Saruni Samburu (Samburu Game Reserve) Kenya
Location:
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, a celebrated elephant sanctuary.
The lodge offers first-class safari experience in a totally un-spoilt environment, far from the beaten tracks but very close to the wildlife. Owned and operated by Saruni in the Masai Mara, Saruni Samburu has been facilitated by the Northern Rangeland Trust www.nrt-kenya.org/home.html (Nrt), an umbrella organization developed by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to promote Tourism and conservation in Northern Kenya.
Accommodation:
There are four houses (two of them are large family villas with two separate bedrooms each and two spectacular bathrooms), a large swimming pool with dramatic view over Samburuland, a waterhole that attract elephant, reticulated giraffe, zebra, oryx and all the species that make Kalama so special.
Saruni Samburu has its own private airstrip near the Kalama Wildlife Conservancy headquarters, but it is also easily served by schedule airlines that land at nearby Buffalo Springs airstrip.
Samburu Wellbeing Space:
In collaboration with Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees (Stresa, Italy) and its world-famous spa - Centro Benessere Stresa, Saruni runs the Maasai Wellbeing Space. It is a unique feature in Samburu: in the most serene and relaxing environment, our guests enjoy massage and wellness treatments under the supervision of highly trained staff.
The new techniques combine sophisticated methods developed at Centro Benessere Stresa with ancient Samburu wisdom and knowledge. For instance, we use the Olmurmuru seedas (Albizia Harvey) to reduce muscular discomfort and pure gel from Usunguru (Aloe Kedongesis) for sun burnt areas.
One treatment, our complimentary "back and neck" massage, is included for free in the regular safari package. Among the treatments available, you can choose between the lymphatic drainage massage, decongestive or nourishing or purifying facials, manicure, pedicure and the popular sport massage. All with an open view of Kalama Wildlife Conservancy, where elephant, kudu and giraffe roam freely.
The Samburu:
Still semi-nomadic and very strongly connected to their traditions and culture, the Samburu are one of the most famous and interesting tribes in Kenya. Closely related to the Masai and speakers of a version of the Maa language (Maasai and Samburu understand each other perfectly well, even if they smile about each other’s accents and tuns pf phrases), they are believed to have reached Kenya between four and five centuries ago with other Nilotic groups walking South from the Horn of Africa.
The nearest town to Saruni Samburu is Archer’s Post, a dusty settlement still with the flavour of a remote frontier post. Within the group ranch where we are located, many clans still lead a simple life in lightly-built settlements, they are removed after a while to be transported to other areas, following the cycle of wet and dry seasons. In such a harsh environment, the Samburu have not developed agriculture, trade or industry. Their only wealth comes from cattle-herding: camels, goats, sheep and a few lean cows are all they possess.
Most of the men and all the women wear very colorful and traditional attires, often based on red and white. Tall, very intelligent and sensitive, the Samburu have learnt how to survive on a very difficult and today are among the pioneers of eco-Tourism in Kenya. Like the Kalama community, many other communities believe that the large group ranches that they own can provide an income as wildlife sanctuaries. Our Samburu guides and trackers know this land inside-out and will take on a journey of discovery through it.
On Safari:
The word "safari" means to be out and away, to be on a journey or travelling in remote areas. It is both a physical and spiritual journey that can be undertaken in many ways. For our safaris we use comfortable, fully-open Land Rovers, specially designed to give you maximum visibility over the landscape and the animals of Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Kalama Conservancy, three fantastic habitats for African wildlife. On our foot safaris we walk exploring the Kalama mountains, among the most spectacular in Northern Kenya. In the Land Rover you are accompanied by your professional guide and by a tracker, a team that will help you to read the book of nature. We don't rush while on safari and there will be time to observe the wild animals, to see how they interact and to study their behavior and their habitats.
Days are normally hot, dry and sunny: the wildlife of Samburu is best seen during the early hours or late hours of the day, but we have discovered that during the central hours of the day there is a great concentration of animas along the river and? No Tourists. So we?ll take you there to have an unforgettable experience. We also recommend night game drives, when the nocturnal species can be seen.
We'd love to take you to our secret spots, especially for bush dinner, or to the river for a pic nic lunch that allows us to be with elephants, waterbuck, lion, impala, giraffe all the Samburu species that go and drink water. If you are passionate about birds, Samburu is your preferred park: not only the species are abundant, but the birds are very tame and can be easily spotted and photographed. Our guides are birdwatchers by instinct and by training and share your love for birds. We always carry field guides and binoculars in our vehicles.
With you, we visit a genuine Samburu village and, because they are our neighbors and friends, we will be allowed to share moments of their life. They own the land we show you that we feel that it is important for you see how they live, why they protect the environment and in what way they are different from the other African tribes.
They will ask you questions as they will be curious about you, too. It is an exchange of ideas and information. We also organize drawing safaris for artists, special ?warriors for a week? programmes for families and group. Having discovered Samburu rock art in several caves near the lodge, we include a visit to these extraordinary archeological sites during our game walks.
Accommodation Rates:- From
$500 per person per night sharing.
Please contact us
for a quote and suggested itinerary.