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Elephant Bedroom Camp

Elephant Bedroom Camp

Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Elephant Bedroom Camp

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This laid-back camp has a rustic style that places you firmly in the African bush, using dark wood, burnt-orange fabrics and authentic African ornaments. Set among doum palms next to the seasonal Ewaso Nyiro River, it has 14 spacious canvas tents, each with a private deck and plunge pool. Vervet monkeys scamper overhead (make sure to lock your tent) and, true to its name, elephant often pass right through camp.

The main mess tent is made of canvas and has open sides leading to a spacious deck where à la carte lunches and dinners are served. Just in front of it is a boma area where you can sit around a campfire when the stars come out.

Game drives with local guides give you a chance to see the reserve’s large herds of elephant and seek out the Northern Five (gerenuk or giraffe antelope, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and Somali ostriches) — rare subspecies that are only found in northern Kenya.

Bush walks are a good alternative to a game drive, giving you a chance to stretch your legs and notice smaller aspects of the bush you’d otherwise miss. And, you can visit a nearby Samburu village to see the way of life in this remote region.

OUR OPINION:

We like the laid-back atmosphere of this camp, and its location is the best inside the reserve. Being next to a water source in an area with an arid climate, the wildlife will come right to you. There’s a constant feeling of being close to nature, and you’ll sleep to the chatter of the birds and primates that live in the forest of doum palms and the crunch of twigs breaking as elephant amble through camp to feed. The tents have everything you need and the beds are enormous.

OUR RATING: First Class

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Photos of Elephant Bedroom Camp

  • Tent at Elephant Bedroom Camp
    Tent at Elephant Bedroom Camp
  • Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu & Buffalo Springs
    Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu & Buffalo Springs
  • View from Chobe Elephant Camp
    View from Chobe Elephant Camp
  • Bar at Elephant Bedroom Camp
    Bar at Elephant Bedroom Camp
  • Main area at Elephant Bedroom Camp
    Main area at Elephant Bedroom Camp
  • Tent at Elephant Bedroom Camp
    Tent at Elephant Bedroom Camp
  • View from Elephant Bedroom Camp
    View from Elephant Bedroom Camp

Rooms

The 14 canvas tents are raised on wooden decks facing the river and set beneath shady trees. Each is furnished with a double or two double beds, a dressing table, wooden chest, safe and a private deck complete with plunge pool. The en suite bathrooms include a warm shower and flush toilet. While most tents have space for an extra bed, there are two deluxe tents designed for families, featuring two bedrooms and a living area.

Location

The camp is situated within Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya, right on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and surrounded by doum palms. The reserve is known for its arid orange-red soil and rock formations, its large elephant population and for being home to the Northern Five.

Food and drink

  • Three-course lunches and dinners are served à la carte on individual tables out on the main deck, and there’s always a vegetarian option.
  • You can often enjoy bush breakfasts in a scenic spot when out on your morning game drive, usually comprising pancakes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt and fresh fruit.
  • You’ll enjoy sundowner drinks and snacks at least once during your stay (drinks are an additional cost).

Families

  • Families can stay in the two-bedroom deluxe tents, which provide enough space for up to six people.
  • The camp is unfenced, so children must be supervised at all times.

Facilities and activities

The camp has a spa facility where you can arrange for a massage (additional cost) and free Wi-Fi is available in the main communal area. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives through the reserve with experienced guides, as well as bush walks focusing on smaller fauna and local flora. You can also visit a nearby Samburu village for a glimpse into the local culture.

Tour ideas in Samburu National Reserve

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Elephant Bedroom Camp as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Samburu National Reserve and nearby places