History

Decades ago, instability was still par for the course in Northern Kenya, mainly due to the country’s centralised government. With little resources available in remote areas, there wasn’t much control over poaching – or the utilisation of the region’s precious wildlife.

As the first community conservancy to be formed in Samburu County, Namunyak was established in 1995 by the local community after Samburu Elders travelled far and wide to gain insight from established conservancies elsewhere.

The establishment of this community conservancy was the first step to bring responsible management to the area ­– and protect both its biodiversity as well as the community living alongside its natural legacy. In doing so, wildlife started returning to these areas, with various species once again being able to flourish and thrive.

Through mutual respect and trust, a partnership then developed organically between the Samburu and Piers and Hilary Bastard – third-generation Kenyans who had often visited the area in the 80s and 90s, and were dedicated to wildlife conservation and community capacity building here.

In 1997, the couple joined hands with the Samburu to introduce locally-owned tourism and revenue incentives. Opening in the same year, Sarara Camp paved the way for a unique and intimate guest experience that allows one to truly connect with Namunyak’s magic – and the space and peace that abounds. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Piers’ youngest son Jeremy and his wife Katie took over the responsibility in 2010. At the time, there was a strong call within Namunyak to grow Sarara’s offering beyond a 12-bed camp – and to set a course for a more self-reliant community.

It was the start of a chapter that saw great strides being made – including exponential growth in the shape of two more ecolodges (Sarara Treehouses in 2016 and Reteti House in 2021) and laying the foundations of Namunyak’s Journey of Self-Reliance.

Following decades of hard and pioneering work to establish what’s become a beacon for conservancies far and wide, this journey is continuously embodied through a range of impactful projects and initiatives – and its unique locally-owned tourism venture steadily continued to grow.

As co-founders of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in 2016, Jeremy and Katie have been pivotal in developing this groundbreaking conservation initiative. The Sarara Foundation (TSF) was established in the same year, and enabled the opening of the first nomadic Montessori School, a life-changing mobile clinic, and more.

Katie Rowe

Katie was born in Sri Lanka, before moving to Kenya at a very young age. Her journey has included training as a chef at Prue Leith’s renowned Cookery School in London, which accounts for her passionate input in the fresh and flavourful fare served at all of Sarara’s camps!

It extends to her passion for the community and making a meaningful difference – and her impact is especially profound in programs that benefit women and their continuous growth. From the groundbreaking Milk to Market initiative (through which Samburu women sell goat milk to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary as a nutritious alternative for the calves), to her hand in The Sarara Foundation’s Eco Ranger and Beading Mama programs – Katie’s involvement has been and remains pivotal.

Over the years, her lifelong love for animals has seen her raise everything from orphaned kudus, giraffes, warthogs, and impalas at the camps – and ultimately, it opened the door for what eventually became a fully-fledged haven for orphaned elephants. Being a co-founder of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has been a highlight in her life, and also illustrates Katie’s deep commitment to the Samburu community, its women, and the wildlife of this much-loved land.

The overall guest experience at Sarara lies close to her heart and her warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication to camps that are intimate and authentic truly shines through. “Sarara is about family – and we are all family here. When guests come to stay, they feel part of this incredible landscape as well as its people, and that they too belong here.”

Jeremy Bastard

Jeremy spent his childhood among Kenya’s wildlife between the Maasai Mara and Samburu regions, where his father and stepmother were trailblazers in tourism and conservation. Growing up alongside Indigenous Communities, he built lifelong friendships within them and developed a deep understanding of Kenya’s natural spaces as well as its cultural custodians.

After graduating from the University of Cape Town with a degree in Environmental Science and Social Anthropology, he returned to Kenya working as a private guide and conservation consultant. In time, it led to him taking up the responsibility of Sarara – alongside his wife, Katie Rowe. Soon after, Jeremy co-founded the Sarara Initiative, and implemented the extraordinary growth of the community-owned Sarara Tourism Portfolio in partnership with the Samburu Community.

As CEO of Sarara, Jeremy can lean into his passion for building communities, and developing one-of-a-kind cultural and wilderness experiences. In 2017, he was awarded the Pope Francis Award in Rome for Social Entrepreneurship in recognition for his work in Tourism and Conservation in partnership with Kenya’s Tribal Communities. 

In 2016, Jeremy co-founded Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and together with Katie, helped to build the highly successful brand R.E.S.C.U.E to create global awareness for community-based conservation. In 2019, he built on his passion for social development and wilderness preservation to co-found The Sarara Foundation, a US-based 501 and Kenya-registered non-profit that partners with Indigenous Peoples to build a thriving community and restore the health of our shared planet.

Jeremy and Katie were married in May 2015 at Sarara. In a beautiful parallel, their daughter, Saba, was born on the day Reteti Elephant Sanctuary opened. Her two little brothers, Lokwe and Lorien, have joined them since and the family lives at Sarara.

Philip Leeresh – Host and Lodge Manager at Sarara Camp

Sarara’s guests have been privileged to be hosted by Philip since 2009 – and his passion for Namunyak’s breathtaking mountains, valleys, and plains have added to the enchantment of their stays! There’s no limit to his knowledge of the region’s rich biodiversity, and as Lodge Manager of Sarara Treehouses, he brings this forested wonderworld to life!