Lewa Wilderness | Lewa Conservancy
Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya’s oldest private safari experiences. For fifty years guests have been coming to this remarkable region to be part of an adventure like no other. Those five decades have seen that passion passed down through the Craig family who proudly continue to run Lewa Wilderness today.
Guests can relax by the fire in the cozy sitting room and share meals around a long banquet table in the open-air dining room. Natural springs, home-raised livestock, and a 5-acre organic garden are transformed by skilled chefs into incredible, healthy and delicious food.
There are nine comfortable thatched cottages with spacious ensuite bathrooms, fireplaces in the sitting areas and verandas.
Activities to take part in while staying at Lewa Wilderness include game drives, game walks, camel safaris, horseback riding, and day visits to the Ngare Ndare forest. Scenic flights are also available with Air Wilderness!
There is a very good chance of seeing all of the “Big Five” and Lewa is one of the only game parks where visitors are almost guaranteed to see the endangered black and white rhinos.
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360 Degree tour
Lewa Wilderness Rooms & Main House
This Garden Room is set back a little bit from the hillside and hidden away in the trees, offering views over the top and onto the valley beyond. With a small upstairs, it is perfect for couples or for friends and siblings who wish to share.
The Hillside Cottages take advantage of the stunning northerly views from Lewa. Each room is quite different in its layout and sleeping configuration and takes advantage of the uneven hill side to form unusual shapes which load them with character. Every room has en suite facilities and its own private sitting area, bar and veranda.
The Garden Cottages at Lewa Wilderness are nearest the main areas and are built in pairs with private en suite facilities and a shared veranda and sitting room. The layout of these rooms is ideal for a family or those who do not want to walk too far as they are nearer the main facilities. The rooms are flanked and fronted by well kept lawns which give families that extra outdoor space to use. These Garden rooms were built to cater for families or friends travelling together and remain very close to the heart of everything that happens here.
This Hillside Cottage is the furthest away from the main areas, and is complete with its own private veranda and plunge pool. It has a shared living room with two ensuite bedrooms, one of which is a small twin. Bright and airy, this cottage is great for those who wish to be a little more remote.
Private Wilderness
Private Wilderness is an extension of us, the Craig family have welcomed guests since 1972, and now they warmly invite you to enjoy a slice of this legacy, as your own.
This private property comprises of five individual thatched cottages, set along the tranquil valley of the Eastern Marania River, each with their own picturesque view over the hills beyond. Complete with en-suite bathrooms, they can be arranged as either double or twin configuration, accommodating a maximum of ten guests simultaneously.
This property is sold on an exclusive use only basis.
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Gym on property, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fireplace, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Baby Sitting, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, Gourmet Picnic, Horse Riding, Horse-back Safaris, Massages, Night Drives, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Sleep Outs, Tennis Court, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Horse Riding, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Scenic Flights
A team of fully-qualified driver guides are on hand for vehicle safaris across the conservancy. The specially adapted open vehicles allow for excellent viewing but it is the richness of the game that our guests talk about. All the main safari predators, the rare Grevy zebra and of course the threatened rhino, both black and white, can be viewed in abundance. A particular favourite and well recognised aspect of the area near the lodge are the good elephant numbers. The game drives are on your terms using our experience and are not limited to daylight hours. We often explore the conservancy by night using spotlight and the full moon when it obliges. Lewa offers a very good opportunity to see the Big 5.
One of the most popular ways to explore the conservancy is in a more traditional fashion – on foot. Lewa Wilderness’ expert Masai walking guides, who have lived here all their lives, explore Lewa with guests to really get up close to many of our wild neighbours. Out walking almost nothing is a barrier and ground is covered very easily making the safari experience so much more real. Guests either walk in the early morning or early evening before dark.
With over thirty horses in our stables Lewa Wilderness is well equipped to explore our wilderness. With everything from ponies up, they are able to cater for a wide range of experience levels and have become very accustomed to accommodating groups of mixed ability. They offer extensive exploration on horseback and it is one of the very popular ways to investigate and safari through the open lands to the east of the lodge. For experienced riders full morning or full day rides can be arranged, or spend the night out with the horses and our fly camp!
For something a little out of the ordinary, why not ride a camel! Guests can opt for a short ride in the bush, or for those seeking further adventure Walking Wild is our camel safari operation. This involves a longer camel trek (2 nights minimum) where guests walk across the African plains while the camels and Maasai guides transport the camp.
Visit our 'Shamba' ( Farm ) where we grow all the fresh fruit and vegetables for the lodge. There are cows, chickens and goats free range down here too. We try and be as self sustaining as possible, and this is a lovely place to explore.
Join us on the farm for a guided “back of house” tour ending in our organic garden with a freshly cooked lunch beneath the Mango trees. Such a special atmosphere celebrating our ethos of sustainable living at Wilderness.
Drive or walk to your exclusive campsite for the night and spend the evening around the campfire. Our fly camp is simple but extremely comfortable, with hot bucket showers and cosy tents, there is a mosquito dome option for those who want to sleep under the stars. For advanced horse riders we can also ride there. This experience ensures adventure in comfort.
There is a fully equipped gym at the lodge.
Lewa Wilderness provides employment and training to local people through Lewa Crafts Furniture and Kifuma Weaving project. All of the beautiful furniture in the lodge is designed and created in our workshop, fashioned out of salvaged acacia wood and crafted into unique designs. The carpet weaving uses natural wool, spun and woven by hand into beautiful rugs for sale in our gift shop. Guests are welcome to visit both projects and see the craftsmanship at first hand.
The nearby Ngare Ndare Forest offers a different ecosystem to explore, with a treetop canopy walk and spectacular waterfalls where you can swim and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is a full day trip.
For those guests interested in the local traditional culture, there is an authentic Maasai village where guests can spend the day enjoying a unique experience interacting with amazing people. This is a full day trip.
Air Wilderness is able to offer scenic flights straight from the lodge in our cessna 206 which takes up to 4 passengers. Fly to RETETI Elephant Orphanage for their morning feed, or cruise low level along the Ewaso Ng'iro River and stop for a sundowner in a remote location. Air Wilderness can also be chartered privately to take you wherever you need to go across Kenya. Unfortunately our WACO Biplane is still unavailable due to us redoing the licences.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 12
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Saruni Samburu | Kalama Conservancy
Saruni Samburu sits in Kalama Conservancy, bordering Samburu National Reserve. 200,000 acres of unspoiled northern Kenya wilderness that belongs entirely to the community who have called it home for generations. As one of the two only lodges here, your access to this landscape is as exclusive as it gets.
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Our family villas are designed with the understanding that every family travels differently.
One of the villas offer separate entrance and can be booked as a complete private unit or as individual spaces. When taken separately, the seclusion is absolute, each entrance leads to its own world, with no reason to cross paths unless you choose to.
The other is designed as a single, flowing family home; one entrance, generous shared spaces, and a natural rhythm that suits families who want to move through their days together.
All open onto incredible views, large bathrooms with private outdoor showers, and a wonderfully unhurried living area, equally suited to quiet afternoons and private dinners under the northern sky.
It is a large house with one en-suite bedroom joined by a spacious living room and verandah. It has a very unique character and style and blends beautifully into its surroundings. With its outdoor shower, private dining and living room and interesting design, it makes for an exciting and memorable stay. It is a short walk away from the main dining area, the bottom pool and Samburu Wellbeing Space.
The Honeymoon villa has one bedroom and a spacious living area and verandah. It has been reviewed as the room with the most beautiful view and possibly the most amazing room in Africa. Built onto the edge of a hillside around the natural rock formations, it makes you feel as if you are on top of the world. The panoramic views of the wilderness below are enjoyed from the elegant bedroom and verandah.
Property Facilities
Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fridge, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gourmet Picnic, High Tea, Massages, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided)
Guests can enjoy morning, afternoon and all day game drives through renowned and teeming conservation areas; Kalama Conservancy and Samburu National Reserve, two fantastic habitats for African wildlife. We also highly recommends night game drives in Kalama Conservancy, when nocturnal species can be encountered. This is a unique activity not permitted in the National Reserve.
Meals at Saruni Samburu are rarely confined to a dining room. Breakfast finds you along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, and as evening falls, dinner moves to a dry riverbed beneath a sky so full of stars it feels almost implausible.
Then there are the secret spots our team have quietly claimed over the years for bush dinners and picnic lunches where the wildlife simply carries on around you. Elephants, waterbuck, lion, impala, and the Samburu Special Five stopping to drink, entirely unbothered by your presence. It's the kind of meal that makes conversation pause.
Saruni Samburu offers guests a unique experience for Kenya: access to an elephant-proof, open ground level hide based at a waterhole, where from both novice and professional photographers can photograph wildlife from ground level. Designed with the needs of photographers in mind, buried partially underground, located a few steps from a waterhole: the perfect spot for 'stealing' amazing images of what occurs at the well-frequented waterhole. It can have up to 8 guests inside, it has maps and books available, and bean bags for photographers. The waterhole at Saruni Samburu offers a unique opportunity to spot from very close up the elephants that come and drink its water, the fantastic birds species and the 'Samburu Five.' Being in the middle of an arid area, the hide also provides excellent opportunities to photograph from ground level and from very close up the predators of Samburu.
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. Having discovered Samburu rock art in several caves nearby the lodge, we include a visit to these extraordinary archaeological sites during the bush walks.
We run the Samburu Wellbeing Space in the most serene and relaxing environment, guests enjoy massage and wellness treatments under the supervision of highly trained staff. The techniques combine sophisticated methods developed at Centro Benessere Stresa with ancient Samburu wisdom and knowledge. The Spa therapists use the Olmurmuru seedas (Albizia Harvey) to reduce muscular discomfort and pure gel from Usunguru (Aloe Kedongesis) for sun burnt areas. Among the treatments available, guests can choose between the lymphatic drainage massage, decongestive or nourishing or purifying facials, manicare, pedicare and the popular sport massage. All with an open view of Kalama Wildlife Conservancy, where elephant and giraffe and other animals roam freely.
Should it get too hot up on the hot rock, and most times it does, guests have the option of relaxing and taking a refreshing dip in not just one but two infinity pools! The upper infinity pool is located high on an impressive panoramic view point near to villas 5 & 6. The spectacular lower infinity pool is situated close to Kudu House (main communal area) on a rocky formation.
For those who find as much joy in a rare bird sighting as in a lion encounter, Samburu delivers. The species here are abundant, often out in the open, and for photographers especially, wonderfully cooperative.
Our guides are birdwatchers by both instinct and training, with a genuine passion that makes itself known the moment a new species appears on the horizon. Field guides are always to hand in the vehicle, but more often than not, it's our guides' own knowledge that gets there first.
The sundowner is a well-deserved drink at the end of a long day on safari to ‘salute’ the African sun as it is setting. Our guide's drive guests to an unforgettable panoramic viewpoint and serve guests' favourite drink along with a selection of delicious ‘bitings’; small snacks to whet appetites ahead of the delicious dinner which awaits.
The Warriors Academy is a special interactive safari experience with a strong educational flavour, designed especially for families with children or small groups. It is a fun learning experience, that allows families to explore not only the wildlife, but also the authentic lifestyle of one of the most well-known and culturally fascinating tribes left in Africa; the Samburu. Under the tutelage of their ‘Moran’, or warriors, participants get to know, enjoy and understand these unique people and see the Kenyan wilderness from a different perspective.
Our safaris are not only focused on wildlife but also on culture and people. Some call it ‘cultural tourism,’ we calls it ‘meet the neighbours’. Guests visit genuine Samburu villages - the lodge's neighbours and friends, and are privileged to share moments of their life. They are the ancient custodians of this land and we feel it is an integral part of the overall experience for guests to see how they live, how they protect the environment and in what way they differ from other African tribes. Be prepared for the Samburu to ask questions too as they will be curious about life outside of their way of life! Consider it an exchange of ideas and information.
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. The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is situated in the remote Mathews Range, among Kenya’s second largest elephant population. Similar to the world-famous Sheldrick Sanctuary in Nairobi, it takes in orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim to release them back into the wild herds adjoining the Sanctuary.
Saruni Samburu is the perfect place if guests want to be part of an unusual but very genuine Samburu wedding ceremony. The experience can be enjoyed either by newlyweds who want to re-affirm their vows in the middle of a very spiritual land or by those who plan to actually get married in Kenya. The ceremony takes place in a Samburu village, with the participation of the elders, the women and the warriors, or on the top of a mountain overlooking the endless landscape.
Opening up a wider journey through northern Kenya for those who want to venture further. From the ancient slopes of Mount Kenya to the remote shores of Lake Turkana and everything that lies in between, our team will help you shape an itinerary as expansive or as unhurried as you'd like.
As part of the guided bush walks, guests can also visit nearby mountain caves where, hundreds of years ago, the Samburu have drawn hunting scenes and animals in what the experts call ‘white rock art’. The caves evoke a past when the Samburu were mostly pastoralist warriors.
Mount Ololokwe is the Samburu tribe’s sacred mountain. It is a pillar of cultural significance to the Samburu and an exciting trekking venture to many others. Setting off at dawn, our professional guides will accompany guests during this day’s excursion to the summit (with picturesque pit stops for breakfast and lunch) teaching guests along the way about the mountain, its cultural significance and all of its wonders.
Not all of Saruni Samburu's wildlife announces itself. For those curious about what lives just beneath the surface, our scorpion safari offers a fascinating after-dark glimpse into a world most guests never think to look for. Guided by our team, you'll discover the surprising variety of scorpion species that make their home in the earth surrounding the lodge, each one a small masterpiece of adaptation to this arid landscape.
When the sun drops below the Kalama horizon, a different kind of spectacle begins. The skies above Saruni Samburu unpolluted, unobscured, and elevated on the ancient hot rock upon which the lodge sits reveal a depth of stars that stops even the most seasoned traveller in their tracks.
Pull up a chair. The night up here has a way of making everything else feel very far away.
Cuisine
"Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are", famously said gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. At Saruni we believe in the importance of good, healthy and tasty meals. Our cuisine has a strong Italian flavor but we also love to experiment with the great ingredients that are found in Kenya, especially fish and vegetables. We easily accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free (you name it) and guests who have special requests. Food can be tailored to suit children’s requirements and earlier meal times can be arranged where necessary. Some options include but are not limited to the usual ‘treats’: pizza, plain pasta or pasta with tomato sauce, chicken or burgers with chips etc.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Fast Facts
7 Stars
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 10
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Saruni Mara | Mara North Conservancy
Saruni Mara is a small, intimate lodge in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy, Saruni Mara offers a secluded base from which to explore one of Africa's most extraordinary wilderness areas. The Mara landscapes are both instantly recognisable and endlessly surprising. It is home to resident wildlife in remarkable numbers, and backdrop to the great wildebeest migration that remains one of nature's most humbling spectacles.
Positioned in the Mara North Conservancy a few minutes from the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the lodge offers the best of both worlds: exclusive traversing areas far from the crowds, and easy access to the Reserve when the migration calls. It's a combination that makes for genuinely exceptional wildlife encounters and a corner of Kenya that stays with you long after you've left.
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The four cottages are built on a hill over looking the Masai Mara plains. Beautifully furnished and spacious, with a bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, the cottages have a large front deck for relaxing in the day and stargazing at night. Each cottage is furnished with a traditional theme. They are large, comfortable and overlook the valley where the lodge is located, surrounded by pure nature.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Camp Beds, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Wardrobe
The honeymoon cottage is the perfect romantic retreat, simply and elegantly designed for long hours of relaxation. The Love Shack is a wonderfully secluded cottage, known as Saruni Mara's Honeymoon Suite. The neutral colour scheme, elegant furnishings and beautiful antiques create a feeling of classic elegance and romance. The en-suite bedroom is very spacious, and opens out onto a large veranda with a magnificent view of the valley leading onto the Masai plains - the perfect private dining area.
The private villa is a beautiful, private wilderness home, with two bedrooms and a children's bedroom upstairs, two bathrooms, a lounge and dining room, kitchen and large veranda. Nyati House is booked exclusively and is located a 5 minute drive away from Saruni Mara in its own secluded valley. Perfect for groups or families looking for privacy and wanting to experience the Masai Mara on their own schedule and in the comfort of their own wilderness home. Equipped with your own safari vehicle and guide and with meals in your own dining room, guests at Nyati House have a very personal experience. The house has a unique style with lots of wooden features and natural elements. The rooms are spacious and overlook your very own view of the Mara plains. There is a large front garden for children to enjoy.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Camp Beds, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Available), Safe, Telephone, Wardrobe
Family Cottage
The Family Villa is made for gathering. Two en-suite bedrooms, a large lounge with fireplace, a private dining area, and a veranda with sweeping views across the Maasai Mara that invites you to linger long after dinner is finished.
Decorated with antique and vintage natural history prints, it carries the warmth of somewhere that has been thoughtfully put together rather than simply furnished. For families or groups of friends, it becomes the natural end point of each day; the place where the adventures that Mara North has a way of delivering get retold, embellished, and remembered.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Family Safari Tent, Hand Towels, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Twin Bed
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, Gourmet Picnic, Massages, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Hiking, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided)
Our safaris are conducted in fully open Land Rovers, designed to put you as close to the landscape as possible without a window between you and the world outside.
Your guide rides with you throughout. Not to narrate a script, but to help you read what is actually happening, the shift in an animal's posture, the call that signals something nearby, the story written in a set of tracks across the sand. We do not rush. There is always time to sit with an elephant family, to watch a lion decide its next move, to simply be present in a place that rewards patience.
We know the Mara North Conservancy the way it deserves to be known, not just the famous spots, but the quiet corners where no other vehicle goes. This is the Maasai Mara as the first explorers found it, before the minibuses arrived.
For those who love birds, our guides are birdwatchers by instinct as much as by training. The Mara is home to over 500 species, and our guides know them by call and song as much as by plumage. They will not simply point and name, they will share the moment with you, because they mean it.
The Masai Mara and adjoining Loita Plains form the northermost part of the 25,000km Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The Mara receives the highest rainfall (1000mm average, 1200mm a year at Musiara) of the entire ecosystem. Rain falls here throuht the year, with peaks usually in December, January and April. Plenty of grass remains after the Serengeti plains to the South have dried up. This beneficient ecosystem supports a wildebeest population of at least 600,000. Together with the associated herds of 200,000 zebra and 350,000 Thomson gazelle, they form a vast assemblage of ungulates whose annual movements trough the ecosystem is known as "The Migration". The sight of hundreds of thousands of these animals moving together through the seas of grass must rank as the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth.
The wildebeest herds congregate during the wettest part of the year in the short-grass plains of the Serengeti ecosystem, where there is sweet new grass and rainwater pools. There they give birth - most of the females calving within a few week in what has become known world over as "The Rut". Early in the dry season, the pools in the short-grass plains dry up and the wildebeest stream en masse through the longer plains and o n to the Western Corridor. As their food supply diminishes, the herds move into the northen Serengeti woodlands and the Masai Mara. Zebra follow similar, but not quite identical, movements. Thomson's gazelle also migrate, but o nly as far as the edge of the woodlands. The routes taken by the herds vary from year to year but the general pattern of the migration remains the same.
Once in the woodlands the herds spread out but keep moving in response to rainfall and the availability of forage. The first wildebeest usually arrive in the Mara in June or July and most remain there until late October or early November. Slowly at first, but increasing momentum, the wildebeest leave the Mara by various routes as they follow the rains back south. The annual incursion of the great herds into the Mara is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Prior to 1969, a few wildebeest "spilled over" from the Serengeti in very dry years, but most of the wildebeest found in the Mara belonged to a completely separate population, the Loita population. The Loita wildebeest, commonly referred to as the "residents", perform seasonal movements between the Loita plains in the wet season and the Mara in the dry months. Following the tremendous increase in the Serengeti herds in the 1960s and 70s, the Mara is now dry season refuge for up to 600,000 Serengeti wildebeest as well as about 25,000 Loita animals.
(From The Official Guidebook to the Masai Mara Ecosystem, by Friends of Conservation).
This a special interactive wildlife safari with a strong educational “flavour”, designed especially for families or small groups. It is a family learning holiday, or as a parent and older child adventure, that allows you to explore and learn about wildlife, wilderness and ‘life’ from one of the most well known and culturally interesting cultures left in Africa, the Maasai. Under the tutelage of their ‘Moran’ or Warrior class, our guests get to know, enjoy and understand these unique people and their way of life.
Learn and experience at first hand the bush skills, folklore and ancient wisdom needed to survive in one of the richest wildlife regions in Africa. This is an extraordinary opportunity to ‘go bush’ with your family or friends. Gain in depth experience in wildlife tracking following an elephant or a leopard, learn survival skills, visit an original Maasai village, learn how to use bow, arrows, pangas and spears, build a bush camp, tend goats and cattle whilst listening to Maasai stories and songs. This is not how the ‘white man’ sees the wilderness and its abundance but how the Maasai and its warriors view the world and live amongst its wild creatures. A safari will never be the same again.
The vast landscapes of the Mara are sure to stir feelings of romance, and a traditional wedding here is a unique and unforgettable way to declare your love for each other. Plus, you'll already be in the perfect place to begin your honeymoon. Experience the beauty and majesty of the Mara in a whole new way as you declare your unending love for each other a love as boundless as the views over the plains. We can organise an authentic Maasai blessing, with traditional singing and dancing in the presence of the community elders. We also include floral displays, a wedding cake, champagne and a private wedding dinner.
Private cottage hidden in our valley's olive and cedar forest and devoted to the use of local plants for beauty and relaxation treatments. In collaboration with Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees (Stresa, Italy) and its world-famous spa - Centro Benessere Stresa, Saruni runs the Maasai Wellbeing Space. It is a unique feature in the Masai Mara: in the most serene and relaxing environment, our guests enjoy massage and wellness treatments under the supervision of highly trained staff. Considered one of the most professional and inspiring "beauty centres" in Kenya, the Maasai Wellbeing Space has been designed by Kenyan designer Mark Glen. It's a private cottage hidden in our valley's olive and cedar forest and devoted to the use of local plants for beauty and relaxation treatments.
The new techniques combine sophisticated methods developed at Centro Benessere Stresa with ancient Masai wisdom and knowledge. For instance, we use Olsinoni leaves (Lippia Javanica) for their detoxifying and purifying properties. Also we use pure gel from Usuguru (Aloe Kedongensis) and compresse of Olleleshwa leaves (Tarchonantus Canphorantus) to remove skin impurities and to improve the natural regeneration of the cells. In pedicare we complement more traditional products with Ol-Emoran leaves (Hoslundia Opposita).
One, 30 minute long "post game drive" or "pre game drive" massage is included for free in the regular safari package. Among the treatments available, you can choose between the lymphatic drainage massage, decongestive or nourishing or purifyng facials, manicare, pedicare and the popular sport massage. All with an open view of the forest, where bushbuck, elephant and waterbuck roam freely.
We take our guests to our secret spots, especially for bush breakfast, bush lunch or bush dinner. Deep in the forest or by the river Mara overlooking a "hippo beach", a nicely decorated table is waiting for us, providing us with the thrilling experience of a gourmet meal in the middle of the bush.
On foot, the landscape reveals itself differently; the texture of bark beneath your hand, the scent of a shrub crushed underfoot, the story written in a set of tracks or a scatter of droppings that a vehicle would have driven straight past. You notice things you would never see from a Land Rover, and you feel the scale of the wilderness in a way that stays with you.
To walk with Maasai warriors through this landscape is something else entirely. They move through the bush with a quiet confidence that comes from a lifetime of reading it, pointing out the berries and leaves their people have always used, sharing the traditions and the knowledge that have sustained them here for generations. It is not a guided walk. It is an invitation into a way of seeing the world that very few visitors ever get close to.
A unique feature of Saruni Mara is our collection of books and library, the most beautiful in the African bush. With thousands of rare books and its very private location, the library is a place where to meditate, to rest, to think.
For our guests who are passionate about birds, Saruni Mara is the perfect place to visit. The species here are abundant and remarkably accessible, this is not the kind of birdwatching that requires hours of patience and a great deal of luck. The Mara North Conservancy's diverse habitats bring them close, and the light here does the rest.
Our guides are birdwatchers by instinct as much as by training. They know the calls before the birds appear, and they bring to each sighting the same genuine enthusiasm they had the first time they saw it. That is the part no guidebook can replicate.
Guests have the opportunity to see how the Maasai have adapted to modern times, still with their traditions intact. The market is an authentic weekly gathering in Aitong of local people from across the Mara region and is also an important cattle market where the Maasai go to trade in livestock and monitor their value.
Drive to Kilileoni, the highest peak in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, where at the top guests can enjoy a panoramic view over the Mara plains and forests with the Tanzanian border visible on the horizon. During the ascent, guests can encounter rare antelope species that live at high altitude and once they reach the peak, they may chance across elephant and buffalo grazing. It is one of the least explored and most spectacular corners of the Masai Mara. Guests will need to allow half a day at a minimum to best experience this unique drive.
Fancy seeing the beauty of the Mara and witness the vastness of the annual natural phenomenon that is the Great Migration from above? Then guests can speak to the Saruni Mara lodge manager about arranging a hot-air balloon ride to create memories of a lifetime. Guests be warned, it’s an early start to get there!
Located in the Olchorro Conservancy, about 30 minutes from Saruni Mara, this is a conservation project employing staff from the local community that has been protecting white rhino for the past 20 years. Rhino roam freely on the slopes of the mountain and the unique attraction of this project is approaching the rhino on foot in complete safety, whilst guided by a local ranger.
The night skies above Saruni Mara are among some of the brightest and most beautiful in the world. The air is unpolluted and offers unobscured, clear star-gazing opportunities – a unique and deeply fulfilling activity. Every evening provides guests with an alternative ‘playground’.
The sundowner is a well-deserved drink at the end of a long day on safari to ‘salute’ the African sun as it is setting. Saruni guides drive guests to secret corners and on top of the highest peak in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and serve guests their favourite drinks along with a selection of scrumptious ‘bitings’; small snacks to whet the appetite ahead of the delicious dinner which awaits.
Our Saruni Cuisine
"Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are", famously said gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. At Saruni we believe in the importance of good, healthy and tasty meals. Our cuisine has a strong Italian flavor but we also love to experiment with the great ingredients that are found in Kenya, especially fish and vegetables. We easily accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free (you name it) and guests who have special requests. Food can be tailored to suit children’s requirements and earlier meal times can be arranged where necessary. Some options include but are not limited to the usual ‘treats’: pizza, plain pasta or pasta with tomato sauce, chicken or burgers with chips etc.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Fast Facts
7 Stars
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 10
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
