SARUNI SAMBURU LODGE

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 superb boutique lodge that is introducing a fresh concept to a well-known safari destination. Built on pristine land owned by the Kalama Wildlife Conservancy in the 240,000 acre 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 famous for its elephant herds. Saruni Samburu Lodge offers first-class safari experience in a totally un-spoilt environment, far off the beaten track but very close to the wildlife.

There are four houses (two of them are large family villas with two separate bedrooms each and two spectacular bahrooms), 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.

The reserve is readily accessible by air and forms part of a flying safari circuit with Laikipa Conservancy and the Maasai Mara.

Game drives are conducted both in Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, but many activities take place in the exclusive Kalama Conservancy, a well-kept secret of Kenya's North. The recent introduction of water means that Kalama is becoming an important attraction to all the Samburu wildlife.

Activities at Saruni Samburu include night and morning game drives in Kalama Conservancy, professionally-led game walks, bush dinners and star gazing.

The traditions and semi-nomadic heritage of the local Samburu people are an important part of the safari experience.

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 Maasai they are believed to have reached Kenya between four and five centuries ago with other Nilotic groups walking South from the Horn of Africa.

Most of the men and all the women wear very colourful and traditional attires, often based on red and white. Tall, very intelligent and sensitive, the Samburu have learnt how to survive in a very difficult environment and today are among the pioneers of eco-tourism in Kenya.

To walk with the Samburu warriors in the African bush is a fantastic experience and you will learn how they use the berries and the leaves, about their traditions and about their life. Morning and late afternoon are the two magic moments of a safari. After dawn, the light is perfect for photography and the sounds of the African bush start filling the air. Later in the day, just before sunset, we will stop and think about the day that is about to end while drinking a sundowner.

For our safaris we use comfortable, fully-open Land Rovers, specially designed to give you maximum visibility over the landscape and the wildlife.

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 behaviour and their habitats.