Masai Mara Camps & Lodges
Masai Mara National Reserve
The northern reaches of the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem includes his reserve and the adjacent private conservancies which combine to become a vast area with abundant wildlife year-round. The Great Wildebeest Migration generally moves into this area beginning in July until they return to Tanzania in October. Start your day by watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon floating over the savanna.
Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp
Olderikesi Group Ranch
For almost a century, the Cottar family has made a tradition of the “golden age” safari experience here in this exclusive concession bordering the southeast boundary of the Masai Mara Reserve. The white tented camp includes six en-suite tents with bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and outdoor veranda. The four family suites include two bedrooms, dining area and fireplace. And there is a five bedroom private house available for exclusive use which includes a staff of eight, private guide and vehicle. Since Cottar’s is owned by professional safari guides, the camp’s emphasis is on a “complete safari experience” which means fun, intellectually stimulating and discovering a oneness with nature. Activities include day and night game drives, guided bush walks, cultural visits, line-fishing and swimming in the spring-fed pool.
2009 & 2011 - Finalist Best Safari Guiding Team – The Safari Awards
2009 & 2010 - Finalist Best Safari Property in East Africa - The Safari Awards
2008 – Recognized for “Best Guide” by Harpers Bazaar
Bronze Certified by the Ecotourism Society of Kenya for conservation practices and improvement projects for local communities.
Sala’s Camp
Masai Mara
Sala’s Camp rests on the banks of the Sand and KeeKorok rivers in the less known southern area of the Mara. This seasonal camp is open from mid-June to mid-October and mid December to mid-March. The view from camp looks out to the Northern Corridor of Tanzania’s Serengeti, the route generally taken by the wildebeest migration. There are seven luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and flush toilets. Families with children of all ages are welcomed.
Mara Plains Camp
Olare Orok Conservancy
Mara Plains Camp is a small, environmentally friendly, six-roomed camp under canvas that is located just north of the Masai Mara National Reserve boundary. The philosophy here is to tailor the day’s activities and meals around the guest’s preferences and the wildlife activities of the moment. There are no schedules! And because the camp is located within a private conservancy, you can enjoy nature-based walks and exciting night game drives. The camp is a founding member of the new Mara North Conservancy. These conservancies combine to create a fabulous wildlife reserve over one hundred thousand acres, rich in wildlife with the Mara’s lowest vehicle density and only one guest tent per 700 acres.
Ol Seki Mara
Koiyaki Conservancy
This luxury property offers six “Nina” tents which feature a double and a single bed, en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and a spacious changing area. The rounded architecture of the tents offer a 270 degree panoramic view of the famous Masai Mara. For families and groups, there are two units featuring a spacious private living and dining tent flanked by two bedroom tents, each with en-suite bathroom, shower and changing area. There is a dedicated staff team for each of these family units, a private kitchen and private access to and from game drives. Ol Seki is owned and operated by the Giovando family who are also the owners of Almanara on Diani Beach. Activities include customized game drive schedules, night drives, guided walks, visits to the local Maasai village and local guiding school. Hot air balloon safaris can be done with advanced notice.
Silver Certified by the Ecotourism Society of Kenya for conservation practices and improvement projects for local communities.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Mara North Conservancy
This seasonal camp allows guests to reconnect with nature surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush. There are no permanent structures, and not a drop of concrete has been poured here; which means the camp has a very light footprint on this protected area. It runs on 100% solar power. You will be amazed at the comfort of the nine spacious, en-suite tents complete with traditional safari shower and flush toilet. The tents are large enough to fit an extra bed to accommodate children under the age of 16 years old. There is one larger tent which includes a private dining and camp-fire area that is perfect for honeymooners or families traveling with two young children. In addition to safari activities, you can visit a local Maasai village and school giving you direct contact with the people of this area.
Gold and Bronze Certified by the Ecotourism Society of Kenya for conservation practices and improvement projects for local communities.
Saruni
Mara North Conservancy
Saruni offers a real African adventure experienced in harmony with Maasai warriors and coupled with high standards of style and comfort. Each of the five cottages and the family villa are furnished with colonial antiques, Persian carpets and African art. There is hot and cold running water in the elegant Italian styled bathrooms and large verandas where guests can sit quietly to observe the animals that come to the nearby waterhole. In addition to cultural visits, guided bush walks, day and night game drives, Saruni offers some unique activities. Artists may be interested in drawing or painting safaris led by professional artists and professional photographic workshops are also available. The camp offers its own private spa which is called the "Masai Well-Being Space." Adventurers can learn bush skills, animal tracking, and survival skills in the “Warrior for a Week” safari.
For those who would prefer an authentic tented safari experience, there is Saruni Wild. This deluxe tented camp is located 6 miles away from the main lodge and has three en-suite tents, one of which is a large family tent. The activities focus on elephant tracking, learning bush-craft, walking and night game drives.
2007 – Named one of the World’s Top Spas by Tatler Travel Guide.
Bronze Certified by the Ecotourism Society of Kenya for conservation practices and improvement projects for local communities.
Leleshwa Camp
Siana Conservancy
This is the only camp in this 20,000-acre Conservancy on the north-eastern edge of the Masai Mara Game Reserve so you will rarely encounter other vehicles. You are hosted by the owners, who call this home, and provide an authentic safari experience. The seven well-appointed tents are en-suite with flush toilets and showers. The camp is situated along a stream valley overlooking picturesque hills and rolling plains dotted with resident wildlife. An ample variety of activities are offered including day and night game drives, guided hikes to focus on animal tracking skills and plant identification, or photography workshops. A strong cultural aspect complements the wildlife watching and a visit to the local schools and traditional Maasai village is highly recommended. Families with children of all ages are welcome. Community involvement and strong environmental ethics pervade Leleshwa Camp’s operation. Every guest who stays here is making a direct contribution to improving the lives of the Maasai community and the environment.
Bateleur Camp
Western Masai Mara
This is the premium sister camp to Kitchwa Tembo, located just next door. Both camps sit just outside the western boundary of the Masai Mari on private land leased from Maasai landlords. Bateleur has nine tents on each side of a large central guests area. The elegant tented suites feature wooden floors, overhead fans, bathrooms with stone showers and with private decks where you can relax and look out over the endless plains. There is a lap pool for hot afternoons. The guest areas have cushy sofas and polished leather chairs, antiques and keepsakes of a bygone time. Dinner is with fine china, crystal and silver sparkling in the candlelight of an African night.
2010 – Included in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Family Hotels
Kitchwa Tembo
Western Masai Mara
Kitchwa Tembo is located on a private concession leased from Maasai landlords on the western border of the Masai Mara. This is a large camp of 40 tents (12 are luxury suites) making it a good place for families or groups. There is a large reception area and safari shop, bar and sitting area, indoor and outdoor dining area, a large swimming pool and grounds with leisurely groups of warthogs feeding. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, bird watching and daily lectures by a Maasai naturalist. Hot air ballooning can be done nearby.
2010 – Ranked #30 for Travel + Leisure’s Top 100 Hotels and #7 in Africa & the Middle East
2009 – Included on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List of the World’s Best Places to Stay, and #2 in Kenya on Travel + Leisure’s 500 World’s Best Hotels
Rekero Camp
Masai Mara
This is a seasonal camp set up from June to October, and again December to March, close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers. The location, just ten minutes from the main wildebeest crossings, makes it a prime area during the migration. The camp accommodates up to 16 guests in tents with terraces overlooking the river and en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and safari showers. Lighting in the tents is solar powered and kerosene lanterns are situated in front of the tents at night. A team of professional Masai safari guides and camp crew have worked together here for years, providing guests with an in-depth and truly memorable Masai Mara experience.
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