Samburu is drier, quieter, less visited, and home to a different set of endemic species. It is ideal for couples who want a more intimate and less crowded safari experience, and for those who want to see the full diversity of Kenyan wildlife.

Saruni Samburu is set within the Kalama Conservancy in Samburu, northern Kenya, positioned to give guests access to both the conservancy’s private game viewing areas and the neighbouring Samburu National Reserve. The landscape here is distinctly different from the southern safari circuits, with dramatic semi-arid terrain, riverine forest, and a wildlife community that includes species found nowhere else in Kenya. For honeymooners looking for something beyond the Masai Mara or Amboseli, Samburu offers a genuinely different side of the country.

The lodge has six luxury cottages and two private villas, all designed in traditional Samburu style with modern amenities including en-suite bathrooms and private verandas. Villa One is a large family villa with two separate en-suite bedrooms connected by a spacious living room and veranda, with bathtubs, outdoor showers, a fireplace for cool evenings, and a sitting and dining area suited to private dinners. Villa Two is the largest and most spacious option at the lodge, with a sitting and dining area, open veranda, stocked fridge, uninterrupted views, outdoor showers, and proximity to the infinity pool and Wellbeing Space. For honeymooners who want complete privacy, the villas offer a self-contained experience within the lodge.

The activity programme at Saruni is one of the most varied of any camp in Kenya. Guided day and night game drives cover the Kalama Conservancy and Samburu National Reserve, with experienced guides tracking elephant, lion, leopard, giraffe, and the special northern species unique to the Samburu ecosystem. A photographic hide by the waterhole allows for extended, undisturbed wildlife observation. Guided bush walks, picnics, bush meals, and sundowners are all part of the standard offering. The Sacred Mountain Trek and Thumb Rock hike take guests into the wider landscape on foot. Cultural visits to local Samburu villages, tribal storytelling through song and dance, and the Warriors Academy family activity connect guests with the community in a meaningful way. The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary excursion is a standout addition, offering a close encounter with orphaned elephants being rehabilitated for release. Scorpion and night torch safaris, seedball throwing, stargazing, birdwatching, a visit to local Samburu caves featuring rock art, and helicopter excursions round out a programme that keeps honeymooners engaged throughout their stay without ever feeling rushed.

The cuisine is Italian-inspired, prepared using fresh local ingredients alongside select imported products, and served either in the main dining area or in a bush setting depending on guest preference. Meals are organised around guests’ schedules rather than fixed times, which suits honeymooners well. The daily menu runs to a three-course set format at dinner, with lighter breakfast and lunch options. A traditional Kenyan braai under the stars is available as an evening alternative. The bar carries a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and sundowner cocktails can be taken out in the field as the light fades. All dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free are accommodated with advance notice, and guests receive a personal aluminium water bottle on arrival for use throughout the stay.

The lodge has a swimming pool, the Samburu Wellbeing Space spa offering massages, facials, and body scrubs, a fully stocked bar, a library stocked with books on local wildlife and culture, a gift shop carrying locally made beaded jewellery and traditional crafts, Wi-Fi in the main areas, laundry service included in the stay, and 24-hour security. The intimate scale of the lodge, with only six cottages and two villas, keeps the atmosphere personal throughout.

Yes, and the lodge has put genuine thought into what makes a honeymoon stay memorable rather than simply adding standard romantic touches. The honeymoon package includes a private bush dinner, a couples’ massage at the Wellbeing Space, and a private sundowner with champagne. Private game drives can be arranged for couples who want full flexibility in the field, and additional experiences such as helicopter excursions or a visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary can be incorporated on request. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris works with the Saruni team to ensure all honeymoon-specific arrangements are confirmed before arrival so nothing needs to be organised on the day.