Reteti House
A luxurious cliffside retreat in Namunyak, where sweeping mountain views meet complete exclusivity in Kenya’s northern frontier.
Overview Reteti House
Set dramatically on a rocky escarpment within Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Reteti House offers an exclusive-use escape designed for families and small groups seeking privacy, space, and meaningful connection. Overlooking vast plains and the settled under the peaks of the Mathews Range, the house blends contemporary comfort with raw wilderness, creating a setting that feels both elevated and deeply grounded in place. With a dedicated team, flexible daily rhythms, and access to extraordinary wildlife and Samburu culture, Reteti House allows guests to experience Kenya’s northern frontier entirely on their own terms.
At the heart of Reteti House lies a spectacular central lounge and infinity pool, both overlooking a lively elephant waterhole below. This natural gathering point draws herds of wildlife throughout the day, including visits from the orphaned elephants of nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, offering extraordinary sightings from the comfort of the house. The open, airy living spaces are designed for togetherness, whether sharing long lunches, relaxed afternoons by the pool, or evenings under a canopy of stars. It is a setting that feels both expansive and intimate, perfectly suited to exclusive use.
The open-plan family room is conveniently located under the main area and offers a flexible and welcoming space ideal for families travelling together. Generously proportioned and thoughtfully designed, it includes an indoor shower and comfortable shared living space, making it particularly well suited to those with younger children. It combines convenience with the same sense of connection to the surrounding landscape that defines the rest of the house.
The family suite has been designed with multi-generational travel in mind. It comprises two separate bedrooms connected by a shared living area, allowing families to enjoy both privacy and togetherness. Spacious, light-filled, and beautifully appointed, the suite provides a relaxed home-away-from-home feel while maintaining uninterrupted views and a strong sense of place within Namunyak’s dramatic surroundings.
Reteti House features four beautifully appointed standalone suites, each thoughtfully positioned for privacy and uninterrupted views across the valley below. Spacious and elegant, the suites open onto private terraces that invite guests to slow down and absorb the vast northern landscape. Outdoor showers create a seamless connection to the elements, allowing mornings and evenings to unfold beneath open skies. Designed for comfort while remaining deeply rooted in place, these suites offer a peaceful and immersive retreat within the wilderness.
Game Drives
Visits to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Guided Hikes to ancient forests and cycads
Fly Camp
Meet a Samburu Blacksmith
Beading with Samburu Women
Guided walks
Sundowners
Bush Dinners
Horse Riding at Sarara
Nomadic Montessori School Visit
Nomadic Healthcare Program Visit
Milk to Market Program Visit
Witness a Ngoma
Helicopter Safaris
Visit the Singing Wells
The lodge is beautiful as are the people that work there. It was warm and friendly and relaxed and helpful and as charming as any place I have ever stayed. The wildlife viewing was calm and comfortable with no dramatic moments, except the beauty of what we were seeing. My room was exceptional as well the food and the company.
Tilas leads Reteti House with a deep sense of purpose and pride. For him, hospitality is about far more than comfort, it is about creating meaningful experiences that nurture guests while strengthening the surrounding community and landscape. Being part of a conservancy-led initiative that places equal value on people and wildlife is something he holds close to heart.
At Reteti House, Tilas delights in sharing what he calls a true tapestry of experiences, from wildlife encounters at the waterhole below to cultural connection and time spent exploring the vast wilderness of Namunyak. His calm presence and thoughtful attention ensure each stay unfolds naturally, at a rhythm that feels both personal and unhurried.
As night falls, join Tilas beneath some of the clearest skies in Africa for unforgettable stargazing, where the northern frontier reveals yet another layer of its quiet magic.
Sarara’s camps are proudly owned, driven, and managed by the local Samburu community, and that spirit of shared custodianship is woven into every experience.
Katie Rowe
Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Kenya, Katie trained at Prue Leith’s Cookery School in London, shaping the fresh, vibrant cuisine across Sarara’s camps. Her passion extends far beyond the kitchen – she has been instrumental in community initiatives including Milk to Market, Eco Ranger and Beading Mama, and is a co-founder of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Deeply committed to Samburu women, wildlife and authentic hospitality, Katie’s warmth and sense of family lie at the heart of the Sarara experience.
Robert Lemaiyan
Robert has been part of Sarara since 2014 and now leads as General Manager, spending most of his time between Sarara Wilderness and Sarara Camp. Deeply rooted in Namunyak, his knowledge of the land, wildlife and community is matched only by his quick wit and natural warmth. Respected by the Samburu community, valued by his team, and adored by guests, Robert embodies the spirit, authenticity and generous hospitality that define the Sarara experience.
Jeremy Bastard
A fourth-generation Kenyan, Jeremy grew up between the Maasai Mara and Samburu, developing a lifelong connection to Kenya’s wildlife and Indigenous communities. With a degree in Environmental Science and Social Anthropology from the University of Cape Town, and over a decade guiding across East Africa, he now leads Sarara as CEO alongside Katie. A co-founder of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Jeremy is deeply committed to community-led conservation. Katie and Jeremy were married at Sarara in 2015 and call it home, along with their three children.
"Our goal is to inspire a global community of conservationists to help us create long-term sustainability for Kenya’s magnificent cultural and natural heritage. Sarara’s truly unique and immersive experiences give back to the people and the land that need it the most.”
Why Reteti House?
House Information
- Exclusive-use private house within Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
- Located within 850,000 acres of private conservancy with no other operators
- Just a short walk from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
- Infinity pool overlooking a wildlife waterhole
- Four standalone ensuite rooms, one ensuite family room and one two bedroom family suite
- Designed for complete privacy with dedicated staff
- Deep Samburu cultural immersion
- Exceptional Northern species including Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe
Positive Impact
- Owned and managed in partnership with the local Samburu community
- Supports the Sarara Foundation
- Directly linked to and built to support the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
- Supports Nomadic Montessori education programme
- Supports Nomadic Healthcare outreach services
- Supports Milk to Market programme
- Eliminated single-use plastics
- Off-grid solar power with 24-hour renewable energy supply
What to expect at Reteti House
Accommodation
- Exclusive-use property
- Four standalone ensuite rooms with solar-heated outdoor showers
- Open plan family room with indoor shower
- Additional two-bedroom family suite connected by shared living space
- Accommodates up to 16 guests
- Pure cotton linen and lock box
- Private verandas with expansive views
- Infinity pool overlooking waterhole
Experiences Included (Safari Package)
- Private vehicle and guide
- Day and night game drives
- Visit to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (entrance fee payable direct)
- One horse ride per guest
- Cultural village visits
- Full board accommodation
- Soft drinks, local beers and non-premium wines and spirits
- Daily laundry service
- Namunyak airstrip transfers
- Community Heritage Fees not included in accommodation rate and quoted separately
Enhance Your Stay (Additional Cost)
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary entrance fees
- Additional horse riding
- Fly camping mobilisation
- Ololokwe day trip
- Beading with Samburu Women
- Samburu Blacksmith experience
- Champagne, premium spirits and cellar wines
- Helicopter trips
Getting There
By AIr
- Private charters into Namunyak airstrip.
- Scheduled flights to Kalama airstrip (payable extra)
- Scheduled flight: to Lewa airstrip (payable extra)
- Daily shared Scenic Wilderness charter from the Mara, Lewa and Wilson
- By Helicopter
By Road
- Road transfer from Kalama 2.5 hours (payable extra)
- Road transfer from Lewa 3.5 hours (payable extra)
- Direct transfer from Namunyak Airstrip (20–30 minutes)
Additional Information
Property Details
- Exclusive use only
- Maximum 16 guests
- Guide rooms available
- Check-in: 11:00AM
- Check-out: 10:00AM
- Climate: Warm year round. Nightly lows of 20-25°C and daily highs of 30-35 °C
- Due to terrain not suitable for guests with limited mobility
- No late departures unless guests pay over night rate
Power and Connectivity
- Solar power (220V), 24-hour supply
- Charging points in rooms and main areas
- No adapters provided
- CPAP supported
- Starlink WiFi
- Intermittent mobile reception
Facilities
- Infinity pool
- Communal dining (private by default due to exclusive use)
- Payment accepted: Visa & Mastercard
- Tipping: cash only
Child Policy
- Children of all ages welcome
- Ideal for families and multi-generational groups
- Child minding available on request (advance notice required)
Vehicles
- Private vehicle and dedicated guide (exclusive use included)
- Closed Toyota Land Cruisers and open Landrovers
- Bean bags provided
- Reference books available
- Refreshments provided (water and soft drinks)
