Sametu Marsh & Kopjes

The landscape is defined by the striking Sametu Kopjes—ancient granite island-outcrops that rise sharply from the flat sea of grass. Directly in front of these rocks lies the Sametu Marsh, a vital sanctuary fed by permanent underground springs. In an area where water is incredibly scarce, this marsh is the only year-round source for miles.

Historically significant, the area also features several deep wells carved directly into the bare rock by the Maasai hundreds of years ago. These wells provide fresh, clear water and are surrounded by thick, protective reed beds. Moving east from the kopjes, the terrain opens into the true “Siringet”—the endless plains—interrupted only by landmarks like Soit Le Montonye (the “rock in the water”) and the Ngarenanyuki River, which marks the northern boundary of the short-grass plains.

Lions Share is an ADS favorite and a “must-read” for any Serengeti enthusiast. Written from the unique perspective of the lions themselves, Jeanette Hanby and her husband David Bygott (of the Serengeti Lion Project) chronicle the pride’s daily struggles for survival, territorial defense, and the raising of cubs in a landscape that is as beautiful as it is unforgiving. Visiting Sametu today is like stepping into the pages of the book, as the descendants of the original pride continue to thrive on the very same rocks their ancestors occupied fifty years ago.