Exclusive, secluded, and entirely yours – Reteti House
THE ULTIMATE FOUR-NIGHT EXPERIENCE
“I thought it was just a house, but it turned out to be a private camp with a main lodge and multiple permanent tents. It gave us both grandness and intimacy in the most beautiful way. It was our own space, with stunning views, and the joy of walking to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.”
– Tripadvisor
The sweeping views from Reteti House’s expansive communal lounge.
Welcome to Reteti House… Perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sweeping Sarara Valley, this private-use lodge is your personal haven of calm and quiet sophistication in the heart of Namunyak Conservancy’s untamed wilderness.
Surrounded by unfiltered nature, where every sight, sound, and smell is amplified, it’s designed for families or small groups of friends to be booked exclusively – and your experience will be completely your own.
RETETI HOUSE AT A GLANCE
7 bedrooms, accommodating up to 16 guests
Includes 4 standalone suites; 1 open-plan family room (1 double + 2 singles); 1 family suite with 2 bedrooms; 2 guide rooms for accompanying guides or pilots
Front-row access to Namunyak’s community-led conservation projects, including the pioneering Milk to Market Program
A 10-minute walk to Reteti – the world’s first community-owned and operated African elephant sanctuary
Perfect for families, friends, photographers, retreats, or multigenerational groups seeking intimate wildlife encounters
Just imagine…
SUGGESTED FOUR-NIGHT ITINERARY
At Reteti House, each itinerary is fully flexible and thoughtfully personalised to match your interests, needs, and sense of adventure. Below, you’ll find a glimpse of what an unforgettable four-night stay could look like. It includes suggested highlights that will turn a Reteti House stay into an experience – your journey will however be shaped entirely around what sparks your interests and imagination!
Day 1
Touching down at Namunyak Airstrip, you’ll be welcomed by your Samburu guides and hosts, who’ll soon feel like family. And while it’s only a 20-minute drive to Reteti House, it might already include your first wildlife encounters of the day.
After refreshing arrival drinks at the lodge, there’s no better spot for a fresh and flavourful lunch than the expansive lounge area overlooking the waterhole and panoramic scenery, before taking a breather, relaxing and making yourself at home – Reteti House is all yours after all! From relaxing by the infinity pool, to soaking in the views, to settling into the rhythms of the wilderness, you may simply prefer to enjoy a nap in your spacious suite.
By mid-afternoon, there’s the option to head out – on foot or by game vehicle – for an exclusive visit to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to meet the orphaned elephants as they forage in the bush. There, you’ll savour a cup of tea or coffee in a secluded spot while observing the elephants browse and interact. You'll be joined by some of Reteti’s dedicated keepers, who’ll recount each calf’s story and answer any questions you may have.
After walking back to the sanctuary with the elephants, you’ll witness their daily care routines, meet more of the extraordinary Samburu women and men who nurture them, and learn the inspiring story behind this pioneering sanctuary. The iconic 6pm bottle feeding is a highlight – and you’ll be in the heart of the moment when the calves joyfully slurp their milk and the keepers sing to them, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.
You may also encounter other wildlife at Reteti – including orphaned giraffes, buffalo, antelope, and Somali ostriches. After this unforgettable experience, return to the lodge for a delicious dinner, before falling asleep to the soothing sounds of the wilderness.
Day 2
Wake with the first light to head out on a game drive into the Namunyak Community Conservancy – 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness, and home to thriving populations of wildlife, including dik-diks, gerenuks, reticulated giraffes, leopards, and herds of elephants. Sightings here feel personal and unhurried, with almost no other vehicles and plenty of time to be fully immersed in each moment.
A bush breakfast in a surprise location offers the chance to stretch your legs, enjoy a mouthwatering meal prepared outdoors, and appreciate the immensity of this landscape through all your senses. Next, your path will take you to the sacred Singing Wells – where Samburu morans (warriors) dig for water for their livestock. Chanting and singing in harmony while passing buckets of water from deep beneath the earth, the rhythm of their work echoes across time. Witnessing this age-old tradition, one feels the pulse of this community and the landscape itself.
Returning to Reteti House to linger over lunch, you’ll spend the afternoon at your own pace – lounging by the pool, feeling the sun warm your skin, or opting for some board games. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to see the impact of sustainable tourism up close by visiting a local manyatta (homestead). Getting a glimpse of daily Samburu life, the spirit of community leaves one in awe of a culture that’s been preserved for centuries.
Day 3
Adventure calls!
A full-day helicopter safari into the Suguta Valley is an exhilarating way to explore Northern Kenya’s immersive landscapes. Offering stunning aerial views of the Mathews Range, the journey also includes close-up flying past soaring peaks and extinct volcanoes, sweeping over desert plains, and delighting in the vibrant colours of flamingos gathered along the shimmering shores of Lake Turkana. En route, you'll stop to enjoy breakfast and lunch in remote and magnificent natural locations.
Since Reteti House is set in one of the most northern parts of Kenya, it’s a gateway to explore this magical part of the world – making it the perfect platform for this activity, which ultimately offers the chance to venture into hidden locations that are only accessible by helicopter.
Returning to the lodge in the late afternoon, there’s still time to relax and unwind before dinner. Or – for those craving even more adventure – to pack an overnight bag and head into the bush for a Fly Camping experience, and the much-revered Ngoma.
Encompassing a specially set up outdoor experience in a lugga (dry riverbed) with comfortably equipped tents, camping beds, wash basins and more, Fly Camping features sharing fireside stories, a mouthwatering bush dinner inspired by Indigenous flavours, stargazing, being lulled to sleep by the sounds of the bush, and waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
As one of the region’s most cherished traditional experiences that few get to see, the Ngoma offers a powerful window into Samburu culture. Typically performed at dusk, this sacred ritual of singing and dancing – alive with colour, rhythm, and deep emotion – leaves an impression that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Day 4
Setting off at the crack of dawn, you’ll meet the inspiring Milk Mamas at the heart of The Sarara Foundation’s Milk to Market Program. Each day, they sell their excess goat milk to Reteti, providing the orphaned elephants with a locally sourced, nutrient-rich alternative to imported formula. In return, the Mamas are empowered to earn their own income – and many have opened their first bank accounts thanks to this pioneering initiative.
It’s nothing short of moving to witness the Mamas arrive, proudly delivering their canisters of milk – a tangible testament to a remarkable system of coexistence between the Samburu people and Namunyak’s wildlife. Once the milk is gathered, measured, tested, and loaded, you can follow its journey to the sanctuary for another exclusive visit, and watch the orphans enjoy their morning bottles – which hold their own special kind of magic.
Back at Reteti House, a leisurely mid-morning breakfast awaits. From there, the day is yours to take at a slower pace. Unwind with a soothing massage, or join a circle of Beading Mamas for an afternoon of craft and connection – sharing stories that transcend language, cultures, and continents. You could also spend time with the region’s master blacksmith and watch him craft one-of-a-kind pieces using techniques passed down from his grandfather.
There’s no better way to close your final day than with a long, unhurried afternoon game drive – culminating with sundowners in a breathtaking setting as the sun dips below the horizon and the wilderness settles into the evening.
Day 5
Enjoy an early morning hike to Reteti Rock – the very place where, exactly ten years ago, Samburu Elders gathered and conceived the idea that became Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Today, this prominent landmark stands as a tribute to Namunyak’s elephants and features a striking natural artwork by the renowned French graffiti artist Youri Cansell – offering wonderful photo opportunities too.
As you head back for breakfast, you’ll have the chance to savour the breathtaking views over the Sarara Valley one last time. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to Namunyak Airstrip, where the team will see you off safely and bid you farewell. Flying out over the conservancy, we hope you do so with a heart full of lifelong memories and a deeper connection to this extraordinary corner of Kenya.
Photos by Thige Njuguna, Simon Pocock & Stevie Mann