Saruni Samburu

We first visited this superb lodge in 2009 when it was quite a new lodge so keen to return 15 years on and our visit did not disappoint. We also brought along a friend for her first visit to Africa and she loved it too. We stayed in rooms 2a and 2 b which are joined but each have separate suites of sitting room,bedroom, bathroom, dressing room & terraces as well as outside showers all overlooking the distant views towards the Samburu reserve and over the Kalama Community Conservancy. Many of the lovely staff are local villagers and indeed they knew all of the staff who had looked after us 15 years ago , many of whom are now in senior positions with Saruni Basecamp as guides and managers at other Saruni Basecamp properties , having worked their way up . It really says something for an organisation when former waiters can end up as managers or senior guides! .The lodge now has 2 lovely swimming pools not just one as before. Massages are great. Rooms stunning and remain in excellent condition 15 years on. Views are stunning and lots to see at the water hole below the escarpment . Cuisine with an Italian slant is excellent as are the house wines and beers. Nothing is too much trouble and it’s fun having your own butler for your room. Game drives into Samburu were amazing. Scores of elephants crossing the Ewaso river. Saw a lion kill of a wart hog by 3 lionesses with 7 cubs in tow! Did some nice walks too Special thanks to Starlo our waiter and Johnson our butler . Our main guide Jimmy was wonderful and we are very grateful for his breadth of knowledge about the fauna and flora as well as all we learnt about the Samburu people and their culture and history. He also had a great sense of humour and put up with us for a week! (He also acted as our guide when we went on to stay at Saruni Rhino and then Samburu Basecamp). On the one day he was not available Samarol did an amazing job as our guide and we remembered him from our previous visit there! We will not leave it another 15 years before returning!

There are no words to describe how amazing our stay was at Saruni Samburu. The location is breathtaking, with the whole property overlooking the amazing Kalama Conservancy. Everything about the place is curated in detail. The rooms, the menu, the common areas and the two swimming pools. The staff is special. Everyone has been extremely welcoming and friendly. We wanted to extend a special thank you to Lizzy for being our amazing waiter and Wilson for guiding us during our safaris. We saw and learned so much. We are giving five stars because it is not possible to give more. Saruni Samburo truly goes above and beyond in every aspect.

Little things matter We drive in through Kalama Gate and get to Saruni Samburu where we are welcomed by Nicole and others. We start with ice cream and only then have lunch. Our villa is first near the swimming pool. Hyrax (rock rabbit) greets us on the doorstep. The outside shower offering the panoramic view with the temperature 35 C cannot be resisted. Afternoon game drive with Jommy is super and the sundowner with drinks, nuts and samosas and the ideal timing is just unbeatable. After an interesting conversation we finally must drive back up the impressive rocky path. For dinner we are offered ‘signed Saruni’ tomato soup and pork. In Saruni there is no buffet. Next morning we walk along the coloured path to the eating area for breakfast which starts with first a magnificent view followed by fruit, English breakfast, pancakes, juice and coffee, that’s exactly what we want to start the day with. Then it’s time for the morning game drive. We drive through Lantara Gate and see Elephant Rock, meet armed rangers looking for cattle rustlers. And then we are ready for an elephant session i.e. we stop by Ewaso river and watch them until it is time to return. Once back we naturally start with ice cream and then ask for tomato soup, fish and chips, fresh tomato and Tusker. Only then we go and take the shower in our most fantastic outside shower stall. Around 5 pm we go for an afternoon game drive, have another super sundowner and an interesting conversation again about Reteti and local community. At dinnner we don’t check the menu but ask for vegetable soup, chicken (I have fish) fresh tomato, white wine, fruit and ice cream. Then we retire. Summing up this already too long review: - Saruni Samburu is located beautifully and the view from every point is fantastic, - the villas are pure perfection, - but many little things have changed when we compare our first, second and then the last visit here, I realise they can be treated as trivial but we notice the difference: upon arrival we see on our terrace big low poufs, difficult to sit on, so we ask if we could have 2 chairs instead and we get the usual ‘No problem’ response. However, the chairs eventually arrive 24 hours later (sic); there are more waiters than before yet not particularly attentive so I have to go twice looking for them in the kitchen labyrinth, some crockery is badly chipped, and a few other tiny things more. I know I sound like a hotel inspector but I simply remember Saruni as offering a bit different, higher standard. Saruni, we know about your other well known places and your achievements but please note that it is little things that can matter.