Saruni Rhino Tracking Safari

This upmarket safari lodge is situated in the private Kalama Conservancy, on the remote outskirts of the Samburu National Reserve. From its isolated perch in the Kalama Hills, Saruni Samburu enjoys spectacular views of the Samburu grasslands below, as they extend from the foothills of the Kalamas into the distant horizon, with views that extend as far as Mt Kenya on a clear day.

Saruni Samburu offers just six guest cottages. Scattered along the granite hilltop, the cottages have been carved out of natural stone and rock. They are entirely open at the front, with only gauze curtains separating them from the elements (these open during the day to allow for a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape). The spacious interiors are beautifully-furnished with Samburu rugs, lanterns, and hardwood furnishings.

Guest facilities at Saruni Samburu include a spa, small game-viewing hide, open-air dining area (situated at the peak of the hill so as to make the most of the views), and an infinity swimming pool, positioned just below the rooms on the upper slopes of the hill.

The next three days are free for you to explore Samburuland – both the national reserve and the private Kalama Conservancy. Saruni Samburu offers a mix of activities, including guided day and night game drives, and guided bush walks.

Comprised of two elegant ‘bandas’ (open stone cottages), sleeping 4-6 guests each, and a main ‘mess’ cottage for dining and relaxing, Saruni Rhino is situated in the heart of the Sera Conservancy, amidst swaying doum palms and on the dry bed of the Kauro River, from where it overlooks a nearby waterhole. The waterhole is a popular drinking spot for a diversity of wildlife – elephant, hyena, impala, oryx, and Grevy's zebra are among the regular visitors – making for great ‘bush TV’ from the comfort of your cottage’s sandy verandah! – while the dry river bed provides a quintessential torch-lit bush dinner location under the vast African skies.

Saruni Rhino’s main draw, however, is its namesake – the rhino. The lodge offers a rare opportunity to track these fabulous creatures in their natural environment. Accompanied by an expert guide and ranger, guests at Saruni have the opportunity to track black rhino on foot through the wild bush of the Sera Conservancy – a unique and thrilling walking safari.

There are currently 21 rhinos within the conservancy – a vast wilderness almost 350,000 hectares in size – re-homed from elsewhere in Kenya for their protection. Through your safari, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the work involved in the protection of this severely endangered species.

During your stay at Saruni Rhino, you will also have the opportunity to visit the recently-opened Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, in the nearby Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, part of the remote Mathews Range. This sanctuary provides protection for orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim of releasing them back into the wild.