Sasaab Lodge – Where Sky, River & Wildness Meet
You wake before dawn. The sky is still ink-dark, but the distant silhouette of Mt. Kenya glows faintly on the horizon. The air hums with unseen life — crickets, the low murmur of elephants drinking from the river, the silver flash of a Grevy’s zebra in moonlight. You step onto your veranda, plunge pool at your feet, and the river’s soft current echoes below. At Sasaab Lodge, high above the Ewaso Nyiro, the wilderness pulses just beyond the canvas walls of your suite.
Here, luxury is not separation from nature but its celebration. The thatch, the solar-powered lights, the Moroccan-inspired details — all designed to frame the wild, not mask it. Whether you’re corralled in comfort or stretched out under stars from a rooftop stargazing bed, every moment at Sasaab is a thread in a larger story of river, tribe, sky, and wildlife.
Experience & Highlights at Sasaab Lodge
What Makes Sasaab Special
- Location: Perched above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, in the heart of Samburu land, within the Westgate Community Conservancy. You get breathtaking views across the river, over semi-arid bush, all the way to the Laikipia Plateau and Mount Kenya.
- Architecture & Style: The lodge is built with local materials, featuring a Moroccan influence — large thatched roofs, canvas walls, open plan verandas, star beds, airy open-air bathrooms, cooling design to manage the heat during the day.
- Rooms & Suites: Nine luxury suites (seven individual, one family unit), each over 100 m², with private plunge pools, large en-suite bathrooms, semi-open design, wonderful river views. The family unit connects two bedrooms via a shared lounge and has its own pool. Some rooms feature rooftop beds for stargazing.
Wildlife, Adventure & Culture
- Wildlife Viewing: Twice-daily game drives into Samburu National Reserve. Expect elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the Samburu “Special Five” — Beisa oryx, Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk, and Somali ostrich.
- Adventure Activities: Guided river walks, camel rides, quad-bike safaris, fly camping under the stars, and nature walks. For a more off-the-beaten-path experience in northern Kenya, consider combining your stay with Sarara Camp in Samburu
- Cultural Encounters: Samburu guides share traditions, ceremonies, and stories. Visits to local villages and markets connect you to the culture of this region. Your stay supports conservation and community projects within the Westgate Conservancy.
Relaxation & Luxury Touches
- Dining & Atmosphere: Meals offered al-fresco under acacias or in the “mess souk” style area. Bush dinners, sundowners at scenic kopjes or river rock outcrops. Gourmet food using fresh local ingredients.
- Wellness & Comfort: Spa treatments at “SpaSaab”, tranquil pool overlooking the river, cooling guest rooms, star beds for stargazing, power via solar in many cases, comfortable furnishing reflecting style and elegance.
Practical Information & Useful Details
- Getting There
• By air: about 1–1.5 hour flight from Nairobi to either the Samburu or Sasaab airstrip; charter flights possible. — perfect for combining with Lewa House in Laikipia
• By road: scenic drive from Nairobi (~6-8 hours depending on route and road condition) through changing landscapes—from the slopes of Mt Kenya into the Northern Frontier District. - Accommodation & Room Types
• Total capacity: up to 18 guests. Nine suites: seven individual + one family unit (two inter-connected rooms).
• All rooms have private plunge pools, open verandas, large en-suite bathrooms, spectacular views. Some offer rooftop beds. - Best Time to Visit
The dry seasons are ideal for game viewing: around June to October and December to February. However, the semi-arid region offers good visibility and wildlife action nearly year round; animals congregate around the river, birds are active, landscapes dramatic. Note: the lodge closes for a short period (mid-November in some years) for maintenance. - Stays, Rates, Booking
Minimum stay is usually two nights. Suite rates vary by season. Park & conservancy fees are additional. For exclusive use, or private vehicles, prior request required (especially for family suites or special excursions). - Guest Considerations
Elegant but rustic — canvas and thatch mean some exposure; the heat in afternoons is managed by design but still noticeable. Some walking and adventure activities require moderate fitness. Young children accommodated (family unit), but some room locations are steep, so let the lodge know about mobility constraints. For a dedicated family safari option, explore El Karama Lodge in Laikipia
Why Choose Sasaab Lodge?
- Luxury blended with raw wilderness, perched above the river.
- Conservation and community-driven: supporting the Westgate Conservancy and Samburu traditions.
- Unique features: rooftop star beds, fly camping, private plunge pools.
- Perfect to combine with luxury lodges in Samburu and Laikipia or even a Masai Mara Adventure Safari
Ready to Go!
Ready to experience Kenyan wilderness from a vantage most never see? Book your stay at Sasaab Lodge Samburu — where elephants roam below your suite, Samburu warriors share their stories, and every sunrise brings the drama of wild Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions – Sasaab Lodge Samburu
1. Where exactly is Sasaab Lodge located?
Sasaab sits in the Westgate Community Conservancy, on a ridge above the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu, northern Kenya. It overlooks Mount Kenya and is close to Samburu National Reserve.
2. What wildlife can I expect to see?
You’ll see elephants daily along the river, as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the Samburu “Special Five” — Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and Gerenuk.
3. What activities are available besides game drives?
In addition to game drives, guests can enjoy camel rides, quad biking, fly camping, river walks, and cultural visits. Sasaab is also known for wellness experiences at SpaSaab and stargazing from rooftop beds.
4. How do I get to Sasaab Lodge?
Guests can fly from Nairobi to Samburu or Sasaab airstrip (about 1–1.5 hours), or drive 6–8 hours via Laikipia. Many travelers combine Sasaab with Lewa House in Laikipia or the Masai Mara Adventure Safari
5. Is Sasaab suitable for families?
Yes. The lodge has a dedicated family suite with two bedrooms, a shared lounge, and private pool. For families seeking even more child-friendly safari options, we recommend El Karama Lodge in Laikipia.
6. When is the best time to visit?
Wildlife viewing is excellent year-round thanks to the river, but the dry seasons (June–October and December–February) are especially rewarding.
Bucket List Safari
The magic of a Kenyan safari doesn’t end with Sasaab. The Safari Collection is the proud owner of six distinct camps and lodges in some of Kenya’s most spectacular locations, including Giraffe Manor and The Retreat in Nairobi, Sala’s Camp in the Masai Mara, Sasaab in Samburu, Solio Lodge in Laikipia and Siruai Mobile Camp
Sasaab Rates
The Season: 01-5 January 2025 ,01 June 2025 – 31 October 2025 / 16-31 December 2025 | ||
Family Suite | RATE | |
Minimum Room Rate (based on up to 2 adults & 2 children sharing) | Fully Inclusive | US$ 5,711 |
3rd Child Rate (3yrs to 15yrs inclusive) | US$ 885 | |
4 Adults Sharing Rate | US$ 6,737 | |
Per Adult Sharing in an extra bed | US$ 1,684 | |
Aall Other Suites | RATE | |
Per Person Sharing | Fully Inclusive | US$ 1,684 |
Per Child Rate | US$ 1,171 | |
Per Child Sharing (in an extra bed aged 3yrs to 11yrs inclusive) | US$ 885 | |
Single Room | US$ 2,396 |
Saving Season:06 January – 31 May 2025 / 01 November-15 December 2025* | ||
Family Suite | RATE | |
Minimum Room Rate (based on up to 2 adults & 2 children sharing) | Fully Inclusive | US$ 4,109 |
3rd Child Rate (3yrs to 15yrs inclusive) | US$ 566 | |
4 Adults Sharing Rate | US$ 4,835 | |
Per Adult Sharing in an extra bed | US$ 1,209 | |
All Other Suites | RATE | |
Per Person Sharing | Fully Inclusive | US$ 1,209 |
Per Child Rate | US$ 845 | |
Per Child Sharing (in an extra bed aged 3yrs to 11yrs inclusive) | US$ 566 | |
Single Room | US$ 1,690 |
ADDITIONAL RATES | |||
Professional Guide Room Per Person Per Night Exclusive of Park & Conservation Fees | US$ 170 | ||
Park & Conservation Fees (Samburu Park & Westgate Conservation Fees) | Adult | 85 & 75 | US$ 160 |
Child | 50 & 37.5 | US$ 87.50 | |
Exclusive Use of Vehicle Per Day | US$ 490 | ||
Samburu Cultural Experience (Either the Women’s Ntorosi celebration or a Warrior Dance. Please note, this is at the discretion of the local community, with prior arrangement only and subject to weather.) | US$ 350 | ||
Extra Lunch per person | US$ 46 | ||
Quad Bike Excursions | US$ 35 Perpersonperhour |
RATES INCLUDE:-All meals and drinks including house wines, beers and spirits; game drives, bush meals and sundowners; guided walks; camel walks; airstrip transfers; fly camping (by prior arrangement and can involve exclusive vehicle hire at US$ 490 per day); laundry, Samburu manyatta visit, community project, school and market day visits (the latter two may involve exclusive vehicle hire).
RATES EXCLUDE Champagne, luxury spirits, selected wines, cigars, tips, travel & emergency evacuation insurance, treatments in Spasaab, quad bikes and personal effects.
CHILDREN:-Children are ages 3 to 15 years inclusive. 16 years and over is an adult. 2 years and under is an infant. Infants stay FOC. Extra beds are available on request. We recommend parents book the family suite (rooms 8 & 9), as it has a shared central area and pool where families can enjoy time together. It can also be taken as an exclusive use villa, as it has separate access and in-room meals can be provided. Local Samburu guides speak excellent English and are delighted to teach children about their culture, such as making a traditional bow and arrow. Baby-listeners and special meals are by prior arrangement.
The child rate is based upon the following instances:
- Two children sharing a room (rate applies to each child)
- A child sharing with one adult.
The child sharing in an extra bed rate is based upon the following instances:
- A child (or children if more than one extra bed is needed, aged 3yrs to 11yrs inclusive) sharing a room with two others (whether it be adults or children) on an extra bed. This is a third person rate for children.
Notes
- CHECK OUT Guests need to be out of their rooms by 10:00 am, although they can continue to use the rest of the lodge facilities. Please note that extra lunches are charged at US$ 46 per person.
- *CLOSURE:-Sasaab is closed from 16 November to 30 November 2025 inclusive. These dates are subject to change and there is flexibility with closure dates. Please contact reservations for more information.
- GUIDE RATE:-This rate is for a guide to stay in a guide room fully inclusive of meals and drinks at the lodge.
- GAME DRIVES Guests staying in one of our Family Suites (rooms 8 & 9 or rooms 10 & 11) have exclusive use of a vehicle. Guests staying in all other suites will share vehicles with other guests. Exclusive use of a vehicle can be booked prior to arrival at an additional charge and subject to availability.
- ROOM TYPES:-Sasaab has 11 suites all over 100m². Our Family Suites (rooms 8 & 9 and rooms 10 & 11) each have two spacious en-suite bedrooms connected via expansive shared lounge areas with private plunge pools. All other rooms have their own private plunge pools. Rooms are open plan with large en-suite bathrooms & showers and some have rooftop stargazing beds. The lodge is situated on quite a steep bank, so it is essential that we are notified of any physical disabilities, medical conditions or very young children in order to allocate the most appropriate room. Please note that we will always do our best to fulfil specific rooming requests, but we cannot guarantee this.
- PARK AND CONSERVATION and EES Park and conservation fees are per person per night. Please note that park and conservation fees are subject to change at any time in accordance with the local councils. These changes are beyond our control.
- ACCESS BY AIR Approximately 1.5hr flight from Nairobi into Samburu or Sasaab airstrip directly. It is important when booking flights to always notify the airline that guests are staying at Sasaab. There can be multiple stops on scheduled flights. This is beyond our control and only confirmed the day before travel. Charter flights into Sasaab’s airstrip are available from anywhere in the country. For internal fights within Kenya, guests are advised to pack in soft bags with a maximum of 15kg per person including hand luggage.
- ACCESS BY ROAD Approximately 8 hr drive from Nairobi (subject to condition of road), past Mount Kenya and up into the Northern Frontier District. Directions available from head office.
- -PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING:Please send filming or photography content requests for publications, commercials and brands to The Safari Collection’s marketing department. The Safari Collection has the right to evaluate each booking request that involves filming or photography on a case-by-case basis and the right to refuse bookings to ensure that all content is aligned with brand values.
- Minimum Stay:This property is bookable for a minimum number of two nights.
Special Offers
VALID: 01 JANUARY 2025 – 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 25% Off Accommodation:-Stay at one or a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties excluding Giraffe Manor (Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 4 nights during The Season and get 25% off accommodation.Valid for travel between: 01 January 2025 – 05 January 2025,01 June 2025 – 31 October 2025 and 16 December 2025 – 31 December 2025 inclusive.
- 30% Off Accommodation:-Stay at one or a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties excluding Giraffe Manor (Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 4 nights during Savings Season and get 30% off accommodation. Valid for travel between: 06 January 2025 – 31 May 2025 and 01 November 2025 – 15 December 2025 inclusive.Stay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties (Giraffe Manor, Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 7 nights during The Season and get 30% off accommodation. Percentage discount does not apply to Giraffe Manor but Giraffe Manor can be used in the combination. Valid for travel between: 01 January 2025 – 05 January 2025, 01 June 2025 – 31 October 2025 and 16 December 2025 – 31 December 2025 inclusive.
- 35% Off Accommodation:-Stay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties (Giraffe Manor, Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 7 nights during Savings Season and get 35% off accommodation. Percentage discount does not apply to Giraffe Manor but Giraffe Manor can be used in the combination. Valid for travel between: 06 January 2025 – 31 May 2025 and 01 November 2025 – 15 December 2025 inclusive.Stay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties (Giraffe Manor, Sala’s Camp, Solio Lodge or Sasaab) for a minimum of 10 nights during The Season and get 35% off accommodation. Percentage discount does not apply to Giraffe Manor but Giraffe Manor can be used in the combination. Valid for travel between: 01 January 2025 – 05 January 2025, 01 June 2025 – 31 October 2025 and 16 December 2025 – 31 December 2025 inclusive.
- 40% Off Accommodation:-Stay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties (Giraffe Manor, Sala’s Camp, Solio Lodge or Sasaab) for a minimum of 10 nights during SavingsSeasonand get 40% off accommodation. Percentage discount does not apply to Giraffe Manor but Giraffe Manor can be used in the combination. Valid for travel between: 06 January 2025 – 31 May 2025 and 01 November 2025 – 15 December 2025 inclusive.
- 30% OFF THE RETREAT AT GIRAFFE MANOR:-Stay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties (Giraffe Manor, Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 7 nights and get 30% off The Retreat’s Day Room accommodation or Early Bird Breakfast package. Valid for travel throughout the year.
COMPLIMENTARY RETREAT DAY PASS
Stay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties (Giraffe Manor, Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 7 nights and get a complimentary Day Pass at The Retreat. Valid for travel throughout the year.
Offers are subject to availability.They are non-transferable, cannot be combined with any other offer and apply to new bookings only
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Discover Similar Camps in Samburu and Masai Mara
Whether you’re seeking to explore the rugged landscapes of Samburu or the rich wildlife of the Maasai Mara, there’s an array of luxurious accommodations that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Here are some similar camps in Samburu and Maasai Mara that promise an authentic and comfortable safari experience.
Samburu Safari Lodges:
- Elephant Bedroom Camp:- Set along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Elephant Bedroom Camp offers luxury in a setting of breathtaking beauty. It is a haven for elephant lovers, with the gentle giants often spotted wandering through the camp.
- Saruni Samburu:- Perched on a rocky cliff, Saruni Samburu’s villas offer panoramic views of the Kalama Conservancy. This eco-friendly lodge allows guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and pristine wilderness.
- Larsens Camp: Nestled in lush woodland on the banks of the river, Larsens Camp offers an exclusive experience with its luxury tents and attentive service, all within the heart of Samburu National Reserve.
Customer Reviews of Sasaab Camp Samburu
Sophia & James Trenton
★★★★★
“An unforgettable journey into the wild beauty of Samburu! Sasaab Camp exceeded our expectations with its thoughtful blend of luxury and authenticity. From the private plunge pools to the personalized safari experiences, every moment here felt tailored just for us. We left with full hearts and a treasure trove of memories. Highly recommend!”
Miguel Rodriguez
★★★★★
“My stay at Sasaab Camp was nothing short of spectacular. The attention to detail—from the amazing design of the tents to the fresh, garden-sourced meals—made my experience incredibly special. What really stood out was the professionalism and warmth of the staff; they made us feel like family. The cultural insights into the Samburu people added a layer of richness to the trip that you just can’t put a price on.”
Sarah L. Peters
★★★★☆
“Sasaab Camp is a slice of heaven in the heart of Kenya’s wilderness. The panoramic views of the Ewaso Nyiro River took my breath away every morning. Game drives and bush dining were top-notch, though it’s worth noting that the Wi-Fi can be a bit spotty—then again, who needs Wi-Fi when you’re surrounded by such majestic beauty? A solid 4 stars from me!”

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