Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Perched on the top of the Kalama mountains with an all-round view of Northern Kenya all the way to snow-covered Mount Kenya, Saruni Samburu is a design lodge that is introducing a fresh concept to a well-known safari destination. Built on the pristine land owned by the Kalama Wildlife Conservancy in 240,000 acres-large Gir Gir Group Ranch, it is only seven kilometers - and 20 minutes of exciting game drive - away from the Northern border of Samburu National Reserve. The lodge offers first-class safari experience in a totally unspoilt environment, far from the beaten tracks but very close to the wildlife. We currently have 6 villas and a capacity of 20 guests. Owned and operated by Saruni in the Masai Mara, Saruni Samburu has been facilitated by the Northern Rangeland (Nrt), an umbrella organization developed by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to promote tourism and conservation in Northern Kenya. We game drive inside Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, but many activities take place in Kalama, a well-kept secret of Kenya's North. The recent introduction of water means that Kalama is becoming an important attraction to all the Samburu wildlife. Our activities include night and morning game drive in Kalama Conservancy, visits to the caves where in the past the Samburu have painted and carved rock art during meat-eating feasts, professionally-led game walks, bush dinners and star gazing. The traditions and semi-nomadic heritage of the local Samburu people are an important part of the experience. Led by professional Samburu guides, our guests enjoy a new dimension of this rightfully popular region: the feeling of exclusivity, of having an incredibly large area totally to their own, and a high level of comfort and tailor-made service.
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Saruni Samburu stands out for many travelers as an impeccable retreat, with its pristine cleanliness and cozy ambiance often highlighted. The hotel's service is a gem, with staff earning rave reviews for their warmth and attentiveness. Guests are enveloped in an atmosphere that is frequently described as the highlight of their African adventure, with spacious and comfortable rooms that boast breathtaking views.
Amenities, including wildlife encounters and multiple pools, complement the luxurious experience. Situated atop rocky mountains, Saruni Samburu's location offers a unique and unforgettable stay.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Comfortable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Wow, wow! What can we say? Saruni Samburu was the absolute highlight of our first trip to Africa to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We stayed there for two nights in villa #5 which has a patio with a rock outcropping and jaw-dropping views of the Kalama Conservancy. It was the most spectacular scenery of any place we stayed on our entire trip!
My favorite part of our stay was our day visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, about a two and a half hour drive away in the Namunyak Conservancy. We got to learn about the amazing work they are doing at Reteti to save abandoned or orphaned baby elephants and other animals. In addition to watching the feeding of the elephants, we were also taken on a tour of the baby animal orphanage where we got to pet a baby Grevy's zebra that had only been at Reteti for one day. After leaving Reteti, our guide, Emmanuel, stopped so that we could photograph a large male giraffe right next to the dirt road. The giraffe came right over to sniff my cellphone and get a nose scratch. He ended up sneezing all over me which was the coolest thing ever! We then stopped at Elephant Rock to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch under the rock and afterwards, made a last-minute decision to stop at a local Samburu village where we visited with the people and learned about their homes and way of life. Along the highway, we saw spectacular scenery and a large caravan of camels walking alongside the road and stopped at a local shop, so that I could buy a beautiful kikoi. Once back in Samburu Reserve, we were treated to a very large herd of elephants feeding alongside the road and both a cheetah and leopard sighting. When we returned to camp, our attendant, Stefano, had arranged the most delicious Kenyan meal which we enjoyed on our patio by candlelight under the stars. The entire day was the most beautiful experience of my life!
The incredible warmth and hospitality of the staff at Saruni Samburu make it even more amazing. Our guide, Emmanuel, was fantastic! He was willing to stay out late on game drives and made sure we had the best opportunities to see Samburu's amazing special five. Our game drives were incredible and the wildlife we saw was unlike any of our other experiences in Kenya. It was such a magical experience being off road and completely surrounded by so many beautiful giraffes and elephants! Staying at Saruni Samburu was a wonderful, wonderful experience that I highly recommend!
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Be sure to visit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. It is the most amazing place!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Saruni Basecamp, Marketing at Saruni Samburu
Responded 14 Jul 2024
Dear Natalie, Thank you so for taking the time to share such a wonderful review of your stay at Saruni Samburu! We are thrilled to hear that our camp was the highlight of your 20th-anniversary trip to Africa. It is truly heartwarming to know that you enjoyed every aspect of your visit, from the breathtaking views of the Kalama Conservancy to the memorable encounters with wildlife and the warm hospitality of our staff. Your detailed account of your visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and the special moments you experienced along the way are truly inspiring. We are so glad that Emmanuel was able to make your day unforgettable. Our goal is always to provide an exceptional experience, and it means the world to us to know that we succeeded in making your stay magical. Thank you for your high recommendation and for sharing your wonderful memories. We hope to welcome you back to Saruni Samburu in the future for more unforgettable experiences. Saruni Basecamp Team.
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We just returned from 10 days at Samburu, Mara and the Wild with a family of seven, ages 16-68. I will try and describe all three but words cannot do it justice. We choose Saruni initially because of the non stop from JFK to Nairobi, working with 1 operator and the variety of lodges. The trip was seamless as we were in good hands every step of the way. While others have commented on the animals, the lodges, the food, what stood out to us was the genuiness of the people at all 3 locations. We ate together, laughed together, shared pictures of our families and children.We learned of their way of life , danced and sang with the warriors and were immersed into the culture. Those memories will last longer than of the animals. Samburu has a hip vibe; two pools, the one on top with sweeping views of the mountains. A watering hole where the baby elephants run to at dusk to drink. A pitch black sky so you can see all the constellations and the Milky Way( a first for me) .An awe inspiring location. Mara was more sedate; beautifully appointed , tucked away in the hills. We had the private villa and every night after the game drive a warming fire was waiting for us.Hot water bottles in the bed when you retired to take the chill off. Nothing was forgotten.But our favorite by far was The Wild. I was apprehensive being in tents in the bush but that passed when we arrived after the afternoon game drive. The fire was lit, the lanterns guided our way, the dining table was set. We settled in for 4 nights of heaven on earth, cared for by Chris , the 2 James and Tinka, our guide and lifelong friend. Wilson cooked meals worthy of New York and even made a special dish that I requested on the last night for my children. Men and women from the local village came out the last night and we sang and danced with them, the cameras constantly clicking. I have been fortunate to have traveled all over the world but nothing compares to The Wild. You're in the Mara in five minutes, no long drives to see the animals. Zebra, wildebeast , giraffes all walking in front of your tents. Lions roar at night, hippos walking in the bushes nearby but you are totally safe. Hot water bottles in bed after your bucket shower heated by a wood fire. I could go on and on, Certainly go for the animals and the beauty and serenity of the locations. But go for the people that make it happen and their voices and smiles and hugs that will last you a lifetime.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Altro at Saruni Samburu
Responded 24 Jan 2022
I really like the title of your wonderful review, that says it all. and yes, the cultural memories and the memories of interaction with people can last as long as or longer than the wildlife memories. and thank you for you're wonderful words about our Mara Mara properties, too. I'm truly grateful for you're ability to capture and describe the inner sense of our safaris, it made our day. I look forward to meeting you when you are back to Kenya.
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I stayed 2 nights in Saruni Samburu lodge, which has an excellent location in Kalama wildlife community conservancy. The lodge is built at the top of a hill, with wonderful panoramic overviews on: - Kalama conservancy - a waterhole, where elephants came to drink The cottages are luxurious, very well equipped and clean. The beds are comfortable. From the terrace of the cottages, we also have fantastic overviews on the landscape and on the waterhole. The food is good. The staff is professional and friendly. The naturalist guides are highly knowledgeable and excellent, allowing us to see many animals during full day and night game drives. During night game drives, we were very lucky to see aardwolves and an African wild cat. Furthermore, the lodge also organize the very interesting visit of the Reteti elephant sanctuary, where we saw orphaned baby elephants (aged from6 months to 3 years old) that have been rescued with the aim to be released in the wildlife. The association does a huge job to save these baby elephants! CONGRATULATIONS!!! For families with children, the loge has 2 swimming pools. Altogether, I recommend to stay in Saruni lodge in Kalama wildlife community conservancy.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:all cottages have panoramic overviews on the conservancy and the waterhole
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Altro at Saruni Samburu
Responded 24 Jan 2022
Thank you Isabelle for your wonderful review and for the description of your experience with us. We look forward to have you back!
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Saruni is the only camp in the conservancy and only has 6 rooms, so you pretty much have the place to yourself. The mangers are friendly and heavily invested in making sure your stay is perfect, Your rooms are on a whole new level, spacious and you are perched up on a hill with endless views of the conservancy, I could hear elephants trumping from my room. You also have a choice of two pools with views you can do game drives in Kalama Conservancy or a short drive to Samburu National Park, where wildlife is in abundance. My game drive in Kalama Conservancy, was with Simon, in an open vehicle, so nothing is obstructing your view and you feel at one with the wildlife and wilderness. Simon was very knowledgeable and from a local Samburu tribe, it was great learning about his life, completely different from the western lifestyle. I was also surprised with tasty snacks and a drink as stopped to enjoy a sundowner we later went on an evening game drive. One of the advantages of staying in a conservancy is you can do a night drive and off-road driving where nocturnal wildlife can be spotted. also did a morning bushwalk where I learned all about the fauna and how the Samburu tribes use it in their daily lives. The food was amazing and I also managed to get my laundry done so I left with clean clothes. I had high expectations and Suruni managed to exceed them.
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Date of stay: December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Owner at Saruni Samburu
Responded 5 Jan 2021
Thank you for your wonderful review and for your positive feedback. Your support of the conservancies' concept is very important. We look forward to have you back.
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Saruni Samburu is an absolutely delightful safari lodge in a spectacular setting looking down over vast unspoilt country. Our room under a rocky overhang was extremely comfortable and well designed, with a large sitting room, very comfortable bedroom and spacious and well equipped bathroom. Most meals were served in the courtyard dining area at separate tables to accommodate covid protocols but on our last evening the staff set up a candle lit table under the rocks next to our room for a wonderful romantic dinner under the stars. We had a private 4WD and guide and had enormous flexibility to choose what to do and how long to spend on each game drive - definitely worth the cost. The environment is fairly arid and game is concentrated along the river but we rarely saw other tourists. Only at one lion pride sighting did the setting seem crowded with multiple 4WDs hassling for a view.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Altro at Saruni Samburu
Responded 24 Jan 2022
Thank you very much for your wonderful, review. I'm not very happy to read that vehicles were hassling lions.... and I'm sure our guides have reported that to the reserve rangers. We look forwards to have you back one day soon
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My wife and I spent 3 wonderful days and nights during our African vacation and want to express our complete satisfaction with the staff and management of Saruni Samburu. They were very friendly and made us feel secure and treated us like family. The rooms were very nice and the housekeeping staff made sure that everything was clean. They even straitened up our room when we went on excursions, walks, or to eat some of their wonderful food. While on our trips into the wild our very knowledgeable and experienced driver, Jimy, we saw practically every wild animal in the area. We “Highly” recommend this destination to everyone and we would definitely return!
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Date of stay: November 2022
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Saruni Camps and Lodges, Owner at Saruni Samburu
Responded 6 Dec 2022
It's wonderful to hear that we managed to meet all your expectations! Thank you for sharing this incredible review of your experience at Saruni Samburu. We will share your kind words with the Samburu team, who greatly appreciate the recognition. Can't wait to welcome you back soon. Best regards, The Saruni team
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This facility is incomparable. The location, living arrangements, food and staff were top notch. Everyone in our group of 18 was sad to leave, and grateful for having stayed here. We had delicious 3 course lunches and dinners. The open air dining and living areas were comfortable and beautiful. We enjoyed the two swimming pools. Our rooms were magical, with outdoor and indoor shower options, a refrigerator stocked with whatever beverages we selected, a safe, and comfortable bed. The staff was superb and very knowledgeable and kind. We had wonderful options of a star gazing explanation, night game drive, and more.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Other at Saruni Samburu
Responded 29 Mar 2022
Dear Susan, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wonderful review of your stay with us. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time at Saruni Samburu, its hospitality and the experiences. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Kind regards, The Saruni team
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I have been living and traveling in East and Southern Africa for 12+ years and have visited many lodges so to say Saurni Samburu ranks among the best means something. The setting overlooking Kalama Conservancy is stunning and all the rooms take full advantage of it. The staff, managed by the amazing Nicole, are uber professional but friendly and so, so warm. Our driver and guide, Sambara, was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us spot 111 bird species during our 3 day visit. When not in the bush, we lounged by one of the 2 beautiful pools and delighted in the Italian cuisine produced by Chef Evans. We felt pampered and well cared for. Also enjoy knowing our fees and a portion of our bednights go to the Kalama community.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Owner at Saruni Samburu
Responded 5 Jan 2021
We love being your favourite place in Kenya! With your experience of East Africa it means a lot. We look forward to have you back soon.
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We were a group of 8 of friends who spent two nights at Saruni. We were welcomed at the airstrip by our guides Sumaru and Jomi, who offered to take us on a game drive on our way to the property. Sumaru and Jomi are part of a local Samburu tribe and know the area like the back of their hand. Not only that, they are passionate about the land and the wildlife that occupies it. On our initial trip to the property, we were able to get most of the ‘Samburu Special Five’ which includes Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk, Common Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy’s Zebra. Over the two days we were at the property, we also spotted lion and leopard, and more elephant, gazelle and antelope than we could count. Rest assured, that the game viewing will be spectacular.
As for the property itself, getting there is half the fun as you feel the Land Rover jeeps go almost vertical up a rock face (small exaggeration, but you get the point - it’s steep). Once you arrive, you are welcomed and looked after by the wonderful Nicole and her crew of mostly local Samburu staff. She assigned Stefan to look after us, for drinks and anything else we might need. Stefan was awesome and always looking after us. We were shown quickly to our rooms which were 2a and 2b and 6a and 6b. Each of the rooms have breathtaking view over the Samburu valley - there is not a bad room. We particularly enjoyed the large rooms, the covered porch, and the outdoor showers. The only piece of advice I would give is that the rooms can be warm in the evening, so be sure to have them bring you one standing fan per guest to keep cool at night.
Food at Saruni was fabulous and we enjoyed lunch and breakfast picnics as well as lunch and dinner on the property. One night, Nicole and Stefan set up a spectacular ‘sundowner drinks’ event for us on a rock cliff with a spectacular view (see pics). I really can’t say enough good things about the food and beverage and how the staff looked after us. I would also note that after five different safari excursions over the years, this was the first time that we actually took advantage of the pools that were offered on property. The views are fabulous and the warm weather keeps the water a cool, but nice temperature (oh, and Stefan kept us hydrated with cocktails as well). I should also do a call out out to Viki, the message therapist - everyone enjoyed their sessions with him.
In summary, go to Saruni Samburu for the wildlife and the views, but be prepared to fall in love with the people as well. A big thank you to Nicole, Sumaru, Jomi and Stefan!!!!
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Saruni Camps and Lodges, Owner at Saruni Samburu
Responded 2 Jun 2022
We are humbled to read this incredible review of Saruni Samburu. Thank you for sharing this detailed and wonderful description of your stay with us. It was a joy to share our world with you and we hope you come back and stay again soon. Safari za furaha... The Saruni team
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My boyfriend and I had the experience of a lifetime spending time with staff at the Saruni Lodge. Nicole, Robert, Kennedy and many others went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic stay. They were gracious, extremely hospitable and we shared many laughs together!
Eric and I even got to learn from them about the local culture, and we had an evening with the staff by the fire looking at the magnificent stars. It was one of those memories that will last forever.
The camp offered stunning panoramic views, immaculately clean lodges, two crystal blue pools, a much welcomed massage/wellness center and food I could dine on forever.
Make sure to do the bush walk - we experienced many unique things being on foot. And, the game drives with Robert were outstanding. He's got an amazing eye and we even enjoyed seeing two rare breeds of cats!
Eric and I were truly sad to leave our new friends (see the photo), and we absolutely hope to return one day.
If you want an experience that is unique, memorable, educational, heartwarming and full of joy (and animals!) Saruni Samburu should be your destination.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Riccardo Orizio, Owner at Saruni Samburu
Responded 5 Jan 2021
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. yes, learning about the culture of the Samburu people is important and very satisfactory. I really appreciate your definition of memorable, educational and heartwarming, this is exactly what we try to achieve and I'm happy we managed to do so with you. We look forward to have you back.
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Hello Chris, thank you for your message. Yes there are some mosquitos, but not a huge amount, and we have mosquito nets over our beds. All our villas are some distance from the main area, and there are steps along the pathways that goes to each villa, but the views are fantastic and it is worthwhile. We'll try to assign you the villa that is not farthest away. Villa 1 is the one that can be reached by a vehicle (so, no steps) , but it accommodates 4 pax. In you case there are 2 for you? Our team will help you to carry any luggage or any equipment the you have, so don't worry about that. For the rooming, I only know under which name the booking has been made, so I suggest you ask your sister to communicate to Imagine Africa that you need a twin room and not a double room and a villa as close as possible to Kudu House (our main area). We look forward to have you with us!
I suggest you have a pair of binoculars for each person. They are much more useful than people think, but travel agents fear to mention it in case people assume that this is because you see wildlife only from a distance. We see wildlife form very close up, but the binoculars double the pleasure an allow to "see" in a better way and actually to study and understand many other things: birds, flowers, trees...Between a camera an a pair of binoculars, if I had to choose I;d go for the binoculars
There are more places to choose from in the Samburu National Reserve area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
saruni samburu hotel kalama wildlife conservancy
LOCATION
KenyaRift Valley ProvinceSamburu DistrictSamburu National Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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