Samburu has always been one of my favourite places in Kenya. I love the scenic and smooth road which leads up to it, how the park is teeming with wildlife and how the Ewaso Ng’iro sleepily flows past towering doum palms. Unless you have enough money to stay in the few high end hotels (most of which are incredibly stunning properties) located within the reserve, it can end up being a bit costly for the average person.
Located at the base of Mt Ololokwe and within a private conservancy is Sabache Eco Camp. This is a private safari camp which has not been touched by commercialism and is an affordable choice for budget conscious travellers.
OVERVIEW
Sabache, which is focused on environmentally friendly practices, is entirely community owned and run, and directly benefits the immediate Samburu community. It can host up to 50 guests and whether you have your own camping equipment, wish to stay in a comfortable self-contained dormitory or sleep in their spacious ensuite classic safari tents, they can cater to your needs.
Partnering up with The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Sabache provides incredible food to guests on a full board basis. Have your breakfast served right on your verandah or tuck into a three- course dinner under the stars by a warm campfire. We stayed in a spacious en suite safari tent which could comfortably sleep four guests. We had our own private veranda where we spent many hours sipping cold Gin and Tonics while taking in the view.
WHERE
It is about 340 km from Nairobi and is easy to get to with any kind of car, ideally with a high clearance.
The highway from Nairobi to Sabache is incredibly smooth and scenic. From Archers Post continue past Kalama Wildlife Conservancy. In about 4 km will be the Marsabit- Wamba junction. Continue on and in about 3 km there will be a large white concrete slab/sign with Sabache Eco Camp painted on it. Turn left onto it and follow the road until you reach the camp which is around 2 km away. You can also find this property on Google Maps.
PROS
- Budget friendly alternative compared to the high end hotels within Samburu.
- The food is delicious.
- Stunning views right from your tent.
- Being entirely community owned and run, your money directly supports the community around it.
CONS
- Quite far from any shops (Archers post is about 37 km away) so aim to have all you need beforehand.
- It can take 40 mins – 1 hour to get to Archers post gate. If you wish to do an early morning safari you’d ideally need to leave at around 5:00 am.
- Hot water is available for the showers but as with numerous properties in the region, you need to wait for them to heat it up and bring it to your tent.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you love hiking, trek up Mt Ololokwe for spectacular views, and the camp can also organise overnight camping on the mountain. Visit the national reserves and conservancies around Sabache, and camel safaris can also be arranged. If you wish to learn more about the Samburu, you can also go for a cultural visit to the local villages.
HOW TO BOOK & COSTS
We booked using Airbnb (simply search for them on the site) and a night at the Sabache Eco Camp will cost you around Ksh 5,000 per person. We also added Ksh 1,000 per person per day to make our stay full board and paid Ksh 1,500 per person for conservancy fee. You can also book through their website www. sabachecamp.com or call directly on 0726 991597.
2 comments
This camp looks fantastic! Seems like a great choice if you’re after an authentic African experience. Rustic, and filled with woods. I’m also fascinated with its location. Just in the middle of grassy plains. Not bad for a budget pick. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Personally, the most effective way to have an authentic African experience is to live in these huts. I would consider this place, looks like a great choice for groups. Thank you!
[…] hiking equipment and a souvenir shop. They are on Airbnb. Visit their website for more information. Nomad magazine (The East African Magazine For Intrepid Travellers) reviewed them in 2019. To me, it is one of those locations to visit if you want a reboot. A road trip followed by a […]