Mara Plains Camp

OVERVIEW:

Mara Plains Camp is the most sought-after luxury tented camp in the Mara conservancies and a consistent Yellow Zebra favorite. Small, intimate, and designed with integrity, it represents the best in terms of accommodation, service, and cuisine, with some of the most impressive wildlife viewing on the continent. Located within the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, this area boasts the lowest vehicle density in Kenya’s greater Maasai Mara region and the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa. Rates at Mara Plains Camp are full board and include accommodation, meals, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium brand spirits and champagne, all national park and reserve conservation fees, scheduled wildlife viewing activities in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Mara North Conservancy, laundry service, and return Ol Kiombo airstrip road transfer.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Mara Plains Camp is located in the private 13,300-hectare Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s northern boundary. Access is by light aircraft to the Olare Motorogi airstrip from Nairobi Wilson Airport (flying time 1 hr 15 mins) or other locations in Kenya, followed by a 30-minute game drive to the camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT MARA PLAINS CAMP:

Guest accommodation at Mara Plains Camp consists of five spacious solar-powered tents nestled within riverine forest and the two-bedroom Jahazi Suite, ideal for families. In keeping with the signature Great Plains Conservation style, luxury is equal to authenticity and ecological awareness. Each tent is raised on recycled railway sleeper decking, and the interiors are discreet but evocative, with heavy-set Lamu wood doors, canvas canopied ceilings, explorer-style storage trunks, brass lamps, Persian kilims, and vintage mahogany furniture. Double and twin configurations are possible, and each suite comes with an integrated living area, a writing desk, ceiling and standing fans, a mini-bar, a tea-and-coffee station, a luggage rack, hanging storage, and shelving units. Yoga mats and exercise bands are included, and there’s also a low-voltage hairdryer, as the power system does not support high-wattage devices. Professional camera sets are provided for guest use, including a camera body with lenses and a pair of high-quality binoculars. Every en-suite bathroom features a beautiful freestanding brass bathtub, a walk-in shower, twin basins, and a flush toilet. Outside, extensive wraparound decks are lit with ambient paraffin lamps at night. The Jahazi Suite has two en-suite bedrooms and a shared living and dining room. Guests staying in this suite also benefit from a private game drive vehicle and a dedicated wildlife guide.

The main areas comprise an open-fronted lounge and dining tent on raised decks with gorgeous forest and plains views. Antique leather sofas, colonial-style trunks, chandeliers, and paraffin lanterns call to mind a bygone era of old-world safari. Dining is usually communal, though individual tables can be set up on request, and guests can also choose to dine privately on their suite verandah. Outside, the atmospheric deck offers ample space to sit and admire the setting, and guests often commune around the campfire for storytelling beneath the stars. The camp prides itself on being extremely flexible on timings, and picnic breakfasts or lunches are often delivered to the bush, so you don’t miss out on any precious game-viewing time. Spa treatments can also be arranged in the suites on request. Wi-Fi is available in the guest suites, and cellphone connection is generally reliable; however, please note that phones and computers are not allowed in the public areas of camp or safari vehicles, only in the privacy of the guest suites.

ACTIVITIES AT MARA PLAINS CAMP:

Mara Plains Camp offers a range of activities that benefit from its location within a high wildlife-density private reserve.

• Game drives

  – Early morning, late afternoon/evening, and full-day game drives take place in customized, open-sided Toyota Land Cruisers, with fold-down screens, raised roofs, photographic bars, and multi-plug inverters to ensure keen photographers have everything they need while out on safari! Due to the camp’s location within a private conservancy, night drives are also possible, allowing guests to experience the magic of the Maasai Mara after dark. This region’s wildlife density is astonishing, with the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa, including lion, cheetah, and leopard. You’ll also likely cross paths with plenty of buffalo, elephant, giraffe, hippo, eland, and zebra. Mara Plains Camp is also well positioned for those visiting the Maasai Mara to see the Great Migration.

• Hot air ballooning

  – Take to the skies aboard a hot air balloon and soar high above the Maasai Mara, observing the wildlife traversing the seemingly never-ending plains. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, culminating in a romantic champagne breakfast in one of the most iconic wild spaces on earth. Please be aware that this activity must be pre-booked and incurs an additional cost.

• Cultural experiences

  – The Naboisho Women’s Group cultural experience is supported by the Great Plains Foundation and enables the group to buy materials in bulk and hire a tailor to create leather products. All profits from these sales are plowed back into business training to ensure the group is self-sustainable. Items for sale include beaded and leather products, coasters, bracelets, necklaces, belts, and dog collars.

• Photography

  – Inside each Mara Plains Camp suite, there’s a professional camera set for guest use, including a camera body and 100-400mm and 24-70mm lenses, and photos are downloaded to a memory stick on departure. Photographic tuition can be arranged at an additional cost, and we recommend prior booking if possible.

• Young Explorers program

  – Keeping the kids engaged is crucial while on safari, and the Young Explorers program offers plenty to keep them entertained and educated! On arrival, each child receives a Young Explorers pack with an activity book full of interesting information, including animal tracks, Kiswahili vocabulary, facts on flora, fauna and stars, word games, and a safari journal. Great Plains guides and staff are careful to modify the level of activities according to age.

*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.