Saruni is a luxury tented lodge, which is set in the midst of a private conservancy, which lies just beyond the boundaries of the national Reserve. Located in a valley, just north of the fame-rich Aitong district, it lies at the heart of a pristine wilderness. The camp accommodates only 12 guests, who are accommodated in six spectacular cottages, each with ensuite bathrooms and panoramic verandahs. Presented in traditional safari style, the rooms and central dining and bar areas feature antiques, persian carpets, cultural artifacts and treasures from the collection of its owners, Riccardo Orizio and Pia-Sophie Woo. Run in cooperation with the local Maasai community, the camp also abides by ecological principles when it comes to use of solar power and recyling. Not only do the local Maasai community participate in the running of the camp, acting as guides, waiters, cooks and attendants, but they also benefit from the proceeds of the enterprise – thus enabling them to enhance their own standard of life. 

AWARD

Bronze rating for sustainable tourism – Eco Society Of Kenya (ESOK)

Location

The Camp is located in a private conservation area just outside the famous Masai Mara Reserve. Koiyaki Group Ranch lies in the north of the Mara, which is 270 miles from Nairobi (five hours by road: one hour by plane). 

HOW TO GET THERE

Ngerende airstrip (1 hour drive).

Twice daily scheduled Air Kenya flights to the Masai Mara departing Nairobi at 10h00 and 15h00.

Twice daily scheduled Safarilink flights to the Masai Mara departing Nairobi at 10h00 and 14h45.

Once daily scheduled Air Kenya flight from Samburu and Nanyuki at 09h15 and 10h00.

Once daily scheduled Safarilink flight from Meru at 08h50, Shaba at 09h10, Samburu at 09h30 and Nanyuki at 10h00.

Once daily scheduled Air Kenya flight from Meru (via Samburu) at 08h50.

Once daily scheduled Tropic Air flight from Meru, Lewa and Laikipia.

Private charter from anywhere: the camp has its own airstrip.

Accommodation

The atmosphere of the camp is informal but elegant. Each cottage has hot and cold running water, 220-volt electricity, elegant Italian bathroom fittings, polished wooden floors, and large bathrooms with canvas fronts that can be opened to offer you an amazing "shower with a view". Décor is unique to each cottage and from the large verandahs o¬ne can enjoy a unique view of the Mara plains and watch the many wild animals that come to the nearby waterhole. The camp offers its own private spa treatment centre, the “Masai Well-Being Space”. 

Campi ya Tembo 3 double tents) is Saruni’s private tented camp and is located at 10 km from the main lodge. The fly camp offers guests a chance to experience the Masai Mara from the inside of a tent. 

THERE IS A MINIMUM STAY OF 2 NIGHTS

Dining and bars

The menus as Saruni differ daily, all are home-cooked, some are served in the dining area, some in the bush during game drives. The cost of local beverages is included in the room rate. 

Child-friendly

Children under 5 years free of charge. Rates for children 5 to 16 sharing available on request.

What to see and do

Game sightings in the area are excellent with recent guests having seen a leopard near the camp, lions, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and wildebeest migration near the camp and crossing the river. 

There are many activities at Saruni Lodge which include; fly camps, visits to Maasai communities safari walks in the forests and in the plains accompanied by Maasai trackers, bird watching, Maasai wedding ceremony, day excursions to Rusinga island, game drives in special “game viewing” land Rovers with itineraries tailored to suit each guest’s requirements and finally bush breakfast, bush dinner, bush lunch, bush picnic and sundowners.