Kitchwa Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya 

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is set among the forests just below the spot where a famous scene from the film "Out of Africa" was shot and consists of 40 Hemingway-style safari tents shaded by dense forest canopy.  The camp's two thatched rondavels overlook the Sabaringo River, shaded by tall Fig and Ebony Trees.  The main living area and all the tents overlook endless plains of the Masai Mara.  The enchanting, luxurious tented camp at Kichwa Tembo, is in the north-western corner of the richest game park in Kenya.  Meaning "Head of the Elephant" in KiSwahili, Kichwa Tembo is flanked by the Oloololo Escarpment and the Sabaringo River.  The camp lies deep in a monkey-rich forest on the exclusive western side of the Masai Mara National Reserve, far removed from the package tourism of the eastern Mara.  Each luxurious, en suite tent is completely private, tucked away in its own little piece of wild Africa. WILDLIFE The unfenced Masai Mara covers 1 500km² and, together with the neighbouring Serengeti is home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on earth.  The great migration of over two million wildebeest, zebra and other grazing ungulates every year is the Mara's foremost attraction and one of the greatest spectacles in the animal kingdom.  Each year, far south in the vast Serengeti, the wildebeest start the long trek to the Kenyan border.  An endless thunder of wildebeest and zebra enter the Mara around the end of July, drawn by the sweet grass.  Add to this the richness of fauna, profusion of winged beauty and untouched landscape, and you have magical Masai Mara. Kichwa Tembo is the ideal location for intimate encounters with an overwhelming assortment of animals.  Surrounding Kichwa Tembo is a dense forest filled with smaller mammals as well as entertaining troops of blue monkey and red-tailed monkey.  The camp overlooks endless, game-filled plains. Game:  From June each year over two million wildebeest, zebra and other grazing ungulates move through the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. The hungry herds are drawn north by the sweet grass resulting from the long rains.  In the course of their journey they brave relentless predators, a shortage of food and water and the huge crocodiles of the turbulent Mara River. Late July, August and September (dry season) are prime game viewing months, but there is an abundance of resident wildlife all year round and superb viewing is by no means confined to the migration. The black-maned Mara lions are of special interest. Cheetah, giraffe, elephant, a host of antelope and fascinating monkeys can also be seen. There are also thousands of topi, a conspicuous bronze-and- brown-coated antelope not found in other Kenyan parks, apart from Tsavo. Birds:   Bird-watching around the camp is outstanding, with many spectacular species to be seen.  Grey-capped Warbler, Ross's Turaco, Schalow's Turaco, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, African Blue Flycatcher and African Green Pigeon are all resident and conspicuous.  The spectacular Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill and Double-toothed Barbet are occasional visitors. An extraordinary 450 bird species have been recorded in the Masai Mara, and no less than 57 species of birds of prey.  Raptors include the Brown Snake Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Bateleur, White-headed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Hooded Vulture and African Fish Eagle. Vultures are highly sociable raptors, supreme masters of the air and a vital link in the food chains of African savannahs.  Six species of vulture occur in the Masai Mara.  The Egyptian Vulture is a nomad and rarely seen, while the group-foraging African White-backed Vulture is the most common.  Others are the more solitary Lappet-faced Vulture and White-headed Vulture, the smaller and thin-billed Hooded Vulture and the gregarious Ruppell's Griffon.      SEASONS The climate in Kitchwa Tembo is warm and dry with abundant seasonal rainfall. Rainfall:  The Masai Mara receives the highest rainfall of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem - an average of 1 000mm of rain per year, concentrated in two seasons - March to June (the so-called "long rains") and October to December ("short rains").  As a result of the rains the Masai Mara has sharp seasonal differences in terms of grass growth and numbers of herbivores. The rain has a knock-on effect on the entire landscape and ecosystem, right down to limiting the number of predators.  Rain usually falls during late afternoon or at night. Temperature:  Despite being just south of the Equator, daytime temperatures are mild due to the elevated altitude.  The nights can be fairly cool.  Summer extends from October to April, with December to March being the warmest months.  All year minimum temperatures are 11ºC/52ºF and maximum temperatures are 30ºC/86ºF.  Overall, the climate of the Mara is gentle and it is rarely too hot. The cool season is from May to September. Best Time to Travel:  Throughout the year, although winter time, from May to September, is the best time to view game.  The wildebeest migration follows a reasonably predictable pattern, dependent on when the rains come.  The migration normally reaches Kenya in late July (herds mass along the Mara River), when the wildebeest disperse onto the plains of the Masai Mara for a couple of months.  No. of Bedrooms 40 Hemingway-style safari tents with en suite facilities. Activities Game Drives:  All walks and game drives are led by the Kichwa Tembo guides.  There are morning and afternoon game drives in open Land Rovers (night game drives are not allowed in the park).  Fascinating night explorations traverse the private concession adjacent to the reserve in search of predators and other nocturnal animals. Interpretive Walks:  The position of the camp affords the opportunity for walks along the Mara River and up the Oloololo Escarpment.  Bush walks are guided by rangers and resident Maasai naturalists and are an optional extra at Main Camp but are included in the rate at Bateleur Camp. Adventures: There are a number of exciting activities as optional extras, like viewing game from the silence of a hot-air balloon, one of the finest wildlife experiences.  Not only does this give you a unique perspective of the Mara grasslands, but it also enables you to spot far more game than is possible from the ground.  This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In addition the camp offers: Early morning bush breakfast Daily lectures by a Maasai naturalist A library in which you can browse through our collection of wildlife books, magazines and videos Visit to a Maasai cultural village and watch traditional Maasai dancing Find Similar Properties