Ngutuk-Ongiron Group Ranch - Samburu, Northern Kenya
Sasaab Lodge is perched above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, capturing panoramic views across the culturally rich Samburu land, Laikipia plateau and Mathews Range. Located in northern Kenya, north of the equator, it has a wild beauty of its own. The descent from the lush slopes of Mount Kenya, into the semi-arid desert of Kenya's "NFD" - the Northern Frontier District, is breathtaking.
The Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Game Reserves and the extensive ranch and communal lands of the Samburu Heartland, support some of Africa's most impressive wildlife and dramatic scenery. Northern specialty species like the Reticulated Giraffe and the Grevy's zebra roam the acacia grassland where lions, leopards, cheetah and wild dogs hunt their prey.
The lodge is on Samburu community land and part of Ngutuk-Ongiron Group Ranch. Built using locally sourced materials and with an exciting Moroccan influence the Carr-Hartley signature of attention to detail and elegance is the trademark of Sasaab.
Location
Sasaab is accessible by road or by the twice daily scheduled flights. Private charters may land at the Sasaab airstrip ten minutes away from the camp.
The Background
Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves
‘The Plains of Darkness'
Vast, magnificent and still largely unexplored, these three neighbouring reserves offer an evocative cocktail of uniquely contrasting habitats, veering from stark cliffs and boulder-strewn scarps to lush swamps and muddy sandbanks; and from bone-dry bush to fronded riverine forests. Hot and arid, this area is known by the local nomadic tribe, the Gabbra, as ‘the Plains of Darkness', whose heat-scorched scrublands extend all the way to the jade-green waters of Lake Turkana. Uncompromisingly rugged, yet vividly beautiful Samburu, verdant Buffalo Springs, and the wildly volcanic Shaba (once the home of Joy Adamson of ‘Born Free' fame, and famous for its large prides of lion), all offer virtually guaranteed wildlife encounters, while elephant roam in large herds and are best seen crossing the river at dusk.
Wildlife highlights: elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, buffalo, hippo, zebra, oryx, gerenuk, gazelle, gerenuk, hyrax and klipspringer. Birds: 395 recorded species.
Kenya hotels and accommodation
Amongst the wide range of Kenya hotels, some make the ideal Kenya safari destination. Choose a safari lodge, safari hotel, bush camp, luxury lodge, safari camp, tented camp or bush lodge. National park accommodation usually takes the form of a traditional safari lodge or tented camp, but numerous other options exist on the park boundaries. Luxury lodges and luxury camp options are also offered in the private wildlife conservancies.
Accommodation
Sasaab Lodge accommodates up to 18 guests in nine individually located rooms with magnificent views of the river and the true African wilderness, each over 100 square meters and with their own plunge pool and privacy. The uniquely designed tents are ideal for game viewing and bird-watching as well as relaxing.
Dining and bars
The novel "souk" style mess provides a warm and friendly atmosphere. Meals are prepared with the finest fresh ingredients and served in the privacy of various different areas of the "souk" or can be al fresco under the stars.
What to see and do
A place of endless skies, dust-red plains and palm-fringed rivers, Samburu National Reserve lies on the fringes of the vast and arid desert once known as the Northern Frontier District, whose heat-scorched scrublands extend all the way to the jade-green waters of Lake Turkana and beyond. Physically dramatic, the 104 sq kilometre landscape of the Reserve features rocky battlements, craggy scarps, dry river beds and fallen boulders rising out of the thorn scrub against a backdrop of the far-distant hills and the great red table mountain known as Ololokwe. As for wildlife, Samburu provides one of the few sanctuaries in Kenya for the endangered Grevy's zebra, the rare beisa oryx and the blue-shanked Somali ostrich whilst large herds of elephant roam the gaunt hills during the day before returning to bathe on the banks of the river in the evening.
Activities include:
Activities are complemented by our knowledgeable and colourful Samburu guides, whether on camel walks, game drives, educational cultural visits or bush walks. Back at the lodge you may choose to relax by the main swimming pool, enjoy beauty treatments in the privacy of your own tent or find a corner of your own to unwind. To end your day, there can be nowhere better to enjoy sundowners, either from a rocky kopje a short walk away or the elevated terrace at the lodge.
Wildlife highlights:
The wildlife of Samburu is particular to the Northern Frontier District with its arid landscape, and you will find many dry country species including the Gerenuk, Oryx, Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe and the Somali ostrich as well as elephants, lions, leopard, cheetah and numerous others.
Sasaab Lodge - Samburu • Exclusive Safari Lodge • Kenya Hotels, Safari Lodges & Tented Camps
Place your Kenya Safari Hotel Booking Here!