"Timeless beauty; exquisite views, no finer place to end the century."
Lola U., USA, December 1999

"The most spectacular setting and home."
Hanna M., USA, June 2000

Located in the extremely remote, fantastically wild northern Kenya, in 25 hectares of indigenous forest on the slopes of Mt. Nyiru near the southern end of Lake Turkana, Desert Rose is a unique and luxurious lodge of five houses carved out of living rock. In this remote area there are no man made noises or signs of human habitation.

The Accommodation
Each of the five individual houses has been designed around natural features of the area. Each house has been built with local rocks and timber, with the assistance of the local Samburu community. Each house has flush toilets and an open-air bathroom ensuring total privacy with a majestic view of Africa.

The main lounge, dining room and library are hand crafted in locally quarried slate and finely finished in cedar and olive wood. They are situated to provide panoramic views of the landscape, with a welcoming swimming pool to cool you down after a hot day.

The Activities
Short or long bush walks accompanied by your hosts and the Samburu warriors.

Bird watching in thick riverine forests; up to 150 species can be viewed.

Camel Safaris - either day or overnight trips, with all equipment. Up to six-night camel safaris possible.

Day drives in "Stan", a wooden-bodied Land Cruiser to some of the geological sites of interest in the area.

Bush Dinners by the river.

The Staff
Desert Rose employs local tribes people in the lodge. Samburu men and women help ensure your stay is enjoyable and comfortable. Your hosts, Emma and Yoav, have lived in Northern Kenya for over ten years, and look forward to sharing the secrets, pleasures and thrills of this remote part of Kenya with you.

Conservation and Community
Desert Rose assists the local people by providing jobs, creating a market for their local produce and handicrafts and by assisting with the local school. All the materials for the construction of the camp were obtained locally, providing a strong local tie to your vacation.

Climate
Desert Rose is at 6,500 ft above sea level, about 2,000 ft above the valley floor, and about 3,000 ft below the top of the Mt. Nyiru. The lodge is at an ideal "cool" site on the side of the mountain. It does get windy, so bring something warm to wear for dinner.

Access to Desert Rose
Due to its remote location, it is advisable to fly to the lodge. By vehicle, this unique lodge is an incredibly scenic but lengthy ten-hour drive from Nairobi. Alternatively, it is a six-hour drive from Laikipia by 4WD vehicle, a ninety-minute flight to the Kowop Airstrip, followed by a 40-minute drive up the amazing drive or ninety minutes door to door via helicopter!