AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
Saruni Samburu is located in the Kalama Conservancy which borders Samburu National Reserve to the north. Samburu is a relatively small reserve, but is continuous with two further protected areas, the Buffalo Springs Game Reserve and Shaba National Park.

The reserves lie at an altitude of around 3000ft above sea level and have a typical semi-arid habitat comprising essentially of acacia bush with riverine woodland along the river courses. The Ewaso Nyiro river is the region’s lifeline, and responsible for the large animal populations which include elephant, lion, leopards, Grevy’s zebra, buffalo, hyaena, impala, hartebeest, baboon, hippo, crocodile, vervet monkey, dik dik, and the Reticulated giraffe as well as species specifically adapted to the dry environment – Beisa oryx and the long necked gerenuk. The bird species are also representative of the habitats, with a variety of raptors, shrikes, babblers, starlings, the vulturine guineafowl and the Somali ostrich commonly seen. The people of the region include the colourful Samburu (cousins of the Masai), the Sakuye, Ndorobo, Somali and Boran. The Samburu can often be seen on the borders of the reserves tending to their livestock.

The Kalama Conservancy does do not offer the same game populations as Samburu Game Reserve, but there is general game to see, and elephants often visit the water hole where an underground hide has been built. There are some amazing sunset spots from the various hills in the conservancy.

Activities
Game drives into Samburu Game Reserve are offered and are very productive for game viewing, especially for leopard, elephant and lion. However, with core game areas 50 minutes away from the lodge, twice daily game drives into Samburu are unlikely. Two game drives into the reserve within a three night stay would be most likely. Game drives on Kalama Conservancy can be interesting and are very exclusive, but rarely produce significant big game sightings. However night drives are possible on the conservancy and can be more productive.

There is also a photographic hide which offers guests the opportunity to photograph animals at a water hole from ground level.

Cultural visits form a significant part of your stay at Saruni Samburu with the Kalama Conservancy being home to several Samburu villages (there is usually a visiting fee to be paid to the villages locally).

Walking is also possible on the conservancy and various options exist from short afternoon walks to beautiful sunset spots, to more dedicated, longer morning walks. Day trips to climb the sacred Ololokwe Mountain are also possible (at extra cost).

Although not technically safari activities, it is worth saying that swimming in the lodge pools, admiring the views, relaxing in the sun, reading a good book and perhaps enjoying a massage could all form part of your stay at Saruni Samburu!

Seasons
Saruni Samburu is open all year round, though November, April and May in particular can be affected by rain. Game viewing is generally best in Samburu between July and October.