Sarara Camp, Samburu
Community Owned Luxury Safari Camp, Kenya
A pioneering luxury safari in Northern Kenya’s Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. Sarara Camp, Samburu offers six intimate tents, a rock pool overlooking a busy waterhole, and a conservation model that transforms lives. At the foot of the Mathews Range — where culture, wildlife, and community thrive together.
🌿 Not Just a Camp — A Movement
💚 Tourism That Gives Back
Sarara Camp, Samburu is owned and led by the indigenous people. Every stay directly funds the Sarara Foundation’s healthcare, education, and conservation programs.
| Initiative | Impact |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Mobile Health Clinic | Reaches over 1,100 mothers and 3,000 children annually across remote Northern Kenya |
| 📚 Nomadic Montessori | A first-of-its-kind education system built for the most remote Samburu communities |
| 🥛 Milk to Market | Samburu “Milk Mamas” sell surplus goat milk to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, feeding orphans while earning independent incomes |
🛏️ Intimate Tented Luxury
🏕️ Six Tents and a Private House
Sarara Camp, Samburu offers just six en-suite tents and a private two-bedroom house, each with maximum views over the 850,000-acre conservancy.
| Accommodation | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏕️ Luxury Safari Tents | Spacious, high-ceilinged tents · Wide beds · En-suite facilities · Solar-heated outdoor showers · Private terraces overlook the camp waterhole · 6 tents, en-suite, waterhole views |
| 🏠 Sarara House | Private two-bedroom retreat · Own plunge pool · Private dining · Generous lounge · Exclusive-use, plunge pool, 4 guests (max 5) |
💧 The Heart of Sarara
🪨 Rock Pool & Waterhole
Carved into the hillside, the natural rock swimming pool overlooks a bustling waterhole. Elephants, giraffe, kudu, warthog, impala, and buffalo gather below while you swim or lounge.
“Sitting in the pool watching animals at the waterhole was a highlight of our entire safari.”
— Recent Guest
🦁 Wildlife in Namunyak Conservancy
🐘 Kenya’s Second-Largest Elephant Population
- 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness, home to Kenya’s second-largest elephant population and the iconic Samburu Special Five.*
| Species | Details |
|---|---|
| 🐘 Elephants | Large herds, including big bulls, frequent the waterhole and conservancy |
| 🦒 Reticulated Giraffe | Distinctive, striking patterns, commonly seen throughout the conservancy |
| 🦓 Grevy’s Zebra | The world’s rarest zebra species, thriving in this protected landscape |
| 🐆 Predators | Leopard, lion, cheetah, and African wild dog roam the dense forest and plains |
🌙 Freedom Rarely Found Elsewhere — As a private community conservancy, not a national park, guests enjoy night game drives, guided walking safaris, off-road driving, and horseback safaris.
🐘 Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Africa’s First Indigenous Community-Owned Elephant Orphanage
Over 150 rescued elephants since 2016. Guests can visit to watch bottle-feeding, learn individual stories, and observe rehabilitation, all while respecting strict wilding protocols (no touching).
☕ A 5:00 am start is rewarded with a transformative experience, often ending with coffee on a rock as young elephants pass by.
“We watched the elephants being fed milk, then met the other orphaned species. Afterward we walked out into the bush and had coffee on top of a rock with the most amazing views.”
— Guest Review
🎭 Samburu Culture
🎶 The Singing Wells & Beyond
| Experience | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎶 The Singing Wells | For centuries, Samburu warriors have gathered herds at these wells, singing chants as they draw water from the depths. A rare privilege to witness, largely unchanged across generations |
| 🎨 Cultural Immersion | Beading with Samburu women · Visits to traditional homesteads (manyattas) · Learning traditional skills from community members · Culture is woven into every aspect of the camp |
🎯 Activities & Experiences
🚙 Beyond Traditional Game Drives
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚙 Day & Night Game Drives | Explore the conservancy with expert Samburu guides |
| 🚶 Guided Walks & Hiking | Montane forest hikes in the Mathews Range |
| 🐎 Horseback Safari | One ride included · Experienced riders only (weight limit 85kg) |
| 🐒 De Brazza Monkey Hike | Track one of Africa’s most elusive primates |
| ⛺ Fly Camping | Sleep under the stars in a mobile camp (mobilization fee applies) |
| 📸 Photography Hide | Get eye-level with wildlife at the waterhole |
🍽️ Dining & Atmosphere
🍴 Communal Meals with a View
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🍽️ Communal Dining | Meals served in the main mess area with tree-trunk supports and deep thatched roof · Dinners often on the terrace overlooking the waterhole, or in the lugga around a campfire |
| 👨🍳 Praise for the Chef | “The chef is simply incredible,” writes one guest · The communal format creates a warm, social atmosphere, and solo travellers are welcomed and hosted |
💰 Sarara Camp Rates
US$ per person per night
| Category | 🟡 Regular | 🔴 Premium 🔥 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Sharing | $985 | $1,440 |
| Single | $985 | $1,690 |
| Child (5–15 yrs) 👨👩👧 | $640 | $930 |
| Sarara House (4 guests, max 5)* | $5,500 | $6,785 |
| Extra Child (Sarara House) | $640 | $830 |
*5th guest must be a child aged 5–15.
🌿 Conservancy fee: $160 per adult / $90 per child.
📅 Seasons
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Premium | 1 Jul – 31 Aug & 20 Dec – 4 Jan 2027 |
| 🟡 Regular | 7 Jan – 30 Jun 2026 · 1 Sept – 31 Oct · 1–19 Dec 2026 |
🚫 Closed November.
✅ Included / ❌ Excluded
✅ What Your Rate Covers
| 🍽️ | Full board accommodation |
| 🥤 | Soft drinks, local beers, non-premium wines & spirits |
| 👕 | Laundry |
| ✈️ | Local airstrip transfers |
| 🚙 | Day & night shared game drives |
| 🚶 | Guided walks & hiking |
| 🎭 | Cultural experiences |
| 🐎 | Horseback safari (one ride) |
| 🧾 | Statutory taxes |
❌ Excluded
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| 🍾 Champagne, premium spirits, cellar wines | — |
| ⛺ Fly camping mobilization fee | US$300 |
| 🐘 Reteti entrance | US$35 pp (exclusive US$1,000 + $75 pp) |
| 🐎 Horse riding | US$60 per ride |
| 💃 Samburu dancers | US$500 (25 dancers) |
| 🏔️ Ololokwe day trip | US$350 per vehicle |
| 🎨 Beading | US$25 pp |
| 🔨 Blacksmithing | US$25 pp |
| 🌿 Conservancy fees | — |
| 🍾 Premium beverages & helicopter excursions | — |
Sarara Camp Gallery
A Visual Journey Through Namunyak Conservancy
🔗 Sister Properties in the Sarara Collection
🌳 Three Distinct Ways to Experience Namunyak
📸 [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — Sarara Treehouses / Reteti House / Sarara Wilderness]
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌳 Sarara Treehouses | Eight elevated tented suites in an ancient forest glade · Elephants and buffalo roam beneath · Each suite has a star bed |
| 🏠 Reteti House | Exclusive-use safari home 10 minutes from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary · Infinity pool over a permanent elephant waterhole · Sleeps 16 |
| ⛺ Sarara Wilderness | Seasonal mobile camp for 12 guests in six en-suite tents · Classic under-canvas experience with mobile plunge pool |
🏕️ Similar Safari Camps in the Samburu Region
🔍 Alternatives Worth Considering
📸 [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — Collage of similar Samburu camps]
| Camp | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 🏕️ Sasaab Lodge | Westgate Conservancy | Moroccan-inspired luxury · Plunge pools · Camel rides · Samburu Special Five |
| 🏕️ Saruni Samburu | Kalama Conservancy | Perched on a rocky outcrop · Panoramic views · Exclusive game drives |
| 🏕️ Kalepo Camp | 450,000 acres | Exclusive-use tented camp · Bush walks · Mountain biking · Photography hide |
| 🐘 Elephant Bedroom Camp | Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu National Reserve | Famous for elephants wandering through camp |
📋 Practical Information
📍 Location, Climate & Logistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location & Access | Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Mathews Range, Samburu County, Northern Kenya · Fly from Nairobi Wilson to Namunyak Airstrip (~1 hour) via private charter or scheduled flight · Short road transfer · Also accessible via Kalama or Lewa Downs airstrips |
| 🌤️ Climate & Best Time | Warm year-round · Nightly lows 20–25°C, daily highs 30–35°C · Altitude ~800m · Dry seasons (Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct) offer most predictable game viewing · Green season (Apr–May) brings dramatic clouds over the Mathews Range |
| 🏕️ Capacity | 6 en-suite tents plus private two-bedroom Sarara House · Minimum stay: 2 nights · Children of any age welcome, but more suitable for 5+ |
| ♻️ Eco & Practical | Solar power 24 hours · Intermittent WiFi in main areas · No hairdryers · Charging points in tents (3-pin square, floor level) · No adapters provided |
🗓️ 4-Day Sample Itinerary
🦁 Wildlife, Culture & Relaxation
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Nairobi, flight to Namunyak · Welcome lunch & orientation walk | Late afternoon game drive · Waterhole viewing at dusk | Sundowner on deck · Dinner under the stars |
| 2 | Early morning game drive — elephant, giraffe, Grevy’s zebra · Brunch | Samburu village & Singing Wells visit · Pool & deck relaxation | Night game drive or bush dinner |
| 3 | Hike into Mathews Range foothills · Birdwatching | Lunch at camp · Afternoon game drive · Hide viewing | Traditional Samburu dance performance · Dinner |
| 4 | Dawn game drive · Bush tea/coffee | Depart after lunch · Transfer to Nairobi or onward | — |
🏆 Why Book Sarara Camp with Beyond Kenya Safaris
💎 More Than a Reservation
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗺️ Curated Itineraries | Combining Sarara with sister properties, Samburu, or Laikipia |
| ✈️ Seamless Logistics | Private charters, road transfers, reservations coordination |
| 🧭 Expert Guidance | On seasons, room configurations, and activities |
| 🤝 Direct Relationships | With the Sarara team |
Our team has personally experienced the magic of Sarara — the elephants at the waterhole, the songs at the Singing Wells, the profound work of the foundation.
🔘 Start Planning Your Safari — contact Beyond Kenya Safaris.
🎁 Latest Sarara Special Offers
⏳ Limited-Time Deals
| Offer | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏕️ Stay 5, Pay 4 | Valid for a 5-night stay: 2 nights Sarara Camp, 2 nights Sarara Treehouses, 1 night fly camping · Complimentary night at Sarara Tree · Valid March, April, May 2024 · Fly camping mobilization fee extra |
| ✈️ Free Round-Trip Flights | For a limited time, international travelers visiting Sarara Camp, Sarara Treehouses, or Reteti House may enjoy free round-trip flights from select airstrips to Namunyak Airstrip |
⭐ Guest Reviews
💬 What Travellers Are Saying
“Our stay at Sarara Camp was nothing short of magical.”
“From the open-air dining with spectacular views to the exciting wildlife encounters at the waterhole, everything exceeded our expectations. The guided walks offered an intimate connection with the African bush, and the visit to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was a profound experience.”
★★★★★ — Jackson & Amelia, February 2024
“Sarara Camp defines luxury in the wild.”
“The tented suites offered privacy and comfort, harmonizing with the surrounding wilderness. The food was exquisite. It was not just a holiday; it was an experience that enriched our souls.”
★★★★★ — The Harrison Family, May 2023
“The cultural visits to the Samburu villages were eye-opening.”
“The camp’s commitment to community conservation made our stay feel meaningful. The starlit fly camping experience will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
★★★★★ — Maria and Thomas, July 2023
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📖 Everything You Need to Know
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 👨👩👧 Is Sarara Camp suitable for families? | Yes. The exclusive-use Sarara House is ideal for larger family groups. The pool, elephants at the waterhole, and cultural activities are particularly engaging for younger travellers |
| ✈️ How do I get to Sarara Camp? | Fly from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Namunyak Airstrip via private charter or scheduled flight (~1 hour), followed by a short road transfer. Scheduled flights also connect via Kalama or Lewa Downs airstrips |
| ♿ Is the camp accessible for guests with mobility issues? | The camp is built on a hillside with steps. A reviewer with arthritis noted that the camp accommodated her with a non-stair location, but advises others with mobility issues to inquire in advance |
| 🌙 What is the minimum stay? | Two nights minimum |
| ♻️ Is the property eco-friendly? | Yes. Sarara Camp uses solar power and works in partnership with the local Samburu community. Every stay directly supports the Sarara Foundation’s healthcare, education, and conservation initiatives |
📞 Beyond Kenya Safaris
🌍 Crafting Journeys That Connect Travellers with Kenya’s Wild Places
Beyond Kenya Safaris — crafting journeys that connect travellers with Kenya’s wild places and the communities who protect them.
📞 +254 785 639 497 | ✉️ sales@beyondkenyasafaris.com