Elephant Safari with Saba Douglas-Hamilton FAQ’s
Saba Douglas-Hamilton’s hosted elephant safari is an invitation to join an exclusive, small group at her family’s celebrated Elephant Watch Camp in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve. You will also spend time at Ol Donyo Lodge at the Chyulu Hills and Reteti House in the stunning Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. Hosted personally for 10 days by Saba, a conservationist, author, and face of celebrated wildlife documentaries, you will have unparalleled access to elephant families she has known all her life and the crucial research of Save the Elephants.
Robyn Wauchope, Aardvark Safaris’ travel expert and conservation enthusiast, will be with you every step of the way – from initial enquiry and booking to landing safely back home. In this blog, Robyn helps to answer any questions you may have about this hosted elephant safari with Saba Douglas-Hamilton.
About the host and safari
Saba Douglas-Hamilton – Elephant Watch Camp – photo credit Mirella Ricciardi
1) Who is this trip suitable for?
Anyone who values once-in-a-lifetime journeys. Individuals, couples, groups and families who actively support wildlife causes and want to see their contributions to conservation in action.
2) Will I spend one-on-one time with Saba Douglas-Hamilton?
This is a small, exclusive trip. Saba will host various activities, including wildlife drives, visits to the Save the Elephant Foundation research centre, and fireside chats, offering ample opportunity for discussions.
3) Where is the safari located?
This safari adventure includes visits to three diverse and spectacular regions home to large elephant herds: Ol Donyo Lodge in Chyulu Hills National Park, where you will explore ancient volcanic landscapes, hike, and enjoy fabulous views of Mount Kilimanjaro; Elephant Watch Camp in the Samburu National Reserve, which offers exceptional wildlife viewing of species adapted to dry climates, including the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe; and the Reteti House in Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, where you will engage with the local Samburu people and witness the vital conservation work being done at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.
Ol Donyo Logde – Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya
4) How does Saba manage the hosting if the group is split over two vehicles?
Saba will be your main guide, supported by a second in-house guide. On wildlife drives, Saba will split her time between two vehicles – if you are with her in the morning, you will switch in the afternoon. All other activities, like the visits to Save the Elephant Foundation and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, will be conducted as one group.
5) Will Robyn be travelling with the group?
Yes. She is your point of contact, can help plan pre- and post-safari extensions, and will ensure all logistics run smoothly. The combination of Saba Douglas-Hamilton and Robyn will ensure guests receive passion, education and highly professional service.
Logistics and Accommodation
Elephant Watch Camp – Samburu National Park, Kenya – photo credit Gary Hamdorf
6) Why have you chosen December for this trip?
December is a lovely time to be in Kenya after the short rains in November, so the landscape should be lush, and the days should be warm and clear, making it a wonderful time to photograph animals. Elephants are likely to gather around water sources, making for some fantastic sightings.
7) What is the recommended group size, and is the trip physically demanding?
The group is strictly limited to 8-10 guests to ensure an exclusive hosting experience with Saba. The safari activities are generally not physically demanding, involving wildlife drives and light bush walks. Guests should be able to comfortably enter and exit safari vehicles.
8) What is included in the price of the hosted safari?
The price includes nine nights of luxury accommodation, all meals, house drinks, National Park and conservation fees, private safari activities (wildlife drives, guided walks, Save the Elephant Foundation and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary visits), and domestic flights in Kenya. International flights are not included, but we can also assist with these should you wish.
Reteti House – Namunyak Wildlife, Kenya
9) What options are there to add to our safari?
- If you wish to extend your stay by a day either side of their safari, we can arrange visits to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, or better still, why not add on a beach extension for some R&R at the stunning Kenya coast?
- Enjoy a magical star bed sleepout or indulge in a luxury spa treatment at Ol Donyo Lodge.
- Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over Samburu and the Mathews Range, combining stunning aerial views with the thrill of tracking the elephants you met on the ground.
10) What are the room arrangements?
The cost of the trip is per person and is based on sharing a twin or double room.
11) Do you offer a single supplement?
Yes, there is a limited number of single rooms at an additional cost. Please get in touch with Robyn for further details.
Conservation and Impact
12) How does my trip contribute to elephant conservation?
A portion of the National Park and Conservation fees that you pay is directly channelled into the wildlife protection programmes of each camp, including the ongoing research and field work of Save the Elephant Foundation, the charity founded by Saba’s father, Iain Douglas-Hamilton. By joining us, you are becoming a direct partner in protecting the Samburu elephant population and their habitat.
13) What type of activities will we get to do with the elephants?
At the Save the Elephant Foundation research centre, you can learn from the research team about the complex social dynamics of individual elephant families, how their tracking system works and the data they collect. At Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, you will learn about the incredible work the local community is doing to rescue orphaned and abandoned elephant calves.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – Image by Ami Vitale
14) What other wildlife will we see besides elephants?
Samburu is home to the “Samburu Special Five”: the Gerenuk (giraffe-necked antelope), Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and beisa oryx. You will also have opportunities to see lion, leopard, cheetah, and other classic safari species in this unique northern Kenyan ecosystem. The open plains below the Chyulu Hills are home to wild dog, wildebeest, hyena, and bat-eared foxes.
What next?
Robyn has developed a quick-glance blog that summarises the 10 day safari, alongside a full, in-depth itinerary, including further reading on the different areas you visit and the activities you will enjoy.
Reserve your spot as spaces are limited, and please e-mail Robyn@aardvarksafaris.com or call her on +44 (0)131 297 6229, as she would be delighted to answer any questions and walk you through this incredible safari.
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