Sasaab

Kenya’s Sasaab, located in the arid semi-desert of Samburu, offers an immersive experience amid remote landscapes.

• The unique surrounding landscape and wildlife
• Visits to local tribal communities

Sasaab is Safari Collection’s most remote retreat, located in West Gate Conservancy in Samburu, which is run in partnership with the local Samburu tribal community. Although directly north of Laikipia, the area of Samburu is at a lower elevation, so it is much drier and hotter and defined by dramatic red-clay roads and craggy kopjes (small hills).

Sasaab is perched on a hillside overlooking a river where elephants come to drink during the day. There are nine identical tents with ensuite bathrooms and private plunge pools, which are a necessary respite in the extreme dry heat of this region. The rooms are tented, so it’s not uncommon to find some bugs that have snuck their way inside.

The main draws of Sasaab are the desert landscape and the unique cultural immersion you can have here—wildlife is not as plentiful as it is in the Masai Mara.

Game drives take place a 40-minute drive from Sasaab in West Gate Conservancy, which has lion, cheetah, leopard, warthog and elephant, as well as the “Samburu Five,” the oryx, Grévy’s zebra, blue-legged ostrich, reticulated giraffe and gerenok, which cannot be found in the Masai Mara. Guests can also enjoy camel trekking, hiking and visiting a Samburu community, lion conservation program or local market, depending on day of week. Note: The roads are quite bumpy in this area, so those prone to motion sickness should bring anti-nausea medication.

At the main lodge, Sasaab has a pool, massage room and open-air lounge area. The closest commercial airstrip is Samburu Oryx, which is a one-and-a-half-hour drive away, but there is also a private airstrip ten minutes from camp.**                                                          **

Intrepid honeymooners and families looking for a remote location, unique desert landscape and cultural interaction. This eco-camp has limited infrastructure, so it is not a good fit for those who need facilities.