Extraordinary Africa>Kenya>Samburu>Saruni Samburu
Saruni Samburu feels like a lodge built on the edge of the world, with utterly jaw dropping views and a private conservancy that is yours to explore.
What’s Saruni Samburu really like?
It’s rather hard to know where to start with Saruni Samburu without talking about the view. It’s perched on top of a rocky hill, and when you arrive, you pop just over the brow to see the panorama opening out in front of you from the main area. There’s a firepit for sundowners looking out over the world, a pool down below and a second infinity pool on one of the highest points. The style feels exotic and nomadic, with north African touches that somehow work beautifully in such a harsh, arid area. The six villas are strung out along the ridge.
The six villas have a similar flavour – part stone, part canvas, each designed to keep out the heat and make the most of the views. They’re strung out along the ridge, placed either as individual villas or in pairs. Two of the pairs- villas 4 and 1 – are used only as family rooms, and villas 2 and 6 can either be used as family rooms, or split into two individual rooms that share a central living and dining area. Each of the rooms are slightly different depending on the rock, but they’re all beautiful – spacious, beautifully decorated and with wildly romantic outdoor showers (some also have baths and/or indoor showers too).
What can I do at Saruni Samburu?
Saruni’s location on the Kalama conservancy means you can do game drives in both the conservancy, but also in the reserve, which is roughly an hour’s game drive away. Samburu reserve has the best concentrations of wildlife, whereas the privacy of the conservancy means you see very few other vehicles on your drives there. Being in the conservancy, away from the official restrictions of the reserve, also allows you to do night game drives, bush meals and bush walks. For photographers, Saruni Samburu has their own hide looking out over a waterhole, which can be a nice alternative to a game drive. Many of the staff in camp are from the neighbouring Samburu communities, and they can help arrange a visit for you – this is an authentic rural experience that enables guest to learn about Samburu culture (and the Samburu to learn about yours!) There is a small extra fee for this which is donated directly to the community.
What about children at Saruni Samburu?
If you are travelling with children or teens, Saruni can also provide an educational “warrior academy” lasting 1-3 days learning about the Kenya wilderness through the eyes of a warrior. They can also arrange a visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the Namunyak conservancy a couple of hours drive away.
Giving back at Saruni Samburu…
Saruni helps support the Kalama Conservancy, which protects the land for both wildlife and people. 85% of the staff are from the local Samburu communities- several trained in skilled hospitality jobs from their original roles helping to build the camp. The community are paid conservation fees for each guest who stays at Saruni Samburu, which in turn goes to support health, sanitation and education projects. This also goes to fund the conservancy (anti-poaching, vehicles, security, rangers and maintenance) which helps to protect the wildlife. Numbers have increased significantly since Saruni Samburu was opened, and this is a very good place to spot the more unusual northern species.
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