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Perhaps on every world traveler’s bucket list is the Great African Safari: endless savanna, silhouettes of acacia trees and - of course - the spectacular wildlife. While many of Africa’s 54 countries offer some version of such a prospect, very few safari camps manage to braid luxury, design, and philosophy as finely as Sasaab, finds Yaye Kassamali.
WORDS BY YAYE KASSAMALI | CABANA TRAVEL | 8 FEBRUARY
Tucked away in the rugged terrain of Northern Kenya, arriving at Sasaab is like stepping into an architectural mirage. Swahili curves meet Moroccan grandeur. Pointed arches frame other pointed arches here and then frame immaculate vistas over there. The reception area exudes elegance: impressive wooden columns are ingrained with dainty brass florals, clay pots rest in mud-red alcoves, and an interplay of light and shadow soften the midday heat.
A hyrax pauses beneath a sculpted centerpiece before darting into the shade, where two dik-diks frolic unbothered by human presence. They are part of the landscape, as much as the ochre hills and the winding Ewaso Nyiro River. There are nine spacious rooms, each with its own pool to cool off from the sweltering African heat. One of the two family rooms we are staying in consists of two spacious tents connected by a pool. (Though the word “tent” is used loosely - pristine white concrete reinforces every curve and arch of the canvas.)
After the sun sets it’s hard to tell there is a mosquito net where you stare ahead at the river, making it feel as though you are sleeping in the wilderness. Glass beads adorn railings and drinking glasses in the bathroom. A metal bucket sits in the middle of the shower to collect water as you wait for it to get warm. The water from that bucket is used to water the plants that bring life to the space.
In an era where sustainability defines true sophistication, Sasaab is a model of thoughtful integration. Situated on Samburu land, the camp is deeply connected to the people who have called this region home for centuries. At the heart of its ethos is the 4C Centre, which stands for Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. It’s designed to provide guests with context in the form of a richer understanding of Samburu traditions. Riccardo Tosi, Sasaab’s Swahili-fluent and Samburu-confident CFO, leads us through the Rhodia Mann Museum where Mann’s personal collection of ancient beads draw a colourful trail through time across Asia, Europe, and Africa, telling stories of trade, tradition and connection.
Sasaab’s commitment to sustainability extends to its Shamba (the Swahili word for farm). Here, under the equatorial sun, every ingredient - sparing meat - is grown. Head Chef Samson walks us through thriving patches of produce and recalls how the shamba was once destroyed by elephants during a drought. They rebuilt. Resilience is rooted in the spirit of this place and its people.
As dusk settles one evening we are invited to witness a traditional dance performed by a group of Samburu women, which is meant to invite rain. The manager assures us that this is not a curated experience. It takes place every couple of months during the dry season. One of the women, poised and regal, wears a 'mporro' necklace, like one we saw earlier at the 4C Centre.
Sasaab is an ideal retreat for traveling families, where even the youngest guests are welcomed and accommodated without hesitation. Each time we step out, our nine-month-old son is greeted with warm eagerness from the staff, the chef thoughtfully enquiring about his meals.
In the evenings, my husband and I slip away for dinner and drinks after the baby is asleep, reassured by the quiet presence of an armed Samburu guard (with a smile like the sun) listening attentively for his stirs at our tent. Feeding our son fresh fruit as we watch the Samburu rain dance, his eyes filled with wonder and delight, is a moment that will live with the three of us forever.
For those seeking a safari experience of conscious luxury where design, culture, and sustainability intersect, a stay at Sasaab - which is just one of the extraordinary properties in The Safari Collection - is an experience that will linger in your memory long after you leave.
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With thanks to The Safari Collection
Discover more: Sasaab Lodge | The Safari Collection
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