THE FACTS ABOUT JOY'S CAMP

Kenya

Lara Cowan and her partner Jamie Hendriksen used to manage the Sultan Palace hotel on Zanzibar but they jumped at the chance of taking on Cheli & Peacock's new tented camp in Shaba National Reserve. With their jewel-bright Somali bedspreads, glass-beaded curtains and coloured light bulbs set in Arabic alcoves, the 10 tents are fresh and funky. They are also spaced well apart and open onto verandahs with gorgeous views, so they are as good for reading, relaxing and private dining (the food is excellent) as they are for sleeping. The other draw is the stunning location: where Joy Adamson raised Penny the leopard, the heroine of her last book. Beyond the reach of mass tourism, 341km north-east of Nairobi, the 223sq km reserve is a semi-arid desert of rocky lava flows, acacia trees, thorny scrub and springs, bordered by volcanic outcrops and the shady Ewaso Nyiro River. It doesn't have the concentrations of game found elsewhere in Kenya, but you are likely to see elephant, buffalo, reticulated giraffe, endangered Grevy's zebra and gerenuk. The birdlife is rich and varied, and because the camp is built beside a swamp and a spring, many animals walk right in. Leopards are sighted frequently, but other cats are more elusive, although a lucky couple saw five lions, a leopard and four cheetahs in one trip. WHEN TO GO After the long rainy season (March to May), it's lush and green, but you'll see more game in the dry seasons (JuneOctober; DecemberFebruary). Joy's is closed 10 April31 May and 130 November. ROOM TO BOOK Any of the six doubles or four twins. CONTACT Shaba National Reserve, Kenya (00 254 2060 4053; www.chelipeacock.com). COST Doubles from US$395 per person