Saruni Rhino, Sera

The secluded 3-banda camp of Saruni Rhino, in partnership with Sera Community Conservancy, offers the first rhino tracking experience in East Africa, an amazing experience that provides a uniquely thrilling experience, but also allows guests to actively contribute to the protection of this iconic species. Comprised of three elegant ‘bandas’ (rustic stone cottages) and a main ‘mess’ cottage for dining and relaxing, Saruni Rhino is nestled amidst swaying doum palms dotted along a dry river bed with sweeping views of a nearby waterhole and dramatic landscape so typical of the north. There is also a beautiful swimming pool, built-in harmony with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. The dry river bed proves the quintessential torch-lit bush dinner location under the vast African skies.

The camp is comprised of 3 ‘bandas’ (rustic stone cottages) – sleeping 8 people ordinarily. Two of the stone ‘bandas’ are double cottages and each accommodates 2 people. One of the double cottages can when required, also accommodate additional single beds, but with no room divider and a shared bathroom, guests should be comfortable with an open-plan configuration. A third Family banda is composed of 2 double bedrooms (1 x double & 1 x double or 2 x twins) both with en-suite bathrooms and natural stone showers. A shared lounge provides a cool retreat from the large verandah which also has outside seating and the best view of the waterhole and the many elephants that visit it every day.

Note that Saruni Rhino is an open camp without perimeter fencing. Wildlife is often seen in and around camp. A guard or ‘Askari’ is on hand to escort guests to and from their bandas after dark.

Image Credits: Saruni Rhino

Copy Credits: Saruni Rhino

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Facilities

Property facilities:

1 x swimming pool
Dry river bed (‘lugga’) – used for sundowners, meals, cultural performances (as arranged from time to time)
Camp waterhole – where wildlife gathers
Guide Accommodation
24-hour security
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Battery Charging Facilities
Meals on request
Restaurant
Laundry service (complimentary)
Internet Access (complimentary)
Bar
Eco-friendly
Pool
Communal Dining & Private Dining
Private Vehicle available (payable extra)
Sun beds & umbrellas

Vehicles:

At Saruni Rhino, we have 4×4 Land Rovers for all game drives. The vehicles are open-sided for the best game viewing and have a canvas roof for shade. Guests usually share vehicles, unless exclusive use of a vehicle has been arranged at US$350 per day.

Internet:

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available across the camp.

Phone Network:

Safaricom network covers part of Saruni Rhino and guests are generally able to make and receive phone calls without issue.

Child Policy:

Our lodges are child-friendly and we are delighted to host families with children of any age. Childminding facilities can be arranged at extra cost with advance notice. However, the Black Rhino Tracking Experience is only available to young adults 16 years old and over. Exceptions to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Check In/Check Out/Late Departures:

Check In time: 11:00AM. Check Out time: 10:00AM

Late departures are available upon request, subject to availability and are payable extra.

Seasons:

Saruni Rhino is open all year round.

Room Facilities:

Complimentary Wi-Fi
Fan
Shower
Private verandah
Dressing gowns/bathrobes
Electrical outlets
Private living/lounge area
Internet Access (complimentary)
Limited laundry service (complimentary)
En-suite bathroom
Organic soaps & lotions
Mosquito nets
Pure cotton linen
Wake-up service
Hot & cold water
Water dispenser

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Activities

Included:

On-foot Rhino Tracking Experience (1 x session included in daily rate)
Birdwatching
Bush meals, picnics & sundowners
Day guided game drives (shared)
Guided ‘lugga’ walks
Re-wilding Rhino Calf Visit – ‘Loijipu’
Sandgrouse spectacular
Seedballs throwing – forest re-generation
Singing Wells visit (seasonal)
Swimming pool
Waterhole wildlife sightings

Excluded:

On-foot Rhino Tracking Experience (additional sessions payable extra)
Exclusive use of vehicle
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary visit (bookable in advance & payable extra)

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Directions

Directions

Camp GPS Coordinates: N 1°03’25”, 37°43’01” E
Camp Google Earth Coordinates: 01.057266, 037.717158
Camp elevation: 751m

Flights:

Nearest airstrip: Kalama airstrip for daily scheduled flights.
- Daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Kalama airstrip in Samburu, approx. a 1-hour flight, followed by approx. 1hour 45 mins transfer drive to the camp – included in daily rate)
- Kalama airstrip GPS coordinates: N 0°41’39”, 37°36’45” E
- Kalama airstrip Google Earth Coordinates: 00.6941667, 037.61250
- Kalama airstrip Elevation: 875m
Nearest airstrip: Kauro airstrip for chartered flights.
- Kauro airstrip GPS coordinates: N 1°03’51”, 37°43’09” E
- Kauro airstrip Google Earth Coordinates: 01.0641667, 037.71917
- Kauro airstrip Elevation: 753m

Driving: Due to the remoteness of this camp, when self-driving, guests to Saruni Rhino are met by a Saruni vehicle and guide/driver at Kalama Wildlife Conservancy Headquarters where they will leave their vehicle for the duration of their stay (parking fees apply). They are then transferred (complimentary, part of the daily rate) the approx. 1 hour 45 mins’ drive over to Sera Community Conservancy, and back, on their departure. Therefore, driving directions are from Nairobi to Kalama Wildlife Conservancy Headquarters as the pick-up point. (approximate time 5-5 ½ hours). Approximate distances between towns along ‘the Chinese Highway’.

Nairobi (CBD) to Thika – 44 km
Thika to Makuyu – 28.6 km
Makuyu to Karatina – 64.3 km
Karatina to Nanuyki – 68 km
Nanukyi to Isiolo – 79.5 km
Isiolo to Archer’s Post – 34.6 km

From Archer’s Post, follow the below instructions to Kalama Wildlife Conservancy Headquarters, the pick-up point for Saruni Rhino.

At Archer’s Post stay on the highway and keep North; do not enter the Samburu National Reserve and do not go through the Archer’s Post gate;
At exactly 8 km after Archer’s Post, down on the left‐hand side, you will see a sign that reads: ‘Kalama Conservancy/Saruni Camp’, leave the main road and go through the Kalama Conservancy gate;
Tell the ranger on duty you are staying with Saruni and that you are being met by a driver/guide and you will be allowed to park and wait to be transferred over to Saruni Rhino in Sera Community Conservancy.

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Costs

Click here to view current Saruni Rhino rates, inclusions & exclusions. Enquire about our current Resident rates by contacting our Reservations team at reservationsteam@saruni.com or by calling on: +254 (0)735 950 903

There is a minimum stay of 2 nights at Saruni Rhino.