Samburu National Reserve is considered among the best wildlife reserves, not just in Kenya but in the whole of Africa. It is rich in wildlife with fame for abundance in rare northern species such as the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx. It is home to a large population of Elephants, the best place in Kenya to spot Leopards, and Wild Dog sightings are common. Bird life is also abundant with over 450 species.
Samburu National Reserve is very peaceful and attracts many animals because of the river that runs through it and the mixture of acacia, riverine forest, thorn trees and grassland vegetation. This is one of the two areas featured in the award-winning movie Born Free and was also the home of Kamunyak, a lioness famous for adopting oryx calves. Here are the best safari camps and lodges in Samburu National Reserve.
Samburu National Reserve Accommodation
1. Sasaab Lodge
Perched on the edge of a river valley, the architecture of Sasaab blends Swahili and Moroccan design principles in which the African heat is of primary consideration. Each of the nine canvas-sided rooms is over 100m² with private plunge pools and breathtaking views across the Laikipia Plateau toward the jagged peaks of Mount Kenya. Its position above the river naturally facilitates watching the herds of elephants that come to bathe below as well as a host of other wildlife.
Sasaab could be taken from the pages of A Thousand and One Nights. Its airy, open-plan dining and living areas are strung with Arabian-style lamps, traditionally carved furniture and lovely touches like amphora in arched alcoves and potted palms. Its Bedouin tent-style rooms, which are enormous and larger than some New York apartments, are also strung out along the property, which meanders down the river. While you need to be fairly fit to walk up and down the inclined pathways, the reward is maximum privacy and lovely views for every suite.
Of course, you needn’t walk to the main pool since your tent has its private plunge pool, a sun-drenched patio and an open-air bathroom. The spa is built around an internal pool and has a small gym attached to it. Further along, the freeform swimming pool is ringed with sun loungers – the nearby pizza oven can be fired up for a taste of Italy in Kenya.
2. Saruni Samburu
The six luxury eco-chic villas at Saruni Samburu are open and spacious, each heralding spectacular views over Kalama Conservancy and Mount Kenya. As the only lodge in over 200,000 acres of unspoiled and wildlife-rich bush, guests enjoy an exclusive safari that is guided by Samburu warriors passionate about their land and culture. The experience at Saruni Samburu is intimate and truly exceptional.
Saruni Samburu takes advantage of the rock faces and massive boulders around which it is built to create a property that is connected by a series of winding paths. Once again, it helps to be fairly fit and active. During your walks between the two swimming pools, your huge suite and the communal area, be on the lookout for klipspringers – small, very shy antelope that live in pairs, mate for life and find shelter amid the rocks. Legend has it that if one dies, the other pines away from grief, too. Leopards once used these rocks as their havens and the Samburu guides can also explain how Samburu warriors hid out here for months at a time during special eating ceremonies (the young men were not allowed to return to their manyatta until they had devoured several cattle – and virtually nothing else – to build up their strength).
Saruni Samburu also has a spa and is dotted with examples of exquisite Samburu jewellery: bright beads and fine silverwork are fashioned into delicate neckpieces worn by both men and women. The cuisine takes its nod from Italy – grissini, cappuccino and risotto all appear on the menu. Because of their positions on the rocks, the suites here are brick and mortar, unusual in a country renowned for its sophisticated tented camps.
3. Elephant Bedroom Camp
Elephant Bedroom Camp is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and offers an authentic African safari experience in a comfortable tented setting. The camp’s spacious tents are raised on wooden decks equipped with private plunge pools, surrounded by gorgeous doum palms. You can expect almost daily visits by a herd of elephants, and sometimes lion and leopard make their way through camp to drink from the river.
The 14 tented rooms are styled with subtle African tones and have beautiful private decks, perfect for sitting and observing the goings-on along the riverbed. With the backdrop of majestic mountains, including the white-capped Mount Kenya, guests will soon fall into the rhythm of the African wilderness when staying here during their Kenyan safari.
4. Lion King Bush Camp
Lion King Bush Camp is located inside Samburu National Reserve on the Ewaso Nyiro River. It offers a natural, unspoilt environment with very little interference to the bush and its inhabitants. As such, the camp remains home to myriad birds, mongoose, vervet monkeys, genet cats, tortoises, and monitor lizards, to name a few. Elephants are regular visitors, often crossing the river, or taking mud baths directly in front of the camp.
The atmosphere is informal, authentic, and designed for the experience-led adventure traveller. Guest usually dine together in the open-sided dining area or around the campfire… though some prefer to have a private table set up under the stars. And by night, owner Nahim will entertain with stories of a lifetime spent in the African bush. Lion King Bush Camp offers 6 very private tents, each with an outside seating area, double beds, inside tent showers and toilets. The camp can also accommodate requests for triple or four-people sharing.
Full board rates include accommodation, three home-cooked meals each day, and early morning tea and coffee served either at the tents or in the dining area. Half board rates include breakfast and dinner.
5. Samburu Sopa Lodge
Situated in Archers Post, Samburu Sopa Lodge features free WiFi, and guests can enjoy a shared lounge, a restaurant and a bar. The lodge offers a buffet or Full English/Irish breakfast. Samburu National Reserve is 700 m from Samburu Sopa Lodge, while Kalama Wildlife Conservancy is 27 km from the property. The nearest airport is Nanyuki, 136 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a free airport shuttle service.
6. Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu offers fully furnished, thatched-roof tents. It has an outdoor pool, and guided safari drives are offered twice a day. The spacious tents at Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp come with a 4-poster bed with a mosquito net. Each has mahogany furniture and wooden floors. All have a modern, private bathroom with a double vanity and a flush toilet. Buffet-style meals are served at the camp’s restaurant, which opens onto a river-facing terrace. Afternoon tea is also available. Guests can join guided bush walks in the morning. Relaxing massage treatments can be scheduled, and there is a playground for younger guests.
7. Samburu Riverside Camp
Located in the heart of the beautiful Samburu National Reserve and close to the mighty Ewaso Ng’iro River, Samburu Riverside Camp offers a natural environment with very little interference to the environment and its inhabitants. It is home to many birds, mongoose, vervet monkeys, tortoises, and elephants, to name a few. Samburu Riverside Camp is a small eco-friendly camp offering 3 deluxe tents and 3 standard ones, each one with an en-suite bathroom, changing room and outside seating area. The camp can also accommodate larger groups with smaller but comfortable tents. Enjoy 24-hour-a-day solar-powered lighting and charging stations in your tent and the dining area.
8. Sarara Camp
Sarara Camp is located at Namyunak Wildlife Conservancy, Sarara is a romantic, luxurious camp that offers stunning views of the Mathews Range and the Samburu wilderness. Sarara camp provides an intimate Kenyan experience in nature as the camp’s water hole attracts animals giving its guests a great sighting in the comfort of their tents or swimming pool. With the story of Sarara and the conservation efforts by the Samburu people, guests learn a lot about the neighbouring communities and their culture with pampering and comfort from this special place.
The spacious tents are uniquely designed, each situated to give you a beautiful view of the savannah. Enjoy delicious meals under the shady trees, pool terrace, or an intimate romantic moonlight bush dinner. Sarara Camp is specifically designed to give you an adventurous experience with activities such as horseback riding, nature walks, and game drives.
9. Elephant Watch Safari Camp
Located on the western bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Elephant Watch Safari Camp brings out a true African nature beneath great Kigelia and Acacia trees. The camp is home to herds of elephant bulls in Samburu. As elephants often wander the centre on their way to the river, guests experience a unique world of elephants and learn more about their gentle nature. Other than the elephant’s experience, sights of other animals such as Greater kudu and impalas stop by to eat seedpods or a multitude of birds and monkeys.
Enjoy the best accommodations in luxurious tents with unique furniture designs for utmost comfort in an eco-friendly environment. Elephant watch safari camp offers extra activities for its guests, such as bush walks and cultural interactions to make your safari enjoyable. Enjoy a thrilling stay at the elephant watch safari camp with exceptional interactions with elephants.
10. Ashnil Samburu Camp
Ashnil Samburu Camp is located within the Buffalo Springs Game Reserve. Strategically Positioned on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Ashnil offers its guests a chance to explore the beautiful natural treasures in Samburu. The camp has exclusive, comfortable tents with perfect views of the river. Enjoy your stay at Ashnil Samburu camp with an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a beautiful garden with views of the African savannah.
Providing entertainment activities such as Samburu cultural talks and dances, Ashnil camp gives you a chance to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Samburu people. Enjoy an authentic safari at Ashnil Samburu camp with early morning game drives, bush breakfasts, or private dinners overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River.
11. Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Located in the middle of the Shaba Game Reserve, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is attractively laid out with luxurious rooms overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River. The lodge is built around an oasis around the natural terrain of the Samburu national park. Enjoy a unique experience beyond the game drives at the Samburu national reserve at the Sarova Shaba game lodge. Coupled with the large free-form pools that flow around the luxurious gardens, Sarova Shaba offers you the quality service and pampering you require during your bush drive. The lodge presents so many activities for its guest to indulge in, from camel safaris to bird watching or to watching crocodiles as they feed.
12. Samburu Special Campsites
These are private campsites, on the river, that you need to reserve by calling and booking in advance. These would be good for families or groups who want privacy, or safari companies with their setup.
13. Samburu Public Campsite
There is a public campsite near the river, close to the ranger’s station. It has a sandy beach, toilets, and cold showers (but not that cold and they are a welcome relief from the Samburu heat). You can turn up without booking, but you have to hire a camp guard to keep the baboons away.
