Lion King Bush Camp Samburu

Nestled along the peaceful banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Lion King Bush Camp offers an authentic, nature-immersed safari escape in the heart of Samburu. Set beneath towering acacia trees and surrounded by dramatic landscapes, the Camp blends rustic charm with warm Kenyan hospitality.

Its open design brings guests close to nature, elephants wandering quietly through Camp, birds nesting overhead, and the soothing sound of the river flowing just a few steps away.

With a relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere and exceptional wildlife viewing nearby, Lion King Bush Camp is ideal for eco-travellers, photographers, adventurers, and families seeking an authentic wilderness experience without compromising comfort.

Location & Accessibility

✓ Situated inside Samburu National Reserve along the Ewaso Nyiro River
✓ Riverfront setting with abundant wildlife, birdlife, and frequent elephant visits
✓ Access to the scenic Matthews Range and Laikipia region for extended excursions
✓ Easy base for exploring Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves
✓ Approximately 5 minutes’ drive from Samburu Lodge and close to Archer’s Post
✓ Surrounded by iconic Samburu landscapes, acacia forests, and vibrant local communities

By Road

✓ Wildlife commonly crosses access roads; night driving not advised
✓ 4×4 vehicle recommended for reserve tracks and rainy season travel
✓ Camp can arrange private road transfers from Nairobi or nearby towns
✓ Smooth, scenic highways up to Isiolo; road conditions beyond Isiolo may vary
✓ Approximately 5–6 hours’ drive from Nairobi via Thika – Sagana – Karatina – Nanyuki – Isiolo – Archer’s Post

By Air

✓ Charter flights available on request for flexible schedules
✓ 1-hour flight time; 5–30 minutes’ drive from airstrip to Camp, depending on landing point
✓ Scheduled flights from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Samburu, Kalama, or Oryx Airstrip
✓ Scenic flight paths over the Rift Valley and Samburu landscapes offer a preview of wildlife and rivers

Accommodation

Lion King Bush Camp features six comfortable, eco-friendly tented rooms designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The Camp focuses on simplicity, space, and genuine bush-living, allowing guests to feel connected to nature from sunrise to sunset.

Guest Tents

✓ Private veranda with river views
✓ Comfortable double or twin bedding
✓ Spacious safari tents on raised platforms
✓ Canvas and mesh windows for natural cooling
✓ Charging points available in the common areas
✓ Traditional safari décor with handcrafted touches

Family Tents & Groups

✓ Family-friendly tent options
✓ Additional beds available on request
✓ Ideal for couples, friends, families & small groups

Ensuite Facilities

✓ Hot showers
✓ Clean flushing toilets
✓ Daily housekeeping
✓ Pure, simple, eco-friendly design

Pitaris Camp Matthews Range

Pitari’s Camp is the newest addition to the Lion King Safaris portfolio. Located on riverfrontage in the subliminal hills of the Matthews Range, we present our home-away-from-home, named after the late Christopher Pitari Lekerpess. The Camp offers guests the chance to visit this beautiful, remote part of Kenya comfortably but affordably.

We are ideally positioned for walking the surrounding hills and forests, cultural excursions, and visits to the local manyatta, where we’ll be welcomed as good friends, not as tourists. Expect home-cooked meals, storytelling with wazee (old men) around the campfire, and Samburu culture at its most natural and authentic.

Dining & Lounge

Meals at Lion King Bush Camp celebrate the spirit of home-style Kenyan hospitality—fresh, hearty, and served with warmth.

Culinary Experience

✓ Sundowner setups in scenic locations
✓ Bush breakfasts by the river on request
✓ Buffet-style meals using fresh local ingredients
✓ Packed picnic lunches for full-day game drives
✓ Special diets accommodated (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)

Lounge & Social Spaces

✓ Firepit area for evening storytelling
✓ Open-air lounge overlooking the river
✓ Riverside relaxation spots with hammocks
✓ Shaded seating areas ideal for reading or birdwatching

Experiences & Activities

Lion King Bush Camp is strategically located for exceptional wildlife viewing and adventure in Samburu National Reserve.

On-camp & short excursions

✓ Sundowners on Elephant Hill and bush picnics by the river
✓ Short guided bush walks and elephant-watching trips right from Camp
✓ Riverfront relaxation, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing from verandas
✓ Evening campfires, storytelling, and cultural evenings with Samburu song & dance

Game drives & reserve access

✓ Morning and evening game drives in Samburu National Reserve (proximity to Buffalo Springs) — excellent elephant viewing, big cats, and the Samburu “Special Five” (Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx). One-day trips combining adjacent reserves can be arranged.

Extended, active & cultural itineraries

✓ Matthews Range & Pitari’s Camp — multi-day walking and cultural package: travel from Lion King to Pitari’s Camp in the Matthews Range for hiking, swimming, cultural visits to manyatta, nature walks, bush meals, and fly-camp style experiences. Sample 3-night itinerary provided (Day 1: Lion King Bush Camp → Day 2: Matthews Range at Pitari’s → Day 3: forest walks/fishing → Day 4: return to Samburu).

✓ Pitari’s Camp Package Inclusions: full board, drinks, conservancy fees, return transport from Samburu National Reserve, guides & activities (guests to spend a night at Lion King before/after).

Specialist & customised trips

✓ Giza — Black Leopard excursion (Laikipia): in partnership with Ambrose Letoluai (scientist who re-discovered the black leopard), Lion King can plan a 3-day tracking trip to Laikipia to search for the black leopard “Giza” — ask for details and bespoke itineraries.

✓ Camel treks,  cultural barbeques & Samburu dance evenings, fishing, overnight camping, yoga on river decks, private romantic dinners, and photographic hides.

Camping & guest-supplied tents

✓ Guests may pitch their own tents on request; the Camp also provides serene camping grounds with water, clean flushing toilets, and hot showers for campers. Ideal for budget travellers or those wanting a more hands-on experience.

Conservation & community

✓ Lion King works with local communities on conservation and responsible tourism, keeping land unfenced to preserve wildlife movement, using renewable energy, and practising waste and water management.

Facilities & Guest Services

✓ Open-air lounge
✓ 24-hour security
✓ Riverside dining area
✓ Solar-powered lighting
✓ Laundry available on request
✓ Firepit for evening gatherings
✓ Experienced guides and safari team
✓ Eco-friendly, low-impact construction
✓ Excellent birding and elephant viewing from Camp

Highlights of Lion King Bush Camp, Samburu

✓ Authentic, back-to-nature safari camp
✓ Perfect for photographers and nature-lovers
✓ Uninterrupted views of the Ewaso Nyiro River
✓ Located right inside Samburu National Reserve
✓ Warm, family-style hospitality from Samburu hosts
✓ Exceptional elephant sightings within and near Camp
✓ Simple, comfortable tented accommodation with great value
✓ Ideal for budget-conscious travellers seeking genuine wilderness

Notes

* Park entry fee not included
* Lunch bookings – 35 US Dollars per person
* Transfers from Nairobi – 300 US Dollars per vehicle
* Game drives – 250 US Dollars per game drive (3-hour duration)
* Alcoholic and soft beverages are not included, but can be provided at the camp on request

Notes

* Park entry fee not included
* Lunch bookings – 3,500 Kenya Shillings per person
* Transfers from Nairobi – 35,000 Kenya Shillings per vehicle
* Game drives – 30,000 Kenya Shillings per game drive (3-hour duration)
* Alcoholic and soft beverages are not included, but can be provided at the camp on request

Lion King Bush Camp offers 6 very private tents, each with an outside seating area, double beds, private showers, and toilets. Adjustments can be made for triple or quad occupancy. The camp can put up an extra two tents if needed for a larger group.

On request, some guests pitch their own tents while others use the camp’s tents. Lion King Bush Camp is available for hire exclusively on a self-catered or part- or fully-catered basis.

The atmosphere is informal, authentic, and designed for the experience-led adventure traveler. Dining is done in the open-sided dining area, around the campfire, or set tables up under the stars. And by night, owner Nahim will entertain with stories of a lifetime spent in the African bush.

Lion King Bush Camp is located inside Samburu National Reserve on the Ewaso Nyiro River. It offers a natural, unspoiled environment with very little interference with the bush and its inhabitants. As such, the camp remains home to myriad birds, mongoose, vervet monkeys, genet cats, tortoises, and monitor lizards, among others.

Elephants are regular visitors, often crossing the river or taking mud baths directly in front of the camp.

Lion King Bush Camp Samburu Activities Include game drives, bush walks, elephant-watching trips, bird watching, sundowners on the Elephant Hill, and bush picnics, etc.

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com