Booking Information
Samatian island will be exclusively yours during your stay here, we hope you make this feel like home from home during your visit. Please take the time to read this information below as it will make your stay here more enjoyable.
Solar Power
Samatian Island is powered by solar power. Please do not use hair dryers, or any similar high wattage devices as you will drain the batteries. Charging of phones and laptops is fine. Please turn off all lights when you leave the rooms to conserve battery power & keep away flying insects.
Rooms and Service
We have a small team who will make your beds each morning, and turn down your beds in the evenings. The team will help with cleaning, washing up and preparation of all your meals. We pump water from the lake for showers and loos, they are heated by wood burners and showers will be hot in the morning and each evening.
Valuables
Most of the rooms have a safe available for your valuables, if you do not please ask Richard to lock your valuables away in his safe.
What To Pack
All your own food and drink with a menu plan for the chef. Drinking water is provided.
Sun protection – hat, sun cream, sunglasses, walking shoes, sandals, waterproof jacket, jersey, swimwear, sarongs or kikois and other required items of clothing, Insect repellent, torches (we have a night watchman you will escort you to your room), cameras, binoculars, bird books, a good book, personal medical supplies.
It is essential to have medical insurance whilst visiting Kenya, and also recommended to take out Flying Doctor cover.
WOO
Woo is our resident Verreaux Eagle Owl. He has been with us for around 16 years. He may sing away on the roof at night or join you near the dining room at night. Please don't feed him at the table.
Check In / Out
Guests are requested to vacate the Island by 10.00 A.M. on their day of departure. Guests are requested NOT to check in prior to 12 P.M to give sufficient time to the staff to prepare the rooms (unless prior arrangement has been made with management).
Our guests are kindly requested to take home their empty glass, tins and plastic bottles with them on departure. This ensures our human footprint on the island is kept to a minimum. We have no recycling center nearby. Please remember to check the kitchen for all cool boxes or items you want to return home with.
Gratuities or Tips
This is by no means a must and will also be dependent on how you feel you have been looked after by our staff. As a guideline we would suggest 500 - 1000 ksh per guest per day as a reasonable amount. Please give the gratuity to Richard on your departure who will share it equally between all staff members.
Swimming
We have a swimming pool on the island for guests to enjoy. The big lake in front of us, although beautiful has its dangers. Remember that there are hippo and crocodile in the vicinity of the island & swimming in the lake is at your own risk. Please NO SWIMMING AFTER DARK.
Hazards
Yes there are snakes in Africa. One has to be VERY unlucky to be bitten by a venomous one, and if left alone they will normally retreat, without incident. Please inform the staff of any sightings. We have mostly harmless snakes on the island and you might be lucky enough to see the harmless green spotted bush snake or the endemic Baringo snake. Scorpions: we have 2 species on the island, in the rare and unlucky event that you get stung please don't panic, they give a painful sting but are not deadly. Shake clothing out before putting it on if you have left it on the floor. Malaria is rare in Baringo and especially on the island due to lack of people. However please remember to carry mosquito repellent & cover up in the evenings as a precaution. We are a long way from hospital, and because of this, common sense must prevail at all times. A basic medical kit is located in the Kitchen, please ask Richard. If you need to contact a doctor during your visit Dr Malik is based in Nakuru 0733384376, 0512217138.