Saruni Basecamp, a new luxury safari brand, has arrived in Kenya following the acquisition of Saruni by Basecamp Explorer. The merger combines Basecamp Explorer’s assets in the Masai Mara and Saruni’s locations in the Masai Mara and Samburu regions.
The newly formed Saruni Basecamp operates 12 safari lodges and camps across Kenya, focusing on community-based conservation and tourism. The property offers exclusive game viewing experiences including night drives and off-road excursions, as well as conservation-focused activities such as tree planting and visits to a wildlife education centre.
Notable among the accommodations is Basecamp Masai Mara, where Barack and Michelle Obama once stayed. In Samburu, guests of Saruni Rhino can participate in walking rhino tracking at Sera Conservancy, home to 25 eastern white and black rhinos.
According to Jeremiah Mutisya, CEO of Saruni Basecamp, the company aims to balance its roles as a non-profit foundation and a for-profit safari business. “Our vision at Saruni Base Camp is to have a lasting, positive impact on people and the planet. To achieve this, we have developed a sustainable community model that we are currently expanding through community conservation,” he said. said. “Now that the Saruni property is part of our portfolio and more are added to the pipeline, we are excited to expand our impact on both the land and the communities that sustain it.”
Saruni Basecamp has a local Kenyan management team at its corporate headquarters, and 90% of camp staff are employed from rural tribal communities near the camp. The company said its “hire local” philosophy means customers feel as if they are walking in the shoes of a Maasai or Samburu warrior when they arrive at a camp and take part in cultural activities and excursions offered through the collection. We also focus on education. Saruni Basecamp said the goal is to have an immersive cultural and ecological experience that guests can take home.
