Elephant Bedroom Camp

Elephant Bedroom Camp lies along a quiet stretch of the Ewaso Nyiro River inside Samburu National Reserve, shaded by doum palms and riverine forest.

The camp takes its name from the elephants that frequently move through the surrounding palm groves and riverbanks. It is not unusual to see elephants walking directly through camp as they follow the river corridor.

Despite being located inside the reserve, the camp remains relatively small and intimate, offering a classic luxury tented safari experience in one of northern Kenya’s most distinctive landscapes.

Landscape & Setting

The setting along the Ewaso Nyiro River is one of the defining features of Samburu.

Doum palms dominate the riverbanks while the surrounding plains stretch into dry acacia woodland and rocky hills. The river itself forms a permanent water source, drawing wildlife throughout the year.

Elephant Bedroom Camp is positioned directly within this river ecosystem, meaning wildlife often moves through the palm forest surrounding the tents.

Accommodation

The camp consists of a collection of spacious luxury tents positioned along the riverbank.

Each tent includes:

Large canvas bedrooms
Private verandas overlooking the river
Ensuite bathrooms
Outdoor plunge pools in selected tents

The design maintains the classic safari tent style while offering a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere within the reserve.

Safari Experience / Activities

Because the camp sits inside Samburu National Reserve, game drives begin immediately after leaving camp.

Activities include:

Game drives across Samburu National Reserve
Sundowners overlooking the plains
Bush breakfasts in the reserve
Cultural visits to Samburu villages

The river system around the camp is particularly productive for wildlife sightings.

Wildlife

Samburu is famous for the animals often called the Samburu Special Five:

Grevy’s zebra
Reticulated giraffe
Beisa oryx
Gerenuk
Somali ostrich

Large elephant herds move regularly along the riverbanks, while lion and leopard are also present within the reserve.

Because the landscape is open, wildlife sightings often unfold against dramatic desert backdrops.

When to Visit

Samburu remains a rewarding safari destination throughout the year.

June – October
Cooler temperatures and strong wildlife viewing as animals gather along the river.

January – March
Dry conditions with good wildlife visibility.

April – May
The long rains bring greener landscapes and fewer visitors.

Insider Tips

Early morning drives along the riverine forest corridor often produce the best predator sightings.

Because elephants frequently pass through camp, keep cameras ready even while relaxing on your tent veranda.

The shaded river setting also makes Elephant Bedroom Camp more comfortable during the hotter months.

Oloi Shorua Must-Do

Take an early morning game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, where elephants, giraffe and predators often move along the riverbanks in the cool hours after sunrise.

Oloi Shorua Recommendation

We recommend a sundowner overlooking the river valley, watching elephants move through the doum palms as the light fades across the Samburu landscape.

Planning Your Safari

Many journeys combine Mathews Range with:

You can also explore:

At Oloi Shorua we design bespoke safari journeys that combine the finest lodges across Africa’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes. Speak with us to begin planning your safari.