Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu

Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu is a small, intimate luxury sanctuary nestled on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, within Kenya’s famous Samburu National Reserve. Named after the legendary Dane Erik Ole Larsen, who is credited with defining the luxury safari under canvas, the camp honors his spirit by blending understated classic safari elegance with modern comfort.

Set against a rugged landscape of jagged mountains and endless horizons, the camp offers a boutique experience with just 16 opulent tents. From this serene vantage point, guests can watch elephants bathing in the river or vervet monkeys playing in the trees, all while enjoying the privacy and personalized service of one of Samburu’s most iconic retreats.

Location & Accessibility

✓ An unfenced camp that allows for an authentic bush experience, with Samburu guards ensuring safety
✓ Perched serenely on the west bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, ensuring all tents are bathed in sunrise light
✓ Located within the Samburu National Reserve, a 165 sq. km sanctuary known for its unique northern wildlife species

By Road:

✓ Total journey time is approximately 5–6 hours from Nairobi
✓ Distance is roughly 350 km from Nairobi via the scenic route past majestic mountain landscapes
✓ Accessible via a drive through the countryside before descending into the dramatic arid terrain of the north

By Air:

✓ The camp is a 30-minute drive from Buffalo Springs Airstrip
✓ Flying time from Nairobi Wilson Airport is approximately 1.5 hours
✓ The preferred access is Kalama Airstrip, which is approximately a 40-minute scenic drive to the camp

Accommodation – Luxury Tented Suites

Soroi Larsens Camp boasts an intimate selection of 16 free-standing luxurious tents. Each tent stands on a natural stone plinth, featuring private terraces with exclusive riverfront views, wooden floors, and oriental rugs that create a cozy, “out of Africa” atmosphere.

River Tented Suites (Standard)

✓ Select tents (e.g., Tent 6 Jacanas) offer wheelchair accessibility
✓ Equipped with a writing desk, large walk-in wardrobe, and butler hatch
✓ Includes a private terrace facing the river with comfortable lounge sofas
✓ 12 elegant tents named after local birds (e.g., Bulbuls, Warblers, Swallows)
✓ Features a King-size bed (with twin options available) and spacious en-suite bathroom

Family Tented Suites

✓ Accommodates up to 4 adults comfortably
✓ Large private veranda overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River
✓ Features a sunken lounge seating area for quality family time
✓ Comprises two separate en-suite bedrooms (one King, one Twin)
✓ 2 spacious units designed for family adventures (Tent 7 Kingfishers & Tent 8 Weavers)

Deluxe Suites

✓ Features a private plunge pool and a private lounge area
✓ Offers an outdoor shower for a thrilling connection with nature
✓ Includes an adjacent tower with a Star Bed for sleeping under the African sky
✓ 2 exclusive suites offering the ultimate luxury experience (Tent 15 Ololokwe & Tent 16 Desert Rose)
✓ Guests enjoy the services of a private butler and a complimentary private vehicle (subject to availability)

Room Features & Amenities

✓ Butler hatch for discreet service
✓ 24-hour solar power electricity (240V)
✓ Minibar and tea/coffee making facilities
✓ Writing desk and ample wardrobe space
✓ Mosquito netting and mosquito repellent provided
✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi in all tents and common areas
✓ Private terrace or balcony with panoramic river views
✓ Organic bathroom amenities (Molton Brown toiletries)
✓ En-suite bathrooms with flushing toilets and indoor showers

Dining & Culinary Experience

Dining at Soroi Larsens Camp is an exquisite affair, often enjoyed alfresco on the river deck while watching wildlife. The camp specializes in plated 4-course dinners and fresh, seasonal cuisine prepared by expert chefs using ingredients from their organic vegetable garden.

Culinary Highlights:

✓ Special dietary requirements catered for upon request
✓ Plated 4-course dinners tailored to entice every palette
✓ River deck dining available for breakfast or lunch with a view
✓ Romantic private dining available on guest terraces or under the stars
✓ Daily seasonal breakfast with freshly squeezed juices and homemade pastries
✓ Interactive dining experiences, such as crafting your own authentic Italian pizza

Lounge & Common Areas

The camp’s main lounge is a space of warmth and connection, furnished with comfortable canvas chairs and colonial-style decor. It offers a perfect spot to share stories of the day’s adventures.

The grounds feature a swimming pool that blends luxury with nature, offering a refreshing escape with views of the African skyline. For photographers, a specialized photographic hide provides a unique vantage point for capturing wildlife up close without disturbing them.

Experiences & Activities

✓ Spa Treatments – In-room massages and holistic therapies to unwind amidst the wild
✓ Star Gazing – Guided sessions identifying constellations in the unpolluted Samburu night sky
✓ Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – Visits to the nearby community-run sanctuary for orphaned elephants
✓ Campfire Conversations – Evening gatherings overlooking the river to share stories under the stars
✓ Cultural Visits – Tours of local Samburu villages to learn about traditions and support the community
✓ Photographic Hide – A dedicated space for wildlife enthusiasts to capture nature’s raw beauty up close
✓ Bush Walks – Guided walking safaris with the Walking Team and armed rangers to learn about tracking and flora
✓ Sundowners – Private drinks setup on the sundowner deck or in the bush, complete with cocktails and canapés at sunset
✓ Game Drives – Twice-daily drives in custom-built 4×4 vehicles with accredited guides to spot the “Samburu Special Five.”

Facilities & Guest Services

✓ Laundry Service – Available for guests
✓ Solar Power – Eco-friendly 24-hour power supply
✓ Gift Shop – offering safari essentials and souvenirs
✓ 24-Hour Security – Masai guards stationed for safety
✓ Private Butler – Dedicated service for Deluxe Suite guests
✓ Wi-Fi – Complimentary internet access throughout the camp
✓ Spa & Wellness – Wellness spa offering a range of treatments
✓ Weddings & Blessings – Available on request for special celebrations
✓ Swimming Pool – Infinity pool with sun loungers overlooking the wilderness
✓ Wheelchair Access – Available in specific tents (Tent 6) and common areas with assistance

Highlights of Soroi Larsens Camp

✓ Commitment to sustainability and community support
✓ Located in the heart of Samburu, home to the rare “Special Five.”
✓ All tents face the Ewaso Nyiro River, offering uninterrupted views
✓ Unique Deluxe Suites featuring Star Beds and private plunge pools
✓ Intimate luxury with only 16 tents, ensuring privacy and exclusivity
✓ Dining experiences that blend gourmet cuisine with the magic of the bush
✓ Features a dedicated Photographic Hide for unparalleled wildlife photography

Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu Accommodation Non-Resident Rates Include;

Full board accommodation including three meals per day (breakfast, lunch & dinner), Coffee, tea and filtered water, all soft drinks, local beer, selected spirits and house wines + Activities for children & Laundry

Notes

* Single Supplement – 50%
* Extra meal – 30 US Dollars
* 2 Nights minimum for peak season
* Rates DO NOT include park entrance fees
* Discounted game package rate available on request
* For Detailed information on Samburu National Reserve | Click Here
* Above rates are on full board and inclusive of VAT and service charge per night
* Rates are based on full board accommodation in standard rooms and are inclusive of taxes

Children Policy

* Children below 2 years of age stay free of charge
* Children (2-11 years) pay 60% if sharing with two adults
*  50% rate applicable for the third child in the family tent
* 2 children in their own tent pay 75% of the adult rate each
* Young adults (12-16) in the family tent pay the full adult rate

Christmas Supplement & New Year’s Supplement

* Christmas Supplement applicable on 24th, 25th, 26th December – 50 US Dollars per person per night & 35 US Dollars per child per night
* New years Supplement Applicable on 31st December & 01st January –  60 US Dollars per person per night & 40 US Dollars per child per night

Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu Non-Resident Accommodation Rates Exclude;

* Park fees
* Excursions
* Extra meals
* Gratuities & tips
* Items of a personal nature
* Transport to/from Camp & any game activities
* Premium drinks, spirits, whiskies, private cellar wines, and champagne

Activities, excursions, and extras 

* Extra Lunch – 50 US Dollars per person
* Packed Lunch – 45 US Dollars per person
* Exclusive use of vehicle –  450 US Dollars per day
* Bush Dinner – (minimum 2 People) – 90 US Dollars per person
* Bush breakfast – (minimum 2 People) –  85 US Dollars per person
* Samburu village visit – (minimum 4 People – 50 US Dollars per person
* Inter-camp transfer from/to Ashnil – 250 US Dollars per vehicle one-way
* Day Excursion to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – 450 US Dollars per vehicle
* Inter-camp transfer from/to Saruni/Sasaab  – 350 US Dollars per vehicle one-way
* Transfer from Kalama/Oryx Airstrip (minimum two people) – 90 US Dollars Per person

Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu Non-Resident Ground Package Rates Include;

Full board accommodation including three meals per day (breakfast, lunch & dinner), Coffee, tea and filtered water, all soft drinks, local beer, selected spirits and house wines. Twice daily shared & scheduled game drives in custom-built 4×4 safari vehicles with an accredited English-speaking safari guide, Local airstrip transfers to/from Kalama Airstrip, Activities for children, Laundry Camp & Sundowner

Notes

* Single Supplement – 50%
* Extra meal – 30 US Dollars
* 2 Nights minimum for peak season
* Rates DO NOT include park entrance fees
* Discounted game package rate available on request
* For Detailed information on Samburu National Reserve | Click Here
* Above rates are on full board and inclusive of VAT and service charge per night
* Rates are based on full board accommodation in standard rooms and are inclusive of taxes

Children Policy

* Children below 2 years of age stay free of charge
* Children (2-11 years) pay 60% if sharing with 2 adults
*  50% rate applicable for the third child in the family tent
* 2 children in their own tent pay 75% of the adult rate each
* Young adults (12-16) in the family tent pay the full adult rate

Christmas Supplement & New Year’s Supplement

* Christmas Supplement applicable on 24th, 25th, 26th December – 50 US Dollars per person per night & 35 US Dollars per child per night
* New years Supplement Applicable on 31st December & 01st January –  60 US Dollars per person per night & 40 US Dollars per child per night

Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu Non-Resident Ground Package Rates Exclude;

* Park fees
* Excursions
* Extra meals
* Gratuities & tips
* Items of a personal nature
* Additional activities
* Premium drinks, spirits, whiskies, private cellar wines, and champagne

Samburu National Reserve Entrance Fee (1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025)

Notes

* Child rates apply to persons 3 to 17 years of age. Persons under 3 are free
* Student rates are only applicable for persons aged up to 23 years old, sponsored by a recognized learning institution, and in possession of a valid student ID and visiting the reserve on a pre-arranged school-organized trip or for research authorized by the ticketing office of the Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserves in Isiolo County. Students must obtain permission to use these special rates at least two weeks in advance of their visit

Soroi Larsens Camp Samburu has 20 free-standing luxurious tented accommodations, each with a private balcony. All tents are discreetly sited along the west bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, so they are bathed in light at sunrise.

Understated classic safari elegance is the order of the day: hurricane lamps, wooden floors, and oriental rugs make the rooms cozy and comfortable. Elephants bathing in the river can be seen from the private deck of the tent or from the incredible comfort of the dining tent while birds, vervet monkeys, and dik-diks wander freely around the camp.

Each tent stands on a plinth of natural stone, and all have en suite private bathrooms stocked with a range of Molton Brown toiletries, flushing toilets, constant hot water, and 24-hour electricity (240 volts). Larsen’s Safari Camp tents all feature one king or two twin beds designed in chic safari style.

Meals are served as guests watch elephants wade in the river, and giraffes meander along the opposite riverbank while they dine alfresco. The camp also has a spacious pool where guests can soak up the sun on comfortable lounge chairs or unwind after a long game drive with a soak in the jacuzzi or the serene spa.

Samburu National Reserve is an arid, wild, and little-visited region, well known for its spectacular scenery and wildlife not found in the south: the elegant reticulated giraffe, the rare Grevy’s zebra with its large furry ears, the gerenuk antelope that stands on its hind legs to feed, and Somali ostriches with their distinctive blue legs.

Samburu is also home to elephants, cheetahs, leopards, eland, oryx, impala, dik dik, waterbuck, and birds… all cavorting on the red and green earth, beneath the lapis sky.  With African Spice Safaris, you are guaranteed a memorable stay at the Samburu.

Larsens Camp Samburu Activities Include: game drives, bird walks, sundowners, swimming, Gala Dinners, indoor/outdoor spa, bush walks, etc.

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