🌍 Overview
Samburu Intrepids Luxury Tented Camp is an elegant yet adventurous safari retreat located in the heart of Samburu National Reserve, one of Kenya’s most captivating wildlife regions. Nestled along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, the camp offers guests front-row seats to nature, luxurious comfort under canvas, and a cultural touch unique to the northern frontier.
The camp is well known for its excellent guiding, especially in spotting the Samburu Special Five—a group of rare animals only found in the region. Ideal for families, couples, photographers, and seasoned safari travelers, Samburu Intrepids offers an unbeatable mix of comfort, discovery, and intimacy with nature.
📍 Location & Access
Location: Samburu Intrepids is set in Samburu National Reserve, on a shaded stretch of riverbank, surrounded by doum palms and acacia woodland. The Ewaso Nyiro River draws wildlife to its banks, making this one of the best-located camps for game viewing.
How to Get There:
- By Air: Daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Samburu Airstrip take about 1 hour. From the airstrip, it’s a short 20-minute drive through the reserve to the camp.
- By Road: Approximately a 6 to 7-hour drive from Nairobi. The scenic drive winds through the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya region, and semi-arid northern Kenya.
🏕️ Accommodation
The camp features 28 luxurious en-suite tents, each elevated on wooden decks with private verandas facing the river. The design combines traditional safari charm with modern comforts.
Room Types:
- Standard Luxury Tents: Ideal for singles, couples, or twin sharing. Includes a queen or twin beds with elegant bedding, mosquito nets, and bedside lighting.
- Family Tents: Interconnecting tents with two bedrooms and shared lounge space—perfect for families with children.
- Honeymoon Tent: Offers extra privacy and upgraded amenities for romantic getaways.
Tent Amenities:
- Spacious en-suite bathrooms with twin basins, hot showers, and flushing toilets
- Solar-powered electricity and charging stations
- Mahogany wardrobes, writing desks, and lounge chairs
- Ceiling fans and in-room safes
- Riverfront private verandas with seating area
💵 2025 Rates (Full Board)
| Room Type | Low Season (Apr–Jun) | High Season (Jan–Mar, Nov) | Peak Season (Jul–Oct, Dec) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Sharing | $573 | $620 | $740 |
| Single Occupancy | $710 | $760 | $895 |
| Child (sharing) | 50% of adult rate | 50% of adult rate | 50% of adult rate |
Rates are per person per night and include accommodation, meals, and game drives.
✅ Inclusions
- Full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Twice-daily shared game drives in open 4×4 vehicles
- Airport transfers from Samburu Airstrip
- Use of swimming pool and lounge areas
- Guided nature walks (subject to availability)
- Cultural experiences and Samburu community visits
- Daily housekeeping and turndown service
- Bottled drinking water in rooms
❌ Exclusions
- Samburu National Reserve park entry fees
- Premium alcoholic beverages and imported wines
- Hot air balloon safaris (not offered at this location but possible by special request)
- Laundry services
- Travel insurance and evacuation cover
- Gratuities and personal expenses
🍽️ Dining Experience
Samburu Intrepids offers a riverfront dining experience, with meals served in a spacious open-air dining room overlooking the water. The camp’s chefs craft delicious meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a fusion of African and international flavors.
Dining Highlights:
- Buffet-style breakfasts with fresh fruit, pastries, eggs made to order
- Three-course lunches and dinners offering meat, vegetarian, and vegan options
- Private bush dinners and romantic candlelit meals available on request
- Sundowner cocktails served at scenic spots with fire pits
- Children’s menus and special dietary needs are accommodated
🌿 Facilities & Amenities
- Swimming Pool: A free-form pool with loungers for cooling off during hot afternoons
- Lounge & Bar: Stocked with local and international drinks, and ideal for pre-dinner relaxation
- Curio Shop: Stocked with handmade Samburu jewelry, art, and books
- Wi-Fi: Available in common areas (limited in rooms due to eco-design)
- Conference Room: For small business or group meetings
- Massage and Wellness: On-request bush massages using local oils and herbs
🚙 Safari Experiences
Guests at Samburu Intrepids enjoy expertly guided safari excursions through this wildlife-rich reserve.
Wildlife Viewing:
- The famous Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk
- Predators: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals
- Elephants in large numbers, especially near the river
- Nile crocodiles, hippos, and over 450 bird species
Activities:
- Morning and evening game drives
- Night game drives (in buffer zones outside the reserve)
- Nature walks led by Samburu naturalists
- Cultural village visits to learn about Samburu life
- Birdwatching walks
- Photography safaris with tailored vehicle setups (on request)
👨👩👧👦 Family & Child-Friendly Features
Samburu Intrepids is renowned for its Adventurers’ Club, a hands-on nature and culture program for kids.
Activities for Kids:
- Animal tracking, plaster casting of footprints
- Storytelling, nature scavenger hunts, archery
- Learn basic Swahili and Samburu traditions
- Guided kids-only game drives (depending on age)
- Family tents and early dining times available
Minimum age for safari drives is 3 years. Babysitting can be arranged with advance notice.
💬 Guest Reviews – What Visitors Say
⭐ What Guests Love:
- “The view from our tent was straight onto the river—elephants came right up to drink.”
- “The guides knew exactly where to find lions and were amazing at explaining everything.”
- “The food was fresh and delicious every single meal.”
- “Loved the cultural visit—felt personal and respectful.”
⚠️ Constructive Feedback:
- “Wi-Fi can be patchy in the tents, but we didn’t mind disconnecting.”
- “More fans would be helpful during hotter months, but the nights were cool.”
- “It’s a quiet camp—perfect for relaxation, but less entertainment in the evenings.”
📅 Best Time to Visit
- January–March: Dry, excellent for predator sightings
- July–October: Peak game viewing, especially for the Samburu Special Five
- November: Shoulder season, fewer crowds and bird migration begins
- April–June: Green season, great photography light, discounted rates
🕐 Check-in & Check-out
- Check-in: From 12:00 PM
- Check-out: By 10:00 AM
- Early check-in or late check-out available on request and subject to availability
🌟 Why Choose Samburu Intrepids Luxury Tented Camp?
✔️ Prime location on Ewaso Nyiro River
✔️ Home to rare northern Kenya wildlife
✔️ High-level guiding and cultural immersion
✔️ Great for families and multi-generational travel
✔️ Comfortable luxury under canvas
✔️ Consistently excellent dining and service
✔️ Excellent base for Northern Kenya circuit (Buffalo Springs, Shaba)