East African safari operator Basecamp Explorer has acquired operator Saruni to launch a new luxury safari brand in Kenya – Saruni Basecamp.

The partnership brings together Basecamp Explorer’s long history in the Maasai Mara with Saruni’s expertise in luxury safaris in the Maasai Mara and Samburu reserves. The goal of the rebrand is to support and expand a community conservancy model of tourism in East Africa.

Bascamp Explorer now operates 12 properties, offering innovative and ethical safari experiences centred on community-based conservation. Guests can enjoy big five game viewing, night drives, off-roading, family-friendly activities and community engagement projects like tree planting and fair-trade initiatives. Notably, Barack and Michelle Obama stayed at Basecamp Maasai Mara where a collection of native trees honours their visit. In Samburu, visitors can experience rhino tracking at Saruni Rhino in Sera Conservancy, a successful rhino conservation home to 25 eastern white and black rhinos.

“Our vision at Saruni Basecamp is to create a lasting, positive impact on people and the planet. We’ve developed a sustainable community model, now scaling through our conservancies, balancing our roles as a non-profit foundation and a for-profit safari business. Our mission is to protect wildlife corridors and uplift local communities through employment and land leases. Our guests enjoy intimate wildlife and cultural experiences, directly contributing to conservation and community development,” Jeremiah Mutisya, CEO of Saruni Basecamp, said of the acquisition.

Saruni Basecamp is managed locally with a 90% local hire rate of camp staff from nearby rural communities. This approach allows guests to experience authentic cultural activities. The brand emphasises education, aiming to provide guests with immersive cultural and ecological experiences.