With Indian outbound travel showing no signs of slowing down, safari lodges across East Africa are vying for a piece of the market. However, Samburu Sopa Lodge is capturing the attention of Indian travellers through a specific blend of cultural immersion, culinary authenticity, and family-centric design. In an exclusive interview, Lodge Manager Walter Muriithi discusses the steady 6% growth from the Indian market, reveals how the property is catering to the rise of multi-generational travel, and shares details on a unique offering that takes guests from the savannah to the stars.
By Hazel Jain
 
How is the India market performing for your lodge?
The Indian market is growing steadily at our lodge, with the numbers increasing each year. Approximately 6% of the guests welcomed in 2025 were Indian travellers. The growth is due to direct flight connectivity and strong support from the local Indian tour operators.
Do you see direct online booking from India or via DMCs?
The majority of our bookings (approximately 90%) come through DMCs.
What segments book with you the most?
We are a family-friendly brand, accommodating all guest segments with our spacious rooms, huge inventory and excellent Indian culinary offerings curated to suit diverse tastes to make every meal a memorable part of the stay.
How do you plan to stand out from your competitors?
We continue to offer best-in-class guest experiences from guest services to diverse meal offerings and a variety of activities. We are committed to responsible tourism and community engagement, and we recently received a Silver Ecorating Certification from Ecotourism Kenya for our best efforts on sustainability and environmental conservation.
What is your lodge’s USP that you want the travel agents in India to know?Â
We have spacious rooms ranging from 35 sqm -75sqm, ideal for multi-generational families. Inspired by the traditional Samburu manyatta houses, our rooms are thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the community and the surrounding environment to create a sense of place.
It is strategically located within the key safari destinations, offering a wide variety of game and stunning picturesque views in East Africa. Our lodges are in the perfect location for experiencing diverse wildlife. Samburu is renowned for the Samburu special five, wildlife species unique to this destination: the gerenuk, Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and Grevy’s zebra.
We also offer diverse culinary experiences catering for different clientele – Jain, vegetarian, barbeque and ‘Koroga’ (where guests get to cook for themselves as they engage with our chef) – ideal for groups and families. And of course, our dedicated team is always ready to welcome and assist guests, ensuring every stay is seamless and memorable, delivered with genuine warmth and heartfelt smiles. We offer a variety of enhanced activities from Astro-tourism, sundowners, bush dining to game drives, nature walks, private dinners and more. Our standout offering is Astro-Tourism experience, blending scientific knowledge of the universe with rich cultural perspectives from the local communities. The key highlight of this experience is the captivating simulation of the night sky. This takes place inside a specially designed dome known as the Planetarium, where guests are guided through the wonders of the universe and its constellations, creating an unforgettable and immersive celestial journey.
What are some key trends you see from the Indian travellers?Â
We have seen a rise in multi-generational travel, with Indian families choosing to travel together (grandparents to grandchildren). Food quality is key to the Indian travellers. Our chefs curate exceptional dining experiences, offering diverse culinary selections that cater to varied palates while incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients. There has been growth in photography safaris, with travellers seeking destinations that offer rare wildlife encounters. Our strategic location provides photographers with prime locations to capture extraordinary shots.
Anything else you would like to add for the travel agents in India?Â
Samburu offers the best wildlife experiences as there is no overcrowding within the game reserve. It also offers the best skies for stargazing due to its proximity to the equator and the dark, unpolluted skies. Samburu is also rich in culture, which complements the whole experience.
Beyond hospitality, we are dedicated to sustainability through our partnership with our sustainability arm, the Land and Life Foundation. Our initiatives include promoting menstrual health hygiene at Kiltimany school.
We also collaborate with the local community by providing space at the curio shop set within the lodge, for them to sell their handmade beadwork. All proceeds from these sales go directly to the artisans — mainly women.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
