Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, in the remote reaches of northern Kenya, is a conservation success story. Here, in this 75,000-hectare wilderness at the foothills of the Mathews mountain range, the wildlife and Samburu cattle farmers co-exist harmoniously. And it's here you'll find the only camp for hundreds of kilometres. Location? Tick. Great accommodation and good food? Absolutely! Sarara Tented Camp is a completely private, super-luxury tented camp in a fairytale setting. It's worth every cent and every minute you spend on the long journey there.
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The communal area, with its tree-trunk supports and deep thatched roof, is meal-time central. Full English breakfasts are served all morning. Dinners, made with home-grown and local ingredients, are served on the terrace overlooking the watering hole, or out in the lugga (dry riverbed) around a camp fire. Outdoors is a natural rock swimming pool, its rimless edge overlooking the busy watering hole and its stream of visitors – elephant, kudu, warthog, impala and more, all mingling within arm’s reach.
The old-style romantic safari lodge atmosphere continues in the six lavish tents, each placed to make the most of the views and the watering hole. The tents are roomy and high-ceilinged, with wide comfortable beds, electric lighting and en-suite toilet and basin (with constant hot and cold running water) and an outdoor bathroom with views that are panoramic, varied and almost too gorgeous to describe. Each tent has its own private terrace with table and chairs.
Sarara is perfect if you're in the mood for some relaxation, interaction with the local people and great sightings of kudu, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, gerenuk and warthog. Take a game drive, hike the mountains, go fly camping, and visit the local Samburu in the hope of being invited to their famed ‘singing wells’, where for centuries they have gathered their herds and sung chants as they draw water from the wells. (No photographs!)
The Samburu guides. This is their home, and they're happy to share their wealth of knowledge about the animals, the land and the Samburu history and culture. Visiting their village and the 'singing wells' are experiences you'll keep in your heart forever.
Fly camping in a dry riverbed has to be booked before you arrive, and it only goes ahead when no rain is forecast, so build a spare night into your stay, it is an experience not to be missed.
Less a big-cat safari than an elephant, walking and Samburu-culture one: game is more spread out here than in the Mara, so it pairs well with a stay in a classic big-game park.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Sarara Camp can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Kenya trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Kenya trips featuring Sarara Camp or get advice and suggestions from one of our Kenya specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Sarara Camp start from around $1.3K, or US$1.3K, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Hike, bike & ride through this remote, sparse and spectacular mountain range in northern Kenya.
