GREAT PLAINS MARA PLAINS CAMP – OLARE OROK CONSERVANCY – MASAI MARA

Mara Plains Camp is a luxury seven tenedt camp located in the private 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy just on the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This intimate camp blends superb wildlife viewing with the best of safari hospitality and guiding. By swtaying at Mara Plains you will contribute considerably to the success of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy’s flourishing ecosystem; conservation fees paid safeguard this habitat, while supporting over 1,000 Maasai families. This partnership agreement ensures the survival of an astounding volume and variety of wildlife.

LOCATION

The camp is nestled in lush forest on the meandering bends of the Ntiakitiak River in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy outside the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya.

CAMP

The camp’s main area is reached by crossing the bridge to the camp. Each of the seven tents has deep canvas canopied ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors, thick Lamu wood doors, rich colours and brass accents. The ensuite tents have a well-appointed bathroom which has a deep copper bath and extensive private veranda. The camp is powered by solar power and was built without using cement.

Tents 1 and 2 share a deck and can act as a family unit. Tents 4 and 7 can serve as honeymoon tents and tents 5 and 6 are most suitable for guests with limited mobility. Tents 3 and 5 are closest to the main area with minimal steps and a banister.

Flanking the main mess area is the library – an area to enjoy a quiet afternoon passing the time reading books or editing your photographs. By day and night the camp is a sanctuary for resident species including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark larger mammals come into camp and Maasai warriors will escort you whilst walking. At night you can lie in bed and listen to the hippos singing.

The camp is small and intimate and there are no set camp schedule or set meal times. The day’s activities and dining arrangements are tailored around you and the wildlife opportunities of the moment. Each guest tent has a set of professional Canon camera and lenses and Swarovski binoculars available for you to use.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

One of only five camps in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains has access to more than 100,000 acres of exclusive land, prime habitat for a vast number of wildlife species, as well as access to the 375,000 Maasai Mara Reserve. The conservancy is reputed to have the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region while also having the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa.

Wildlife drives – game drives during the day and evening are in open vehicles and typically start at sunrise, returning for lunch and depart again in the mid-afternoon before returning just after sunset. Often the drive will go out all day deep into the Reserve or Conservancy with a packed breakfast and lunch.

Night drives are particularly good in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy and sightings can include lesser known nocturnal mammals and even lion and hyena hunts.

Cultural Visits – learn about the Maasai with a cultural visits to a nearby Maasai village. Locally produced crafts are available for purchase at the camp, all proceeds of which go toward the community and particularly the women’s groups and schools. You are also able to visit the local ladies beading workshop to try your hand at beading or see how these beautiful goods are made.

Photography – each of Mara Plains’ tents has a professional Canon camera set including a Canon 7D camera body and Canon 100-400mm and 24-70mm lenses and photos will be downloaded to a memory stick on your departure. Photographic tuition can be arranged at an additional cost and we recommend prior booking if possible. Cameras can vary.

Hot Air Balloon – hot air ballooning is available but should be booked in advance and is subject to availability and additional cost. Departures are very early in the morning to allow time to transfer to the nearest launching point.

MARA PLAINS CAMP IS CLOSED DURING APRIL EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP HAS AN ADULT ATSMOSPHERE AND IS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AGED 8 AND OVER