Overview
Track black rhinos with Samburu guides
Tucked away among swaying doom palms beside a dry river bed in the remote Sera Community Conservancy, Saruni Rhino is an intimate camp with three elegant bandas (stone cottages) and a mess cottage for dining and relaxing.
At Saruni Rhino you have the unique opportunity to actively contribute community-led conservation by joining local guides and tracking endangered black rhino tracking experience on foot.
Back at camp, enjoy views over a nearby waterhole and the stunning landscape from the comfort of your verandah, watching wildlife come and go. The infinity pool is the ideal place to unwind surrounded by the natural beauty of the area, and don’t miss the chance to enjoy a memorable torch-lit bush dinner on the dry river bed.
As well as wildlife, you can learn first-hand about Samburu customs and traditions from the local guides who will share their love for their home with you and give you a unique view of the flora and fauna found here.
Facts
At a glance
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Three banda cottages
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Swimming pool
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Bar
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![Rhino in natural habitat, representing focused efforts on animal conservation in South Africa]()
Black rhino tracking
Accompanied by an expert Saruni guide and a highly-trained Sera Community Conservancy ranger, head out on foot in the vast rhino sanctuary and track some of is resident black rhinos, getting with meters of these incredible animals.
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![Sera ranger and saruni guide by stuart butler1]()
Game drives
Enjoy morning, afternoon and all-day game drives in the Sera Community Conservancy, a fantastic habitat for African wildlife and northern species such as baisa Oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and Grevy's zebra.
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![Saruni Rhino 7]()
Bush walks
Walking safaris are individually tailored to guests' interests and are set in a breath-taking landscape. Walking with the Samburu warriors out in the African bush is a fantastic experience and guests learn from their authentic local knowledge of the plants, animals and landscape, about their traditions and about their lives.
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![Saruni Rhino 2]()
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Located in Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Samburu County of Northern Kenya, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is the first community owned and managed elephant sanctuary in Africa. An incredibly inspiring place to experience.
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![Saruni Rhino 10]()
Singing wells
Sera Community is also home to The Fifty Wells, ‘Kisima Hamsini’, a series of springs where local pastoralists take their livestock to water, digging up water from the wells to fill up holders and troughs. The Singing Wells are also a driving distance away and can be visited with some notice – a rare treat to see the local community singing proprietary songs recognisable only by their own cattle, to encourage them to come to the wells to drink.
Community & Culture
Saruni Rhino works very closely with the communities who own the land around the property, helping to drive community-based tourism and create a unique safari experience. They have also partnered with the Northern Rangelands Trust to help improve living conditions for the Samburu people who own the Sera Conservation Area. Most of Saruni’s staff come from the small community and are trained by the lodge.
Conservation
Since 10 black rhinos were translocated to the Sera Rhino Sanctuary from across the country in 2015, over half a dozen calves have been born. Not only has the sanctuary helped to bolster the vulnerable black rhino population, but it has also shown the local community and visitors how important conservation is. A portion of your stay goes directly to rhino conservation.
Footprint
In order to have minimum impact of the environment, the lodge was built using eco-friendly materials and practices. It runs on solar power 24-hours a day.
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.
