We often are asked for camps and lodges within the greater Mara ecosystem which have swimming pools – and here are a few of our favourite places to stay with the opportunity to cool down, make a splash and have some fun in your down time in-between safaris. Perfect for everyone who loves a swim – but especially brilliant for families travelling with children!
SALA’S CAMP – MASAI MARA RESERVE
Sala’s camp is located at the convergence of the Sand and Keekorok Rivers – nestled along the tree lined banks of the Sand River in the southern tip of the reserve. The Camp offers space, comfort and great views as well as an amazing safari experience and has just seven new luxury tents dotted along the Sand River.
This luxurious camp reflects the casual elegance of safari days gone by whilst being surrounded by contemporary touches such as private plunge pools and glass-fronted tents. The camp’s interiors are elegant and comfortable and all rooms have ensuite bathrooms with bathtub and shower, running water and flushing toilets. Electricity is solar-powered and there is a standby generator for refrigeration and charging devices. After a day exploring the Masai Mara chill by your private pool or relax in your hammock before sundowners by the campfire and dinner under the stars.
NABOISHO CAMP – NABOISHO CONSERVANCY
Naboisho Camp is perched adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve within the Naboisho Conservancy – which benefits both wildlife conservation and the local community.
The camp has just nine spacious canvas safari tents each with king-sized or twin beds, indoor and outdoor hot-water showers and a flushing toilet. Naboisho Camp is designed to be as open as possible, taking full advantage of the Mara surroundings and meals are often taken on the lawns in front of the main reception area or under the stars at night.
The camp is home to a stunning swimming pool where you can chill out during the day with a cold drink watching wildlife, or sunbath on the sunny terraces surrounding the pool.
Activities allow you to enjoy spectacular game viewing – including high concentrations of predators – combined with community interaction, the opportunity to join a walking safari or night drive. Float above the Mara in a balloon safari.
OL SEKI CAMP – NABOISHO CONSERVANCY
Ol Seki Camp is set in the private Naboisho Conservancy which borders the Maasai Mara Reserve and guests are treated to a choice of ten exclusive tents with breathtaking views and the warmest Kenyan hospitality.
The camp is nestled amongst Cordia and Acacia trees with amazing views across the valley and each spacious tent features a private deck so that you can sit and watch the wildlife and birds in their natural habitat or simply enjoy the stunning sunsets from your tent.
The beautiful infinity swimming pool is set alongside a sunset deck with a built in fire pit overlooking the watering hole and Koiyaki plains and is the ideal spot to relax during the midday sun and enjoy the quintessential safari ‘sundowners’ at dusk.
Enjoy game drives with an alfresco breakfast in the bush or enjoy a guided safari walk with your Masai guide. You might like to meet local Maasai herdsmen and their families and learn about their pastoral way of life, visit a N’dorobo cave, watch birds, photograph the sunset, dine under the stars or soar above the plains in a hot air balloon.
ANGAMA MARA – MARA TRIANGLE
High above Kenya’s Maasai Mara sitting on the edge of an escarpment on the edge of the Great Rift Valley – Angama Mara is a stunning lodge with a fabulous swimming pool.
The lodge offers amazing views as far as the eye can see with outstanding game viewing 12 months of the year and private access to the Masai Mara Reserve. Inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’ Angama Mara floats 1,000 feet above the Maasai Mara and every morning, hot air balloons sail past the 30-foot-wide floor-to-ceiling glass fronts of each suite.
Tailor-made days are as action-packed or as gentle as you would like them to be. Experience game drives, hot air ballooning, walking safaris, garden-to-table lunches in the Shamba, hosted photographic safaris, a fitness centre, a 40-foot-long swimming pool, a curated gallery of African art, clothing and jewellery, and a sun-filled studio where local Maasai women work at beading bespoke items – or simply do nothing at all.
&BEYOND BATELEUR CAMP – MASAI MARA RESERVE
Bateleur Camp is set in the forest at the foot of the scenic Oloololo escarpment – the rim of the Great Rift Valley – in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Some of Africa’s highest concentrations of wildlife is right on your doorstep.
Bateleur Camp has two intimate camps of nine luxury tents each and a luxury family tent each with its own private butler and housekeeper. The luxurious rooms are beautifully decorated and have hardwood floors, polished silver and copper bathtubs and outdoor showers, and the reception areas handcrafted artefacts, fine antiques, leather buttoned Chesterfield sofas, books, and candlelit sitting and dining areas.
Refreshing lap pools in each camp offer cool comfort in between game drives, night drives, bush walks, hot air balloon safaris, community excursions, keeping fit in the gym and enjoying wellness treatments in the massage sala.
KAREN BLIXEN CAMP – MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY
Karen Blixen Camp is an eco-friendly camp set in the Mara North Conservancy. The camp hints at bygone explorer days when elaborate and comfortable camps were set up providing a luxurious and stylish retreat after each day’s adventure.
This family friendly camp has 22 large luxury canvas tents – each set on a wooden platform with a spacious veranda overlooking the Mara River. The tents are ensuite and furnished with a large comfortable bed, Persian rugs and a cosy armchair, and the private bathroom has a flush toilet, twin wash hand basins and a romantic outside shower.
The stylish restaurant, the reception, the lounge, bar and the gift shop with internet are set on a raised wooden deck and furnished with reproductions of Karen Blixen’s private furniture and the beautifully laid swimming pool offers relaxation inbetween game drives.
Enjoy game drives, bush walks, birding, balloon safaris, community visits or helicopter flights over the Mara – or just sit back and relax with a gin and tonic overlooking the Mara River!
SERENA LODGE – MARA TRIANGLE
The Serena Lodge is set in the Mara Triangle perched high on Ol Donyo Oseiya hill with sweeping views of the plains and the meandering Mara River.
74 guest rooms have been inspired by the local Maasai heritage and surrounding natural beauty and have wonderful views of the Mara river and surrounding plains. Decorated in swirling patterns that reflect the colours and shapes of the bush, rooms feature Maasai-inspired design, king or twin beds, mosquito-curtaining and marble bathrooms with walk-in showers. The swimming pool is a great spot to cool off in the heat of the day or enjoy drinks and snacks poolside.
Experiences at the lodge include both day and evening game drives, a Mara sundowner, bush bbq dinner or starlit romantic dinner in the bush, Masai village visit, a hippo pool breakfast, balloon safari or a hike along the Ololoolo escarpment.
COTTARS 1920’s CAMP – OLDERKESI CONSERVANCY
Cottars 1920s Camp is nestled on its own private conservancy and offers the romance of safari under cream canvas tents, the vintage style of the bygone era of the twenties, while at the same time showcasing an abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy, and the highest standards of professional guiding in a luxurious and authentic safari environment.
The camp has nine tents – one unique honeymoon tent, four double tents and four family suites – all with ensuite bathrooms. The family tents have living rooms with fireplaces. The entire camp is situated to ensure that tents are private and quiet – whether for honeymooners or families with young children.
The camp has two main mess tent areas for fine dining, drinking, reading and relaxing and an amazing pool and spa where you can relax after a game drive. The location of the camp provides easy access for day and night game drives to the Masai Mara game reserve and the conservancy, game walks, and cultural interactions with the Maasai community.
MARA AND ACACIA HOUSES – MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY
Tucked away in the tranquil Ol Chorro Losoit Valley between the Lemek Hills — a haven for wild dog — Mara House and Acacia House are located in the Mara North Conservancy, adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Far removed from the most-visited parts of the Mara the three-bedroom, fully staffed houses are designed for families or groups who want the privacy of their own home while on safari in Kenya. The two houses share a pool and the barbecue areas are ideal for sundowners or long lunches.
Inside each house you’ll find an open-plan dining room and lounge with a log fire – perfect for when the temperature takes a slight dip in the evenings. Each house has three bedrooms; Mara House has three ensuites, while Acacia has one ensuite, a ground-floor bedroom with a shared bathroom, and an attic room that’s ideal for kids.
Though not hosted, each house comes with a full team, including a chef, house manager, and your own private guide, and you’ll have your own private vehicle so you can decide exactly when you want to go out on safari and for how long. Experiences include both day and night game drives, nature walks, cultural excursions and photographic safaris.
&BEYOND KICHWA TEMBO TENTED CAMP – MASAI MARA RESERVE
&Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is situated on the western border of the Masai Mara National Reserve – in the Mara Triangle – one of the most productive parts of the Mara ecosystem. Meaning ‘head of the elephant’ in Kiswahili the Camp is set on a private concession leased from Maasai landlords.
Lying at the base of the Oloololo Escarpment, the camp overlooks the plains of the Masai Mara with game frequently viewed in front of the camp. The location not only has some of the best views in the Mara, being within a private conservancy enables you to take part in safari walks and night drives that are not available in the national reserve.
Whilst the camp is large with 40 tents – it has a warm family feeling and is great for families, multi generational get togethers, small groups and couples and there is a variety of luxurious accommodation to choose from.
The generously sized lodge swimming pool is set among the trees and surrounded by lush lawns and breathtaking views, and the split- level dining area has been designed around an interactive kitchen and vegetable garden, making food an integral part of the safari experience.
Enjoy games drives, walking safaris, balloon safaris, bush dining and visits to the local Masai community.
HOUSE IN THE WILD – ENONKISHU CONSERVANCY
House in the Wild is a private family-owned boutique lodge in a unique location perched on the banks of the Mara River, tucked away on Naretoi – a 1000-acre private estate within the Enonkishu Conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara. On what was once an intensive farm, Naretoi is the first project of its kind where the land on the edge of the Mara has changed from farming back to nature. This rewilding has seen the rangelands around the House in the Wild return to their natural state with wildlife returning to the area after over a decade of intensive farming.
The House on the Wild was originally a family getaway on the Wood’s commercial farm but has been restored and upgraded to offer a laid back luxury accommodation for guests wanting privacy and adventure. There is also the option to stay in one of the private Wild Villa’s – Amani and Jamani House. These incredible properties sleep up to 14 guests and can only be taken on an exclusive basis.
If you can tear yourself away from the amazing swimming pools you can explore Enonkishu, Lemek and Ol Chorro Oiruwa conservancies with your guide. Big cats, elephants and plains game are commonly seen within a 15 minute drive from the house. The list of possible activities is expansive and includes game drives, guided walks, visit to the Mara Training Centre founded by Tarquin and Lippa Wood, tree planting: meet the women who run the Trees in the Wild nursery and plant a tree, beading: see the women’s beading projects and make yourself a Maasai bracelet, local school visit, visit the local cattle market, fishing in the Mara River, visit to the Rhino Sanctuary where you are able to walk with the rhino, spend an hour at the local Maasai village, helicopter flights over the Mara, balloon Safaris, boda boda ride (motorbike), tennis, visit the Mara Elephant Project, mountain bike riding.
TIPILIKWANI MARA CAMP – GREATER MASAI MARA
This uniquely situated luxury camp on the banks of the Talek River overlooks the plains of the Masai Mara where vast herds of wildlife co-exist with the Maasai people.
Set just outside the Masai Mara Reserve, Tipilikwani’s 20 well spaced tents enjoy river frontage and are decorated with warm, rich Maasai colours. The tents are insect-proofed and have their own terrace. The ensuite bathrooms are fitted with double wash basins, hot and cold running water, a flushing toilet and rain shower. The family tents have a stand-alone bath tub in addition to showers.
The camp has a fabulous swimming pool surrounded by grassy areas and sunbathing decks – perfect to chill in after a hot game drive or relax and read a book with a cold drink.
Activities include game drives, bush breakfast/dinner, picnic lunches, sundowners, cultural visits, lectures on Maasai culture by resident naturalist and entertainment by local Maasai warriors.
Let us help you arrange your Kenyan safari using our location expertise and experience of staying at many of the camps and lodges within the greater Masai Mara area. Call us on 01984 667420 or email sue@trackssafaris.co.uk to start planning your Kenyan adventure!
