Review: Soroi Larsens Camp in Samburu, Kenya

Night had fallen by the time my husband, Robert, and I sat down to dinner on our first night at Soroi Larsens Camp in Northern Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve. Suddenly, a sound like barking dogs rang out from the dark, followed — to our shock and awe — by a real-life roar.

The camp’s staff jumped to attention, grabbing industrial-grade flashlights and pointing their beams toward the high bank across the river from the property. At least three pairs of eyes gleamed back at us, with the wider outlines of feline faces just barely visible: It was a pride of lions, hunting under the cover of darkness. And that barking sound? A baboon message of warning, alerting the group to the presence of danger.

“This only happens maybe once each year,” a staff member told us of the lions’ proximity.

With that first thrill, we were officially hooked on the safari lodge experience — and couldn’t wait to see what Soroi Larsens Camp would deliver next.  

Natural Luxury in Samburu

As a borderless property within Samburu National Reserve, the camp itself is a hotbed of animal activity.

At mealtimes, we were often watched over by colorful birds while staff members chased off cheeky vervet monkeys trying to steal a morsel or two. We spent one breakfast watching a family of elephants cross the Ewaso Nyiro River, abandoning our eggs in favor of binoculars and cameras. On the way back to our room, we were often stopped by the sight of giraffes munching on foliage in the distance, or playful baboons chasing each other up and down the riverbank. At the pool, Robert kept his eyes trained diligently on the horizon, alerting me excitedly when groups of impala strolled casually by. 

As wild as the setting feels, there’s plenty of luxury to be found at Soroi Larsens Camp, too. 

We stayed in one of 12 River-Facing Luxury Tents, an immaculate and beautifully furnished accommodation with lockable sliding doors (as opposed to the zip closures travelers might find at other tented camps) perched on an elevated wooden platform. Outside, we had a plush lounger from which to watch wildlife, while the spacious interior featured a king-size bed (outfitted with mosquito netting), a dressing area, a minifridge, a desk, a set of chairs and an ensuite bathroom with a double vanity. A clever delivery window built into the tents allows the staff to bring morning coffee or tea without having to enter, while a large dispenser of filtered water makes it easy to stay hydrated throughout the hot days. (Clients should know that there is no air conditioning, but a standing fan is provided in the room.)

The camp also offers a pair of Two-Bedroom Family Units for up to four guests and two special Deluxe Tented Suites complete with a private plunge pool and a star bed tower — a second sleeping option that lets guests spend a night high above the ground, out under the stars. 

Dining and Amenities

Outside of the guestrooms, Soroi Larsens has several property features that add to its luxurious feel, including a small spa and an on-site shop stocked with necessities and beautiful, locally made souvenirs.

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There is also a lovely pool area outfitted with loungers, umbrellas and a dedicated bar, positioned to look out at the reserve. While on breaks between game drives during the hottest hours of the day, we set up camp here to cool off with a dip, sip refreshing cocktails and watch for passing animals. While this was our preferred relaxation spot, there are also indoor and outdoor lounge areas with plenty of comfy seating, perfect for reading, gathering or checking in back home via the excellent Wi-Fi connection across the property. 

Photography enthusiasts can also arrange to visit the Photo Hide, which provides a discreet viewing point of a watering hole and its visiting wildlife, outfitted with one-way glass windows that open inward.

Dining is another exceptional inclusion, offering beautifully plated and delicious dishes at all three meals each day. Breakfasts typically included freshly baked treats (such as carrot-ginger muffins or pastries) and a generous fruit plate, followed by a menu of options spanning oatmeal, eggs cooked any which way and rotating items such as pancakes or avocado toast topped with apple and feta. 

Lunch and dinner both featured impressive four-course meals, kicked off by an amuse-bouche (such as a cooling mango-and-tomato tartar). After an intermediate course that could include anything from cream of broccoli soup to an apple-and-celery remoulade, we chose between four main course options (two of which were always vegetarian) and a pair of desserts. Internationally influenced dishes ran the gamut from Indian curries (a favorite pick for us) to slow-roasted lamb leg, pan-seared Nile perch, a zucchini-and-ricotta frittata, an orange souffle, a Kenyan cheese plate, house-made ice creams and more.

We enjoyed frequent chats with the talented head chef, who confirmed for us that everything on property is made from scratch, including all the impressive breads and baked goods — no small feat in a remote setting like Samburu.

The staff can also help arrange special dining (and other activities) for clients, including a wilderness breakfast, dinner in the bush or sundowners just off the property — my personal pick. During this extra-special sunset experience, we relaxed on canvas chairs while feasting on a buffet of tasty snacks (samosas, pakora, cashews and corn) and freshly made cocktails served out of a truck turned mobile bar. The experience marked a highlight of our trip.  

Why Samburu? 

Our twice-daily game drives — led by our knowledgeable guide, Alvin — offered an immersive look at what makes Samburu so special. 

Samburu is home to an abundance of iconic species; during our three days there, we saw lions, leopards, cheetahs, baboons, jackals, guineafowl, eagles and a slew of others. Some 900 elephants inhabit the area, and seeing them made for some of the most memorable moments of our entire trip, including a morning spent parked in the middle of a massive herd. As we sat surrounded on all sides by countless elephants, Alvin explained that the gathering actually encompassed two families — and our 45 magical minutes spent watching adults graze, adolescents play-fight and babies toss their tiny trunks around filled me with such intense joy that I couldn’t help but cry a few happy tears. 

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Another unique feature of the reserve is the presence of the “Samburu Special Five,” a group of rare species found primarily in this region. These include the Grevy’s zebra, with narrow, close-set stripes and large, rounded ears; the reticulated giraffe, with a distinct coat pattern; the Somali ostrich, marked by the blue skin found on males; the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope that stands up on its back legs to feed from trees; and the beisa (or East African) oryx, a strikingly patterned antelope.

Aside from these incredible safari opportunities, there is one other superb reason to suggest Samburu to clients: the heartfelt warmth of the Soroi Larsens staff. 

My best example? On our final night, during our spectacular sundowner, Samburu local Sakita (the property’s guest relation officer/guest specialist) shared a bit of his own history and story with us, explaining his traditional tribal clothing and how it differs from that of the Maasai people. When my husband complimented his belt, Sakita pulled the accessory from around his waist and presented it to Robert as a gift. After some gentle protesting, Robert eventually accepted at Sakita’s kind insistence — and after the two shared a warm hug, I’m certain I saw my husband wiping a tear from his eye.

We both realized in that moment what a blessing it was to now be part of the Soroi Larsens Camp family.