are a number of other accommodation options available both in and outside the park. Some of the camps along the eastern end of the Galana River are quite stunning considering their remoteness, some of the lodges around Voi, catering for the more budget-conscious traveller, slightly less so. Galdessa is the only camp on the western end of the river, which generally means game drives are private and personal affairs.
Whilst the two Tsavos are unlikely to provide close up encounters with vast numbers of animals, like those experienced in the Mara, the animal sightings here do tend to be more personal and rewarding, relying as they do on far higher levels of knowledge of animal behaviour and habitat. This, combined with the scenic grandeur, vastness and wildness, make Tsavo one of our favourite destinations.