Samburu Luxury Safari camps
Sasaab Lodge
A Moroccan-Inspired Oasis in Samburu’s Wild Heart, Sasaab Lodge,camp.
📍 Location: Westgate Community Conservancy, Samburu, Kenya
🏕️ Accommodation Type: Luxury Tented Lodge
👥 Ideal For: Couples · Honeymooners · Families (children 6+) · Discerning travellers seeking exclusivity, culture, and adventure
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🌍 Overview
Perched high above the Ewaso Nyiro River, Sasaab Lodge,camp is among Kenya’s most striking safari retreats. Moreover, the Lodge blends adventure, cultural immersion, and serenity within Samburu’s rugged landscape.
A member of The Safari Collection, Sasaab is renowned for its exceptional service and its commitment to the local community and environment is equally strong.
🏛️ The Architecture: A Fusion of Africa and Morocco
Sasaab stands out for its unique architectural style. The lodge blends traditional Swahili design with exotic Moroccan influences.
The main souk-style mess building features high thatched roofs, whitewashed stone floors, Arabic arches, and colorful, comfortable seating. This aesthetic carries into the guest tents, creating a sense of elegant, exotic escapism amidst the wilderness.
🎯 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.
- Breathtaking views across the river, over semi-arid bush, all the way to the Laikipia Plateau and Mount Kenya.
- 🏛️ Architecture & Style — 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.
🛏️ The Accommodation: Suites of Spacious Luxury
Sasaab’s accommodations are superb and highly regarded. The lodge has nine or eleven spacious suites, depending on configuration, each covering over 100 square meters. The luxury canvas tents are designed for privacy and provide a private sanctuary.
✨ Luxury Suite Features
🛏️ Four-Poster Zanzibari Beds — For a touch of romance and colonial elegance
🚿 En-Suite Bathrooms — With stylish rain showers
🏊 Private Plunge Pools — A private oasis to cool off in the heat of the day while watching wildlife
⭐ Rooftop Stargazing Beds — A unique feature where you can sleep under the vast, star-filled Samburu sky
🛋️ Lounge Areas & Verandas — Providing ample space to relax and take in the uninterrupted views of the river and the Laikipia Plateau
👨👩👧 Family Suites
For families or groups of friends, Sasaab offers two unique two-bedroom Family Suites: the Riverside Family Suite (Tents 8 & 9) and the Poolside Family Suite (Tents 10 & 11).
These suites feature two en-suite bedrooms connected by a shared lounge area, a private deck, and a plunge pool. Guests staying in the Family Suites enjoy the benefit of an exclusive-use safari vehicle
🦁 The Setting: A Wildlife Haven
Sasaab Lodge is situated in the Westgate Community Conservancy, bordering both the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. This location offers exceptional access to the region’s unique wildlife.
🦓 The Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra · Reticulated giraffe · Beisa oryx · Gerenuk · Somali ostrich
Large herds of elephants are common, often coming down to the river below the lodge. The area is also a critical habitat for predators like lion, leopard, and cheetah.
🎯 Experiences and Activities
Sasaab offers a diverse and enriching array of activities, led by knowledgeable Samburu guides.
🚙 Game Drives — Explore the diverse ecosystems of the Westgate Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve, and Buffalo Springs in search of the unique northern species and a thriving population of big cats
🐪 Camel Safaris — Experience the bush from a different perspective on a camel ride. For the adventurous, you can even trek to a “fly camp” for a night or two, sleeping under the stars in a mobile expedition camp
🎭 Cultural Encounters — A stay at Sasaab offers meaningful interactions with the local Samburu community. Guests can visit nearby villages, learn about traditional customs, or attend a local market day (particularly vibrant on Wednesdays and Thursdays)
🏍️ Quad Biking — For a thrilling change of pace, explore the conservancy on a quad bike excursion
💆 Spa, Fitness & Infinity Pool — After a day of adventure, unwind at SpaSaab, the lodge’s riverside spa. Relax by the stunning main infinity pool overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River, or maintain your fitness routine at the gymnasium
⛺ Fly Camping & Bush Dining — For the ultimate immersive experience, try fly camping under the stars. Bush breakfasts, sundowners at a scenic rock, and elegant al fresco dining are all part of the Sasaab experience
🌿 Commitment to Sustainability
Sasaab is deeply integrated with its local environment. The lodge is an active supporter of local projects like Uaso Lions, which works to foster peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. It also employs staff from the local community and operates a kitchen garden (“shamba”) to provide fresh, sustainable ingredients for its meals.
💰 Sasaab 2027 Rates
2027 Rates
👨👩👧 Family Suites with Pool
- 🏕️ Minimum Room Rate (based on up to 2 adults & 2 children sharing) — The Season: US6,911∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US6,911∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 4,972
- 👨👩👧 3rd Child Rate (3yrs to 15yrs inclusive) — The Season: US1,071∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US1,071∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 684
- 👥 4 Adults Sharing Rate — The Season: US8,152∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US8,152∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 5,851
- 👤 Per Adult Sharing in an extra bed — The Season: US2,037∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US2,037∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 1,462
🏕️ All Other Suites with Pool
- 👤 Per Person Sharing — The Season: US2,037∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US2,037∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 1,462
- 👨👩👧 Per Child Rate — The Season: US1,417∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US1,417∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 1,023
- 👨👩👧 Per Child Sharing (in an extra bed aged 3yrs to 11yrs inclusive) — The Season: US1,071∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US1,071∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 684
- 🛏️ Single Room — The Season: US2,899∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US2,899∗∗⋅∗∗SavingsSeason:US 2,045
➕ Additional Rates
- 🧭 Professional Guide Room (Per Person Per Night Exclusive of Park & Conservation Fees) — US$ 190
- 🎟️ Park & Conservation Fees (Samburu Park & Westgate Conservation Fees) — Adult: 85 & 75 · Child: 50 & 37.5
- 🚙 Exclusive Use of Vehicle Per Day — US$ 490
- 💃 Samburu Cultural Experience (Either the Women’s Ntorsi celebration or a Warrior Dance. 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 per person per hour
📅 Seasons
- The Season — 01 January – 05 January 2027 · 01 June – 31 October 2027 · 16 December – 31 December 2027
- Savings Season — 06 January – 31 May 2027 · 01 November – 15 December 2027
🚫 Closure: Sasaab is closed from 16 November to 30 November 2027 inclusive.
🌙 Minimum Night Stay: This property is bookable for a minimum stay of two nights.
📋 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
🔍 Similar Camps in Samburu and Masai Mara
🦓 Samburu Safari Lodges
🐘 Elephant Bedroom Camp — Set along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River · Luxury in a setting of breathtaking beauty · A haven for elephant lovers, with the gentle giants often spotted wandering through the camp
🏕️ Saruni Samburu — Perched on a rocky cliff · Villas offer panoramic views of the Kalama Conservancy · Eco-friendly lodge allows guests to immerse themselves in local culture and pristine wilderness
🏕️ Larsens Camp — Nestled in lush woodland on the banks of the river · Exclusive experience with luxury tents and attentive service · 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!”
📞 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.
📞 +254 785 639 497 | ✉️ sales@beyondkenyasafaris.com
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📍 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.
🦁 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.
🎯 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.
✈️ 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.
👨👩👧 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.
📅 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.
📞 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
🔘 Enquire Now