Serian, one of the prettiest Mara camps, is strung along the gently sloping banks of the Mara River. Water is such a luxury in the heat of Africa - and you can see the river from every part of the camp, it's soft on the eyes, and the ears with lovely views beyond to the Oloololo escarpment. It seems like this camp might have the best of both worlds.
It's only half an hour from the Mara Reserve proper with its sheer volume of game, but being outside the restrictions of the actual park, there's a chance to ditch the car for a while on foot. This makes a big difference here because Alex Walker who owns the camp, and his partner Francisca Sommelatte, love being in the bush. These are two people who've been around it most of their lives and you can tell it's very natural to them to be there; this makes it fun to be a part of their world. Alex found the site when he was 11 years old. His family used to take a little tent and some friends and go camping here. 28 years on he's built a lovely place to stay.
In the main camp, the seven tents are all exquisitely done up, with cream and white bed-tents sitting on timber decks, all with ensuite bathrooms and solar power. It is, by design, on the rawer side of wild and tries to minimize the barrier between you and the world outside. Anyone new to the bush would find this either thrilling or alarming depending on your temperament - or most likely a combination of the two. This is both the reason we really like it and the reason we wouldn't recommend it for everybody.
There is also a small private camp set up close by which takes this wilderness immersion concept further still. Ngare Serian has just four tents and being entirely exclusive, with private game drives and access to 4000 acres of exclusive use walking area is absolute heaven for families - particularly those who want to expose their kids to that safari tingle, whilst still getting them home in one piece.
More basic still and climbing further up the tingle scale is their private mobile camp. Nkorombo Camp has just five Meru style tents, bucket showers and short drop toilets and is only available on an exclusive basis, for a minimum of two people. A perfect option for those seeking out a semblance of proper camping within the Maasai Mara.
One of their favourite things, if particular guests feel adventurous enough, is just leaving camp behind, taking a few mattresses and a frying pan, crossing the river and sleeping out in the open air, with no trimmings. This might include a night in Serians own treehouse on Sugoroi Hill, basic but fantastic and very memorable. There's a simple, transformational thrill in doing this kind of thing in Africa, stripping away what you think you need, and just throwing yourself out there. But don't worry you're in safe hands too - Alex used to be a professional hunter and Francisca is a trained Africa walking guide.
Incl. FB, House wines, beers, soft drinks, laundry, excl. Use of game drive vehicle, walks, fly camping, cultural visits, bush meals. Excl. Cellar wines, premium spirits, horse riding.
The Mara Conservation Area surrounds the main Masai Mara Reserve. This land is owned by a series of different Maasai communities (although mmuch of it falls under conservation partnership ageements with the private camp-owners), and differs from the main reserve in a couple of important ways. First, the Maasai to whom this is home are allowed to use this area to graze their cattle. Second, because it lies outside the main reserve, walking is allowed in this area. While many of the camps located here - the likes of Kicheche Mara Camp, Ol Seki Mara Camp, Richards Camp and Elephant Pepper Camp are within relatively easy reach of the main reserve, we would council against using this area simply as a dormitory for visiting the main park. Like Loliondo in northern Tanzania the Conservation Area really offers another side of the Mara ecosystem. It's probably worth recognising that the game viewing may not be quite on the scale of the main park - and that for the major river crossings you'll need to make the journey. However, in our experience, game viewing here rarely disappoints and the added dimension of the Maasai involvement makes this an excellent place to spend a few days. Read more?
Kenya is the most established safari country, and consequently you have to step a little off the conventional route to find real wilderness, but it’s certainly there. Kenya also has much going for it as a family destination, and also a good number of very individual safari camps and lodges with a personal approach that makes your experience very special. Kenya also has a particularly diverse ecology which ranges from snowy mountains to true desert, rolling grassy plains filled with wildlife to craggy scrub intersected with dry riverbeds, sparkling beaches and volcanic ranges. Read more?
Can't find the camp you're looking for? Just let us know and we will be sure to help.
Vanessa's 16 years in travel has seen her knowledge develop from sub-Saharan Africa into North Africa, Central and Southern America and the Galapagos. Consequently, she’s a veritable encyclopaedia of travel information and exceptionally cool, calm and collected in the face of the greatest planning demands.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.
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