Located in the heart of Samburu in Kenya’s northern frontier, Namunyak Community Conservancy comprises a land of unparalleled beauty and coexistence. Stretching over 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Mathews Range, this remote and dramatic landscape is home to the indigenous Samburu people, whose age-old traditions are as much a part of the fabric of this land as the wildlife.
Sweeping savannah plains, lush mountain slopes, and riverine forests provide the backdrop for a diverse range of species including Kenya’s second-largest elephant population, the endangered Reticulated giraffe, Grévy's zebra, leopard, wild dog, kudu and more. The conservancy is also a bird-lovers paradise with an astounding number of endemic, migratory and predatory birds.
A Reticulated Giraffe in its natural habitat.
A Unique Partnership for Conservation
By 1985, as a result of severe poaching, you couldn’t find a single elephant in the Mathews Mountain Ranges. When the elephants disappeared, so did the reticulated giraffe and Grevy zebras.
But in 1995, as an effort to protect the elephant and local wildlife, the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust was established as a community conservation partnership with the Samburu. This innovative partnership was one of the first of its kind in Kenya and has become one of the most successful community initiatives in Africa.
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The return of the key wildlife to the area is integral to Sarara, providing an unforgettable wildlife experience for its guests. Because of the successful partnership, the Samburu have benefited not only from the return of the elephant, but also through conservancy and land lease fees which support women’s groups, scholarships for local students, and anti-poaching operations.
It’s important that the elephant has returned. Elephants are known as a “keystone species.” They provide vital services to the ecosystem by pulling down trees and breaking up thorny bushes. Their demolition habit creates grasslands for other animals and openings in the brush; the trails they create act as fire breakers and helps with water runoff.
Their nutrient-rich dung fertilizes the soil which helps with crops; baboons and birds pick through their dung for seeds and nuts, and their dung also helps disperse seeds for new tree growth. Elephants lead the way for other animals to return, signaling safety and viability of a habitat.
The Sarara Camp Experience
In the remote reaches of Northern Kenya, where the Matthews Mountain Range meets the savannah plains of the desert, you’ll find Sarara Camp. Located on the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, it’s the only camp for hundreds of miles. Its six luxury tents sit perched overlooking the dramatic Mathews Mountain Range.
Set on the slopes of the Mathews Mountains, Sarara Camp offers expansive verandas with awe-inspiring views. Grounded in the rare beauty of its natural surroundings and well-preserved history, the camp’s striking, yet soothing interiors celebrate the elements, colours and textures of Kenya’s northern frontier.
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The camp shares space on community-owned land in an area where wildlife and cattle farmers co-exist, and the Samburu are just as integral to the land as the wildlife. It’s an idyllic setting, where buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, reticulated giraffe, plains game, and elephant roam the 850,000-acre reserve.
Sarara Camp is set high on a remote mountainside. It is centred on a rustic main building, leading out onto a lovely swimming pool.
The inviting swimming pool at Sarara Camp.
Set on the slopes of the Mathews Mountains, Sarara Camp welcomes continuous connections with this remote wilderness and the wildlife calling it home. Six spacious en-suite tents - all with uninterrupted views of Namunyak’s 850,000-acre wilderness and the majestic Mathews Mountain Range. Each beautifully appointed en-suite tent features solar-heated outdoor showers - and two of the suites are interconnected with an outdoor path, making for the ideal family unit.
Grounded in its rare& remote natural surroundings - and arich cultural legacySarara Camp’s vivid, yet soothing interiors celebrate the earthy textures and tones of Kenya’s northern frontier - while grounding guests in the authenticity of this sought-after wilderness.
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Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bush, guests are continuously immersed in the rhythms of nature. From wildlife passing by their private verandahs, to various species frequenting the camp’s winding footpaths, magnificent wildlife sightings also await at the busy waterhole near the dining area and infinity pool!
Experiencing this ancient land through its flavourful food, revered traditions, and age-old culture adds to the magic - and contributes to a profound sense of place throughout.
Activities and Experiences
Cultural experiences form an integral and uniquely important part of the stay, offering visitors the chance to engage with the local Samburu communities. Photography is not allowed during these experiences, which we think is very important and adds to how special these connections can be.
There is also the opportunity to visit the nearby elephant sanctuary, where you can observe rescued and rehabilitated elephants and learn about conservation efforts, the elephants’ care, and the challenges of protecting wildlife in the region.
Sarara Camp provides the following guided activities, not all of which are necessarily included in the room rate …
- Cultural interaction
- Vehicle safari
- Camel safari
- Walking safari
- Mountain hiking
- Elephant sanctuary visits
- Scenic flights to the far north
- Bivouac camping
One of the highlights of the Namunyak area must be a visit to the famous ‘Sarara Singing Wells’. Samburu warriors bring their cattle to these watering holes on a daily basis during the dry season. Some of the wells are up to 10 meters deep. The warriors strip off, descend to form a human chain and chant traditional Samburu songs as they pass water up by hand for the cattle.
Top tip: A trip to the singing wells is an absolute must! A most fascinating experience.
The Mathews Range is a remote safari area which offers a very wide range of activities, but where wildlife viewing is inherently less productive than more popular areas like the Maasai Mara. As a result, this area tends to appeal most to more experienced safari travellers, for whom the quality of sightings is more important than the quantity. The usual stay duration is 4-7 nights.
Singing Wells of Illaut - Samburu - Marsabit - Cultural Safaris in Kenya
Practical Information
Check in / out times: Check-in is at 11am and check-out is at 10am.
Season: Sarara Treehouses is closed from 1 November - 1 December
Altitude: The camp is approx. 800 metres above sea level
Temperature: Warm climate all year round. Nightly lows: 20-25°C; daily highs: 30-35°C
Child policy: Children of all ages are welcome but more suitable for 6 years+
Phone signal: Intermittent Safaricom signal
WiFi: Starlink WiFi in main areas
Power: 24-hour solar power. Please note: Electronic devices can be charged but voltage not strong enough for hairdryers
Plugs: Charging points in room (plug type G) and in main area. Please note: No adapters provided.
Getting to Sarara:
- Private charters into Namunyak airstrip.
- Scheduled flight: Safarilink/Air Kenya to Kalama airstrip (Transfer to Sarara: US$450 (max 4 passengers) approx. 1.5h drive)
- Scheduled flight: Safarilink/Air Kenya to Lewa airstrip (Transfer to Sarara: US$550 (max 4 passengers) approx. 3.5h drive)
Emergency cover: We encourage guests to use AMREF’s Maisha silver package for complete peace of mind while travelling in Eastern Africa. Extending beyond your Sarara stay, it’s valid for a month in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Meet Your Hosts
Michael & Ann: Welcomed by the warmth of this couple, guests immediately feel at home through their stories, their love for the region, and their ability to seamlessly personalise every day with the perfect balance of activities. Previously managing Reteti House, they moved to Sarara Camp in 2024.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Mathews Range, Northern Kenya |
| Accommodation | Six luxury tented suites with en-suite bathrooms and private terraces |
| Activities | Cultural interaction, vehicle safaris, camel safaris, walking safaris, elephant sanctuary visits, and more |
| Conservation Focus | Supporting the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust and community initiatives |
| Wildlife | Elephants, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, leopards, wild dogs, and more |
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