Basecamp Samburu: Our full report

The newest addition to Saruni Basecamp’s portfolio, Basecamp Samburu is a small tented camp located in the ...

... community-managed Kalama Conservancy. Bordered by the semi-arid Samburu National Reserve to the south and the rugged terrain of the Matthews Mountain Range to the north, the camp features just five tents, consisting of four standard tents and one family tent, offering an intimate, personalised safari experience.

Basecamp Samburu joins the Saruni Basecamp portfolio as a sister property of Saruni Samburu and Eagle View, respectively located in Samburu and the Maasai Mara’s Naboisho Conservancy.

The four standard tents are simply designed and set on an elevated platform. They feature double or twin beds, a private ensuite bathroom with hot water showers, and private terraces that offer moments of calm before expansive views.

The family tent mirrors the design of the standard tents, featuring two double or twin bedrooms connected by a central lounge and shaded by an overhead pergola. Bright rugs adorn the wooden flooring, bringing a splash of colour to the neutral-toned décor.

In keeping with the rest of the camp, the communal area extends along a long-raised platform with a lounge area that has sofas, coffee tables, and chairs at one end, and a dining room at the other. Each of the canvas sides can be opened to allow a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape and director’s chairs are spread along the outdoor decking where you can enjoy a morning coffee or evening night cap beneath the vast Samburu sky.

Unique to the Saruni Basecamp portfolio, Basecamp Samburu also has two elevated star beds. Both feature private dining as standard, with jacuzzis for added luxury. They have a full bathroom and are cleverly designed so as to offer views over the surrounding landscapes while still maintaining privacy for those enjoying a romantic night beneath the stars.

Activities at Basecamp Samburu focus primarily on game drives, where you can enjoy morning, afternoon or all-day excursions through the surrounding wildernesses of both the Kalama Conservancy and Samburu National Reserve. A unique activity not permitted in the National Reserve; you can also set out to discover nocturnal animals during night drives in the Kalama Conservancy, or take part in a star gazing activity where, equipped with torches, you set out with knowledgeable Samburu guides to learn about the celestial displays and constellations.

Walking safaris are also available at Basecamp Samburu and will be adapted to your individual preferences, taking place alongside local Samburu warriors. These informative walks place emphasis on the authentic local knowledge of the Samburu guides, who share insights on the plants, animals, and landscapes as well as their own traditions and lives.

Similarly to its sister properties, a stay at Basecamp Samburu focuses as much on the culture and local communities as it does the surrounding wildlife. They offer village visits which provide an authentic glimpse into the Samburu way of life.

**This experience incurs an additional charge that goes directly to the community.

Other activities at Basecamp Samburu include their Scorpion safaris (a chance to learn more about the different scorpion types that call Samburu home); their Warrior Academy (a special interactive safari experience designed for smaller groups or families with children that can last between 1-3 days, and must be booked in advance); and visits to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, which is around two hours north by road.

The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is located within the neighbouring Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and is the first community-owned and managed elephant sanctuary in Africa. Similarly to Nairobi’s David Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary, Reteti cares for orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim of releasing them alongside wild herds once they are fully recovered. A visit to the sanctuary must be arranged in advance, at the time of booking your safari. Please speak to your Expert Africa safari specialist to explore including this within your itinerary.

Geographics

Location: Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Ideal length of stay: 3-4 nights would be ideal.
Directions: Basecamp Samburu is located 14km, or a 25-minute drive, from Kalama Airstrip.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: Thanks to the quality of food at its sister camps, we expect dining at Basecamp Samburu to be very good and, no doubt, to also incorporate a nod to the owner’s Italian heritage.

Basecamp Samburu offers communal dining, inviting you to connect with other guests during shared conversations over a meal and drink before moving to the central firepit, where you might like to swap stories of the day in front of a crackling fire.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: Soft drinks, house wines, selected beers and house spirits are included. Premium spirits, wines/Champagnes and beers are extra cost.

Special interests

Family holidays: The family tent offers privacy whilst allowing connectedness, and a Young Explorers Club is available for younger travellers. Children under 5 stay free of charge when sharing with parents/adults and child-friendly meals are available.; See ideas for Family holidays in Kenya
Birdwatching: Part of the greater Samburu ecosystem, some 350 bird species might be found in Kalama, including impressive raptors, vultures, and both the Somali and common ostrich. Wake to the Samburu dawn chorus and enjoy your day, equipped with binoculars.; See ideas for Birdwatching in Kenya
Cultural experiences: Basecamp Samburu offers the Warrior Academy, an interactive experience with a strong educational focus. Cultural village visits are also possible which, thanks to strong ties with the local communities, we expect to be authentic.; See ideas for Cultural experiences in Kenya
Walking safaris: Walking safaris vary from 2-4 hours in length, moving through Kalama Conservancy at a leisurely pace to explore the open plains and bush. Guests are accompanied by Basecamp Samburu guides and an armed county ranger trained by KWS.; See ideas for Walking safaris in Kenya
Wildlife safaris: In addition to big cats, elephants and (if you are lucky) wild dogs, visitors to Samburu will have the chance to sight the ‘Northern Five’. These include the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.; See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of all ages are welcome to Basecamp Samburu.
Property’s age restrictions: There is no minimum age restriction at Basecamp Samburu.
Special activities & services: Basecamp Samburu can arrange for special children’s meals, and the guides can assist with unique activities such as bush craft, beading lessons, tracking, baking in the kitchen alongside the chef, and more.
Generally recommended for children: Children of all ages are welcome to Basecamp Samburu.
Notes: Children would need to be supervised at all times at Basecamp Samburu.

Communications

Communications: Complementary Wi-Fi is available.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There is a dispensary and doctor at Archers Post, which is about a 30-minute drive away from Basecamp Samburu. For minor injuries there is first-aid equipment at the lodge and in the vehicles, and certain team members are trained in basic first aid.

For more serious incidents Basecamp Samburu has links to a flying doctors service.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Fire safety