Soroi Samburu Lodge

Soroi Samburu Lodge sits on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve, northern Kenya, with 26 rooms that look out over the water.

The lodge stands under tall riverine trees, with views to the Koitogo Hills and Mount Ololokwe. The Nest Bar is a round room built out over the riverbank, its curved bench facing the sand and the water. Most of the team are Samburu.

Where it is

The lodge is inside Samburu National Reserve, in northern Kenya. Kalama Airstrip is 50 minutes away, or fly into Buffalo Springs. By road from Nairobi, allow six hours. On the game package, transfers to and from Kalama are included.

The rooms

Sixteen standard rooms, on the ground or first floor, take king, twin or triple beds, with an en-suite bathroom, a ceiling fan and a private terrace facing the river. Ten superior rooms add a minibar, and connect in pairs to make two-bedroom family units.

Game drives and the Special Five

Morning drives leave at 6:00 am, with a picnic breakfast or breakfast back at the lodge (served until 10:00); afternoon drives run from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. The reserve is known for the Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. The underground photographers' hide is reached straight from the lodge, and it's free to use in the wet season.

Beyond the vehicle

A local bird guide leads a free one-hour walk along the river's forest line, looking for northern species like the Somali bee-eater. Longer bush walks run about two hours. A Samburu village is 12 km away, about 20 minutes by road. For a full day out, the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has cared for orphaned calves since 2016. In the evening, dinner in the boma is served around a fire overlooking a waterhole, with Samburu stories, songs and dances.

Around the lodge

There's a rim-flow pool facing the hills, a separate children's pool, a sundowner deck with a bar and a fireplace, a spa with two treatment rooms, and a kids club tent. Meals can be taken in the dining room, on the river deck, by the pool or in your room. The lodge runs on solar power, was built from local materials, and allows no single-use plastic. Community bed-night fees are included in your stay and paid to the local community each month.

Worth knowing

The lodge isn't fenced. Wild animals are all around, guards are on duty around the clock, and an askari walks you to your room after dark. Game drives on the package are shared; if you want a vehicle to yourself, ask before you arrive. Park fees aren't included.