Mara Explorer, Masai Mara, Kenya

This luxurious tented camp lies at the confluence of the reserve’s four main game-viewing areas, and enjoys prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration between June and September.  During the remainder of the year, herds of watering elephant, giraffe and other animals can often be seen from your private verandah.  Mara Explorer’s own all-weather airstrip means you can be in camp less than an hour after leaving the bustle of Nairobi.  The well-maintained road from the capital provides a scenic ride of just under five hours. FACILITIES An intimate canvas covered dining area looks out over the river close to the camp entrance.  Meals are served from our own kitchens, using fresh vegetables and herbs grown in the camp gardens.  (Meals can also be enjoyed on your verandah, or at one of a series of specially-selected ‘bush sites’ close to the camp.)  Next door, the camp bar provides beautiful river views and a well-stocked library, while the spacious lounge offers large, luxurious sofas for reading, playing board games, or swapping safari tales. All the public areas are decorated with old African artifacts and memorabilia from the earliest days of the African safari.  Mara Explorer was constructed as an eco-friendly camp, and its operations are designed to have a minimal impact on the fragile Talek ecosystem.  All biodegradable waste is mulched for compost, while water-heating is fuelled by briquettes made from used coffee husks.  Together with its sister camp, Mara Intrepids, Explorer runs a Community Development Fund for building and equipping primary schools and medical clinics in the area.  Guests are invited to visit these facilities as well as the villagers’ own manyattas, which offer a fascinating insight into traditional Maasai life. Other facilities include:    Riverfront dining area and luxurious lounge Private bar with well-stocked guests’ library Large secluded verandahs with chaise longues Open-air bathing platforms with claw’s-foot tubs Custom-built four-wheel-drive safari vehicles Personal radio communications in each tent Board games, playing cards and other pastimes All-weather airstrip 2km from camp Reliable 240-volt electrical supply Swimming pool at our sister camp SERVICES Personal butler on 24-hour call Full laundry and valet services Early morning calls with tea or coffee Safety deposit boxes for valuables Foreign currency exchange service Mineral water & insect repellent in tents Sockets for battery-charging Telephone and e-mail by arrangement Resident doctor available 24 hours No. of Bedrooms This exclusive five-star camp offers 10 luxurious, well-spaced tents, each with its own private deck overlooking the Talek River. Seven of the tents have giant double beds, while three have twin beds. All are furnished in a classic blend of ancient and modern, with fine hand-carved mahogany furniture, rich African artifacts, and luxurious bathrooms with twin basins and all modern amenities. Each tent reflects a distinctive ‘Explorer’ style, with old wooden chests, tin trunks and historic prints, complemented by a fascinating collection of ‘Africana’ books in the camp’s library. The tents have been specially designed to open up to the sky, and each boasts a private open-air Victorian bathtub, from which guests can enjoy a unique new perspective of the African bush Activities Private game drives with experienced personal guides Walking safaris in the Mara Conservation Area Bush breakfasts and dinners under the stars Romantic sundowners overlooking the plains Visits to Maasai communities supported by the camp Transfers for early-morning hot air balloon rides Arrangements for fishing safaris to Lake Victoria Lectures and slide shows on Maasai culture and wildlife Environmental activities and tree-planting with local residents. Find Similar Properties