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OVERVIEW:
Serian the Original scores plenty of points from YZ. It really is a very family-friendly property – and great for groups as well! Check out our page on Nkorombo Serian if you are thinking of combining the two.
ACCESS & LOCATION:
It is situated on a hillside overlooking the Mara River and it also has a spectacular view of the Oloololo escarpment within the camp’s own walking concession. It is sister camp to Ngare Serian and combines well with Nkorombo Serian, in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SERIAN THE ORIGINAL:
The camp is accessed via the Mara North Conservancy’s main dirt track. After a drive over rippling plains, the road leads down to the river and Serian the Original comes into view amid the rocks and bush of the riverbank. The mess area is very welcoming. It includes a comfortable lounge and a dining room. The lounge has a lovely fireplace and sofas piled high with cushions, while the dining room boasts a large table and upright chairs for communal meals. Further space for eating and drinking is provided by a delightful deck with views of the river and, on the west bank, Ngare Serian, with its swing bridge into camp. The deck is particularly pleasant for lunch and afternoon tea! Behind the mess tent, there is a small shop – this stocks souvenirs and Maasai craft items.
Serian the Original’s guest tents are linked to the main area via rocky paths. These can prove challenging for some guests, but one of the camp’s askaris can be relied upon to lend a sturdy arm! The tents are very impressive, both in size and design. Five are standards and one is a family unit. The latter consists of two tents and two bathrooms, so there is plenty of room for children of all ages. For guests traveling as a couple with one child, a standard tent can accommodate an extra single bed. All tents are positioned on smart cream concrete plinths or wooden platforms to provide amazing views over the river. Inside, the four-poster beds have a Victorian look – distressed paint on iron frames! This style continues with a chic writing table and chaise longue. There are director’s chairs too, however, for a more classic safari vibe. The bathrooms are a short distance from the tent, located at the end of either a short walkway or a flight of steps. Each has a flush toilet, twin washbasins, shower, and bath with landscape views!
The food is first-rate – fresh ingredients are sourced in Serian the Original’s own ‘shamba’ (garden), which contains a fine assortment of vegetables and herbs!
ACTIVITIES AT SERIAN THE ORIGINAL:
The Mara North Conservancy is awesome for activities. There are only 11 camps here, so the region has a very exclusive feel!
- As at Ngare Serian, every group of guests uses a private vehicle and driver/guide for game drives, so you decide what you want to do. Game drives take place in the conservancy and in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Both destinations boast a wealth of wildlife – all Big Five animals in addition to loads of other predators and herbivores plus some seriously impressive birdlife! From July to October, the reserve witnesses the thrilling wildebeest Great Migration.
- Other things to do include a guided bush walk, to appreciate all the small things in the concession. There is also bush running, treks up the Oloololo escarpment, fishing, and fly camping at The Nest Treehouse – the treehouse is the perfect place for a picnic or a night spent sleeping under the stars.
*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.
