Samburu National Reserve is located about 300km north of Nairobi. It is known for its striking semi-arid landscape features, rich Samburu culture, and is home to the Samburu special five namely; Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. If you’re planning a wildlife adventure safari in Samburu, selecting accommodation that matches your wishes will enhance every moment of your Samburu safari experience. Choosing from the best lodges and camps in Samburu is key to enjoying your Kenya safari experience, whether you’re after exclusive luxury camp, a mid-range tented camp, or a budget stay.
When combining parks, consider Samburu with nearby Shaba and Buffalo Springs reserves for extended wildlife experiences. Many operators offer safari packages covering multiple northern Kenya parks.
Things to do in Samburu
Game Drives: Witness elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the rare Samburu Special Five.
Nature Walks: Guided explorations of Samburu’s flora and fauna.
Bird Watching: Over 450 bird species recorded in the reserve.
Cultural Visits: Interact with the Samburu people and learn about their traditions.
Bush Meals & Sundowners: Dine in spectacular wilderness settings.
Factors to consider when choosing the best lodges and camps in Samburu
Selecting the best lodge or camp requires balancing several key factors:
Location & Access: Riverside camps offer prime wildlife views but may require longer transfers. Some lodges are inside the reserve, while others are in adjoining conservancies. Also note that, these prime locations command premium prices.
Seasonality affects both prices and wildlife experiences: Dry seasons (June-October, December-March) offer excellent game viewing but higher rates. Green seasons bring lower prices, fewer crowds, and unique photographic opportunities.
Family Facilities: Look for child-friendly menus, interconnecting tents, and kids’ activities. Not all lodges welcome young children due to unfenced boundaries with wildlife areas.
Conservation initiatives: varies significantly. Some camps contribute directly to community projects and wildlife conservation, which many travelers value when making booking decisions.
There is a wide range of lodges and camps in Samburu, from intimate, high-end establishments with personalized services to comfortable mid-range options and budget-friendly safari camps. Below is a list of lodges and camps in Samburu for your safari adventure.
- Saruni Samburu
Saruni Samburu is of the luxury lodges in Samburu, offering an intimate six-tent camp within the exclusive 200,000-acre Kalama Conservancy. Saruni Samburu provides the perfect setting for luxury family safaris and unique insights into the potential for community-based tourism.
The luxury safari lodge in northern Kenya, continues to offer a window into a world that you might otherwise never discover.
Each elevated tent features private verandas overlooking the dramatic landscape, with decor reflecting authentic Samburu culture through locally-sourced materials and traditional beadwork.
The lodge’s greatest advantage lies in its conservancy location, providing exclusive access to areas where wildlife viewing occurs without other vehicles. Professional guides, many from local Samburu people, offer unparalleled knowledge of animal behavior and traditional land use. Game drives extend beyond typical park boundaries, creating truly personalized safari experiences.
- Sasaab Lodge
Sasaab Camp Samburu is a luxury safari retreat situated in the Westgate Conservancy, bordering Samburu National Reserve. Designed with a Moroccan-inspired architectural style, the camp offers unrivaled exclusivity, breathtaking views over the Ewaso Nyiro River, and a deep connection with the Samburu culture. It provides a blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion, making it an ideal destination for an authentic and luxurious African safari experience. The camp’s reputation centers on exceptional guiding standards and consistent wildlife sightings, particularly for the Samburu Special Five. Sasaab Camp Samburu features nine luxury tented suites, each covering over 100 square meters with private plunge pools, open-air bathrooms, and expansive terraces overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River. The lodge’s main infinity pool is positioned on a cliff with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The lodge also boasts a spa offering Swahili-inspired treatments, a well-stocked bar, and a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine with fresh organic ingredients. What sets Sasaab apart among other top camps in samburu is its commitment to traditional safari aesthetics combined with modern comfort. Each tent includes proper safari furniture, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas perfect for evening wildlife observation. The camp’s guides consistently receive praise for their tracking abilities and wildlife knowledge.
- Soroi Larsens Camp
Nestled on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River within Kenya’s iconic Samburu National Reserve lies Soroi Larsens Camp. The Camp delivers a classic safari ambiance with elegant canvas tents and eco-friendly practices. The camp’s seventeen tents provide comfortable accommodation with river views, while the central mess tent serves as a social hub for evening storytelling and wildlife discussions. Larsen’s participates actively in local conservation projects, including elephant research
Whether you’re a seasoned safari traveler seeking exclusivity or a first-time visitor wanting to connect deeply with Kenya’s unique wildlife and cultures, Soroi Larsens Camp delivers an unforgettable experience that perfectly balances comfort, conservation, and cultural respect.
- Soroi Samburu Lodge
Soroi Samburu Lodge is a luxury safari lodge in Samburu Nestled on a rocky outcrop in Samburu National Reserve, northern Kenya. The lodge overlooks the Ewaso Nyiro River, with its location offering guests sweeping views of the Samburu plains and easy access to prime game-viewing areas.
Designed with a blend of contemporary elegance and traditional African style, the lodge provides guests with an immersive safari experience surrounded by Samburu’s unique wildlife and culture.
With spacious rooms, infinity pools, and a prime location inside the reserve, Soroi Samburu Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the dramatic landscapes and spotting the rare Samburu Special Five.
The lodge boasts of Spacious en-suite rooms with private balconies. Elegant décor blending rustic safari charm with modern luxury. Infinity swimming pool with views of the reserve. You also get to enjoy a well set Lounge, bar, and open-air dining areas for immersive bush experiences.
- Samburu Intrepids Camp
Samburu Intrepids Camp provides reliable mid-range accommodation with twenty-eight tents spread along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The property excels in family accommodation, offering interconnected family tents and child-friendly facilities including a swimming pool and organized activities.
The camp balances comfort with authenticity, featuring traditionally-designed tents with modern bathrooms and private verandas. Game drives operate twice daily, with additional activities including nature walks and cultural visits to nearby Samburu villages.
- Elephant Bedroom Camp
Elephant Bedroom Camp offers luxury in a setting of breath taking beauty. It is set along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and shaded by Doum palms and other trees that make up this green belt of riverine forest in Samburu National Reserve. True to its name, Elephant Bedroom Camp regularly hosts visiting elephants who drink and bathe at the adjacent river. This unique feature creates unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities directly from camp, particularly during evening hours when elephants gather in large numbers.
The camp features 14 spacious tents with rustic and colourful African touches, offering all the comforts; including a private plunge pool on the deck, hot and cold running water, electricity (and complimentary herbal shower and bath products). The lounge and dining area is decorated with vibrant safari style, its soft intimate lighting assuring that this is the ultimate place to relax in between exciting game drives.
- Ashnil Samburu Camp
Ashnil Samburu Camp is located in Buffalo Springs Game Reserve which takes its name from an oasis of crystal-clear water at the Western end of the reserve. Ashnil Samburu comprises of exclusive luxury Tents are spread out along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River under a thick stand of doum Palms. Each tent features a decked Terrance with views of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
An outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun lounges, a garden and a Lounge bar offering views of the African savannah.
The restaurant offers views of the river and serves a variety of menus comprising of Oriental, traditional and international cuisines.
A range of activities are available on request and comprise of game drives, nature Walks and a cultural visit to the Samburu Village, bush meals like bush lunch/dinner and sundowners.
- Surana Bufalo Springs
This passionately crafted camp stands as an oasis, seamlessly blending rock and canvas to evoke the essence of both Safari and Swahili cultures.
The focal point, an infinity pool and spa, is delicately nestled into a natural ridge, offering a serene haven for guests to unwind after exhilarating game drives. Whether lounging, enjoying favorite cocktails, or indulging in spa treatments, it promises an unparalleled experience of relaxation and rejuvenation.
The 16 tents, each featuring its own private plunge pool, are strategically placed on a ridge overlooking the stunning confluence of the Ewaso Nyiro and Isiolo Rivers below in Samburu National Reserve. In the background, the majestic Ololokwe and neighbouring hills provide a picturesque backdrop, creating an enchanting panorama.
- Sentrim Samburu Camp
This Luxurious tented lodge offers modern tents with a private view over the wildlife rich riverfront setting, targeting travelers seeking comfort. The spacious tents boasts the very latest in luxury camping, with soft beds, en suite bathroom with steaming hot shower. The bathroom also offers a washbasin, flush toilet and sockets for shavers. Safety deposit boxes for guests’ Valuables. The property provides standard safari accommodation with en-suite facilities, mosquito netting, and private verandas overlooking the river.
The camp’s strength lies in its consistent service delivery and competitive pricing structure. Game drives operate on flexible schedules, while optional activities include bird watching walks and cultural village visits.
- Samburu Simba Lodge
Samburu Simba Lodge is beautifully situated overlooking the stunning Samburu plains, offering breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. Samburu Simba Lodge provides seventy-four rooms in a hotel-style configuration, making it suitable for large groups. The property includes standard amenities like a swimming pool, restaurant, and bar, with accommodation ranging from standard rooms to family suites.
While lacking the intimate safari camp atmosphere, Samburu Simba Lodge offers predictable comfort and facilities that appeal to travellers prioritizing modern conveniences over wilderness experiences.
- Samburu Sopa Lodge
Samburu Sopa Lodge has an attractive location within the Samburu National Reserve with panoramic views of distant rolling hills to one side and Mt. Kenya on the other.
It is the only lodge in Samburu to have a waterhole, so after a day of game drives out on the plains guests can spend lazy evenings relaxing in the comfort of the lobby or their bedroom veranda and view various animals coming to drink.
As part of the popular Sopa group of properties, Samburu Sopa Lodge offers comfortable and affordable accommodation right in the heart of the Samburu game park. It is surrounded by plains and hills – home to a wide variety of wildlife including the key animals for which Kenya is famous.
Samburu Sopa Lodge has 30 cottages. Each is spacious with a high ceiling and has been designed to blend in to the area using local materials in the construction and interior furnishings
Samburu Sopa Lodge has a reception, lobby, bar and dining room. There are lovely views of the surrounding landscape and adjacent waterhole.
The dining area serves a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner – with an international-style menu and a good choice of dishes. Guests enjoy gathering at the bar of an evening to share stories of the day’s sightings, whilst looking out over the floodlit waterhole which attracts a wide range of animals.
The swimming pool is ideal for cooling off during the hot afternoons between the morning and evening game drives and activities and other services include a gift shop, an evening turn down service, laundry service and babysitting service.
Samburu Sopa Lodge offers sixty rooms in a lodge-style setting, providing step-up comfort from basic budget options while maintaining reasonable pricing. The property includes a swimming pool, restaurant, and bar, making it suitable for travelers seeking moderate comfort without premium costs. The lodge has recently become home to astro-tourism, taking safari experiences to the next level.
- Sarova Saba Game Lodge
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is located in a natural oasis in Shaba National Reserve and offers complete serenity amidst wild and beautiful surroundings. It is a unique safari experience that will fill your every sense with the sights and sounds of nature all around you.
The lodge offers guests an authentic safari experience, providing comfortable accommodation in a tranquil setting near the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river. Offering a view, the rooms come fitted with a mosquito net, a safe and a minibar. The private bathroom has a bath, free toiletries and slippers. Extras include a desk, towels and bed linen. This lodge stands out for its pioneering spirit and innovative design. The 85 woody rooms all have terraces and all rooms and the restaurant and bar overlook the river.
At Sarova Shaba Game Lodge the restaurant and bar offers a variety of dishes and drinks. There is a 24-hour front desk, a shared lounge and a games room.
Samburu National Reserve has options for every budget from exclusive luxury camps with private conservancy access to comfortable family-friendly lodges and budget-friendly options that don’t compromise on wildlife experiences.
To get more details on best Lodges and Camps in Samburu contact us to plan the perfect Samburu adventure safari.