Where wild hearts learn while they play

SARARA’S IMMERSIVE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS

Childhood is meant to be simple – filled with fun, discovery, and the freedom to explore. There’s no greater gift than the chance for kids to spend unfiltered time in nature, uncovering the wonders of the wild for themselves.

Watching them light up with curiosity and joy, fully immersed in their surroundings, is part of the magic of Sarara – where there are countless ways to engage in wholesome, imaginative, and inspiring play. Igniting young hearts, minds, and spirits, it leaves little explorers with big memories – and a lasting sense of connection to the wilderness.

Let the games begin!

When it comes to the most popular activities, warrior games win hands down. From aiming at simple targets with traditional bows and arrows to learning the art of spear-throwing, it’s all about skill and spirited competition. Jumping contests are another highlight, with young guests going head-to-head as they mimic the powerful movements of Samburu warriors (morans) – who soar straight into the air during traditional dances. These displays of strength and agility are deeply respected and serve as symbols of status and masculinity. So, the pressure is on when kids compete for top honours – and it’s not unusual to see them bouncing around camp while they train. While being fun, physical, and great for building confidence, these games also connect them with this age-old Indigenous culture.

Young field guide graduates

It’s easy to see why children are drawn to their Samburu guides – their knowledge, energy, and passion are magnetic, pulling young explorers right into the heart of the bush. As they’re “seconded” as honorary Samburu trackers, kids learn to read animal tracks, identify birds, and even decode dung. They also discover the secrets of plants with medicinal value – including the magical toothbrush tree, used by the local community… and yes, it really works!

Happy feet with guided hikes

Sarara’s trails range from short, scenic walks to longer treks with spectacular views. For those up to the challenge, climbing Mount Ol Lolokwe is an all-day adventure packed with excitement and a real sense of accomplishment. Its summit rises 1,000 meters above the plains – and the view from the top is a reward in itself. Another option is hiking along the slopes of the Mathews Range, where they’ll encounter a living fossil dating back around 280 million years – the Kenyan Giant Cycad. It’s the kind of discovery that will earn them serious bragging rights back home!

Far from screens and busy schedules, with every sense stirred and awakened, children have all the time in the world to explore, get muddy, climb trees, laugh loudly, and learn without even realising it. There’s space to roam, and a kind of joy that comes from simply being in the moment – young, wild, and spontaneous.

Making a splash

Because of its location near the equator, Sarara enjoys a warm climate year-round. All of our lodges and camps feature refreshing pools overlooking wildlife waterholes – a big hit with kids looking to cool off between adventures. For those wanting to take it up a notch, seasonal natural waterslides on the mountain slopes near Sarara Camp offer hours of excitement. Could there be a better way to beat the heat than plunging down water-carved chutes into cool rock pools, surrounded by ancient forests?

Freedom to ride

For kids who’ve dreamed of horse riding across the savannah, this is their chance! At Sarara, they can saddle up at dawn or dusk – no experience needed. Rides are always matched to their level, whether they’re beginners or confident riders. They can stick close to camp or head out on longer adventures through open grasslands. It’s the kind of experience you’ll probably want to do with them – probably more than once.

Meeting baby elephants up close

Visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is a game-changer – made up of many little highlights all rolled into one unforgettable experience. From watching the calves drinking their milk bottles, to delighting in them slipping and sliding while enjoying their mud baths, kids also witness how the sanctuary’s keepers care for the orphans – and meet other rescued wildlife, including little giraffes, gerenuks, and Somali ostriches. There’s no end to the value of learning the impact of conservation in person, and cultivating a deep love for the natural world comes easy in the presence of these incredible creatures!

Bright smiles

Joining a circle of Beading Mamas to thread colourful necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and more may be a highlight for Sarara’s female guests – but when it comes to children, all genders are in! Both girls and boys adore this activity, happily spending hours creating jewellery with the women, while transcending borders and language barriers through joyful chatter. It’s as if children – with their bright smiles and open hearts – are naturally drawn to the “Butterfly People”, the name given to the Samburu for the vibrant colours of their clothing and beadwork.

Sleeping under the stars

There’s hardly a more adventurous way to camp with little ones, and see just how quickly they adapt to the wilderness. Set up in luggas (dry riverbeds), Fly Camps take inspiration from the early days of safari, when explorers pitched camp with little more than a fly sheet for shelter from the elements and wildlife. Today’s camps are a touch more modern, but the thrill of those humble beginnings still lingers. It’s no wonder this is a favourite among children, who quite literally hit the ground running… Playing barefoot in the riverbed until well past bedtime, sitting wide-eyed around the fire listening to Samburu folklore, and drifting off to the sounds of the wild – only to wake up refreshed and ready for another day of discovery.

A giant storybook

As one of children’s most beloved experiences, stargazing under Africa’s night skies opens up entirely new worlds. It awakens curiosity, stretches imaginations, and often marks the beginning of lifelong fascinations with the mysteries of the galaxy. “Stargazing not only teaches them about the cosmos, but also about their own value – that even small things can shine brightly,” says Tilas Lekango, Lodge Manager at Reteti House. He explains that every constellation tells a unique story in Samburu culture, and that the unpolluted skies of Namunyak Conservancy allow children to read the stars just as his ancestors once did.

“When they look up, they begin to understand they’re part of something much bigger.”

By the time they say goodbye, Sarara’s younger guests have moved their bodies, slept deeply, breathed in fresh air, and played with joy and wild abandon. They’ve picked up new skills, glimpsed another way of life, and they were guided by people who became friends within days.

They return home lighter, recharged, and reconnected – to nature, themselves, and a way of living that’s simpler, slower, and more in tune with the Earth. Leaving with more than just memories, they gained new perspectives, fresh inspiration, sparks of creativity, and a deeper appreciation for all living things.

Most of all, they have a renewed sense of what it truly feels like to be young.