Reception & Lounge Areas

The coolness beneath the high ceiling of the circular, grass thatched reception area and its adjacent boutique is a welcome respite from the outdoor heat of the equatorial sun, and its earthen colours and traditional Samburu decorations blend in perfectly with its surroundings. Like all the public areas in the main building, there are no windows and cooling breezes flow freely through the large, amorphous spaces in the walls.

The lounge also has an extremely high ceiling but, by way of a complete contrast, this spacious, comfortably furnished area has no front or side walls whatsoever except for a low, non-invasive safety barrier. As soon as you walk in from the reception, you feel like you are standing on top of the world as you come face to face with one of the most stunning, panoramic views of Africa you are ever likely to see.

And once you have taken a deep breath and recovered from that, you might just notice the nearby waterhole with its regular animal or avian visitors right in front of you.

Swimming Pool

What a pleasure in this arid, semi-desert region with its dry heat and low humidity!  Tiled with various shades of blue mosaic tiles, and surrounded by a local flat stone sunbathing area, our large free form pool – with its adjoining children’s pool, outdoor shower, and sunken bar as well as views over the waterhole – provides you with the perfect solution when you want to be outdoors but keep cool at the same time.

Dining

The dining room is on a slightly higher level than the lounge, and it shares the totally open air atmosphere to allow you views over both the waterhole and the panoramic landscapes beyond.

While artistically positioned wall niches house various forms of natural decorations, and the furniture follows traditional designs, the curvaceous buffet tables and live cooking areas offer a wide selection of delicious fusions of different culinary disciplines coupled with garden fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bars

Our tastefully decorated main bar is located against the rear wall of the lounge, and is adjacent to the walkway and sunbathing area around the swimming pool with its shaded sunken bar where you can sit and talk to our Samburu barman at will.

Our Facilities

✓ Adjoining Rooms ✓ Gift Shop >✓ Swimming Pool
✓ Baby Sitting ✓ Hairdryers ✓ Telephone at Reception
✓ Bedroom Kettles ✓ Laundry ✓ Traditional Dances
✓ Bird Watching ✓ Mosquito Nets ✓ Turndown Service
✓ Board games ✓ Nature Walks ✓ Weddings
✓ Children’s Menu ✓ Outdoor Dining ✓ WiFi in the Lounge
✓ Children’s Pool ✓ Special Diets ✓ Wheelchair Accessible Rooms
✓ Flying Safaris ✓ Sundowners  

Astro-Tourism FAQs

What is Astro-tourism?

It is stargazing with a twist, combining astronomy, culture and nature under Samburu’s darkest night skies.

Why is Samburu the Ideal destination for stargazing?

  • Kenya is located on the equator, which allows VVIP views of both the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres.
  • Our unique geo-location; Samburu has clear, unpolluted and uninterrupted night skies that allow for clear views of the skies and its celestial bodies.
  • Samburu community has deep cultural knowledge, values and stories making it the ideal destination for this new innovation.

What can I experience at the lodge?

Private dinner under the stars, guided stargazing session using powerful telescopes,binoculars, storytelling around the bonfire while using laser pointers and Planetarium sessions.

Is there a planetarium?

Yes! A manyatta-shaped planetarium offers an immersive sky show session.

Who leads the stargazing sessions?

An Astro-physicist and trained Sopa cultural astronomers blending science with cultural insights.

Can I combine this with a safari?

Absolutely! During the day, you can enjoy exciting game drives where you will have the chance to spot the Samburu Special Five (Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx), rare species found exclusively in the Samburu region. In addition to wildlife viewing, the area is home to an incredible variety of birdlife, making it a paradise for bird watching and bird photography enthusiasts. You can also explore the landscape on guided nature walks, offering an even deeper connection with the environment. All of this blends seamlessly with magical celestial nights, where stargazing under Samburu’s vast, unpolluted skies becomes the perfect way to end your day.

Is it family friendly?

Yes! Kids and adults alike can enjoy telescope viewing, constellation tracing and cultural tales.

Do I need special gear?

No, telescopes, binoculars, and laser pointers are provided as part of the experience.

Is it available year round?

Yes, with special events during eclipses, meteor showers and seasonal celestial highlights.

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