Three Signature Sarara journeys at the heart of Northern Kenya
Showcasing different sides of the magic that defines Sarara, these flagship itineraries each offer their own rhythm, focus and sense of discovery. Designed for a range of travellers, they’re also completely flexible – and can be tailored to each group’s tastes, interests and pace.
What they all share is the essence of the Sarara experience: heartfelt Samburu hospitality, community-led conservation woven into every encounter, days planned entirely around you, fresh seasonal cuisine inspired by local traditions, and the rare freedom to explore this rare and remote wilderness with almost no one else in sight.
A Conservation Journey
5 nights | 1-12 guests
Designed for travellers seeking meaningful engagement with Samburuland’s people and wild spaces, this journey offers an intimate introduction to Sarara’s pioneering community-driven conservation work. The adventure begins with two nights at Sarara Camp, where walking safaris, immersive game drives across the conservancy and cultural encounters bring you closer to Samburu traditions and the rhythms of the landscape.
From here, you venture deep into the wilderness for a night of Fly Camping – a soulful experience spent beneath open skies, where fireside stories and stargazing create lifelong memories. The journey culminates with two enchanting nights high in the forest canopy at Sarara Treehouses, where elephants move quietly below your elevated tent and the majestic Mathews Mountain Range provide the perfect backdrop.
Throughout your discoveries, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Northern Kenya’s conservation landscape: engaging with the keepers at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, meeting Samburu women to learn the meaning behind their intricate beadwork, spending time with the region’s revered blacksmith and witnessing an ancient and deeply moving tradition at the Singing Wells. You’ll also have opportunities to visit The Sarara Foundation’s pioneering Nomadic Montessori Schools and join their Mobile Healthcare Team in the field to witness the profound impact of these grassroots initiatives.
Ultimate Northern Kenya
7 nights | 4-12 guests
This adventure offers a breathtaking introduction to Samburu’s most iconic landscapes. The journey begins with three nights at Sarara Camp – the home of the Sarara story – where days unfold through sunrise walks, unhurried game drives and cultural visits that reveal the very soul of local heritage.
From here, two restorative nights await at Sarara Treehouses, where the forest glade gives way to a quieter, dreamlike pause. Raised walkways lead to beautifully appointed tents perched in the treetops, and mornings begin with idyllic birdsong and a gentle breeze rustling through leaves.
The journey culminates deep in the Greater Samburu Ecosystem, with two unforgettable nights at Sarara Wilderness. Set in one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas, this remote tented camp reveals vast plains alive with big cats, abundant elephant herds and richly layered stories from one of the continent’s best-preserved cultures. Ultimately, it’s a safari that feels entirely personal – wild, spellbinding and wonderfully unscripted.
The Elephant Expedition
7 nights | 6-12 guests
A transformative journey for wildlife lovers, this expedition immerses you in the heart of Kenya’s most significant elephant conservation landscapes. The first three nights at Sarara Camp unfold against a backdrop of daily elephant movement – from family herds gathering at the camp waterhole to witnessing ancient rituals at the sacred Singing Wells.
From here, the itinerary moves into the world of elephant rescue and rehabilitation with two unforgettable nights at Reteti House, just a short walk from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Staying here offers privileged access to the sanctuary’s pioneering work: joining the keepers at dawn bottle-feeds, spending time with the Samburu carers who nurture the calves around the clock, and gaining a deeper understanding of what community-led conservation truly looks like.
The journey concludes at Sarara Wilderness, where wild elephants bathe and play along the Ewaso Nyiro River and herds roam freely across sweeping plains – sometimes ambling right past the mobile tented camp itself. The pace is slow, the experience profound, and each moment deepens your connection to the extraordinary story of coexistence that lies at the heart of the Samburu landscape.
Where you’ll stay
Sarara Camp
Grounded in the tones and textures of the landscape and overlooking the Sarara Valley, our original camp is set on the slopes of the Mathews Mountains. Its six beautifully appointed en-suite tents offer uninterrupted views of Namunyak’s 850,000-acre wilderness and solar-heated outdoor showers – and two of the suites are interconnected by outdoor paths.
Guests are fully immersed in nature – from wildlife passing by private verandas to animals frequenting the surrounding pathways. Additional sightings await at the busy waterhole beside the dining area and infinity pool.
The camp also includes the exclusive-use two-bedroom Sarara House – perfect for families or friends. It features a plunge pool, private dining and spacious lounge with panoramic views.
Sarara Treehouses
Nestled in an ancient forest glade at the foot of Warges Peak, Sarara Treehouses rises from a lush canopy of trees. Eight immaculately appointed, stilted tents sit in peaceful, private settings with sweeping views of the Mathews Range. Each en-suite tent includes an outdoor solar-heated shower with spectacular forest and mountain views.
Elephants roam quietly beneath the raised suites and often visit the nearby waterhole, ensuring continuous connections with the wildlife that calls this magical forest home. With monkeys and birds chattering above and creatures moving through the undergrowth, it’s a wonderworld that both awakens the senses and soothes the soul.
Reteti House
With its captivating cliffside setting and dramatic views, Reteti House is an exclusive-use lodge offering privacy and front-row access to Northern Kenya’s pristine frontier. Just a 10-minute walk from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, it provides a rare vantage point into the groundbreaking conservation work of the world’s first community-owned and -run African elephant orphanage.
Four beautifully appointed standalone suites feature spacious outdoor showers and private terraces; an open-plan family room offers generous proportions and indoor comforts; and a new two-bedroom family suite provides a novel shared living space with a shared living area. The lodge includes a spectacular communal lounge and infinity pool overlooking a busy elephant waterhole, often visited by Reteti’s rewilded orphans.
Sarara Wilderness
Set in one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas, Sarara Wilderness offers a tailor-made safari experience deep within the Greater Samburu Ecosystem. The mighty Ewaso Nyiro River flows through this magnificent landscape, which is home to iconic wildlife and shaped by the Samburu community’s intricate knowledge of the land.
Guests are welcomed with heartfelt, personalised hospitality – fireside storytelling, guided explorations and seasonally inspired meals served in breathtaking settings. Evenings unfold beneath star-filled skies, and nights drift into sleep accompanied by the gentle sounds of the bush. Soft bedding, hot outdoor showers and thoughtful touches blend comfort with an old-world safari feel.
Fly Camping
Completely immersed in nature, an overnight Fly Camp offers an intimate experience in the deep wilderness. Set in a secluded lugga (dry riverbed), it features comfortable tents, camping beds, wash basins and everything needed for a restful night under the stars. Evenings revolve around storytelling beside the fire, bush dinners infused with Samburu flavour and unforgettable stargazing. At dawn, birdsong and the aroma of fresh coffee welcome a new day of discovery.
Included in all journeys
All itineraries include return flights from Nairobi, full-board accommodation, locally inspired cuisine, a fully stocked bar (soft drinks, local beers, non-premium wines and spirits), unrestricted game drives, guided walking safaris, one horseback safari, transfers between camps, laundry services, airstrip transfers, Starlink WiFi in communal areas, medevac cover and conservation fees.
Exclusive access
A Conservation Journey also includes a night of Fly Camping, the Ultimate Northern Kenya adventure features extended time in the Greater Samburu Ecosystem, and The Elephant Expedition offers privileged access at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.