Saruni Rhino Tracking Safari

This Italian-owned lodge is remotely situated in the private Kalama Conservancy, on the outskirts of the Samburu National Reserve, northern Kenya. From its isolated perch in the Kalama Hills, Saruni Samburu enjoys spectacular views of the Samburu grasslands below, as they extend from the foot of the Kalamas into the distant horizon, where Mt Kenya is often visible on a clear day.

Saruni Samburu offers just six guest rooms. 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.

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 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, guided bush walks, bush meals, and rock climbing.

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 on the dry bed of the Kauro River, from where it overlooks a nearby waterhole. The waterhole is a popular drinking spot for a diverse range of wildlife – elephant, hyena, impala oryx, 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 the 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 the only black rhino tracking experience in East Africa. 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 11 rhinos within the conservancy – a vast wilderness more than 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 herds adjoining the Sanctuary.