Segera Retreat

Straddling the Equator and stretching from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley, the Laikipia plateau is one of Africa’s most exciting and exclusive wilderness safari destinations – with abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery, extraordinary cultural and bio-diversity and some of East Africa’s most successful nature and game conservancies.

Ranching, conservation and high-end tourism go hand-in-hand, with few of the constraints that often apply in Kenya’s national parks and reserves.  Night game drives, bush walks, bike tours, horse-riding, camel treks, scenic flights and helicopter safaris are a few the exhilarating pursuits on hand in the extensive private ranches and conservancies that make up much of the region.

Laikipia hosts a wealth and diversity of wildlife second only to the Masai Mara in Kenya. It has significant populations of predators and the “Big Five”, with over 50% of Kenya’s rhinos, thousands of elephants, about 25% of the world’s endangered Grevy’s Zebra, and an increasing population of rare Wild Dogs. The region is home to more at-risk species than anywhere else in East Africa.

Segera’s 50,000 wild acres sit at the very heart of the Laikipia Plateau at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level and just 30 kilometres north of the Equator and 60 kilometres north of Mount Kenya.  Its diverse landscapes include savannah, woodland, grasslands, and fertile riverbeds and provide a migratory corridor and habitat for wildlife such as elephant, giraffe, buffalo and zebra, as well as endangered species specific to northern Kenya including Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, African Wild Dog and Jackson’s Hartebeest. Segera’s resident predators are also frequently seen and include lion, cheetah, and leopard.  The Retreat’s harmonious and lush botanical gardens also attract and supports an extraordinary variety of colourful birdlife.

Since 2005, Segera has been revived, rejuvenated and repurposed into a fertile and thriving home for the 4Cs – Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. In previous years the area had been frequented by poachers, the land was overgrazed, and the region struggled to support its communities and wildlife. Determined to restore and protect Segera, new owner Joachen Zeitz developed the 4C concept and focused on conservation of flora and fauna, engaging and employing local communities and preserving the cultural legacy of its indigenous peoples.  In 2009, the non-profit Zeitz Foundation was formed to ensure the land will remain protected in perpetuity.

2019 saw the formation of East Africa’s first All-Women Anti-Poaching Ranger Academy at Segera, set up with advice from the International Anti-Poaching Foundation and led by highly-qualified instructors. Rangers are also encouraged to act as mentors in their communities, empowering other women, sharing their education and promoting dialogue as a driver for peace, intercultural understanding and preservation of wildlife. Also keeping poachers at bay are a team of three female bloodhounds with expert sniffer skills. Join them for a training session as they follow a scent trail to a “suspect” lurking in a bush.

The Zeitz Foundation has built 6 schools which educate 1800 local children, including the Waterbank School which harvests rainwater and won LEED Architecture’s ‘Greenest School in the World’ award.  Its unique 600 sq. metre roof catchment area can harvest, store and filter more than 350,000 litres of rain water annually – allowing pupils to grow their own vegetables in the school garden and take clean water home. Its next objective is to educate 2,500 children by building two additional Waterbank Schools by 2028, as well as provide 100 school bursaries and vocational training education for 35 trainees from rural communities annually.

The SATUBO Beading Group has transformed the tradition and craft of beading into a financially- viable enterprise – bringing together and empowering local women from three separate tribal groups, the SAmburu, TUrkana and BOrana peoples, preserving their culture and offering them an opportunity to earn an independent income. The SATUBO Kindergarten safely cares for the pre-school children, giving the women more time and freedom to create handmade pieces that are both beautiful and symbolic. Guests can visit the village where these women work, gain an insight into their culture and community and witness the revival of an age-old craft.

The foundation’s ‘Tree of Life’ initiative aims to tackle deforestation by planting over 2 million indigenous trees – with each new forest created in the shape of an endangered wildlife species – the first 150,00 trees resembling a rhinoceros. The construction of a new 19-hectare water dam on Segera will provide a reliable source of water for wildlife, as well as protect the conservancy against the impacts of climate change and Africa’s infrequent rainfall patterns. A new Vocational Training Academy for Forestry and Permaculture on Segera, placing the interests of small-scale rural farmers at its core by enhancing farming techniques and making them more productive and sustainable.

Getting to Segera

Private charters land at the private airstrip alongside the property – flights to and from Nairobi take around 45 minutes and around 55 minutes from the Masai Mara.  There are daily scheduled flights on Safarilink and Air Kenya from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki airstrip – the flight takes around 1 hour followed by a 90-minute drive to Segera.  Driving from Nairobi to Segera takes 4-5 hours.

Guest Accommodation

Garden Villas

• Garden Villas 1, 2, 3, 5
• Each villa accommodates up to 2 guests in 1 ensuite bedroom

Family Villa (Garden Villa 4)

• Accommodates up to 4 guests in 2 ensuite bedrooms
• Central living room and extra-large deck
• Private vehicle when booked for 4 guests

The Garden House (Garden Villa 6)

• Accommodates up to 4 guests in 2 ensuite bedrooms
• Double-height with mezzanine floor
• Garden Views
• Private vehicle when booked for 4 guests

Villa Segera

• Accommodates 4 guests in 2 ensuite bedrooms
• The two bedrooms are connected by an elevated walkway
• Ground floor open-air living and dining spaces
• Private Swimming Pool – 13 metres
• Private Gardens
• Private Dining
• Private Vehicle
• All the above Garden Villas are built on elevated wooden platforms with makuti-thatched roofs.

Each Garden Villa features –

• King-size bed(s) with mosquito net
• Savannah views (with the exception of Villa 6 which has garden views)
• Spacious ensuite bathroom(s) with extra-large showers and twin basins
• Private deck with outside bath
• Sundeck with sun lounger
• Hanging swing-bed and outside lounge area
• Hairdryer
• Electronic room safe
• In-room drinks selection
• Wi-fi Internet
• Selection of art from the owner’s private collection
• Personal villa attendant
• Laundry service

Segera Greenhouse

• Accommodates up to 4 guests in 2 ensuite bedrooms
• A stylish and airy new villa with a contemporary feel
• High-ceilinged central ‘conservatory’ living and dining room
• Private Gardens
• Private Dining
• Private Vehicle

Segera House

• Accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 ensuite bedrooms
• A grand double-storey house with expansive living and dining areas
• Upstairs and downstairs verandas, outside dining area
• Private Gardens
• Private Plunge Pool – 6 x 2.5 metres
• Private Dining
• Private Vehicle

Segera Farmhouse

• Accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms
• The owner’s house – a beautifully-renovated former ranch house
• Additional single bedroom – ideal for nanny or extra guest
• Sitting Room, Dining Room, Farmhouse Kitchen, Veranda
• Private Plunge Pool 5 x 2.5 metres
• Private Gardens
• Private Dining
• Private Vehicle

Outside Spaces and Place

• 10-acres of gardens and grounds
• Eat, drink and relax in –
• The Paddock House
• The Old Stables
• The Pool Bar area
• Wine Tower with private dining
• Stables lounge and bar area with fireplace
• Wellness Centre including a double spa treatment room
• Well-equipped techno gym
• Rasul tower with steam bath
• Pilates studio
• Mobile massage bed for private in-villa massages
• Salt-water swimming pool – 17 metres
• Poolside bar and sun loungers
• Boutique and Shop
• Art gallery
• 4Cs Centre with interactive sustainability and conservation exhibitions
• Botanical gardens with sculptures from the owners African Art Collection
• Star Deck
• Airstrip

Activities

• Day and night game drives
• Picnics and sundowners
• Bush breakfasts and lunches
• Guided bush walks
• Camel walks
• C4C Tours
• Interpretive tour of private art collection
• Tour of botanical garden
• Sleep outs
• Indoor or outdoor movie nights
• Cultural visits with local communities and schools
• Wellness centre (gym, spa, Rasul tower)
• Children’s and family activities

Optional extra activities include –

• Spending the night at the romantic Nay Palad Bird Nest
• Fixed wing charters and scenic flights
• Helicopter excursions to attractions around Northern Kenya

“What a magnificent property. Gorgeous buildings, stunning places to sit and admire the pinch-me views, and flowers and landscaping that is breathtaking. We stayed in a Garden Villa – dreamy, and were truly so cared for by Peris. Abenja was our amazing incredible guide – he knows and sees everything. He introduced us to Grevey’s zebras and reticulated giraffes – both we’ve never seen before. We had a great morning with Abenja meeting the tracking bloodhounds , seeing the vegetable gardens, visiting a kindergarten in a nearby town and meeting the members of a women’s bead making cooperative. Food was fabulous and every meal is served in a different location – John was our super-duper waiter. There is so much to rave about, Segera is a perfect luxurious location to spend safari time. Five stars are not enough!”

“We were blown away by Segera. Every detail of our stay was carefully tailored to our interests and desires, and our daily schedule reflected exactly what each of us wanted for our stay. The accommodations were superb, and the service was second-to-none. Our meals were fresh and followed our dietary specifications, but more than that, they were creative and artful; each dinner served in a unique locale around the property, making for a series of truly unforgettable dining experiences. From game drives to lounging by the pool to workouts in the gym, every moment of our stay was elevated by the care of the staff and management. It would be impossible to name a singular highlight of our stay, but contenders include a night in the Bird’s Nest, the cheetah cubs we found, or taking a private plane to the nearby elephant sanctuary. We recommend Segera Retreat for anyone seeking a truly memorable trip to a truly unique destination, and we already cannot wait to return.”

“It’s difficult to describe just how special a place Segera Retreat is. It was very highly recommended to us and still the experience was beyond all expectations. Laikipia as an area is how we imagined Kenya to be – dry, hot and teeming with animals. Segera on the other hand, is an oasis of cool, green gardens, and a place of special beauty. The accommodation is among the best we’ve experienced anywhere and the food was truly fabulous. We were constantly surprised by the quality and extensive choice – every meal was different and delicious! The staff are understated, attentive and so kind, under the direction of Jens, the much loved manager. Jens is very hands-on and gave us excellent advice on how to spend our time. His recommendation and organisation of a day helicopter safari of northern Kenya was one of our best travel experiences ever. While impossible to describe in a paragraph, the variety of places and landscapes we visited on that day were just incredible.”