AFRICA EXPLORED

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KENYA

MASAI MARA National Reserve

The Masai Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti eco-system and the most famous game reserve in Kenya. It lies at an elevation of approximately 5,200 ft, covering some 600 sq miles and is one of the few areas left in Africa where animals can be seen in large numbers. The terrain is varied with open savannah, rolling hills, riverine forest and the Mara River with its tributaries dissects the national reserve. The diverse habitat enables many different species to co-exist including elephant, black rhino, giraffe, buffalo, eland, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and hippo. The bird life is prolific with over 450 species recorded in the area.

The Masai Mara National Reserve offers wonderful scenery and an abundance of big game. With its rolling plains it is reminiscent of "Hemingway Country". The Mara is renowned for its magnificent black maned lions with their large prides who spend most of the day sleeping in the shade of the acacia trees. The wildlife is quite prolific all year round. But it is especially exciting during the Wildebeest Migration months when some hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrate into the Masai Mara from July thru to about November. 

Kicheche

Kicheche Mara Camp is a seasonal bush camp in the traditional style, and accommodates a maximum of twenty-two guests in eleven comfortable twin and double-bedded tents. Each tent is comfortably furnished with an en-suite bathroom consisting of a bucket shower and flushing toilet, low wattage lighting is supplied 24 hours a day and is eco friendly. The majority of the tents are in private secluded positions overlooking the plains and nearby Aitong Hills, while others are closer together and are designed to accommodate families or friends. The spacious Nyati tent acts as the camp central relaxation area with comfortable seating, a library, board games, cards, and is decorated with local crafts. Meals are taken ‘alfresco’ under the trees or under the stars weather permitting. The open campfire becomes the focal point in the evenings for the pre and post dinner drinks. Link to Camp web site

Elephant Pepper Camp

Situated in the midst of a 3,600 sq km wilderness Mara Safari Camp is within protected Koyaki wilderness area away from other lodges. This is a traditional safari bush camp: the 8 tents are spacious and luxurious with en-suite hot ‘bucket’ showers and a bush ‘short-drop’ toilet – traditions that have changed little since the days of Blixen and Roosevelt. The lighting is hurricane lamps, gas lights and candle-lit dinners. At the end of the day you can relax, chat beside a warming camp fire, ice clinking in your glass, grass underfoot, stars overhead and the plains stretching before you with no other camp, or vehicle to be seen. There are no noisy generators, just the sounds of the bush, the grunting of the wildebeest, the barking cough of the zebra and the occasional moan of lions – a truly relaxing experience and an escape from the modern world. Link to Camp web site

Rekero Tented Camp

Rekero Tented Camp is situated at what is recognised as the prime site within the Masai Mara game reserve, close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek River, ten minutes from the main Wildebeest crossings during the migration. The camp overlooks large pools populated with hippo and crocodile, and offers some of the finest big cat viewing in Africa. Link to Camp web site

The Rekero Tented Camp is closed April, May & November of each year.

Little Governors Camp

Intimate in character, there are just 17 tents tucked around a large watering-hole that teems with animal and bird life. From every veranda the view changes daily: giraffe and lion, elephant and warthog are regular visitors. Getting here is an adventure in itself, you first have to cross the Mara River by boat, then walk a short distance, escorted by armed guards, through the forest. All the tents are comfortable and tasteful. Each has en-suite bathroom, hot water, even bidets. In keeping with safari tradition lighting is by gas and kerosene lantern or candlelight. As dusk falls the flickering lights in the forest make the camp a uniquely peaceful and atmospheric place. Come the evening it’s time for chilled drinks and tall tales around the blazing campfire. Then, finally, a delicious dinner and a hot-water bottle to keep you warm in bed. Meals are served outdoors during the day or in a candle lit dining tent. Link to Camp web site

Mara Serena Lodge

Secreted deep within the Masai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge is set high on a bush-cloaked hill, embraced by arcing vistas and washed by a sea of richly rolling grasslands, it stands centre-stage to one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife arenas and has a ringside seat for the greatest wildlife show on Earth, the legendary migration of the wildebeest.

Drawing its inspiration from the traditional Maasai cultural motif of a cluster of domed, mud-coloured huts encircled by a “Boma” of brushwood, the Mara Serena offers a rare blend of raw African splendour and sumptuous sophistication. The essentially ethnic décor also draws on a vibrant colour-palette of sun-burst colours, embellished by a unique selection of Maasai art to create the look and feel of a traditional bush encampment. The lodge features individual rooms, each with their own balcony and wonderful view, a sky-blue swimming pool and a spectacular restaurant, overlooking a water hole.  Link to lodge web site.

AFRICA EXPLORED

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