Samburu County is a county set in the former Rift Valley Province. It lies on the edge of northern Kenya’s arid savannahs. This region is named after the Samburu people, who are nomadic pastoralists known for their beautiful culture. The Samburu National Reserve is the perfect place to visit if you are seeking an off-beaten destination that is home to plenty of wildlife in Kenya.
A calm sunrise over Samburu
The Samburu Reserve stretches towards the rugged Chalbi desert and showcases the remote wilderness of Kenya. Running through Samburu is the Ewaso N’giro River, surrounded by bountiful tamarind trees, acacia, and doum palms. Samburu’s game viewing is popular, along with adventurous activities and cultural interaction.
The reserve is home to various animals, such as large herds of elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, and impalas. It has big cats roaming in and around its savannahs and forests. One can catch sight of the rare and endangered wild dogs in the area. Lions and cheetahs aren’t far away either. Samburu has also recorded around 450 species of birds, such as martial eagles, Somali ostriches, black-capped social weavers, and many more.
Giraffes near a waterhole in Samburu
Samburu allows for rewarding safari experiences such as walking safaris, mountain biking, visits to local villages, big cat tracking, and much more.
Travellers can enjoy the incredible Samburu by opting for the premier accommodations available in the area. Here are the top five hotels that will upgrade your safari experience in Samburu, from tents to lodges.
Sasaab Lodge
The Sasaab Lodge is perched on the edge of a river valley and appears to be straight out of an Arabian fairy tale. The lodge features a spectacular blend of Swahili and Moroccan architecture.
Sasaab Lodge has nine canvas-sided rooms, which are massive and spacious. Each room comes with a private plunge pool and sun-drenched patio. And that offer breathtaking views across the Laikipia Plateau and Mount Kenya. The room’s position above the river naturally facilitates the elephants that frequent the river as well as other wildlife.
The lavish Sasaab Lodge
The lodge has airy living areas and open-plan dining areas that have Arabian-style lamps, traditionally crafted furniture, and potted palms. Guests can indulge in the lodge’s spa, which is built around an internal pool and surrounded by sun loungers.
Guests can enjoy an array of activities that Sasaab provides, such as thrilling game rides, cultural experiences, bush breakfasts, nature walks, and much more.
Elephant Bedroom Camp
The Elephant Bedroom Camp is an intimate accommodation that offers luxury in a beautiful wilderness setting. Guests can enjoy an authentic African safari experience at the camp set along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
The camp raises the 14 roomy tents on wooded decks, maintains them rustically, and adds colourful African touches. Keeping comfort in mind, each unit offers all sorts of modern amenities, along with private plunge pools surrounded by beautiful doum palms.
The comfortable rooms of Elephant Bedroom Camp
The camp’s lounge and dining area have vibrant safari-style décor while also providing an intimate setting where guests can relax comfortably after game drives. Guests can savour continental-style cuisine prepared by the camp.
Along with traditional safaris, the camp also offers sundowners, picnic lunches, cultural visits, lectures on Samburu culture, entertainment by local Samburu people, guided bush walks, and more.
Saruni Samburu
Saruni Samburu provides enchanting views over Kalama Conservancy and Mount Kenya. Set at a considerably higher altitude, the reception area of the lodge is at the top of the escapement, affording gorgeous vistas of the Samburu plains below.
This lodge is the first and most exclusive of its kind, as it uses eco-design in an architecturally fascinating and dynamic way. It is built into and around a giant volcanic rock that blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings.
Open dining at Saruni Samburu Camp
Saruni Samburu has lavish and enormous villas with en-suite bedrooms, a spacious living room, and verandas. While the open veranda has a fireplace ideal for chilly Samburu nights, the comfortable sitting and dining areas are great for private dinners.
Guests can enjoy unique activities at the lodge, including day and night game drives, visits to local caves, and guided bush walks. Aside from these, guests can truly pamper themselves by indulging in massages offered by the lodge. Guests can also lounge at the infinity pools and browse through the saruni shop at the lodge.
Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and is considered a lush oasis. The river and the forest surround this tented luxury camp, offering a calm atmosphere. The camp overlooks the river, where elephants frequently visit and crocodiles come out to lounge at the river’s bank.
Tents at Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Samburu Intrepids has 28 modern and newly refurbished tents with a private view over the wildlife-rich river bank. Each unit provides the best views of Samburu and the Ewaso Nyiro River as they elevate all the tents. The units have mahogany furniture, parquet floors, and modern private bathrooms.
Guests can embark on guided walks, stargazing, cultural experiences, game drives, and many other activities. For families coming with children, the camp organises an adventure club. There kids can have exciting opportunities to learn about the wild from Samburu naturalists.
Ashnil Samburu Camp
Ashnil Samburu Camp is a luxurious tented camp situated in the towering backdrop of Ol Olokwe Mountain, fronting the Ewaso Nyiro River.
The camp spreads out 30 exclusive tents along the shady banks of the river under the thick doum palms. Each tent has beautiful decorations and en-suite facilities. The private decked terraces that offer views of the Ewaso Nyiro River accompany the spacious rooms.
Beautiful views from the rooms of Ashnil Samburu Camp
Ashnil Samburu Camp has a restaurant that looks past the beautiful views of Samburu and serves a variety of menus comprising international, oriental, and traditional cuisines. The camp features an outdoor swimming pool flanked by sun lounges, a beautiful garden, and a lounge bar overlooking the African savannahs.
Guests can request and experience a range of activities in the reserve, such as game drives, nature walks, cultural visits, bush meals, and sundowners.
Whether you are a seasoned traveller or experiencing an African safari for the first time, Samburu never fails to amaze visitors with its rugged beauty and diverse wildlife. Choose from the above-listed accommodations and enjoy a comfortable stay in the wilds of Samburu without any worries.
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