Sasaab

Sasaab prides itself on its hospitality and the friendly and attentive staff strive to make every guests’ experience unforgettable. The architecture of Sasaab follows strong Moroccan design principles, in which African heat is of primary consideration. Each of the nine Moroccan-styled rooms is over 100m² with an enormous open-air bathroom and private plunge pool. From the veranda, guests can take in the remarkable views across the Laikipia Plateau toward the jagged peak of Mount Kenya. Its position on the river naturally facilitates watching the herds of elephant that come to bathe.

Sasaab is a stunning blend of Moroccan and Swahili style, located in the heart of the African bush. Each individual cottage is designed to offer majestic views of the landscape and offer a cooling retreat from the African heat. The airy rooms with four poster beds, enormous, open-air bathrooms and private plunge pools, make for a completely invigorating experience. Sasaab also has a main swimming pool, built on the hillside overlooking the river. It is recommended that families book the family suite which has a shared central area and can be taken as an exclusive villa, with separate access. Extra beds can also be added.

Enjoy guided walks, bird watching, stargazing or a visit to SpaSaab for world-class beauty treatments. For the more adventurous take a game drive, camel ride or spend a night or two in the further reaches of the conservation. The local Samburu guides speak excellent English and will take children under their wing to teach them how to make a traditional bow and arrow or a toothbrush from the ‘toothbrush tree’.

For a special experience guests can spend a night or two fly-camping under mosquito net tents in the wilderness. This amazing trip starts with a 4–5 hour walk along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this untamed and romantic part of Kenya.

All guests enjoy full board during their stay, which includes all meals and most drinks, excluding champagne and specially imported wines and spirits. Kids of any age welcome and baby-sitters are available.

The temperature in Kenya remains fairly consistent throughout the year, because of its location spanning the equator. Sasaab is in the Northern Frontier district, which extends from Samburu to Kenya’s northernmost borders. This interior region experiences slightly higher temperatures than the rest of the country and with cold evenings consistent with a desert climate. Sasaab is closed for two weeks in November for maintenance.

Sasaab was born out of the need to create a community tourism project to help protect and preserve this remote wilderness area in Kenya’s arid north. The Carr-Hartley’s built Sasaab high above the Ewaso Nyiro River to protect it from the seasonal flooding as well as to take advantage of the spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. ‘Sasaab’ is the Samburu name of a local white flowering shrub (a sub-species of Ipomoea) that grows in this area.

All images copyright The Safari Collection.