Seven canvas suites on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River, with game viewing in both a private conservancy and the Maasai Mara reserve.
Mara Plains is the camp we suggest when the wildlife matters more than anything else. It sits in riverine forest in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, on the northern edge of the Maasai Mara reserve, and guests can drive in both. The conservancy is known for low vehicle density, so a lion sighting here tends to be yours rather than a queue of minibuses.
There are only seven suites, raised on decks of recycled railway sleepers, with copper baths and wood-burning stoves on the verandas for cool evenings. Each suite has a professional camera and lenses for guests to use, which turns the keen amateur into a much better photographer within a day. There is no fixed schedule and no set mealtimes; the day bends around what the animals are doing.
It is not a camp for people who want a pool, a spa or a long list of activities between drives. The point is being out on the plains for as long as you like and coming back to a quiet, well-run camp. Couples and photographers get the most from it. Families can come, and the two-bedroom Jahazi Suite gives them their own space.
A canvas-canopied suite on a raised deck with a deep copper bath, a large private veranda with a wood-burning stove and over-bed air conditioning for warm nights.
A two-bedroom suite at Mara Plains with the same access to the conservancy and the reserve, suited to families or friends travelling together.
There are no set mealtimes. Meals are arranged around your drives and the wildlife of the day, whether that is a late breakfast out on the plains or dinner back in camp. All meals and drinks, including premium spirits and champagne, are included.
This is a camp built around time in the field rather than treatments. Ask us what is offered in camp when you book; the real downtime is the veranda and the view over the plains.
Families are welcome and the Great Plains Young Explorers programme adapts activities to each child. Ask us about the current age policy and child rates, which are confirmed at booking.
| Accommodation | Seven canvas suites |
|---|---|
| Setting | Riverine forest on the Ntiakitiak River |
| Game viewing | Olare Motorogi Conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve |
| Getting there | Scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson to Olare Motorogi airstrip, then a road transfer |
| Included | Meals, drinks, scheduled activities, park and conservancy fees, laundry |
| Extras for guests | Professional camera and lenses in every suite |
Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya
A few of the things we plan for guests in Kenya.
From about July to October, wildebeest and zebra mass on the banks of the Mara River and plunge across past waiting crocodiles. Crossings are unpredictable, so give yourself at least four nights and a guide who will wait patiently. Camps in the north of the reserve or in Mara North are well placed.
The conservancies are leased from Maasai landowners, so your stay supports local families directly. Vehicle numbers are capped, and guides can go off-road to follow lions, leopards and cheetahs. Walking with Maasai guides and night drives are included in many camps. They are good all year, not just in migration season.
Laikipia is a high plateau of private ranches and conservancies north of Mount Kenya. Lewa and Ol Pejeta protect black and white rhinos, and Ol Pejeta is home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth. Horse riding, camel walks and fly camping are all possible, which makes it a good choice for families.
Five nights in a private conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara, then a short hop to the Indian Ocean for five nights on Zanzibar's quieter north-east coast. A night in Nairobi on arrival breaks the long flight.
A safari for people who would rather walk than sit in a vehicle. Three nights on a camel-supported walking safari in Laikipia, three in Samburu country for the northern species, and two on the Laikipia Plateau to finish.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability, suggest the right room and send a price.
