Two people on a rock outcrop above dry bush and mountains at sunset in the Namunyak Conservancy

Conservancy · Samburu, Kenya

Namunyak Community Conservancy

Community land around the Mathews Range in northern Kenya, home to Sarara and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.

Photo: Sarara Scroll

The destination

Mountains, wells and an elephant sanctuary.

Namunyak Community Conservancy lies around the Mathews Range in Samburu County, northern Kenya, on land of the Samburu people. Sarara, which has run camps here since 1997, says the conservancy was established in 1995.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is inside the conservancy. It is community-owned and run and cares for orphaned elephants, and Sarara says Namunyak was chosen as the release site for 13 of them. Sarara Camp and Reteti House are both in Namunyak, and Reteti House is a short walk from the sanctuary.

Type: Community conservancy
County: Samburu
Landscape: Around the Mathews Range
Inside the conservancy: Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Established: 1995, according to Sarara

On the conservancy

Ways to explore.

Sofas on a thatched deck beside a pool, looking out to mountains at Sarara Camp

Activities are planned through the camps in the conservancy, and several are on foot.

Walking safaris
Sarara Camp lists guided walking safaris at sunrise, with packed breakfasts.
The Singing Wells
Sarara takes guests to the Singing Wells, which it describes as an ancient Samburu tradition.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Visits to Reteti must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. A sunrise feed is kept for Sarara and Reteti House guests.

When to go