About the villas

Location

Saruni is in tribal lands to the north of the national reserve. The lodge overlooks a vast private wildlife sanctuary and has  access to 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness.

Wildlife

The area around Saruni is teeming with wildlife from giant herds of elephant coming to drink at the waterholes, leopard making their lairs on rocky outcrops nearby, to endangered packs of African wild dog seen traversing the plains below the lodge. The area is also home to rare endemic species, Grevy’s zebra, giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and generuk.

Culture

The local people are nomadic tribe and custodians of the area where the lodge is found. Guests have the unique chance to witness, interact with and learn from one of the oldest tribes in Africa. Our guides are warriors who are professionally qualified, but more importantly, who share their authentic local knowledge, ancient traditions and customs with guests.

Eco-design

Saruni Samburu villas is the first and most exclusive design lodge of its kind in Kenya. It uses eco-design in an innovative way, where it is built into and around a giant rock face, high up with unbelievable views. It is open and spacious, blending in to and becoming a part of the natural surrounding environment. Saruni is bold, dramatic and truly unique.

Activities

At Saruni, guests can enjoy exciting and relaxing activities. Game drives and night drives, guided bush walks and visits to the local caves, lounging at the pools or having a massage at the wellbeing space, picnic breakfasts by the Ewaso Niro river or bush dinners in a dry river bed with firelight and dancers, star-gazing, visiting the local village or browsing around the shop. Days spent at Saruni are as peaceful or adventurous as you desire.

Community-focused

Saruni is the only lodge in Kalama, and the sole source of income  in the area. Since its opening, Saruni has provided jobs, income, training and guidance for the local people in the area. Tourism directly supports conservation. By visiting Saruni, you are directly giving back to those who protect this land, improving their lives, while at the same time encouraging them.

Family villa 1

Villa one is a large family villa with two separate en suite bedrooms joined by a spacious living room and verandah. This villa is fantastic for families with young children. The spectacular bathrooms have bath tubs and outdoor showers, the open verandah has a fire place to keep away the chill on the cool Samburu nights, and the spacious sitting and dining area is great for private dinners. Villa one is accessible by car and is only a short walk from Kudu House, the main lodge.

Family and single villa 2

Villa two can be used exclusively as a large family villa with two separate en suite bedrooms, or it can be booked as two separate entities for two different groups of guests. The villa has a spacious sitting and dining area for private dinners, a large and open verandah and a fridge stocked with cold refreshments. Villa Two is Saruni Samburu’s biggest and most spacious villa, and is perfect for families or for two separate groups of guests. The beautiful uninterrupted views, outdoor showers and luxurious rooms will not disappoint. Villa two is just a short walk down the main pathway to Kudu House, the main lodge, and is very close to the bottom infinity pool and wellbeing space.

SIngle villa 3

Villa three is a single villa, with one en suite bedroom and a spacious living area and verandah. Villa Three has a very unique character and style, and blends beautifully into its surroundings. A romantic refuge for a honeymoon couple, or an adventurous escape for a family of three – the outdoor shower, private dining area and interesting design will make for an exciting and memorable stay. It is a short walk away from Kudu House, the main lodge, and the bottom infinity pool and wellbeing space.

Villa 4

Villa four is a large family villa with two separate en suite bedrooms joined by a spacious living room and verandah. It is brilliant for families or a group of friends, with incredible views from each room, large bathrooms with private outdoor showers and a wonderful open living area for relaxing and private dinners. This villa is a short walk to both the infinity pools – the bottom pool and Wellbeing Space, and the top pool with the most unbelievable infinite view. It is further away from Kudu House, the main lodge, than Villa one, two and three, but it is still only a short walk down the path.

Single villa 5

Villa five is a single villa with one en suite bedroom and a spacious living area and verandah, and is known as Saruni Samburu’s honeymoon suite. Villa five has been written about in numerous publications as the room with the most beautiful view and the most amazing room in Africa. This villa is built onto the edge of a hillside around the natural rock formations, making you feel as if you are on top of the world and still tucked within the beautiful surroundings. The panoramic views of the wilderness below are enjoyed from the elegant bedroom and verandah, the luxurious bathroom and the spacious living and dining area. Villa five has a special, secluded dining deck for romantic, private meals. It is about a 7 minute walk to Kudu House, the main lodge area, and is very close to the top infinity pool.

Family and single villa 6

Villa six is our newest villa, and can be booked exclusively as a family unit, or separately as single villas for two different groups of guests. As our most recent accommodation addition, Villa six has its own, different style and location. It is the furthest room from Kudu house, the main lodge, and the closest to the new top infinity pool. It has its own unique and beautiful view, as it is facing the magnificent Mathews Range of northern mountains, unlike the other villas. The two bedrooms lead on to spectacular bathrooms with indoor and private outdoor showers. Great for families, a group of friends, or as a single villa, the villa has a spacious sitting and dining area for private dinners, a large verandah overlooking the unending view and a fridge stocked with cold refreshments.

Location

Saruni Samburu is located at the heart of the Kalama community wildlife conservancy, about 7 km from the Northern border of the Samburu national reserve. It also borders Ngutuk Ongiron to the west, Namunyak Community Conservation Trust to the north and Sera community wildlife conservation to the north east.

Northern Kenya

The Big North – as is now known – is unlike any other destination on earth. This is the place for once-in-a-lifetimes; where wilderness and culture meets epic adventure. And the icing on the cake? It is responsible tourism at its very best. The reputation of Northern Kenya has been transformed in the past few years by a community-driven determination to promote and maintain peace, protect the region’s unique wildlife and habitats, and preserve diverse and historic cultures. The landscape of northern Kenya is said to be one of the last true wilderness areas in Africa. Cultures here are as diverse as the wildlife and habitats. Yet, poverty rates are some of the highest in the country, and a harsh climate challenges the livelihoods of a largely pastoralist population.

Wildlife

The ecosystem is one of the most exciting in East Africa and is made of several national reserves, private ranches and group ranches. Famous for its elephants and unique northern species of animals found only in this area of Kenya, Samburu stands out as a unique, wildlife rich and diverse wilderness.

Samburu five

Guests have the remarkable opportunity to see the Samburu five. They are the Gerenuk, the Reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich, the Grevy’s zebra, the Beisa oryx. Kalama has other rare species too. Trained by Lewa and the northern rangelands Trust, the Kalama rangers have been protecting this area for several years and have been reporting a steady increase in wildlife numbers and sightings. The waterholes built by Saruni and Kalama, with water coming from Buffalo Springs, are bringing to the area a precious element that is often missing form this arid part of Kenya. The constant availability of water will make the Saruni area an unavoidable stopping point for all the wildlife of this large and still pristine area, where there are no roads, no people, no buildings and no signs of human civilization.

Sacred mountain trek

Standing proud at Saruni’s doorstep, Ololokwe is a pillar of cultural significance to the Samburu and an exciting trekking venture to many others. Stretch your legs on one of our day excursions up Ololokwe’s slopes in the company of our professional Samburu guides. Setting off at dawn, you drive to the foot of Ololokwe. Whatever your pace, our guides are at your side throughout, teaching you about the mountain and all of its wonders. Half way to the top, you stop for a Saruni breakfast of eggs, bacon, fruit and pancakes with tea and coffee (or, to your liking). Now, full of energy, you reach the top and admire the magnificent view of Samburuland. You begin your descent with the prospect of a delicious lunch of fresh pasta and salads in the shade of the ancient Moran’s cave.

Photographic hide

Designed with the needs of photographers in mind, buried underground, and covered with earth on three sides as well as on the roof, located a few steps from our waterhole, it is painted with Samburu red earth and covered with shrubs and bushes: the perfect spot for stealing amazing images of what occurs at the waterhole. It can have up to 8 guests inside, it has maps and books available, and bean bags. The waterhole at Saruni Samburu offers a unique chance to spot from very close up the elephants that come and drink its water, the fantastic birds species and the Samburu Five; reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Grevy zebra. Being in the middle of an arid area, the hide also provides excellent opportunities to photograph from ground level and from very close up the predators of Samburu, especially lion and leopard.

Stargazing

Every evening the night skies provide you with a playground in which to explore. We use a spotter scope and laser pointer to guide you around the night sky. You will view planets, galaxies, star clusters, constellations, double stars and other celestial occurrences every clear night. Saruni has some of the best observing conditions due to no light pollution, high altitude and over 300 dry clear nights each year.