Overview
Unique experiences supporting community and conservation
The Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the north of Kenya, is a dramatic expanse of untouched wilderness in the Mathews mountain range. On these open plains and mountain slopes you’ll find thriving populations of elephants, leopards, reticulated giraffes and wild dogs.
Sarara, with its six en-suite tents and infinity pool, overlooks this pristine wilderness. Here you’ll also find Loimugi House, a two-bedroom tented family unit with its own plunge pool, sitting room, private dining and arresting views of the Mathews Range. If you’re a guest here you may be treated to a visit by the local elephants who often frequent the house pool.
When you arrive, you’ll be assigned a dedicated guide who will help to craft a personalized stay, from activities, to discovering all that the remote area has to offer.
The region is also home to the local Samburu people whose traditions are imprinted on the landscape. Sarara works with the communities to help create a sustainable lifestyle for both the people and wildlife, while granting lucky guests an utterly unforgettable experience.
Facts
At a glance
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Six tents and a private house
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Infinity pool
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Wildlife viewing hide
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Dedicated guide
Experiences
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![Sarara Northern Kenya 4]()
Game drives
There are 34,000 hectares of wilderness to explore, so head out with a Samburu guide for early morning or late afternoon drives. Keep an eye out for elephants, leopards, giraffes, lesser and greater kudus and hyenas, as well as more elusive creatures like aardvarks, honey badgers and cheetahs.
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![Sarara Northern Kenya 11]()
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Take time to visit the first community-owned elephant orphanage in Africa. At Reteti they care for rescued elephant calves before they are released back into the wild. The sanctuary also creates employment for the local people who work there. You’ll be paired with a keeper who will tell you all about the work the sanctuary does, and you will get to watch the elephants being fed and enjoying playtime in the mud.
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![Sarara Activities 58]()
Cultural experiences
Sarara means the meeting place and at the Singing wells, all the neighboring communities come together to water their wildlife as they sing and catch up on happenings around the community. It's a spectacular culture that you would never want to miss. You can also visit a local village to see local artisans like the blacksmith and beaders.
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![Sarara Northern Kenya 17]()
Fly camping
If you’re staying a few nights at Sarara, spend one of them sleeping under the stars in a mosquito net tent in a dry riverbed. You’ll start the evening with cocktails and a candle lit dinner beside a fire, before being lulled to sleep by the sounds of the bush.
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![Sarara Northern Kenya 1]()
Montane cloud forest hikes
If you’re feeling energetic, take a hike in the nearby Mathews Range. As you progress the landscape changes dramatically. You can also opt for a day-long trek to the top of the sacred Mount Ololokwe.
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![Horseback riding in Sarara, Kenya, a low-impact and sustainable travel activity.]()
Horse riding
One of the best ways to view game is on horseback with Sarara's bush ponies.
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![Sarara walking xp]()
Walking safari
Samburu naturalist guides can take you out for an early morning walk through the bush to take an up-close and personal look at the glorious flora and fauna surrounding the camp.
Community & Culture
There are over 1200 Samburu families who own and manage land within the conservancy. They use it for their livestock, honey gathering and wildlife conservation. There are 68 local wildlife rangers employed to patrol the Afro Montane cloud forest and savannah plains. The money generated by tourism helps build the community.
Conservation
Hard hit by unchecked hunting in the second half of the 20th century, the elephant and rhino populations were hard hit, and the grasslands became woodlands. But when the community conservation movement began to grow stronger by 1995, communities started to realise that conservation could benefit them. Elephants returned to the now protected valley, grazing the bush back to grassland and opening waterholes. Soon, other wildlife followed. Today the Mathews Range is home to over 4,000 elephants.
Footprint
Sarara is completely off-grid, with 24-hour solar powered electricity with state-of-the-art Tesla power walls. Food is prepared using produce from the on-site organic garden as well as other regional ingredients.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
