
Mid range · Eco tented camp
Basecamp Samburu
Kalama Community Conservancy, on the Ewaso Ng'iro River
Overview
Basecamp Samburu sits on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River within the 16,500-hectare Kalama Community Conservancy, a short drive from the northern boundary of Samburu National Park.
The camp is deliberately small — a handful of en-suite tents plus a family tent — and built to a low-impact, solar-powered standard in keeping with Basecamp's long record in community-led conservation tourism.
Guiding is by Samburu warriors from the surrounding group ranches, and because you are on conservancy land the camp can offer night drives, walking safaris and off-road game viewing alongside drives into the national park. The star bed, set out on its own deck with a plunge pool, is the highlight for most guests.
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Location
Kalama Community Conservancy, on the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Samburu National Park is reached by a 5–6 hour drive from Nairobi or a 1 hour 15 minute scheduled flight to the Samburu or Kalama airstrips, followed by a short transfer. See our guide to getting there.
Basecamp Samburu is highlighted on the map, alongside nearby camps, gates, airstrips and landmarks in Samburu National Park.
Room types
- Safari tent
- River-view tent with en-suite bathroom, veranda and solar lighting.
- Family tent
- Two sleeping areas with shared facilities for up to four guests.
- Star bed
- Open-air deck with private plunge pool for sleeping under the stars, as a supplement.
Facilities
- Riverside main area and bar
- Star bed deck with plunge pool
- Solar power
- Laundry service
- Wi-Fi
- Young Explorers Club for children
Dining
Full-board menus using local produce, served in the open-sided main area, on the riverbank, or as bush breakfasts and sundowner dinners.
Safari activities available
- Day and night game drives in Kalama Conservancy
- Game drives into Samburu National Park
- Guided walking safaris with Samburu warriors
- Samburu village and cultural visits
- Star gazing and astrophotography
- Sundowners at Mount Ololokwe viewpoints
Best suited for
Families and travellers wanting authentic community-run conservancy access at a fair price.
Rates
Rack rates 2026
Rates from 03 January 2026 to 02 January 2027
Safari tent
per person per night sharing (4 tents)
- High season
- USD 700
- Mid season
- USD 600
- Low season
- USD 500
Family tent
per person sharing per night, up to 4 pax; additional adult/child at standard sharing rate
- High season
- USD 700
- Mid season
- USD 600
- Low season
- USD 500
Child aged 5–16
per night sharing
- High season
- USD 350
- Mid season
- USD 300
- Low season
- USD 250
Single occupancy
per night
- High season
- USD 910
- Mid season
- USD 780
- Low season
- USD 500
Star bed supplement
per person sharing per night, weather permitting
- High season
- USD 210
- Mid season
- USD 180
- Low season
- USD 150
Conservation fee — adult
per person per night
- High season
- USD 160
- Mid season
- USD 160
- Low season
- USD 160
Conservation fee — child 5–16
per person per night
- High season
- USD 80
- Mid season
- USD 80
- Low season
- USD 80
- High season: July, August, September & 20 December 2026 – 02 January 2027
- Mid season: 03 January – 29 February, June, October & 01 – 19 December 2026
- Low season: March, April, May & November 2026
All rates in USD, per person per night sharing unless stated otherwise.
Included
- Full board — all meals & accommodation
- Soft drinks, house wines, selected beers & house spirits
- Bush meals, picnic excursions & sunset sundowners; tea & coffee service in own room
- Selected laundry service
- Unlimited internet
- Return airstrip transfers
- Shared day & night game drives in open-sided vehicles
- Guided bush walking safari
- Cultural village visit transfers
- Young Explorers Club family activities (on request, bookable in advance)
- VAT & taxes
Excluded
- Daily conservation fees
- Premium spirits, wines/Champagne and beers
- Temporary Flying Doctors evacuation cover
- Additional Wellbeing Space massages & treatments
- Exclusive use of safari vehicle & guide (USD 400 per day)
- Late departure & extra lunch fee (USD 180 per adult / USD 90 per child)
- Cultural village visit entry fees
- Gratuities to staff & guides
- Anything of a personal nature and other extras
- All statutory increases beyond our control
Notes
- Rates are subject to change with notice.
- Children under 5 stay free of charge when sharing with parents/adults.
- Conservation fees are subject to change by the private conservancies.
- No Easter, Christmas or New Year supplements.
- Minimum stay during high season is 2 nights.
- Star bed is suited to guests aged 17 and above and is weather permitting.
- All guests must have comprehensive travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance.
Rates exclude Samburu National Park entry fees where applicable — see park fees. Send an enquiry and we will confirm exact current rates and availability.
Other places to stay in Samburu
Luxury
Saruni Samburu
A dramatic hilltop lodge of six open-fronted villas with 360-degree views across Kalama Conservancy to Mount Kenya.
Luxury
Saruni Rhino
Four stone bandas in the Sera Conservancy — the only place in East Africa where you can track black rhino on foot.
Luxury
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Twelve river-facing tents with private plunge pools, shaded by doum palms where elephants wander freely through camp.
