SOROI SAMBURU LODGE – SAMBURU

Soroi Samburu Lodge sits on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River inside Samburu National Reserve. In this dry part of northern Kenya, the river is central to the landscape and to the wildlife that lives here. Elephants come to drink and cross the river, while its banks support doum palms and riverine vegetation that contrast sharply with the drier country beyond.

Samburu also introduces visitors to wildlife that is much less commonly encountered on Kenya’s southern safari circuit. Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich are all associated with the arid landscapes of northern Kenya. They share the reserve with elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and many of the more familiar species, giving game drives a distinctly different character.

The lodge makes particularly good use of its position beside the Ewaso Nyiro. Rooms have private terraces facing the river, while the bar and sundowner deck also overlook the water. This means wildlife watching does not necessarily stop when a game drive finishes; guests can spend time watching the river and its banks from the lodge itself.

There is also more variety to a stay here than game drives alone. Guided walks and birdwatching explore the landscape at a slower pace, while visits to Samburu communities provide an introduction to the people who have lived with livestock and wildlife in this dry environment for generations. Further afield, visits to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary can also be incorporated into a Samburu itinerary.

LOCATION

Soroi Samburu Lodge is located inside Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya, beside the Ewaso Nyiro River.  Access is via a scheduled flight to Kalama Airstrip or Buffalo Springs with a 50 minute transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.  Alternatively you can include Soroi Samburu on a longer driving itinerary and access the lodge by road.

LODGE

Accommodation at Soroi Samburu Lodge is arranged in a mixture of Standard and Superior Rooms, family accommodation and a larger Executive Suite. Standard and Superior Rooms can be configured with king, twin or triple beds, while interconnecting Superior Rooms provide two-bedroom accommodation for families.

Every Standard and Superior Room has its own private terrace facing the Ewaso Nyiro River. The larger Executive Suite is arranged over two storeys and includes three sleeping areas, a kitchenette, large terrace, private fireplace and plunge pool, providing considerably more space for a family or small group travelling together.

The main lodge facilities include a swimming pool and separate children’s pool, a bar overlooking the river, spa with two treatment rooms, gift shop and a sundowner deck with panoramic views. Indoor and outdoor dining are available, together with a boma used for dinners around the fire.

Two Superior Rooms and one Family Unit have been designed for wheelchair access. The lodge operates with 24-hour solar-generated electricity supported by a backup generator, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

ACTIVITIES

The lodge is set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River which  provides a permanent source of water for wildlife as well as supporting the trees and vegetation along its banks.

The reserve’s combination of riverine woodland, open scrub and rocky country provides habitat for an interesting range of wildlife. The species particularly associated with northern Kenya — Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich — are often collectively referred to as the Samburu Special Five.

Mount Ololokwe forms one of the distinctive landmarks of the wider Samburu landscape, while the Ewaso Nyiro provides the geographical thread running through the reserve. Game drives follow the river and move out into the surrounding drier country, allowing guests to see how dramatically wildlife distribution changes with access to water.

Game Drives – Game drives remain at the heart of a stay in Samburu. Experienced guides use open 4×4 vehicles to explore the riverine woodland, open scrub and drier country away from the Ewaso Nyiro, looking for elephant, lion, leopard and cheetah alongside the species particularly associated with northern Kenya. Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich make the wildlife here noticeably different from other parts of a Kenyan safari.

The Ewaso Nyiro River – Wildlife regularly comes to the river to drink, and elephants may be seen crossing between different parts of the reserve. The river-facing terraces, bar and sundowner deck at Soroi provide opportunities to continue watching what is happening along the banks while back at the lodge. It complements rather than replaces time spent exploring the reserve with an experienced guide.

Walking Safaris – Guided walks provide an opportunity to look more closely at the smaller details of the Samburu landscape. Tracks, plants, insects and signs left by animals are much easier to examine on foot, while a knowledgeable guide can explain how wildlife and people have adapted to this relatively dry environment.

Birdwatching – More than 400 bird species have been recorded in the Samburu region. The Ewaso Nyiro is particularly productive, with the river and surrounding vegetation attracting species that would be much harder to find in the drier country away from the water. Guided birding can be incorporated into game drives or undertaken around the lodge.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – A longer excursion north of the reserve visits Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Namunyak Conservancy. Established by the local Samburu community, Reteti rescues orphaned and abandoned young elephants, cares for them and, where possible, prepares them for eventual return to the wild. Visitors meet the keepers and can watch one of the scheduled feeds while learning about the work involved in rehabilitating the elephants.

Samburu Community Visits – Visits to a Samburu village provide an opportunity to learn more about pastoral life in northern Kenya. Local hosts explain aspects of livestock keeping, homes, beadwork and traditions, providing useful context to the communities living in the wider landscape surrounding the reserve.

Bush Breakfasts, Dinners and Sundowners – Breakfast or dinner can be arranged away from the main lodge, while sundowners provide an opportunity to stop at a selected viewpoint towards the end of an afternoon drive. These can be incorporated into the day’s game viewing rather than requiring a separate excursion.

Spa Treatments – The lodge has two treatment rooms with views across the surrounding landscape and a sensory herb garden. Treatments provide a useful option during the warmer middle part of the day between morning and afternoon activities.

GIVING BACK

Soroi identifies conservation of the Samburu landscape and support for neighbouring communities as part of its wider responsible tourism programme. Across the collection, this includes local employment, educational support, healthcare initiatives, tree planting and the purchase and sale of locally produced crafts.

For guests wanting to see a community-led conservation project first-hand, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary provides a particularly interesting addition to a stay in Samburu. Located in the community-owned Namunyak Conservancy, Reteti was established by the local Samburu community to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants. Members of the surrounding community are employed as keepers and conservation staff, including Samburu women working in roles traditionally held by men.

Soroi also maintains links with local schools and community projects and asks guests wishing to contribute to speak with lodge management rather than handing money or gifts directly to people encountered during visits.

SOROI SAMBURU LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND HAS ACCOMMODATION TO CATER FOR FAMILIES