Sarara

Numunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Overview

On the northern frontier of Kenya, surrounded by 850,000 acres of forested mountains and lush greenery, Sarara hosts a collection of four luxury eco-lodges. From treetop suites to bespoke bush camping, these beautiful properties are managed by the indigenous Samburu people, who invite you to connect with Africa’s largest remaining wilderness for a unique and serene safari retreat.

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Key Features

  • Greeting you with a warm hospitality, the Samburu people invite you to visit their communities, witness ancient rituals, and learn of their conservation efforts at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the first community-owned and run conservation centre in Africa.
  • Designed sustainably with stylish interiors, each lodge is constructed from locally sourced stone and timber, featuring airy lounge areas, spacious suites, and private verandas to enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush.
  • Offering a range of activities, from guided nature walks to horseback safaris, bush camping, and game drives, a team of Samburu experts will guide you through the wilderness, sharing their deep knowledge of wildlife and native flora.
  • Perfectly located for wildlife sightings, each lodge overlooks a busy watering hole, vast savanna, or the verdant forest canopy. Watch monkeys swing through the trees and wildlife meander past your private suite.

SARARA CAMP

Tucked into the forested foothills of the Mathews Mountains, Sarara Camp is a beautifully designed eco-lodge overlooking an active watering hole. Six canvas tented suites feature al fresco showers, handcrafted furniture, neutral-toned textiles, and open-air verandas with vistas of distant mountains. Sarara Camp also offers the two-bedroom Sarara House, which is perfect for families and friends with a private plunge pool and panoramic views. A sparkling infinity pool, carved into the rock face, gazes over the watering hole below for a luxurious game-viewing experience. The main lodge is designed to celebrate the surrounding landscape, built from twisted driftwood branches that are woven into the walls, ceilings, and furniture. An open-plan living area spills out into the bush, and indigenous succulents shade airy walkways, drawing the wilderness inside for an immersive nature retreat.

RETETI HOUSE

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking a natural watering hole, this exclusive-use lodge accommodates up to 16 guests, ensuring incredible wildlife sightings from the comfort of your sun lounger. With Reteti Elephant Sanctuary only a 10-minute walk away, guests have access to exclusive feeding times and behind-the-scenes interactions of this incredible rehabilitation program. Behind the lodge, a towering, jagged cliff plays host to Egyptian vultures, klipspringers, and resident leopards. Four standalone suites are positioned along the cliff’s edge, featuring sweeping views of the sun-drenched savanna from private verandas, and king-sized beds draped in soft, woven throws. Central areas are tastefully furnished with rattan armchairs, low-slung sofas, and artisanal décor, and on the main terrace there are rustic pergolas, cushioned daybeds, and a private plunge pool.

SARARA TREEHOUSES

Nestled into an ancient forest glade at the foot of Warges Peak, this enchanting tree lodge is perfect for those seeking stillness in nature. Eight tented suites are raised up into the forest’s ancient canopy for an incredible bird’s-eye view of wildlife in the undergrowth, monkeys swinging through the trees, and birds nestling in the branches. A wooden platform surrounds each tent, and a cushioned seating area ensures you can lounge directly under the stars.

SARARA WILDERNESS

Located in the broader Samburu ecosystem, this luxury tented mobile camp draws you deeper into the Kenyan wilderness for a tailor-made safari experience. The camp’s exceptional Samburu hosts and guides possess expert knowledge of the area, renowned for its wildlife sightings of Africa’s Big Five. With up to six spacious en-suite tents, a mobile swimming pool, and a wellness tent offering bespoke treatments, this exclusive-use camp ensures an authentic and enriching experience in the wild.

ACTIVITIES

Game-viewing begins the moment you wake up, watching elephants and other wildlife wander past your suite. The Samburu people greet you with a warm hospitality, sharing their deep-rooted knowledge of the land through guided nature walks, game drives, horseback safaris, and trail runs through the vast Namunyak Conservancy. Journey to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary for feeding times or visit local communities to learn about how the Sarara Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the camp, supports healthcare and education in nomadic schools. Discover the "Singing Wells", where Samburu warriors perform ritual dances and songs, or sit with Samburu women to engage in the artistry of traditional beadwork.

SUSTAINABILITY

Owned and managed by the Samburu people, Sarara’s eco-lodges operate entirely off-grid, powered by a 24-hour supply of solar energy. These properties create a revenue stream for the communities and have become a flagship model for conservation on indigenous land, inspiring the grassroots movement across Africa. Two decades ago, when the region was devoid of wildlife, the Samburu community began reintroducing elephants to the area through the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. The Namunyak Conservancy is now teeming with wildlife and native plant species, maintained by a team of anti-poachers who patrol the plains, and reseeding programmes designed to restore degraded areas.

Why we love it

Sarara’s eco-lodges are some of the only indigenous owned properties in Africa, offering guests a deeply authentic safari experience in support of local communities and sustainable tourism. “Sarara” means “meeting place” in the Samburu Maa dialect, which perfectly encapsulates the sense of communion and kinship you experience while staying in this beautifully remote safari destination.

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