One of very few camps within the Mara that does not use tented accommodation; the beautiful cottages of Saruni Camp are dotted around the North Mara Hills with panoramic vistas across the nearby watering hole and the plains. Local guides who were born in the area have an incredible amount of knowledge about the vast range of wildlife surrounding the camp including the rare wild dog and Colobus monkeys.
Saruni Camp places huge emphasis upon responsible tourism, especially with ensuring that the local Masai people are not disrupted by their presence but actually benefit from it. 80% of the camp’s 45 employees are from the local area and are given training and encouraged to progress. Amongst many other projects Saruni supports the Kibera Paper Project; many of the women in Kibera are HIV-affected single mothers and so Saruni sells their beautifully hand crafted cards within their gift shop.
Lodge Details
Style
An exclusive, upmarket lodge with a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere.
Setting
Situated in the hills of the North Masai Mara, Saruni Camp is just an hour’s flight from Nairobi on a light aircraft.
Accommodation & Facilities
There is space for just 14 guests to stay at this intimate camp; there are 5 exclusive cottages and one family villa available at Saruni Camp. All of the accommodation is distinctively furnished using colonial antiques; they are complete with polished wood floors, Persian carpets and enormous cedar beds. Each en-suite has both hot and cold running water where all of the fittings are beautiful Italian craftsmanship. The shower has a completely canvas front which can be tied up in order for you to have a “shower with a view”.
There are a number of communal areas within the camp itself including the dining area and a majestic library which, due to its private location and the number of rare books that it has on offer, is genuinely a wonderful place to relax and meditate. There is also an on-site spa named the Masai WellBeing Space; here the highly trained staff offer a number of different treatments including massages, facials and pedicure. This is the perfect way to relax before or after an exhilarating game drive.
Dining
There are no set meal times at Saruni Camp and the design of the day is entirely structured around you. The menu has a distinctly Italian feel to it and the chef loves to use local ingredients such as vegetables and fish. There is a communal dining area although you can also enjoy a more intimate atmosphere by eating in your tent- it is entirely your decision.
Activities
The main activities which take place at Saruni Camp are the day and night game drives. There are numerous 4x4 safari vehicles which your impressive guide, (two of which have obtained the Silver Level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association qualification,) will take you out in. There are also opportunities to go on guided bush walks, visit a rhino sanctuary or take a private flight over the plains. There is also a Warrior for a Week programme; which is a special course in which you will learn bush skills including animal tracking and guiding.
Child Policy
All children are welcome at the Saruni Camp; in particular children aged 8 and above as they are more aware of their surroundings and appreciative of the wildlife.