Basecamp Samburu

  • exterior of tent, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris
  • family tent, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris
  • lounge, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris
  • double bed, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris
  • bathroom, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris

Basecamp Samburu is a small, remote camp deep within northern Kenya’s Kalama Conservancy. Perfect for those seeking a rugged adventure without compromising on comfort, the experience combines wildlife viewing in both Samburu National Reserve and Kalama with truly authentic cultural experiences. You’ll awaken to stunning sunrises over Mount Ololokwe, spend your days on game drives and bush walks, and by night venture out on scorpion safaris and stargazing excursions. The camp also has two romantic starbeds, one with its own private jacuzzi, for nights spent gazing up at some of Africa’s clearest night skies. Families are well catered for too, with a spacious two-bedroom tent and the interactive Warriors Academy that brings the bush to life for younger visitors.

Semi-Tented (Hybrid)

Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Essential

Enquire for pricing

A wonderfully remote camp in Samburu’s Kalama Conservancy with views of sacred Mount Ololokwe

A communal lounge and dining area, terrace, fire-pit, and a star-bed with a jacuzzi

star bed, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris

Four double tents and a two-bedroom family tent, all with private terraces and stunning views

Day and night game drives, guided bush walks, scorpion safaris, cultural excursions, Warriors Academy, and stargazing

family tent, basecamp samburu, kenya - Yellow Zebra Safaris
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
  • Great value for quality
When you consider the excellent service, beautiful views, and proximity to a seriously underrated game-viewing area, Basecamp Samburu is one of the best value properties in Kenya – a great option for adventurous families or couples alike!
Lauren Noakes Team Leader

Activities

Basecamp Samburu’s private conservancy location allows for plenty of activities, including night drives, bush walks, and authentic cultural encounters.

Game drives

Bush walks

Scorpion safaris

Cultural excursions

Warriors academy

Stargazing

  • Morning and afternoon game drives take you into Samburu National Reserve, where your guide will seek out the ‘Samburu Special Five’ – Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. Samburu is also an amazing place for up-close elephant encounters, particularly when you catch them crossing the palm-fringed Ewaso Nyiro River. By night, drives remain within Kalama Conservancy, when nocturnal species like genet, civet, bat-eared fox, and the elusive honey badger emerge.

  • Gentle bush walks accompanied by a Samburu guide provide a great introduction to local plantlife, animal spoor, birds, and insects. You might spot dwarf mongoose busying themselves around a termite mound, a mischievous baboon troop, or perhaps a shy monitor lizard sunning itself. Each day is different, and no two walks are ever the same!

  • Grab your walking shoes or boots and head out on a fascinating scorpion safari, where you’ll explore the different species that live in this dry, rocky terrain.

  • Basecamp is located in an area surrounded by authentic Samburu villages. The Samburu people are the ancient custodians of this land, so genuine cultural encounters provide an essential framework. You’ll likely see a traditional manyatta (homestead), meet Samburu morans (warriors), and gain insight into traditional dance, beading, and cattle rearing.

  • The Warriors Academy is specifically designed for families with children, offering a fun way to explore wildlife and local culture. Under the tutelage of a Samburu moran, you’ll get to know and understand this incredible culture and see the wild from a unique perspective. Please note that this must be booked in advance and can last between 1 and 3 days.

  • Accompanied by a Samburu guide, spend an evening beneath some of Africa’s darkest night skies, which are full of stars and have almost no light pollution. You’ll learn how to identify and name the constellations, track the planets visible to the eye, and enjoy the stillness of the Samburu night.

Access & Location

Samburu Basecamp is located in the Kalama Conservancy on the border with Samburu National Reserve. Guests usually fly from Nairobi to Kalama Airstrip, which is approximately 1 hour’s flying time, followed by a 45-minute drive to the camp.

Warning icon
This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

Facilities

Basecamp Samburu has an airy, open-sided main tent, with a comfortable lounge and an elegant dining area arranged with individual tables, where panoramic, 360-degree views of the Kalama Conservancy take centre stage.

Guests can enjoy bush breakfasts along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, often in the company of elephants, waterbuck, and impala, as well as starlit dinners in secluded spots across the reserve. Stepping outside, the main terrace faces east, so you’ll awaken to spectacular sunrises over sacred Mount Ololokwe. As dusk falls, the firepit beckons for sundowners, when you can trade safari stories with other guests beneath the stars. The highlight at Basecamp Samburu is its exceptionally romantic star-bed experience. Offering two sleeping platforms to choose from, one features a private dining space, and the other has its own open-air jacuzzi. We advise booking the star-bed experience in advance to guarantee availability.

Amenities

Basecamp Samburu has four raised canvas tents for twin or double occupancy and a spacious family tent with two bedrooms.

Accessed via a short flight of steps leading to the raised deck, each tent features roll-up canvas sides that maximise panoramic views of the conservancy. Inside, there’s a king-sized bed, which can also be configured for twin occupancy, bedside stands with storm lanterns, a luggage rack, a writing desk and chair, and hanging storage space, where you’ll find a few essentials such as mosquito repellent. Separated by a curtain, the en-suite bathrooms each have a single vanity unit, a flush toilet, and a walk-in shower. Outside, there’s a private verandah furnished with directors’ chairs and a drinks table, where you can enjoy an early morning coffee while admiring the sunrise over Mount Ololokwe. For those travelling with children, the family tent has two equally sized bedrooms connected by a lounge with a shaded pergola.

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Talk to someone who’s been there

Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
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Cassia Seth-Smith
Safari Specialist

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