Kenya Wildlife Safari - Sarara Camp and the Mathews Mountains

In our view, Sarara is the most inspiring and beautiful safari camp in all of Africa. You simply have to go there and experience it for yourself!

Sarara is a luxurious 5-room eco-camp located in a magical valley on the north-east side of the Mathews Mountains. Sarara and the surrounding Namunyak Conservancy are a true conservation and ecotourism success story. Sarara is owned by the local community and provides the bulk of the revenue to sustain nature conservation activities on the surrounding Namunyak wildlife conservancy. Guests at Sarara enjoy understated luxury in one of the most stunning natural settings imaginable. Each spacious, semi-permanent tent features en-suite bathroom facilities, flush-loos and an open air shower. Sarara’s main lounge area and wooden deck offer panoramic views across the wilds of northern Kenya.

The Sarara swimming pool, certainly one of the most amazing pools on the planet, is fed by a natural spring in the mountains above and overlooks an animal waterhole where elephants frequently come to drink. The food, much of it grown in the camp’s own organic garden, is wonderful and the hospitality of Sarara’s founders and managers, Piers and Hilary Bastard, is legendary. Activities at Sarara include wildlife drives, guided bush-walks and walking safaris and cultural visits to the nearby Samburu villages. For the more adventurous, there are some stunning walks in the surrounding peaks of the Mathews Mountains. Longer multi-night walking safaris within fly camps may be organized upon request through Wilderness Journeys.

One of the highlights of the Namunyak and Sarara area is a visit to the famous ‘Sarara Singing Wells'. Local Samburu warriors bring their cattle to these watering holes on a daily basis during the dry season. Some of the wells are up to 10 metres deep and the warriors strip, descend to form a human chain and chant traditional Samburu songs as they pass water up by hand for the cattle. This mesmerizing ritual has been occurring for centuries and offers a fascinating insight into an ancient traditional culture.

There are many different combination itineraries which may feature Sarara. The most suitable itinerary for you depends upon your budget, your interests and the time you have available. For those who are interested in walking safaris, Sarara is an excellent combination with a walking safari on the Laikipia plateau. Many of our guests choose to combine Sarara with beautiful Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to the south.

Due to its remoteness, Sarara is a fly-in destination, with flight options directly from Nairobi by charter. Alternatively, Sarara is accessed via scheduled flights from Nairobi to Nanyuki, Lewa or Samburu National Reserve, followed by a shorter charter flight to Sarara Camp.