Description
Sarara is a dry season refuge for several hundred elephant. Lion and leopard are resident and there are two separate groups of the endangered African Wild Dog. Other wildlife species interest include kudu, black and white colobus monkeys, Grevy’s zebra, striped hyena and gerenuk.
The conservation work carried out by the Namunyak Trust to date has been hugely successful. As a result of the severe ivory poaching crisis of the mid 1970’s and early ‘80’s, there were no recorded elephants remaining in the Mathews range by 1985. Today, several thousand elephant are recorded as living and breeding peacefully in the southern Mathews range area, together with a variety of other wildlife species.
One of the highlights of the Namunyak area must be a visit to the famous ‘Sarara Singing Wells’. 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. The warriors strip off, descend to form a human chain and chant traditional Samburu songs as they pass water up by hand for the cattle. This mind-blowing ritual goes on for several hours a day.
Accommodation
Sarara has six luxury tents, each positioned to maximise the stunning views of the Mathews Range of mountains and the animal watering hole.
Preserving the romance of the tented camp, the tents are spacious with high ceilings and plenty of cupboard space, electric lighting and 24 hour hot and cold running water.
Childcare
Sarara welcomes family groups but the camp is not suitable for very young children.
Facilities
Sarara has an infinity pool up on the cliff overlooking the animals below.
Activities
The emphasis at Sarara is on walking safaris or walking with camels but drives are also available. Its also possible to arrange walks with fly camping at night. A unique experience of watching the local cattlemen at the singing wells is not to be missed.
Services
The camp is powered by solar energy generated by several sets of solar panels. Fresh food is kept, not in a refrigerator, but in a specially designed charcoal store. Twice a day the charcoal is soaked withwater and evaporation keeps food at cellar temperatures.
All water is fresh, pure mountain spring water – no pumps required. Bottles/glass/plastic/tins are all removed from Sarara and recycled. Solar panels run all freezers etc. Minimal chlorine is used in the pool.
When to travel
Closed 15 April - 1 June & 15 October - 10 December
The main tourist season is in January and February, when the weather is hottest and driest. At this time, the animals in the wildlife parks tend to congregate more around the watercourses, making them easier to spot.
Northern and eastern Kenya temperatures vary from highs of up to 40°C during the day to less than 20°C at night. Rainfall in this area is sparse and, when it does occur, is often in the form of violent storms. July is usually the driest month, and November the wettest.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Namunyak, Matthews Range, Kenya
Sarara Camp is situated on 75,000 acres of Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust land. It is mostly dry plains, but the Sarara River flows through, and is flanked by the Mathews Ranges, giving it a truly stunning setting and a good range of habitat.
How to get there
8.5 hour international flight to Jomo Kenyatta International. Scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson airport to Nanyuki or Lewa Downs followed by a short private charter flight to sarara. Or by road, it is eight hours from Nairobi.
