At Saruni Basecamp we believe that culture and traditions are some of the most interesting aspects of a safari experience in Kenya. As a company, we are proud of being partners of Maasai and Samburu communities and we share their ancient wisdom and knowledge with our guests.
We have designed a number of experiences that allow this interaction, which often lasts in the memory of our guests even longer than the wildlife sightings.
At the end of the day, for instance, while the sun is setting, our guests can sit back, relax and enjoy a mesmerising cultural performance of traditional song and dance. It is an authentic display of the Samburu and Maasai culture through stories, songs and movement.
Our guests can experience authentic Maasai and Samburu culture when visiting a traditional home, called manyatta. The Maasai and the Samburu women sing and the men jump, a ritual strongly admired by many in the community and a sign of manhood.
In Samburuland, the warriors dress in a unique way with very bright colours and sing their songs, musically similar but not identical to the Masai. It is a form of story-telling that celebrates famous episodes of life centred around about cattle, grazing, encounters with wildlife, and fights with other warriors. The Samburu culture is very deeply embedded in the way of life of our team members, who are always happy to share with our guests their beliefs, their traditions and their way of life, which is source of great pride.
In the Masai Mara, as a family-oriented company, we have established the Young Explorers Club to ensure safaris are more exciting for both parents and their children. We aim to teach children about the environment and nature while at the same time offering them an opportunity to have fun within the camp environs.
For families, in some properties we also have the Warriors Academy both in Samburu and in the Masai Mara: a special interactive safari experience with a strong educational flavour, designed especially for families with children or small groups. It is a fun learning experience, that allows you to explore not only the wildlife, but also the authentic lifestyle of two of the most well-known and culturally fascinating tribes in Africa.
In the Masai Mara we have established the Enjoolata Awareness Centre, that houses a display of tangible and intangible cultural collections from the Maasai community. These exhibits introduce you to the Maasai culture and their relationship with the wildlife across the Masai Mara region. The exhibits are local cultural items ranging from household objects, shields, spears and headgear among other spectacular ceremonial pieces worn by both men and women. Each item, having been passed down for generations, is ingrained with a rich history waiting to be shared.
Besides creating unforgettable safari experiences for guests, Saruni Basecamp is deeply committed to transforming lives through tourism. Within the Basecamp Masai Mara compound guests can visit the Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB) a handicraft workshop supporting over 150 local Maasai women.
In some properties we also organize traditional Ceremonies & Blessings, offering unmatched romance and complete seclusion in pristine wilderness: the perfect setting for an unforgettable traditional blessing given to you by the elders of the community to celebrate your marriage or a special occasion.
