Situated on the fertile banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, in the center of the Samburu Game Reserve in Kenya's rugged, semi-arid Northern Province, Samburu Serena Safari Lodge echoes the robust rhythms of riverfront life. This bucolic and serene lodge was inspired by the architecture of the indigenous Samburu tribe and blends into the verdant environment by making full use of native materials. Thatched cabins built using exotic African woods create an escapist atmosphere.

The surrounding terrain is renowned for rare game - long-necked gerunuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa oryx. Leopards are frequent passersby. The lodge has a spacious swimming pool for cooling down in the heat of the day and a special game-viewing verandah.

All guest rooms have private verandas with uninterrupted vistas of the languid river and the wildlife it attracts, as well as the countless crocodiles that make the waters their home. Accommodations are cooled by breezes off the river and overhead punkah fans. The artistic interior decor of each room is directly inspired by traditions of the Samburu tribe.

GUEST ROOM INFORMATION

 

Total Guest Rooms:	62
Rooms with two twin beds: (en suite with shower)	44
Rooms with double bed:(en suite with shower)	10
Family Rooms: (en suite with bath and shower)	8
Check in time:	14:00
Check out time:	11:00

Overlooking the outdoor swimming pool and the meandering Uaso Nyiro River, the open air dining room serves guests sumptuous international menus, buffets and barbecues alongside authentic African dishes. The gracious dining and lounge areas are enhanced by Samburu details and murals depicting local nature.

The Kiboko Bar - located next to the dining room - serves fresh fruit juices, soft drinks, tea and coffee, cocktails, wines, spirits and liqueurs. The Pool Bar, with upper and lower terraces, offers the same drink selections.

Dining Room

Seating capacity 182.

 

Breakfast:	6:30 am to 9:00 am
Lunch:	12:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Dinner:	7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Kiboko Bar

Seating capacity 96.

Open from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and
5:45 pm until late in the evening.

Pool Terrace Bar

Seating capacity 104.

Open from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm.

The undisturbed wilderness of the Samburu Game Reserve is an austere semi-desert of thornbush flats, dry grassland and open acacia woodland. This rugged landscape is the home of several rare species of birds and animals including the exotic reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, the gerenuk (a gazelle that stands up on its hind legs), Grevy's zebra, the blue-flushed Somali ostrich and the bristle-crowned starling. The Lodge's experienced safari leaders will also track the more common African animals like lesser kudus, elephants, lions, cheetahs and leopards.

The languid Uaso Nyiro River which stretches at a safe distance in front of the lodge is home to many Nile Crocodiles which can reach up to twelve feet long. No trip to the Samburu lodge would be complete without a visit to the hippo pools where large numbers of these enormous creatures wallow in the cooling muds of the River. Leopard can frequently be seen from the Lodge.

The lodge has three landcruisers which can seat 7 persons each. Game drives across the plains of the Samburu Game Reserve and along the Uaso Nyiro river are scheduled daily.

Early morning from 6:30 am to 8:30 am
Morning from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Afternoon from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Take a stroll on the wild side, and amble through the unspoiled and spectacular landscape of the Samburu Reserve - all from the vantage point of a camel's back. A Samburu guide will lead you across the semi-arid plains and along game trails towards a knoll. From there you will have breathtaking views across the plains and the winding course of the Uaso Nyiro river, fringed with desert palm, to the craggy purple mountains that frame every distant horizon. Ride back along the shallow, sandy banks of the river and watch an abundance of wildlife wandering down to drink.

This is only the beginning of the special offerings that guests are invited to experience at Samburu Serena.

• With just a day's advance notice, guests can be treated to a private moonlit dinner in the bush or beside the languid Uaso Nyiro River.
• After your early morning game drive, enjoy the Champagne breakfast with tables overlooking the aptly named Crocodile Point.
• There are daily guided nature/bird walks through the lodge grounds given by the resident naturalist.
• Each evening there is a lecture on some particular aspect of the Samburu culture.
• Every afternoon, in a special native amphitheater, members of a local Samburu tribe perform traditional tribal dances.

To the North of verdant Mount Kenya lies an austere semi-desert of thornbush flats, dry grassland, open acacia woodland and rugged ranges that averages only 14" (350 mm) of rain a year. These hot, sun-baked landscapes, home to red-robed goat and camel herders, extend north to Ethiopia and east to Somalia. At the southern edge of this arid region stands a trio of contiguous national reserves with varied lodging and good access by road from Nairobi, 200 miles (325 kilometers) to the south. Samburu National Reserve (40,800 acres/16,500 hectacres), Shaba National Reserve (59,058 acres/23,910 hectacres, and Buffalo Springs National Reserve (32,400 acres/13,100 hectacres) line the perennial Uaso Nyiro River, rimmed with towering river acacias and doum palms. The river and several springs attract much wildlife, especially in dry periods. Mammals restricted to the Somali-Masai arid zone are found here, such as Grevy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe, the beisa oryx, Guenther's dik-dik and the gerenuk. Also present are lesser kudus, elephants, Grant's gazelles, lions, cheetahs, leopards and 350 bird species, including the blue-flushed Somali ostrich and the bristle-crowned starling.

Alden, Estes, Schlitter, McBride, National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife © 1995 pps. 77-78

© Serena Hotels Ltd / Choices Wild Limited, 2005.