Saruni Rhino

Banda 1 is an open ‘banda’ – stone cottage – comfortably sleeping 2 people on an opulent king bed. Banda 1, however, allows for a single bed to be added and therefore can sleep a maximum of 3 guests. The authentic stone cottage features a bathroom and natural stone shower, with flushing toilet accessed directly from the room. The banda’s interior is an open-plan space, with a rustic wood and stone finish and warm African palette, plus a beautiful private sandy terrace. The outdoor terrace presents chairs and tables overlooking the ‘lugga’, the dry riverbed.

Highlights of Banda 1 include a private veranda/terrace, uninterrupted views of the riverbed, sun beds and umbrellas, organic soaps and lotions and mosquito nets. Additionally, Banda 1’s modern amenities consist of a wake-up service, 24hr security, a safe and free Wi-Fi connectivity in common areas.

Banda 2 is an open ‘banda’ – stone cottage – perfect for couples wanting a romantic getaway like no other. The Banda sleeps 2 people, boasting a restful king bed, as well as an en-suite bathroom with a beautiful natural stone shower and flushing toilet. A charming private sandy terrace features comfortable chairs and tables overlooking the ‘lugga’ – the dry riverbed. Additionally, a nearby tree bed provides an extra relaxation space to soak up the sun’s rays and to enjoy the awe-inspiring African plains.

Highlights of Banda 2 include a private veranda/terrace, mesmerising views of the riverbed, sun beds and umbrellas, organic soaps and lotions and mosquito nets. Banda 2 provides modern amenities such as a wake-up service, 24hr security, a safe and free Wi-Fi connectivity in common areas.

The Family Banda 3 is composed of two double bedrooms, spaciously sleeping 4 people, both bedrooms feature either a king bed or a twin bed that can be converted into a king. One single bed can be added to each room, thus contentedly sleeping a maximum of 6 guests. Both rooms provide en-suite bathrooms and natural stone showers with flushing toilets. The banda boasts a shared lounge in which offers a cool retreat from the large stone veranda – also providing outside seating and tables. The veranda hosts the best views of the waterhole situated directly in front of this breath-taking haven.

Highlights of the Family 3 Banda include a private veranda, unmatched vistas of the waterhole, sun beds and umbrellas, organic soaps and lotions and mosquito nets. The Family Banda provides guests with modern amenities consisting of a wake-up service, 24hr security, a safe and free Wi-Fi connectivity in common areas and a water dispenser.

At Saruni they believe in the importance of good, healthy and tasty meals. The cuisine has a strong Italian flavour and inspiration. Although, the chefs are also passionate about experimenting with the great ingredients that are found in Kenya, especially those of fresh fish and vibrant vegetables. The chefs easily and happily accommodate vegetarians and guests who have special requests, catering for all dietary requirements and allergies as informed prior to arrival.

Meals are organised to suit every need, so there are no set times for dining. Guests may also delight in a romantic candlelit dinner on their own veranda or in their private lounge, or a memorable bush dinner among the wild animals. Bush dinners are usually as part of a group unless the staff can accommodate otherwise.

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives throughout the 54,000 hectares-large Rhino Sanctuary and 350,000 hectares of the wider Sera Conservancy. Guests will have the remarkable opportunity to encounter the Samburu Five – discovering the five rare, endemic animals to the Samburu ecosystem; gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra and beisa oryx. Sera Conservancy has an abundance of other rare species too, such as the leopard, the striped hyena, and the civet cat. Game drives are included in the nightly rate and are on a shared basis unless exclusive use of vehicle has been arranged for a payable extra.

The Sera Community Conservancy is home to a series of natural and excavated wells dotted around its 350,000-hectare landscape. The Singing Wells visit is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for guests staying at Saruni Rhino, bearing witness to a daily occurrence from the ancient past and getting an insight into the lives of the indigenous community and their culture. Witness local pastoralists bringing their livestock to drink, digging up water from the wells to fill up holders and troughs whilst singing as they go along. Experience the rare treat of seeing the local community singing proprietary songs recognisable only by their own livestock to encourage them to come to the wells to drink.

Participate in on-foot rhino tracking whilst staying at Saruni Rhino. One daily tracking session per person is included in the daily conservation fee and is paid directly back to the community to help protect and preserve this endangered species – responsible tourism at its best. This scintillating, ‘thrill-of-a-lifetime’ experience entails a walking safari tracking the black rhino on foot, accompanied by an expert Samburu guide and a highly trained Sera Conservancy ranger leading you in safety to the locations of some of the 18 rhinos throughout the 54,000 hectares-large sanctuary.

The vast rhino sanctuary has been fenced in what is one of the most advanced conservation projects in Kenya. The tracking sessions take place early morning or late afternoon, expert Samburu guides will game drive you a tracking distance away from the nearest rhino, you will then leave the vehicle continuing on foot just metres from the grazing rhino. The tension is palpable as you come across the rhino in such close proximity for the first time; be sure to feel your heart beating, pulse racing, and your curiosity and excitement mounting.

“Since its inception in 2003, Saruni has identified and nurtured a close connection with the indigenous communities who own the territories where fauna and flora thrive as the key element of its conservation policies. Saruni’s choice to invest in Kenya was in fact influenced by the tradition of community-based tourism in the country and by the cultural element that differentiates a safari experience in Kenya from other safaris in the rest of Africa.

In a nutshell, Saruni believes in ethical creation of wealth. This is the way forward for Africa, and for conservation: the protection of wildlife and of nature based on distribution of income and jobs to its stakeholders. This is why we are proud of being among the founding members of Mara North Conservancy (MNC) and of being part of Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) – two leading community-run conservation organisations in Kenya, which demonstrate the vital connection between communities, conservation and wildlife, a relationship fuelled by tourism.”

• “Saruni believes fully and invests significantly in community development and conservation. Saruni Rhino works together with the Northern Rangelands Trust to improve the living conditions for the local Samburu people who own the Sera Conservation Area and is providing them with income generated by tourism
• Saruni Rhino is committed to employing most of our staff from this small community. At least 90% of the employees are local Samburu men and women and are trained by the lodge
• The lodge has been designed and built in an eco-friendly way to achieve minimum impact on the environment”