See the Big Five on a Luxury Safari at Saruni Basecamp's Saruni Leopard Hill
Sustainable safaris in Kenya's magnificent Masai Mara
Quote of the Week
“A life of purpose is a life worth living.”
Big Moses, Masai tribe member
Jambo, Postcard Travellers!
‘Jambo’ means hello in Swahili, and it’s a greeting you’ll use often when you join Saruni Basecamp on a luxury safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara at Saruni Leopard Hill. This is an experience that will change your life — but also the lives of others.
You’ll be humbled by one of Mother Nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles: the Great Migration; you’ll see the ‘Big Five’, Africa’s most iconic animals; and you’ll mingle with the Masai.
You’ll also also be inspired by this week’s Champion of Change, Svein Wilhelmsen, Founder of Saruni Basecamp, and you’ll discover how he collaborated with the Masai and other thought leaders to change lives in Kenya and beyond.
We hope you enjoy these inspirational stories and create some of your own on a luxury adventure safari in Kenya.
Safari salama (safe travels)!
Karen Hastings
Editor, Postcard Travel Club
This Week’s Featured Partner: Saruni Basecamp
“Leave a positive footprint.” Guided by this noble vision, Saruni Basecamp opened its first destination, Basecamp Masai Mara, back in 1998 and now features a collection of exceptional hotels, camps and inspirational projects in India, Kenya, the Pyrenees and on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.
Basecamp strives to transform lives through tourism. As a guest at one of these unique destinations, you’ll dive deep into the culture and leave knowing that you also made a profound difference in the community.
Breathtaking settings, a strong focus on sustainability and a commitment to local communities and the environment elevate Basecamp adventures.
Join us this week, as we embark on the trip of a lifetime: a luxury safari at Saruni Leopard Hill, one of six Basecamps in the spectacular Masai Mara and Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
Unique Activities
See the Big Five on a Game Drive
The Masai Mara hosts one of the highest densities of wild animals on the planet, and Saruni Leopard Hill takes you right into the heart of all the action on daily game drives. Here, the savanna comes alive in the cool morning air and the golden hues of late afternoon.
In your open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle, you'll see the majestic beauty of the Masai Mara unfold before you. Led by knowledgeable Masai guides, you'll feel the pulse of the wilderness, track rare wildlife and see the vibrant spectrum of colors painting the sky as the sun sets over the horizon.
Prepare to encounter the Big Five—lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard and elephant—along with a host of other African creatures, including hippos, giraffes, zebras and a dazzling variety of birds.
And if you visit between July and September, you’ll have a front-row seat to one of Mother Nature’s greatest spectacles: The Great Migration. During this famous natural phenomenon, more than a million wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make their way from the Serengeti to Masai Mara across the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River. This world-famous migration is a bucket-list adventure.
Mingle with the Masai on a Community Visit
Masai community visits with Saruni Basecamp foster a deeper understanding of this fascinating culture. Guided by a local Masai, you’ll explore a nearby village and visit schools, health centers and marketplaces.
You’ll also immerse yourself in the living narrative of ancient traditions, and see first-hand the resilience of a community adapting to the modern world.
This isn't just a tour; it's a soul-stirring encounter with the pulse of Masai life, leaving you with a profound connection to the places you've explored and the people who call it home.
Sleep Under Trillions of Stars
As night falls, snuggle by the glowing embers of your fireplace, and listen to the sounds of animals echoing around you in the Naboisho Conservancy.
When you’re ready to drift off after a day of life-changing experiences, retire to your spacious luxury safari tent. Click a button, and the ceiling unfurls, revealing trillions of stars glittering above you. Only a mosquito net separates you from the endless night sky.
Then slip softly into slumber, and dream of the adventures on the African savanna that await you the next day.
Experience Ultimate Luxury Safari at Saruni Leopard Hill
At Saruni Leopard Hill, you’ll live in sustainable luxury in the heart of the African wilderness near three wildlife-rich watering holes.
Snuggled in the secluded valley of Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Saruni Leopard Hill offers breathtaking views of the expansive savanna and its awe-inspiring wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and the camp’s namesake big cat.
Just in front of the camp, a unique fig tree reaches into the vast African sky. According to the locals, lightning struck this graceful tree in the 1950s and it splintered in two, creating its unusual shape. Today, it creates a captivating setting for alfresco dining.
At Saruni Leopard Hill, you can choose your adventure. Will it be a Great Migration safari, a walking safari, an educational safari or a family affair? Perhaps you’d prefer a safari tailored especially for you? All these options are possible at Saruni Leopard Hill.
Learn About Creating the Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Saruni Basecamp Founder Svein Wilhelmsen believes that partnering with local communities is key to conserving Africa’s wilderness areas for future generations.
Establishing wildlife corridors and creating jobs for local people are just some of the many gifts of this powerful collaboration.
Discover how Svein and other thought leaders are coming together in Africa to make a difference.
Lodging
Wake Up to the Wilderness
Saruni Leopard Hill immerses you in the wilderness. Your luxury accommodations are inspired by circular Masai houses, providing unobstructed 360-degree views of the bush.
The six tents, elegantly designed with a fusion of African elements and contemporary luxuries, offer an intimate connection to nature. Each tent features a private elevated viewing deck, allowing you to savor the tranquility of the Naboisho Conservancy and watch the parade of wildlife passing by.
Sitting on the deck of your tent, the animals are so close, it feels like you can touch them. Here, you truly are at one with nature.
Dining
Dine under the Stars in the African Bush
After an adventure-filled day on safari, it’s time for a feast. Under the endless African sky, you’ll enjoy an exquisite bush dinner, an enchanting experience where the untamed beauty of the Mara plains becomes your dining backdrop.
As the sun sets, soak up the sounds of the wild – the grunts of hippos by the river, the distant roar of big game and the crackling of a campfire illuminating a table set with gourmet delights.
Savor each moment as your Masai hosts serenade you, their traditional songs blending with the symphony of the bush, creating an unforgettable feast for your senses.
Meet the People
A single moment of impact can change a life.
In 1996, Svein Wilhelmsen, a Norwegian financier, had a moment of impact in Kenya. Sitting around an open fire under a starlit sky, Svein listened intently as Masai elder Ole Taek shared his concerns about his people and their future. Moved by his story and determined to help Kenya’s Indigenous communities, Svein launched Saruni Basecamp six months later.
Today, Saruni Basecamp operates three sustainable safari lodges in the Masai Mara, including the inaugural Basecamp Masai Mara, standing as a testament to their dedication to preserving nature and empowering local tribes.
Sustainability Story
By choosing Saruni Basecamp, you can help make a difference in the world and walk away with life-long memories.
Dedicated to sustainable development for over two decades, Saruni Basecamp supports multiple ‘Greater Good Projects’ through the Basecamp Explorer Foundation.
Teaming up with local communities, Basecamp battles wildlife extinction. They strongly believe that success in the Masai Mara area of Kenya comes from working together with the people who own and live on the land.
Practising responsible tourism, Saruni Basecamp supports projects like reforestation, waste management, empowering women and youth and securing land for wildlife to thrive.
Discover More Immersive Experiences at Saruni Leopard Hill
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