Can anyone who's been tell me which you think is better or the differences between the two. I'm considering location, price, grounds, etc. Also, if you know, any impact from the flood?

Of the three lodges, Serena would be the best (but was damaged by the flood and won't be back in business for about a year). Next comes the Sopa, with Simba in third place, both of which are open for this coming season.

With limited choices left at Samburu (other than some lux camps outside the Reserve proper), either would be good, but only you can decide if there's a big difference in price (doubt it).

I'd go with Sopa.

Thanks Sandi!

We were booked at the Samburu Serena and due to the flood were asked to choose between the Sopa and Simba. Why do you think the Sopa would be a better choice?

Sandi
i haven't been to Samburu (my LOVE!) for some time
What about the Samburu Game Lodge? (which used to belong to Block hotels) It is better located than Serena
aby

aby

Honestly, I don't have a complete list, but believe Samburu Game Lodge (is/was part of the Wilderness group, same peeps as Larsen's at Samburu and Keekorok in Mara) was damaged.

Know: Serena, Larsen's, Elephant Watch, Elephant Bedroom are some, but there are more.

There was a thread when the floods first happened that listed all those impacted. I have no luck with Fodor's "search" function, maybe you will or another will see/find.

I believe the damaged lodges/camps were:

Ashnil Samburu
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Elephant Watch Camp
Larsen's
Samburu Intrepids
Samburu Game Lodge
Samburu Serena

Sandi (i guess i'm stuck somewhere in the 80's and 90's before Wilderness took over the cream of Block hotels. not including TreeTops and the Nairobi and coast properties)

Asante Patty - I missed Intrepid's. But honestly not familiar with the Ashnil props of which there are many around Kenya.

aby - yeh, in the 90s when Block did have many many properties. Believe there may still be some under their name, or not. The last 7-10/yrs have seen many "new kids on the block."

I just found this, showing closed and open camps. But when the closed will open is not known for all. Samburu Serena put out a press release of June 2011 as the earliest.

Please note the following lodges/camps are officially closed until further notice:
. Samburu Serena Lodge
. Samburu Lodge
. Larsen's Camp
. Sentrim Samburu Camp
. Elephant Watch Camp
. Elephant Bedroom Camp
. Samburu Intrepids Club
. Ashnil Samburu Camp
The properties not affected are as follows:
. Saruni Samburu Camp
. Sasaab Camp
. Samburu Simba Lodge
. Samburu Sopa Lodge
. And in Shaba Game Reserve - Sarova Shaba Lodge and Joy's Camp