**Please note that Mara Expedition Camp is expected to move from its current location to reside on a hilltop overlooking the Maasai Mara. The new tents, just five in total, will have new showers and an antique iron bathtub in each. Mara Toto will replace the current Mara Expedition Camp and will be a private camp, with four tents tucked along the river line and under the forest canopy. More details to come**
OVERVIEW:
Mara Expedition Camp is a high-end luxury tented property. If you are looking to spend some time off the tourist trail yet still surrounded by wildlife, this little camp comes hugely recommended!
ACCESS & LOCATION:
It is situated on the border of the Mara North and Olare Motorogi conservancies, on the banks of the Ntiakatek River just a few kilometres from Mara Plains. This is a great place to escape the crowds and the camp is a fantastic option for couples, groups, and families alike!
ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT MARA EXPEDITION CAMP:
The camp is surrounded by riverine forest. Its mess tent nestles into trees and is open fronted to provide views across the river. There are two areas – a lounge and a dining room. The lounge is decorated in explorer style, featuring Persian rugs, leather seating, beaded cushions, brass lamps, and mysterious wooden chests! The dining room contains a long table and upright chairs for communal meals. Guests also dine in the area in front of camp, while the fire pit a few metres away makes for an ideal spot to enjoy a pre-dinner drink. There is a further lounge space down by the Ntiakatek, offering a day bed and a few director’s chairs to guests in need of a little riverside relaxation! And the camp even has its own little shop, stocking mainly jewellery items.
There are just five tents at Mara Expedition Camp, also in the shade of the forest. Each is constructed from an attractive light canvas and has a wooden deck overlooking the river. This forms a veranda at the front of the tent, furnished with a pair of director’s chairs and a hammock. Inside, the style echoes that of the mess tent, including Persian rugs, campaign chests for tea and coffee, a big barrel as a coffee table, and brass chandeliers! The beds can be arranged as twins, doubles or triples. En-suite facilities comprise flush toilet, twin washbasins made of beaten brass, and authentic safari shower! All tents benefit from solar power.
ACTIVITIES AT MARA EXPEDITION CAMP:
Activities at Mara Expedition Camp are almost all about the wildlife!
- Due to its position on the border between two conservancies, the camp is able to offer game drives across a large area. This region is particularly renowned for its big cats, especially leopard, but there are plenty of other species to observe. The spectacular savanna, river valleys, and verdant woods are home to predators such as spotted hyena, jackal, wild dog, as well as herbivores such as elephant, rhino, giraffe, and gazelles. The bird life is equally impressive. And between August and November, the campsite itself plays host to the wildebeest Great Migration!
- A hot air balloon safari at dawn is a wonderful way to start the day, enjoying breathtaking views.
- Lastly, there is the opportunity to visit the local school or village, excellent for getting to know the local people!
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.