Sasaab

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Located just outside Samburu National Reserve, the landscape is dotted with mountains, wildlife and a rich cultural heritage. It is a place of abundant natural diversity, with a striking range of animals, from elephants to cheetahs and wild dogs, as well as the “Samburu Special Five” (five species unique to the region): the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grévy's zebra, gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich.
Sasaab features a distinctive design. The camp's open arches allow cooling breezes to flow through, offering sweeping views over the savannah and mountains. The nine luxury safari tents, perched above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, are open to the outdoors, and their thatched roofs and private pools keep guests cool and comfortable.

A superb infinity pool, built into the hillside overlooking the river, and a spa create serene spaces in which to unwind with nature as a backdrop.

Sasaab's story begins in 2007, when this luxury safari lodge first opened its striking Swahili-style wooden entrance. Mikey and Tanya Carr-Hartley set out to create a community tourism project that would help protect and preserve this remote wilderness region of northern Kenya for future generations. By establishing a luxury safari destination in Samburu within the Westgate Conservancy, the aim was to ensure local communities benefit from high-end tourism and to foster a natural interest in protecting the environment and wildlife.
Sasaab enjoys a positive partnership with the local Samburu communities living within the Westgate Conservancy. Conservation fees paid by guests help fund roads, security, schools, clinics and general management. Most of the lodge's team members are employed directly from the local community, and through The Safari Collection's Footprint, Sasaab supports a wide range of health and education projects in the surrounding area.

Rooms

Each room has been designed to maximize spectacular views over the surrounding landscape and to offer a refreshing retreat from the African heat. The spaces are therefore vast, and the front of each tent can be opened to let in the breeze. Each room has a charming private veranda with a plunge pool and sun loungers, perfect for taking in the sweeping views and the wildlife passing below.

The design of each tent is a fusion of Moroccan and Swahili styles. Canvas walls with mesh doors and windows mean that most sides can be opened if you wish. These luxury “tents” offer high thatched roofs, cool polished concrete floors, four-poster beds, enormous bathrooms and private plunge pools. 

We recommend that families book the family suite, tents 8 and 9, which share a central common area and can be taken as an exclusive villa with separate access. Extra beds can be added to this tent and to some of the others.

Activities offered

Sasaab offers a wide range of exciting activities for everyone, from exploring the wilderness on foot, by camel, or by quad bike, to nights under canvas beneath the stars and epic helicopter experiences in Kenya's remote north. 

4x4 Safari
Sasaab's expert guides are passionate about sharing their in-depth knowledge of the prolific wildlife found both in the Westgate Conservancy, where Sasaab is located, and in the adjacent Samburu National Reserve. Morning, evening, and night safaris are run in our custom-built vehicles, with bush breakfasts and stops to watch the sunset.

Helicopter Experiences
Sasaab is the ideal base for exploring northern Kenya, a remote and untouched region. With the lodge's private pilot and helicopter, some of Kenya's wildest and most striking geographical features are within reach. Fly through the dramatic rock gorges of the Suguta Valley, hover alongside flamingos over Lake Logipi, land on vast desert dune fields, or visit the summit of a sacred Samburu mountain for breakfast with unimaginable views.


Whether it's thrilling excursions to observe species unique to the region, authentic cultural experiences, or adrenaline-fuelled activities, there is something for everyone. Enjoy bush breakfasts in the Samburu National Reserve and encounter the majestic elephant herds that Samburu is known for. Discover the myriad of birdlife on a nature walk with your guide, and admire the incredible landscape from the top of “Sunset Rock”, a special spot where you can watch the sun go down and reflect on the day's sightings.

Whether you arrive via the Sasaab airstrip or by road, listen out for the tinkling of bells as you make your way to the lodge — you may catch sight of a camel caravan moving through the bush. It is not uncommon to encounter Samburu herders driving their cattle through the Westgate reserve's bush. This is just one of the many fascinating glimpses into this unique culture that a Samburu safari offers.