Maasai Mara
K E N YA
MA ASAI MARA CAMPS & LODGES The Mara plains are dot ted w it h a huge choice of camps and lodges, a l l w it h t heir ow n iconic ex per iences. A s wel l a s Gover nors’ Camps (read about t hem on p16), we’ve picked our favour ites for fami lies, conser vancy locations and a l l-out lu x ur y.
The views are incredible at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge
STAY IN A PRIVATE CONSERVANCY
SLEEP AT A MA ASAI VILL AGE-INSPIRED LODGE
WHERE? Karen Blixen Camp, Mara North Conservancy
WHERE? Mara Serena Safari Lodge, central Mara Triangle
This classic tented camp is in a private conservancy (which protects more than 900 hectares via lease agreements with local Maasai landowners) so it means you can do activities that aren’t allowed inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, such as guided game walks and night drives. When the sun sets, the vibe in the African bushland shifts and nocturnal species like aardvarks and jackals wake up to come out and play under moonlit skies.
It’s not all about tented camps in the Mara. You can stay somewhere with a proper roof over your head and still have jawdropping views across the plains. Mara Serena Safari Lodge has one of the best outlooks in the whole reserve – all the way down to the Mara River. It’s a unique lodge that takes its inspiration from a traditional Maasai manyatta (a cluster of domed huts surrounded by a brushwood boma) with earthy tones and swirling patterns to echo the colours and shapes of the bush.
SPOT WILDLIFE FROM YOUR PRIVATE HOT TUB WHERE? Mara Bushtops, Bushtops Conservancy The 12 tents at Mara Bushtops are more like five-star hotel rooms under canvas. All have round-theclock butler service and a huge deck where you can spot zebra and giraffe from your private hot tub. The camp even has an award-winning spa and there’s no better way to end a day out on the dusty open plains than soaking in the star pool, where the twinkling in-water lights – that draw out the Orion constellation – reflect the vast night sky.
LET THE KIDS GO WILD WHERE? Mara Intrepids, central Maasai Mara Mara Intrepids has an Adventurer’s Club kids’ club for 3-11 year-olds, where animalobsessed kids can learn all about plants, wildlife and survival skills. It’s run by Maasai naturalists and activities include bow and arrow lessons and footprint tracking. At the camp, family tents sleep up to four, and you can have your own family vehicle for game drives to stalk amazing wildlife. Choose to stay at these camps and lodges on any of our Kenya safaris (p70-78).
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Call 01306 747000 | www.kuoni.co.uk
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