Sasaab: A Moroccan-Style Lodge on the Ewaso Nyiro
GetTripGo Travel Desk · Samburu
Sasaab sits above the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu, wrapped in a Moroccan-influenced design language that's unusual for the region — white domed rooms, open airy spaces, and private plunge pools looking out over the river valley below, paired with genuinely deep ties to the surrounding Samburu community.
Quick Facts
- Location: Above the Ewaso Nyiro River in the Samburu region of northern Kenya.
- Style: Moroccan-influenced architecture — white domed rooms, open and airy design, private plunge pools.
- Wildlife: Access to the Samburu Special Five — species found here that aren't typically seen in Kenya's southern parks.
- Community ties: Strong relationship with the local Samburu community, including guides drawn from the area.
A Distinctly Different Aesthetic
Sasaab's design stands apart from almost every other camp on this list — white domed architecture, open-sided rooms, and a light, airy Moroccan-influenced style that feels more like a riad than a traditional East African safari lodge. Each room comes with its own private plunge pool overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River valley, making the setting as much a part of the experience as the interiors themselves.
That open, breezy design suits the hot, dry Samburu climate well, and the pale palette and airy layout create a genuinely different visual mood from the canvas-tent aesthetic that dominates further south in the Mara or Amboseli.
The Samburu Special Five
Samburu National Reserve and the surrounding conservancies are known for the "Samburu Special Five" — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx — species adapted to this drier, more arid landscape that aren't typically found in Kenya's southern parks. For travelers who've already done a Mara or Amboseli safari, Samburu offers a genuinely different species list rather than a repeat of the same sightings.
The Ewaso Nyiro River itself is a lifeline through this arid region, drawing elephants, predators, and a wide range of wildlife to its banks, and game drives from Sasaab make the most of that river-corridor concentration of animals.
Community Ties in Samburu
Sasaab has built a strong relationship with the local Samburu community, drawing guides and staff from the surrounding area and supporting community initiatives connected to the camp's operation. Samburu guides bring generations of local knowledge to game drives and walking safaris, offering insight into the landscape and wildlife that goes beyond standard guide training — similar in spirit to the Maasai guiding tradition further south, but rooted in a distinct culture and territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sasaab located?
Above the Ewaso Nyiro River in the Samburu region of northern Kenya, a drier and more remote landscape than the Mara or Amboseli.
What is the Samburu Special Five?
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx — species adapted to Samburu's arid landscape that aren't typically found in Kenya's southern parks.
What's distinctive about Sasaab's design?
A Moroccan-influenced style with white domed architecture and open, airy rooms, each with a private plunge pool overlooking the river valley — a notable contrast to the canvas-tent look common elsewhere in Kenya.
Is Sasaab a good addition after visiting the Mara?
Yes — Samburu's arid ecosystem and species list are genuinely different from the Mara's, making it a strong second stop for travelers who want variety across their trip.