PORINI MARA CAMP – OL KINYEI CONSERVANCY

The award-winning Porini Mara Camp is located in a unique and beautiful setting under yellow-barked Acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli stream. This stunning setting offers a safari adventure in an unspoilt area, away from the crowds.

Ol Kinyei is renowned for its diverse terrain offering open savannah plains and rolling hills and the area has an abundance of water sources in the form of springs, streams and rivers.  The plains are home to a huge variety of animal species, and the camp has a low eco-footprint and one of a handful in Kenya with a Gold Eco-rating.

Ol Kinyei Conservancy was the first community conservancy of its kind set up in 2005 and every tent pays to secure 700 acres with the vehicles being limited to no more than 1vehicle to 1400 acres. Guests staying at the Porini Camps have exclusive access to this conservancy.

LOCATION

Porini Mara Camp is in Ol Kinyei Conservancy – an exclusive 18,700-acre wilderness set aside as a wildlife sanctuary – with a wide variety of species including big cats within the greater Mara.  Access is via a light aircraft flight to Ol Seki Airstrip where you will be met and transferred to camp.

CAMP

Porini Mara has just 6 spacious guest tents – one of them being a family unit that has a central lounge connecting the tents.  The tents are spacious and are tastefully furnished with local material and comfortable pillows made from colourful fabrics have been used to add a safari feel. The beds have comfortable mattresses and cosy duvets and blankets, with soft towels in the bathroom.

Each tent contains a double and single bed with bedside tables, LED bedside lamps, torch, wardrobe for hanging clothes, luggage rack, an ensuite toilet with bucket shower and basin, writing desk with lamp, carpets and chairs and table on the veranda for relaxing. Hot water bottles in each bed to chase the cold at night.

The family unit at Porini Mara Camp is a H shaped tent located about 20 metres from the main areas. The unit is made of high-quality canvas, is spacious, each wing measuring 64 square metres and the lounge is 16 square metres. It consists of two rooms with a lounge in between. Each of the two rooms has a king size bed and a single bed and is tastefully furnished, with solar-powered lighting, ensuite facilities (with hot shower and flush toilet) and a private veranda.

Solar energy powers the lights in the tent and throughout the camp. There are no electrical outlets in the guest tents and all battery charging is done in the manager`s office. The tents do not require mosquito nets around the beds as the tents are insect proof with screen windows and a zipped-up door.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Guests staying at the Porini Camps have exclusive access to this conservancy. There is a resident lion pride of over 20 animals and several leopards have their territories within the Ol Kinyei conservancy and are often sighted on evening or early morning drives. Cheetahs are frequently seen and it is not rare to come across large numbers of giraffe as well as Cape buffalo and elephants.

This is a great location from which to observe the Great Wildebeest Migration (generally July to October), and there is another Wildebeest Migration from Kenya’s Loita Plains to the Mara which moves into Ol Kinyei Conservancy earlier, usually by January. The calving takes place there during February and March when the plains of the conservancy are teeming with wildebeest and a lot of predator action.

Game drives

Morning, evening and night shared game drives. Sundowners at scenic viewing points. Escorted bush walks with Maasai warriors and safari guide. Bush breakfasts and bush lunches are also provided as part of the experience with the focus on being out in nature with your qualified Maasai guide and spotter.

Sundowners from scenic locations

Just before sunset as you finish your eventful afternoon drive, drinks and snacks will be served from a scenic location to enjoy the sights of the sun set across the plains of the plains.

Night Game-drives

After dark is the only time when you may catch a glimpse of such elusive nocturnal creatures as aardvarks, cape hares and bush babies. Your vehicle will be equipped with a powerful hand-held lamp, which can be used to sweep the bush for sightings of creeping shadows and gleaming eyes. The light is filtered thus does not blind the animals.  Unique to the conservancy experience, night game drives are not permitted within the boundaries of the national parks and reserves.

Guided nature walks with Maasai Warriors

Walking in the bush gives you the opportunity to experience Africa from the ground, in the safe hands of your professional Maasai warrior guide. By joining the walk, you will see all the little things available in nature which you might miss otherwise.  Identify bird calls and tracks, watch insects and understand plants and geology on a deeper scale – everything takes on more significance and you gain a much deeper understanding of your environment.

Bush picnics

Enjoy eating a meal in the raw wilderness of the African savannah with glorious views and landscapes and magnificent wildlife around you.  A Picnic lunch is usually arranged during a full day game outing in the reserve so that you don’t have to go back to the camp for lunch.

Hot Air Balloon Safari (charged extra)

A hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara National Reserve is a thrilling experience!

Safari Weddings

Celebrate your wedding in a romantic and tranquil setting within stunning scenery and surrounded by the sounds of the bush. The Camp is perfect for unique civil ceremonies, renewal of vows or blessings. Wedding ceremonies can be arranged at private, scenic viewpoints with stunning views across the game-filled landscape. Maasai traditional customs and blessings can be included to make a very special and spiritual experience.

PORINI MARA CAMP IS CLOSED 15TH APRIL TO 31ST MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 8 YEARS AND OLDER AND HAS ONE FAMILY TENT – THE CAMP IS UNFENCED AND WALKING SAFARIS ARE NORMALLY FOR CHILDREN AGED 12+