Wilderness, community and conservation in Northern Kenya
Set in the vast 850,000-acre Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Sarara offers a harmonious blend of luxury, cultural heritage, and conservation in Northern Kenya. This remote landscape is home to the Samburu people whose age-old traditions are as much a part of the fabric of this land as the wildlife. Sarara Camp and Tree Camp are the only ones in nearly a million acres, the spectacular views are endless, and you can’t help but be captivated by the natural beauty of this place.
Sarara’s story is one of remarkable transformation. Heavy poaching previously decimated wildlife populations here, profoundly harming the Samburu ecosystem and the livestock and livelihoods of its people. Now a thriving and extraordinary conservancy, Namunyak proudly hosts Kenya’s second-largest elephant population alongside thriving herds of endangered reticulated giraffe and the critically endangered Grevy’s zebra. Leopard hide in the shadows, wild dog roam the plains, and the sound of birdlife is all around.
Leopard numbers are on the rise in Namanuk Wildlife Conservancy
Four ways to experience Sarara
Sarara’s four properties all offer unique perspectives of this wild area. Sarara Camp is perched on the slopes of the Mathews Range and provides a breathtaking view of the plains below. The six luxury en-suite tents and a two-bedroom house offer front-row seats to nature’s daily drama, as elephants and other wildlife gather at the permanent waterhole below the camp’s infinity pool.
The excellent views from the tented accommodation at Sarara Camp
Sarara Tree Camp is tucked into an ancient forest at the foot of Warges Peak, its tents hovering beneath the tree canopy. The symphony of monkey chatter and birdsong and the magnitude of wildlife creates an immersive wilderness experience like no other.
Spend time amongst the trees from the tents at Sarara Tree Camp
Sarara Wilderness, an exclusive-use camp, set beside the Ewaso Nyiro River, is the perfect stage to observe lion, cheetah, leopard, hippo, and buffalo in a stunning, wild landscape.
A stay at Sarara Wilderness promises a truly wild experience
Finally, you’ll find the astonishing Reteti House, an exclusive-use lodge which seems to emerge organically from the hillside. Its six magnificent suites – including two family rooms, offer uninterrupted views of the landscape, while the infinity pool overlooks a busy elephant waterhole that often hosts special visitors: the orphaned elephants from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.
Unparalleled views from the pool and dining areas at Reteti House
Guests can enjoy a wide array of activities, including guided hikes, traditional wildlife drives, visits to the Samburu Singing Wells, and experiences such as horse riding, fly camping, and breathtaking helicopter flights.
Community driven conservation in Northern Kenya
What truly sets Sarara apart is its deep-rooted commitment to conservation and community. The Namunyak Community Conservancy exemplifies how tourism can be a powerful force for positive change. Through the Sarara Foundation, this initiative protects the vast wilderness and its wildlife and ensures a sustainable future for the Samburu people whose ancestral home this land is.
‘Shah’ a reticulated Giraffe was rescued at just three days old
Reteti is Africa’s first community-owned elephant sanctuary and was established by the local people in 2016 to take care of orphaned and abandoned elephant calves in northern Kenya. Rescued orphans are released back into their homeland as soon as they can support themselves. 97 local elephant keepers are employed.
This remarkable facility, just a 10-minute walk from Reteti House and easily accessible from all properties, is often the most memorable part of a stay at Sarara. Each year, between 10 and 25 elephant calves are rescued in Northern Kenya after being orphaned or abandoned due to drought, man-made wells, human-wildlife conflict, and natural mortality.
Elephant calves ready for their breakfast, captured by Ami Vitale
Established at the request of the local Samburu community, the sanctuary offers guests a insight into conservation in action. The passionate Reteti keepers share their extensive knowledge while guiding visitors through feeding and playtime. Beyond witnessing these heartwarming interactions, guests gain insights into the specialised care needed for each stage of an elephant’s development and can appreciate the extraordinary dedication of the keepers.
In this remote corner of Kenya, you’ll find more than just wildlife and stunning landscapes. You’ll discover a place where conservation, community, and luxury seamlessly intertwine, creating an experience that leaves an everlasting mark on the land and its visitors. Each guest’s presence contributes directly to the preservation of this unique ecosystem and the communities who protect it.
An elephant keeper receives a two-trunked hug, captured by Jane Wynyard
What next?
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