Desert Rose
Mount Nyiru, Northern Kenya
Sundowners Beneath the Roof of Africa
Rising from the semi-arid plains between the Karisia Mountains and Lake Turkana, Mount Nyiru is held sacred by the Samburu and cloaked in an ancient forest of podocarpus and cedar. Desert Rose sits some 1,700 metres up its slopes, where springs, cool air and shade make a startling contrast with the heat of the valley below. Most guests arrive by light aircraft or helicopter, though the steep, winding climb by four-wheel drive is an adventure of its own.
Yoav and Emma Chen built the lodge with a team of Samburu, a few camels and a Land Cruiser, using materials found on the mountain. Everything is made by hand, from the thatched roofs and curving stone walls to the olive and cedar furniture and the carved hardwood soap dishes. The main house holds a lounge with a fireplace, hand-woven rugs and African artefacts, a small library and an outdoor dining platform above the plains.
The cottages are cut into the hillside and screened from one another by forest, each shaped around its own rocks, trees and views. Wild olive four-poster beds, slate floors and cane shutters open to the valley, while open-air bathrooms with sunken baths invite a long soak beneath the stars. A family house suits those travelling with children.
A leisurely, adventurous rhythm, set by the mountain itself, brings a fresh choice each morning. Forest walks are accompanied by camels, the pool and a natural rock waterslide keep younger guests busy, and air safaris sweep north over the jade waters of Lake Turkana. The Samburu team share their traditions and, on occasion, their celebrations. Meals draw on home-grown organic produce, and as darkness falls a resident leopard can sometimes be heard calling from the forest.
You will love
- Handmade to the smallest detail
- Air safaris to Lake Turkana
- Camel-assisted forest walks
- Open-air baths under stars
- Sacred Samburu mountain setting
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
Thank you so much for putting together the most memorable holiday for us. The experiences we have had in the last couple of weeks have gone beyond all expectations.
Jane & Col Loveday
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
