Mara Expedition Camp in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

Mara Expedition Camp in Mara North Conservancy Review

Mara Expedition Camp offers you a seamless blend of effective conservation and refined safari style, complete with old traveller’s trunks, brass bucket showers, and leather armchairs. With only five stylishly decorated safari tents, the camp ensures an exclusive and intimate experience. While the Masai Mara National Reserve can be bustling, especially during the Great Migration, this small camp is a peaceful oasis. Each of the six safari tents is nestled under acacia trees, overlooking an acacia forest. Located just inside the northern border of the Maasai Mara National Park, where riverine forest meets the expansive savannahs of the Mara ecosystem, the camp is ideally situated near northern border of the Mara North Conservancy. Here, you can embark on unlimited safari drives in both the the masai mara National Reserve, and the Mara North Conservancy, areas renowned for their abundant wildlife.

One of the highlights you’ll enjoy at this bush camp-style safari camp is its local reputation for leopard sightings around the premises. It’s also perfectly positioned for viewing both the great migration and the lesser-known migration from Loita Plains. Typically, the great migration of lions occurs between August and November, but nature can be unpredictable. While your tour and safari activities’ main goal should be to embark on safari game drives, the adventure doesn’t end with stepping into and out of a 4×4. Each of the six tents at the safari camp features a private deck overlooking the African bush, offering ample opportunities to observe wildlife from the comfort of one of the two director’s chairs or the hammock on your deck. Your daily safari adventure begins the moment you open your tent flap.

The common lounge and dining tent provides a view of the bush and mirrors the decor of the director’s chairs and private safari tents. Persian rugs, beaded leather floor cushions, and brass lamps create a warm and inviting atmosphere. One side of the tent serves as a private deck overlooking hot water and a lounge, while the other houses a large communal dining table. Breakfasts and lunches are often enjoyed al fresco under a grove of African ebony trees just outside the tent. Dinners and drinks are typically served fireside, illuminated by lanterns and candlelight. When you want to unwind with a view, you can savor a sundowner by the riverside from a comfortable daybed or one of the director’s chairs. If you’re looking for a small memento to take home while supporting the local Masai people, the camp has a souvenir shop offering beaded jewelry and artifacts. A larger souvenir shop can be found at the Mara Plains Camp, just a five-minute drive from Mara Expedition Camp.

Meals at Mara Expedition Camp in Maasai Mara National Reserve

All meals at Mara Expedition Camp are crafted with care and attention to detail. The main area where meals are served is the dining tent, a warm and inviting space decorated with Persian rugs and brass lamps. This common lounge and dining area features a large communal dining table, offering scenic views of the surrounding bush, enhancing the overall safari experience. When you head out early for a morning game drive, a bush breakfast adds to the experience. Your guide will choose a scenic spot and set up a table with a Masai blanket tablecloth, chairs, and cutlery. Expect a full breakfast with hot tea and coffee, porridge, bacon, sausage, toast, fried eggs, and mixed seed homemade cereal. You can also enjoy a delicious full breakfast spread, including freshly baked bread, at the camp. The same picnic-style meal is available for lunch, especially convenient for full-day safari activities. Lunchtime offers a variety of salads and other treats, complemented by freshly baked bread and fruit salad. Dinner is more formal, served at a beautifully set dining table. Each night, the camp’s chefs prepare mouth-watering three-course meals using fresh local ingredients.

Things to Do at Mara Expedition Camp

At Mara Expedition Camp, your Masai guides and trackers excel at creating memorable wildlife encounters. Positioned in big-cat territory, you’re likely to witness lions, leopards, and more. All game drives are included during your stay at this safari camp. You can enjoy safari game drives in the actual Masai Mara National Reserve, where the whole expedition camp itself is located, as well as in the Mara North and Olare Motorogi Conservancies. The safari camp provides two open-sided Land Cruisers, offering you an incredible view of your surroundings. You’ll have the opportunity to capture excellent pictures of the landscape and the wildlife that inhabits it. Each of the two 4x4s is equipped with fully stocked fridges to keep you comfortable during the game drive. You can also borrow one of the two Canon 50-D wide-angle, 100-400 mm lenses available for guests. These cameras are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. At the end of your stay, you’ll receive a complimentary DVD of your safari game drives, and if you need any photography advice, the managers at the Mara Expedition Camp are happy to assist you.

For those seeking a high-flying adventure, consider the hot air balloon safaris (hot hot air balloon safari’ price is not included in your stay’s price). Mara Expedition Camp provides several additional activities to enhance your hot air balloon safari and adventures. If you’re interested in experiencing Maasai culture and traditions, you can visit the local Masai school and community projects, or join guided nature walks. For a bit of exercise, and if you enjoy horse riding, the Ride Mara stables are just a short ride from the the hot air balloon safari and camp. Children aged 6 and up are welcome at Mara Expedition Camp and can join the camp’s ‘Young Explorer’s Club’. The club offers kids the chance to experience birdwatching, tracking, mountain biking, and cooking. However, remember that the camp is unfenced and there are many leopards in the area. If you’re traveling with children, they must be under adult supervision at all times.

During your stay and guests at Mara Expedition Camp, all scheduled wildlife viewing activities, meals, alcoholic beverages (including imported drinks and champagne), and non-alcoholic beverages are included in your stay and guests’s price. Park fees and special activities for guests, such as hot air balloon rides, are not included in your whole expedition camp you and guests’ stay’s price.

Stay 4 Nights Pay 3 Nights Special Offer at Mara Expedition Camp

Enjoy extra time at Mara Expedition Camp free of charge! You’ll receive one complimentary night at mara expedition camp when booking a three-night safari at Mara Expedition camp. This special offer is applicable for new bookings for arrivals between 1 November and 19 December 2024, between 11 January and 14 June 2025, and between 1 November and 19 December 2025. This special offer cannot be combined with any other special offers.

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