Unity Women’s Cultural Village Guest House

Unity Village is an all-women's cultural village located just outside the town of Archer's post and less than a mile from Samburu National Reserve. This is the perfect stay for travelers looking for a bit of adventure, a taste of traditional Samburu culture, and a cross-cultural experience like non-other. Experience a day in the life of Samburu women, sleep in a traditional manyatta (mud/stick hut) and try the local cuisine cooked by the women themselves. We would love to host you! The space Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a traditional song and dance showcasing the vibrant colors and sounds of Samburu culture. Next, we will take you on a guided tour of the village with the opportunity to go inside a traditional manyatta (mud/stick hut) and see a traditional boma (livestock pen). Accommodations: You will stay in Unity’s newly constructed tourist hut, which is modest, yet comfortable with two bedrooms, a small common area, mosquito nets, curtains for privacy, and desks in each room for storing belongings. While the hut provides a safe and comfortable place for sleeping, you will likely spend most of your time outside under the large shade structure or nearby trees interacting with the women and children and enjoying the sights and sounds of village life. Meals: Breakfast is included in your stay and will be prepared for you by the women in a small cooking hut beside the tourist hut (the detached kitchen ensures minimal smoke enters your sleeping area). The women are also able to cook you lunch and dinner for an additional fee of $5 USD per person per meal. Please let us know your meal requests upon arrival. Feel free to sit back and relax or jump in and learn some traditional cooking techniques. Breakfast typically includes coffee/tea, fruit, and bread and peanut butter. Dinner consist of Rice or Ugali (cornmeal grits), traditional veggies, and beans. Feel free to communicate with the women before your stay or upon arrival about any dietary restrictions or preferences. Bottled drinking water will be available throughout your stay. Activities: You can choose your level of engagement, but optional activities include: Traditional beadwork – Unity village is part of a small-scale beading enterprise and are happy to show off their skills. Learn to make a simple bangle, watch as women bead a traditional collar necklace or have the women set up their market to see a full spread of their work and have the opportunity to purchase artwork and jewelry to remember your visit. Milking goats – Every morning and evening the women make the rounds to milk their 50+ goats. Experience the organized chaos of this task and if you’re adventurous, try some fresh goat’s milk straight from the utter. Collecting water – There is a water tank in the village and nearby borehole for fetching water, but many women still travel to the river daily to fetch water for washing and livestock. Take a morning walk (less than a quarter mile) to the iconic Ewaso River. If you’re lucky, you may get glimpse of a crocodile, baboons, or other wildlife straying from the nearby National Reserve. Evening entertainment – In the evenings, the women and children love to perform songs and dances for guests and welcome any musicians who want to join in. Sit outside under a blanket of stars with a clear view of the Milky way while enjoying the quiet of the village and sounds of distant wildlife.