Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

“In Samburu, the days begin with coffee and end with the hum of the stars.” Morning came softly, carried on the rustle of wind through the acacia trees. A gentle knock at our tent door signaled the start of another adventure. Outside, one of the staff stood smiling beneath the pale dawn sky, holding a tray with two steaming mugs of fresh Kenyan coffee—rich, bold, and smooth enough to rival any café in the world. It became one of our favorite rituals on safari: to sip that coffee while the camp slowly woke, the air still cool and the first rays of sunlight glinting off the river. Our tent at Samburu Intrepids was more than a canvas shelter—it was a sanctuary. Hardwood floors, a king-sized bed, hot and cold running water, and a private porch overlooking the bush created the perfect blend of comfort and wilderness. We often joked that it was “glamping on a dreamscape.” The morning game drive revealed another side of Samburu. We found a leopard lounging on a rocky outcrop, her spotted coat blending perfectly with the terrain as she stretched in the morning sun. Nearby, a massive male lion rested in the grass, while elephants, giraffes, and zebras moved steadily across the plains. The air was clear and alive, filled with birdsong and the low rumble of the wind. In the afternoon, we returned to camp for lunch, where we were met by our personal waiter, Cleo. His warmth and professionalism stood out from the first day. Cleo anticipated our needs before we even spoke—a quiet refill of coffee, a kind word, a thoughtful smile. Across all our travels, few people have embodied the art of service as naturally as he did. We both agreed: Cleo could teach the world about true hospitality. As dusk fell, the heat of the day faded and the bush seemed to hold its breath. That evening’s game drive brought one of the most powerful moments of the trip. Near the river, two lionesses crouched low in the grass, their eyes fixed on a herd of elephants approaching the water. The air grew tense. Suddenly, the matriarch trumpeted, summoning others from the nearby trees. Within moments, a dozen elephants stormed the riverbank, charging together to defend their young. The ground shook beneath the weight of their unity as the lionesses retreated into the shadows. It was nature in pure, breathtaking motion—strength, strategy, and family in perfect harmony. When we returned to camp that night, lanterns flickered along the paths, and dinner was served by candlelight on the terrace. The air was cool, filled with the earthy scent of dust and rain. From our porch, we listened to the faraway call of hyenas and watched the moon rise over the ridge. Samburu had taught us something essential: that grace exists even in the wildest places, and that the rhythm of life—its patience, its balance—can be felt in every sound, every sunrise, and every shared moment over coffee beneath an African sky.

Great tented hotel. Staff were wonderful. The soft spoken waiter was so good to us. Lucy the waitress was wonderful too. Lucy the manager was on top of everything. Food excellent! Special mention to our guide Jelly who was a wonderful driver and tracker. Excellent stay. 5 stars ✨️ Vickie and Derek From Canada

They guys are amazing!!! The property is fantastic. I came with my Dad and they took great care of us. Shout out to Lucy and Debbie in the dinning room. (They really made it feel like you are hanging out with friends) And Joanne for an amazing massage. Nuno took great care of our room. Couldn’t ask for anything more. I will miss them.

Amazing place with a wonderful and caring staff. Cleo is very attentive. The food is great and everything went perfectly on our trip. The animals in the area are out of this world!

I cannot say enough about my group's positive experience at Intrepids. From the food, to the service, to the location, to the accommodations... and then the proximity to wildlife all around you within minutes of their entry gate. Just the right amount of luxury coupled with a safari experience. We wanted for nothing during our stay because the staff made sure we had everything that we needed. We were there filming a documentary and spent 12 hours a day in the field. Returning to Intrepids at the end of our filming days was like returning to an oasis. Highly recommend.

Samburu Intrepids was the best camp we stayed at during our 10-day safari. Alfred ensured our tent was clean and well maintained. The wake up calls, where he brought coffee, tea, and cookies to our tent, were the best way to start the day. To conserve energy, power is cut during the night from midnight to 5am. We brought a battery powered fan to keep us cool during the night and it worked perfectly — we slept so well here! The dining experience was next level, each meal was different and delicious. Cleo and his team, especially Julius, were attentive to our needs and multiple times went above and beyond in planning surprises for us to make our trip more memorable. The nightly talks led by the camp’s naturalist, Steve, were incredibly informative. Steve has a great knowledge base and was happy to answer any questions we had. We were able to get some laundry done for a very reasonable price and a quick turnaround. They also have a great store with very reasonable prices and a wide selection. The camp doctor was also extremely kind and helpful. During our stay I experienced an allergic reaction (due to my own actions) and the doctor quickly provided me with an effective cream to help soothe my reaction. Overall it was a phenomenal experience, our only regret is that we had to leave. We look forward to returning as soon as we can.