Saruni Conservation & Community Experience

A$10,540 - A$13,215

per person sharing

Overview

This enriching journey blends the dramatic, untouched highlands of northern Kenya with the legendary wildlife plains of the Masai Mara, delivering a safari experience that is both deeply authentic and wonderfully diverse. Designed to go beyond traditional game viewing, the trip offers immersive cultural encounters, impactful conservation involvement, and plenty of time to relax and recharge in extraordinary surroundings.

Your adventure begins in the remote, semi-arid landscapes of northern Kenya at an exceptional lodge located within a protected conservancy. At Saruni Rhino, you’ll enjoy rare and intimate experiences such as tracking rhinos on foot and visiting the iconic Singing Wells of the Samburu region. The journey continues to Saruni Samburu, where sweeping views, refined yet understated comfort, guided bush walks, and meaningful cultural interactions create a powerful connection to the land and its people. The final chapter unfolds at Saruni Mara, renowned for outstanding wildlife sightings and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that truly feels like a home in the wild.

Spanning 10 unforgettable days, this safari is ideal for travelers seeking a classic Kenyan experience enhanced with distinctive locations and activities. The carefully selected lodges cater to a wide range of guests, including families with younger children. It’s an invitation to step away from everyday routines, reconnect with nature, and contribute positively to both wildlife conservation and local communities across every destination visited.

 

Why This Is a Trip with Purpose

  • Rhino Conservation Experience: Participate in guided rhino tracking at Saruni Rhino, walking alongside expert trackers to observe these magnificent yet critically endangered animals while learning about ongoing efforts to protect their future in East Africa.

  • Community Connection: Visit a traditional Maasai market where locally made goods are sold and livestock trading continues as a vital part of community life, offering insight into how tradition and modern living coexist.

  • Supporting Local Artisans: Meet Maasai women as they create their renowned beadwork and support their livelihoods by purchasing authentic, handcrafted souvenirs—meaningful keepsakes for loved ones back home.

Itinerary

Day 1-3: Welcome to Kenya! Head to the Wild North First | 3 Nights

Saruni Rhino | Samburu, Kenya

Itinerary Overview

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you are met and transferred to Wilson Airport for your flight to Samburu Airstrip. From there, a short drive brings you to Saruni Rhino in the Sera Community Conservancy, the first stop on your 10-day African safari. Nestled among swaying palms along the banks of a dry riverbed, and surrounded by 340,000 hectares of semi-arid wilderness, this lodge offers an enchanting oasis that feels almost timeless — a perfect introduction to the magic of East Africa.

The conservancy is community-owned, with a rich cultural history woven into the local way of life. Daily game drives provide exhilarating wildlife encounters, while unique experiences such as visiting the Singing Wells, where pastoralists call their herds using songs known only to each cattle group, showcase authentic local traditions. Guests can also take part in rhino tracking on foot under the guidance of expert rangers, and explore the nearby Reteti Elephant Orphanage, gaining insight into the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

Saruni Rhino – Highlights

  • Track black rhinos on guided walks in Samburu

  • Visit the Reteti Elephant Orphanage to learn about conservation

  • Witness the Singing Wells, a unique cultural tradition

  • Contribute to ongoing rhino conservation in East Africa

  • Private airstrips for seamless fly-in safari experiences

  • Dine in the ancient riverbed for a unique al fresco experience

  • Fully Inclusive: all meals and selected beverages included

Day 4-6: Discover the Secrets of Samburu | 3 Nights

Saruni Samburu | Samburu, Kenya

Itinerary Overview

Without missing a beat, you journey onward by road to Saruni Samburu, perched atop a dramatic rocky outcrop with sweeping views over northern Kenya’s rugged plains. Nestled in the Kalama Conservancy and adjacent to Samburu National Reserve, this lodge offers a unique sanctuary within the semi-arid tribal lands.

Samburu is renowned for its wildlife, particularly the rare Samburu Five — species adapted to the arid, hilly terrain: Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and reticulated giraffe. Daily bush walks and game drives, led by expertly trained Samburu warriors, allow you to explore the reserve, spot these remarkable animals, and gain insight into the local culture.

Your time at Saruni Samburu can be as relaxing or adventurous as you wish. Unwind at the lodge during the heat of the day, enjoy a rejuvenating treatment at the Wellness Space, sip a refreshing drink, or take a dip in the infinity pool while overlooking the plains below. Unique experiences include picnics by the Ewaso Niro River, fire-lit bush dinners accompanied by traditional Samburu dancers, and evenings spent around the campfire under a starlit sky.

Saruni Samburu – Highlights

  • Built into a massive volcanic rock face with breathtaking panoramic views

  • Guided nature walks with expert Samburu warriors

  • Opportunities to explore rock art and engage with local culture

  • Excellent birdwatching and photography from a private waterhole hide

  • Riverside picnics and bush dinners available on request

  • Warriors’ programme for children

  • Complimentary 30-minute massage included in your stay

  • Fully Inclusive Safari: all meals and selected beverages included

Day 7-9: Experience the Masai Mara | 3 Nights

Saruni Mara | Masai Mara, Kenya

Itinerary Overview

It’s time to say farewell to Samburu as you transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Mara North, with a stopover in Nairobi. From the airstrip, a road transfer brings you to Saruni Mara, your first game drive en route to the lodge. Situated within a private conservancy adjoining Masai Mara National Reserve, Saruni Mara offers both the freedom of a secluded concession and direct access to one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations.

The lodge is ideally positioned for exploring the Masai Mara, renowned for incredible year-round wildlife viewing, sweeping herds of wildebeest and zebra, and the warm hospitality of the Maasai people. Optional hot-air balloon safaris allow you to drift silently above the plains, capturing unforgettable perspectives of the landscape and its wildlife.

Back at the lodge, unwind in luxurious comfort while enjoying the serenity of the surroundings. Watch buffalo, antelope, and elephants graze on the slopes before the lodge, or relax on your veranda as the Mara comes alive with the sights and sounds of the African wilderness — a truly immersive safari experience.

Saruni Mara – Highlights

  • Exceptional year-round wildlife viewing

  • Private Masai Mara conservancy setting

  • Ideal base for witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration

  • Day and night game drives, plus walking safaris

  • Community-focused experiences and Maasai cultural interactions

  • One of only 10 lodges on 74,000 acres of pristine wilderness

  • Fully Inclusive: all meals and selected beverages included

Itinerary Overview

Savour one last Kenyan sunrise and take in the beauty of this remarkable land. With bags packed and memories etched forever, a short flight returns you to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. From there, a private transfer takes you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home or onward journey, bringing your unforgettable Kenyan adventure to a close.