It is still dark when your guide knocks softly on the canvas. By the time you reach the dry riverbed, the first Samburu herders are already singing, passing water hand to hand up from a deep well while their cattle wait in the cool dawn light. Behind them, the forested ridges of the Mathews turn from blue to gold.
Mathews Range luxury camps are a handful of small, owner-run camps on Samburu community land in northern Kenya. The best are Sarara Camp, Sarara Treehouses and exclusive-use Reteti House in Namunyak Conservancy, Kalepo Camp in Kalepo Community Conservancy and Kitich Forest Camp on the Ngeng river. Expect walks, singing wells and orphaned elephants.
Sense of Adventure is a Nairobi-based safari company at Mountain Mall on Thika Road, licensed by Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA1/47/C01/77087). We plan tailor-made luxury Kenya safaris into the far north. This guide compares the Mathews Range luxury camps, explains how each stay supports the Samburu communities who own the land, and shows how to combine the mountains with Samburu, Sera or Laikipia.
Table of Contents
✅ Mathews Range Luxury Camps: The Quick Answer
- Top pick overall: Sarara Camp in Namunyak Conservancy, with six tents, a rock pool above a waterhole and the singing wells nearby.
- Best for couples: Sarara Treehouses, eight tented rooms raised in the trees of a forest glade.
- Best for families and groups: Reteti House, sleeping up to 16 on an exclusive-use basis, a 10-minute walk from the elephant orphanage.
- Best for privacy: Kalepo Camp, six tents booked by one party only, with a plunge pool and spa.
- Best value luxury: Kitich Forest Camp, eight riverside tents for walkers and hikers.
- Best time to go: June to October and January to March, when it is dry and the wells are busiest.
🌍 Dreaming of the Mathews Range?
Tell us your dates and we will match you with the Mathews Range luxury camps that suit your group, style and budget. 💬 WhatsApp Us Now or call +254 799 160 081
Why Choose Mathews Range Luxury Camps?
Mathews Range luxury camps give you forest, mountains and Samburu culture in one place, with far fewer visitors than any national reserve.
The Mathews is a long chain of forested mountains rising out of the dry plains north of Samburu National Reserve. Ancient cycads, colobus monkeys and wild dogs share the slopes with elephants that move up and down with the rains. Sarara describes Namunyak Conservancy as home to one of Kenya’s largest elephant populations and big herds of reticulated giraffe.
There are no fences, no minibuses and no queues at sightings. Because the land is community conservancy, you can walk, ride and drive freely with your guide, and many activities take place on foot.
The honest trade-off is distance. Most guests fly by charter, the road from Nairobi takes about eight hours, and game is less dense than in the Mara. If you want classic big-cat drives, pair the mountains with the luxury lodges in Samburu or the northern Kenya conservancy lodges of Kalama and Sera.
The 5 Best Mathews Range Luxury Camps
These are the Mathews Range luxury camps we recommend most often, with facts checked on each camp’s official website in November 2026.
1. Sarara Camp: The Classic Namunyak Conservancy Camp
Why we love it: Sarara Camp sits in Namunyak Conservancy, about 850,000 acres of Samburu land in the Mathews. It has six en-suite tents, two of them interconnected, and a rock-hewn pool that looks over a permanent waterhole. Of all the Mathews Range luxury camps, it is the one most guests start with. Sarara says all its camps are driven and managed by the local Samburu community.
Best for: first-timers to the north, couples, photographers and active families. The moment you’ll remember: sitting by the pool at dusk while elephants walk in to drink at the waterhole below.
Practical facts: stays include unrestricted game drives, guided walks, a visit to the singing wells, community visits and one horseback ride per person. Trail runs, bush dinners and fly camping are on offer, and helicopter trips cost extra. Sarara welcomes children of all ages but says the camp suits ages six and up. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: it is a long way from anywhere, so plan three nights or more.
2. Sarara Treehouses: Mathews Range Luxury Camps Among the Trees
Why we love it: Sarara Treehouses has eight tented rooms raised into the trees of an old forest glade at the foot of Warges Peak, plus a family room linked by a walkway. It is the most romantic of the Mathews Range luxury camps: off-grid, solar-powered, and you look out over the mountains while animals pass beneath you.
Best for: honeymooners and couples, nature lovers and walkers. The moment you’ll remember: a guided hike through cycad forest, listening for colobus monkeys calling across the valley.
Practical facts: the lodge is about 45 minutes’ drive from Reteti. Stays include meals, drinks, laundry, airstrip transfers, one Reteti visit and one horseback safari per person. Activities include game drives, bush walks, trail runs with Samburu running guides and fly camping. Because rooms are raised, Sarara recommends it for children aged six and over. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: expect stairs and boardwalks.
3. Reteti House: Exclusive Use Beside the Elephant Orphanage
Why we love it: Reteti House is a private lodge for one group, a ten-minute walk from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. It has four standalone suites with outdoor showers, an open-plan family room and a two-room family suite, sleeping up to 16 guests in all, the largest private house among the Mathews Range luxury camps.
Best for: families, multigenerational groups and celebration trips. The moment you’ll remember: an exclusive sanctuary visit, watching Samburu keepers bottle-feed orphaned elephant calves as the sun comes up.
Practical facts: day and night game drives with Samburu guides, guided walks, the singing wells, bush meals and sundowners, plus one horseback safari and one exclusive sanctuary visit per guest. Children of all ages are welcome, and Sarara suggests ages six and up. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: exclusive use suits a group; couples may prefer the Treehouses.
4. Kalepo Camp: A Private Camp at the Foot of the Mountains
Why we love it: Kalepo Camp is a family-owned, exclusive-use camp in the Kalepo Community Conservancy, governed by the Samburu. Six en-suite tents sleep up to 18 guests under ancient acacias along a dry river, with the Mathews rising behind. Like the best Mathews Range luxury camps, it feels personal. There is a plunge pool, a spa, a gym and two extra tents for nannies, pilots or private guides.
Best for: families, friends travelling together and anyone who wants the whole camp to themselves. The moment you’ll remember: joining Samburu herders at the singing wells in the dry season, if the rains allow.
Practical facts: activities include homestead visits, warrior games, bush walks and treks, mountain biking, blacksmith demonstrations and school and clinic visits. Stargazing with the Travelling Telescope, Reteti visits and e-bikes cost extra. Children of all ages are welcome, with cots, high chairs and basic child-minding on request. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: there are no shared game drives, so it is a slower, cultural safari.
5. Kitich Forest Camp: Riverside Tents for Walkers
Why we love it: Kitich Forest Camp has eight spacious en-suite tents with private verandas under riverine trees on the Ngeng river, deep in the Mathews. It is the simplest and best-value of the Mathews Range luxury camps. It works with the Ngilai Community Conservancy, which covers about 142,000 hectares of mountain, foothill and desert, and with a local outreach group on health, literacy and grazing plans.
Best for: keen walkers, hikers, anglers and repeat safari-goers. The moment you’ll remember: a long walk up the river valley with Samburu warriors, then a swim in a cool forest pool.
Practical facts: Kitich is known for hikes and trails from gentle river walks to tough mountain climbs, mobile camping led by Samburu warriors and fly-fishing in the river’s pools. Hot showers and flushing toilets are standard. Message us for current rates and the best way to arrive. Trade-off: it is about walking rather than game drives, and wildlife in the forest is shy.
Also worth knowing: Sarara also runs Sarara Wilderness, a six-tent mobile camp in the wider Samburu ecosystem near the Ewaso Nyiro river. It closes each year from 1 November to 1 December, and pairs well with the Mathews camps.
Mathews Range Luxury Camps Compared
This table compares the Mathews Range luxury camps at a glance, so you can see which one fits your trip.
| Camp | Setting | Style and size | Best for | Signature experience | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarara Camp | Namunyak Conservancy | 6 tents, rock pool | First-timers, couples | Waterhole pool, singing wells | $$$$$ |
| Sarara Treehouses | Namunyak, forest glade | 8 raised tented rooms | Honeymooners, walkers | Cycad forest hikes | $$$$$ |
| Reteti House | Namunyak, near Reteti | Exclusive use, sleeps 16 | Families, groups | Private elephant feeds | $$$$$ |
| Kalepo Camp | Kalepo Community Conservancy | Exclusive use, 6 tents | Families, friends | Singing wells, spa | $$$$$ |
| Kitich Forest Camp | Ngeng river, Ngilai | 8 riverside tents | Hikers, anglers | River walks, fly-fishing | $$$ |
📅 Check Availability at These Lodges
The Mathews Range luxury camps have very few tents, and exclusive-use houses are often booked a year ahead for the dry season. ✉ Send Us Your Dates on WhatsApp
The People Behind the Stay
Mathews Range luxury camps exist because Samburu communities chose to share their land with wildlife, and every guest night helps pay for that choice.
Namunyak was set up in 1995 so that the Samburu community could benefit from tourism. Sarara says its camps are run by local Samburu people, and its non-profit Sarara Foundation runs nomadic healthcare, nomadic education and a milk-to-market programme for herding families.
At Reteti, which calls itself the world’s first Indigenous community-owned elephant sanctuary, every keeper is a Samburu recruited from Namunyak. Guests at Mathews Range luxury camps often visit. Orphaned elephant calves are raised here until they are ready for the wild.
At Kalepo, most of the team are Samburu, and the Kalepo Foundation supports schools, dispensaries, a mobile vet team and an agave project run by local women. Kitich works with the Ngilai Outreach community group on health, literacy and land rehabilitation.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: at Mathews Range luxury camps, leave room in your plan for a school or clinic visit. Ask your guide first, follow their lead on photos and gifts, and you will understand why these camps matter.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and the Singing Wells
The two signature experiences of the Mathews are a visit to the Reteti elephant orphanage and the dawn ritual of the singing wells.
Visiting Reteti From Mathews Range Luxury Camps
Reteti is open every day, but you must book at least 24 hours ahead. Its published minimum donation is US$75 per international adult and US$50 per child under 15. The midday feed is open to all, while the sunrise and evening feeds are reserved for Sarara and Reteti House guests. Check the official Reteti visit page before you go.
Seeing the Singing Wells
In the dry season, Samburu herders stand in human chains in deep wells, passing water up by hand and singing to call their cattle. You can see the singing wells Samburu families still use with Sarara, Reteti House or Kalepo. Kalepo notes that it depends on the season and the rains, so it is never guaranteed.
Watch quietly from where your guide from one of the Mathews Range luxury camps places you. These are working wells, not a performance, and the herders’ livestock always come first.
Choosing Mathews Range Luxury Camps by Traveller Type
The right choice among the Mathews Range luxury camps depends on who is travelling and how you like to spend your days.
- Honeymooners: Sarara Treehouses or Sarara Camp. See our best honeymoon lodges in Kenya.
- Families: Reteti House or Kalepo, both exclusive use. Check our safari minimum age guide.
- Photographers: Sarara Camp’s waterhole and the dawn feeds at Reteti.
- First-timers: Sarara Camp, combined with two nights in Samburu for the classic game.
- Celebration groups: Reteti House for up to 16, or all of Kalepo for up to 18.
- Seniors: Sarara Camp, flying straight to Namunyak airstrip; the Treehouses have stairs.
If you are torn between a tented camp and a solid lodge, our guide to tented camp vs lodge explains the difference. For more on riding, read our horseback safari in Kenya guide.
How We’d Plan It: 4–5 Nights in the Mathews and Samburu
Four to five nights works well: two or three at Mathews Range luxury camps, then two in Samburu or Sera before flying south.
- Day 1: fly from Nairobi to Namunyak by charter, or to Kalama by scheduled flight and drive about 1.5 hours. Afternoon walk and sundowners.
- Day 2: dawn at the singing wells, then a game drive and an afternoon horseback ride.
- Day 3: sunrise feed at Reteti, a forest hike and a bush dinner.
- Day 4: drive or fly to Samburu or Sera for the Special Five and rhino walks.
- Day 5: fly to Laikipia, the Mara or back to Nairobi.
For ready-made ideas, see our Northern Kenya Cultural Safari – Samburu and Laikipia (5 days) and the Samburu Cultural and Wildlife Experience (3 days). Ask us for current prices.
We can build any of these Mathews Range luxury camps into a tailor-made private Kenya safari, subject to availability. For rhinos on foot nearby, read our Sera Rhino Sanctuary guide.
Best Time to Visit Mathews Range Luxury Camps
The best time to visit Mathews Range luxury camps is June to October and January to March, when the plains are dry, animals gather at water and the wells are busiest.
- January–March: hot and dry, with clear skies and active singing wells.
- April–May: the long rains; green hills and waterfalls, but some tracks are hard work.
- June–July: cooler and dry, ideal for long walks and hikes.
- August–October: dry and hot; elephants concentrate near water.
- November–December: short rains, fresh grass and migrant birds. Sarara Wilderness closes in November.
See our Kenya weather by month guide for more detail.
Getting There and Conservancy Fees
Most guests reach Mathews Range luxury camps by light aircraft, because the road from Nairobi to the Mathews takes about eight hours in a 4×4.
Sarara says private charters land at Namunyak airstrip, while scheduled Safarilink and Air Kenya flights reach Kalama, about 1.5 hours by road, or Lewa, about 3.5 hours. It publishes road transfer fees of US$450 from Kalama and US$550 from Lewa for up to four people. Charters allow 15 kg per person in soft bags, so read our safari luggage weight limits guide.
Namunyak and Kalepo do not publish a public conservancy fee; it is handled through your camp. If you add Samburu National Reserve, a separate county fee applies. Our guides to conservancy fees in Kenya and 2026 park fees explain the details. If you prefer the road, see our Kenya safari from Nairobi guide.
What Is Included and What to Pack
Most Mathews Range luxury camps quote full board with drinks and shared activities, while helicopters, massages, fly camping and some Reteti visits cost extra.
Sarara’s camps include meals, drinks and one horseback safari per person. Always ask what your quote for Mathews Range luxury camps covers. Our guide to full board vs all-inclusive safari explains the terms.
What to Pack for the Mathews
- Neutral, breathable clothes, long sleeves and a warm layer for cool mornings.
- Broken-in walking shoes or light boots for hikes and riverbed walks.
- Swimwear for rock pools, plunge pools and forest pools.
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a head torch.
- A soft duffel bag within the 15 kg charter limit that applies to flights into Mathews Range luxury camps.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: the Mathews is remote, so add emergency evacuation cover to your insurance. Before you travel, check the latest UK Foreign Office advice for Kenya, which has specific guidance for some northern counties, and browse Magical Kenya, the official tourism site.
Mathews Range Luxury Camps FAQs
What is the best camp in the Mathews Range?
Sarara Camp in Namunyak Conservancy is our top pick, with six tents, a rock pool above a waterhole and easy access to the singing wells and Reteti. Sarara Treehouses suits couples, Reteti House and Kalepo suit private groups, and Kitich Forest Camp is best for walkers.
How do you get to the Mathews Range in Kenya?
Most guests fly. Private charters land at Namunyak airstrip, and scheduled flights from Nairobi reach Kalama, about 1.5 hours by road from the Sarara camps, or Lewa, about 3.5 hours. Driving from Nairobi takes around eight hours in a 4×4 vehicle.
Can you visit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary?
Yes. Reteti is open every day, but you must book at least 24 hours ahead. The published minimum donation is US$75 per international adult and US$50 per child under 15. The midday feed is open to all visitors, while dawn and evening feeds are for Sarara and Reteti House guests.
What are the singing wells of Samburu?
In the dry season, Samburu herders stand in deep wells and pass water up by hand, singing to call their cattle to drink. Sarara, Reteti House and Kalepo arrange visits. The wells are busiest in the hot, dry months and depend on the rains, so they are never guaranteed.
Are Mathews Range luxury camps good for children?
Yes. Kalepo welcomes children of all ages with cots and child-minding on request, and Reteti House sleeps families of up to 16. Sarara welcomes all ages but recommends its camps for ages six and up, and its Treehouses have raised rooms with stairs.
When is the best time to visit the Mathews Range?
June to October and January to March are best, when the land is dry and wildlife gathers at water. April, May and November bring rain, green hills and waterfalls, with fewer visitors but harder tracks. June and July are coolest for long walks.
How many nights should you spend in the Mathews Range?
Plan at least three nights, because getting there takes time and the best moments, such as the singing wells, Reteti feeds and long walks, happen at dawn. Many travellers add two nights in Samburu or Sera for the Special Five and rhinos.
🏕 Plan Your Luxury Safari With Sense of Adventure
Kenya-based experts. Real local knowledge. Transparent pricing. Tell us which of these Mathews Range luxury camps caught your eye, and we will plan the rest of your safari around it. 💬 WhatsApp Us — Start Planning Today
Call or WhatsApp: +254 799 160 081 · Email: info@senseofadventure.co.ke
Related Safari Guides
- › Northern Kenya Conservancy Lodges
- › Luxury Lodges in Samburu
- › Sera Rhino Sanctuary Guide
- › Eco Lodges and Sustainable Safari Camps in Kenya
- › Samburu Culture and Village Visits
Official travel & park resource: Kenya Wildlife Service ↗ · Namunyak Conservancy ↗
