Imagine waking to the rustle of leaves as a herd of elephants passes directly beneath your room, the morning sun filtering through ancient trees while monkeys chatter in the canopy above. This is not a dream—it’s a morning at Sarara Treehouses, one of Kenya’s most distinctive safari lodges . Nestled in a hidden corner on the slopes of the dramatic Mathews Mountains in Kenya’s northern frontier, this remarkable property offers an experience that blurs the line between luxury accommodation and complete immersion in nature .

Location and Wilderness Setting

Sarara Treehouses is perched high among indigenous trees in the heart of the 850,000-acre Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Samburuland, Northern Kenya . The lodge sits within a lush forested valley, creating a striking contrast with the semi-arid savannas and plains that characterise much of the region . The location offers uninterrupted views of the Mathews Mountain Range—known locally as the sacred mountains of the Samburu people—while wildlife roams freely on the forest floor below .

The Treehouse Experience

Elevated Suites in the Forest Canopy

Sarara Treehouses features eight beautifully appointed tented suites, each raised on stilts and tucked into its own unique treetop setting . Connected by wooden walkways suspended above the forest floor, these suites offer privacy, panoramic wilderness views, and an extraordinary connection to nature . Each en-suite tent comes with a private veranda and a solar-heated outdoor shower overlooking the ancient forest, where you can shower while listening to birdsong and watching wildlife move below .

Family Accommodation

A dedicated family unit sleeps up to four guests, making Sarara Treehouses an ideal choice for families seeking an authentic wilderness adventure together .

Main Guest Area

The central guest area features an open-plan lounge and dining space beneath a lofty thatched roof, inviting the forest breeze and offering tranquil views of the surrounding canopy . The infinity pool overlooks a busy wildlife waterhole, providing breathtaking panoramas of the mountains and constant wildlife sightings . The lodge even keeps an old typewriter—part of Sarara’s journey from the very beginning—with views to inspire your inner Hemingway .

Wildlife Encounters

Elephants Below Your Room

One of the most remarkable features of Sarara Treehouses is the continuous wildlife connection. Elephants frequently roam beneath the stilted suites and gather at the waterhole below the guest area . Guests report watching elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and other wildlife at close range throughout the day, even right under their rooms .

The “Samburu Special Five”

The Namunyak Conservancy is home to the famous “Samburu Special Five”—the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich—alongside Kenya’s second-largest elephant population . Game drives across this pristine wilderness reveal diverse wildlife in uncrowded landscapes, with opportunities for both day and night drives .

Unique Activities and Experiences

Guided Walking Safaris and Mountain Hikes

Accompanied by expert Samburu guides, guests can explore the montane forests of the Mathews Range on guided bush walks and mountain hikes . These excursions reveal the region’s rich plant life, including endemic Kenyan Giant Cycads—living fossils estimated to stretch back 280 million years—and their medicinal uses in local culture . Every hike includes a freshly prepared breakfast with a picture-perfect view . Guests have described hikes under the “burning sun” as transformative experiences, with guides offering acts of care that leave lasting impressions .

Horseback Safaris

Experienced riders can explore the wilderness on horseback, gaining a completely different perspective on the land and its wildlife, with an early-morning ride to a scenic spot for a delicious bush breakfast . Beginners are welcome, and there is a weight limit of 85 kg .

Samburu Singing Wells

The ancient and revered Samburu tradition of the “Singing Wells” offers a profound cultural encounter . Here, Samburu warriors dig wells along dry riverbeds to reach water for their cattle, forming a human chain to pass water up while singing in unison—a deeply hypnotic and transformative experience for visitors who witness it .

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

A visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary—the first community-owned elephant sanctuary in Africa—is an absolute must . Guests can watch orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed, learn about their rehabilitation journey, and witness the passionate work of the local community protecting these gentle giants .

Cultural Immersion and Beading Workshops

Samburu women visit the lodge to demonstrate their intricate beading skills, offering a truly intimate cultural exchange . Guests sit in a circle, share questions about their respective lives, and weave bracelets under the guidance of these skilled artisans—a small charge supports the women and their village . Village visits to local manyattas (homesteads) offer further insight into Samburu traditions, including the opportunity to observe traditional dances and blacksmiths at work .

Fly Camping and Star Beds

For the ultimate immersion, guests can spend a night sleeping under the stars in a simple dome tent or star bed, with home-cooked meals around the campfire and the nocturnal sounds of the bush .

Sustainability and Community Impact

Sarara Treehouses operates as a fully solar-powered eco-lodge, thoughtfully designed to blend into the environment with minimal impact . Managed in partnership with the local Samburu community, the lodge ensures that tourism directly supports conservation and local livelihoods . Guests can visit the Milk to Market Program, Nomadic Montessori Schools, and Mobile Healthcare Program—all initiatives supported by the Sarara Foundation .

Practical Information

Getting There

Guests typically arrive by private charter from Nairobi to the Namunyak airstrip, with transfers to the lodge included . Alternatively, scheduled flights arrive at Kalama airstrip, followed by a 1.5-hour drive . Road transfers from Lewa Conservancy take approximately 3.5 hours .

Sarara Treehouses Rates

Sarara Treehouses offer varying rates throughout the year, with seasons labeled as Regular, Premium, and Closed. The rates encompass an extensive array of amenities and activities, catering to adults and children alike, assuring a comprehensive, hassle-free stay amidst the wonders of the wild.

	Non Residents in US$
		Regular	Premium
Adult Sharing		985	1,440
Single		985	1,690
Child(6-15 Yrs)		640	930

Conservancy Fee: Adult US$16 & Child US$90

Seasons

• Regular: 7th Jan – 30th Jun , 01st Sept – 31st Oct , 1st – 19th Dec
• Premium: 01st Jul – 31st Aug, 20th Dec – 6th Jan 2027
• Closed Season: November

Included:-Full board accommodation, soft drinks, local beers,non-premium wines and spirits,

conservancy fees(Invoiced at the time of booking,laundry,local airstrip transfers (Namunyak airstrip), activities as shown and statutory taxes.

Activities Included:-Day and night shared game drives,guided walks,hiking in the montane forest of the Mathews mountains, trips to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (entrance fees extra),De Braz- za monkey hike, and village visits.

Excluded

• Champagne, premium spirits, cellar wines
• Fly camping mobilisation fee – US$300
• Reteti Elephant Sanctuary entrance fees – US$35 per person payable direct (US$550 for exclusive visits PLUS US$35 per person in exclusive group)
• horse riding – US$60 per person per ride
• Samburu dancers (US$500 for 25 dancers)
• Ololokwe day trip (US$350 per vehicle)
• beading with Samburu women (US$25 per person)
• Blacksmithing with Samburu Ironmongers (US$25 per per- son)
• massage treatments
• exclusive use of vehicle at US$250 per day (subject to availability and restricted to within the Sarara Basin).

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