BASECAMP MASAI MARA – KOIYAKI GROUP RANCH – TALEK GATE – MASAI MARA

Basecamp Masai Mara is a tented eco-camp set just outside the Masai Mara Reserve and offers 17 spacious and luxurious double Riverside tents – including two Family Riverside tents which are perfect for families travelling with children.

The camp’s tents are built along the banks of the Talek River – the natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The dense riverbed foliage allows for maximum privacy and comfort without compromising the view of the Masai Mara National Reserve just a stone’s throw away. With more than 300 bird species identified in the Mara, you can wake to a symphony of birdsong while staying at the camp!

Next to Basecamp Masai Mara is the Enjoolata Awareness Centre where you are invited to exhibitions, movies, photo editing, and face-to-face meetings with the Maasais, providing a deeper understanding to anyone who seeks knowledge about this fascinating culture and place.  Activities include day and night game drives, bird walks, cultural visits and visits to the Enjolaata Centre.

LOCATION 

Basecamp Masai Mara is located on the Koiyaki Group Ranch, close to Takek Gate and just outside the Masai Mara Reserve.  Access is via a light aircraft flight from Nairobi and the nearest airstrip is Olkiombo Airstrip.

CAMP

The camp has 17 ensuite tents, each tent has a king-size double or twin bed, a bathroom featuring bio-flush toilets and two solar-heated showers, one inside and one open-air safari shower, a private deck with a view towards the river bed and the Masai Mara National Reserve.  There is WIFI in each of the tents.

The family tent has two separate wings, each featuring a double bed with a shared bathroom area. The tent offers free in-room WIFI, and a larger deluxe balcony to give families or groups a chance to enjoy complete privacy.

Dinner is a memorable time of the day, and the option of where to dine is up to you. The camp’s restaurant is located right next to the Talek River with amazing views over the bush.

Please note that the camp kindly requests all guests to keep their mobile phones off while at the restaurant and the lounge area where phones should be in silent mode.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Game Drives- game drives are usually conducted in the early mornings, late afternoon or at night since these are the coolest times of the day when most animals are more active. During your game drive, your knowledgeable Maasai guides will introduce you to life in the bush and share their infinite knowledge about African wildlife.

Bird Walks – bird walking safaris are one of the main activities carried out at Basecamp Masai Mara which is located along the Talek River. Basecamp Masai Mara is surrounded by a wealth of diverse flora and fauna and over the years the camp has revived the Talek River ecosystem by planting trees to address the issue of deforestation and ground erosion. The afforestation programme has since attracted many of the 300 species recorded in the Masai Mara – including many endemic birds.

Cultural Visits – is conducted in Talek Town and led by expert Maasai guides. Talek is situated just outside of the Masai Mara Reserve and within a 10-minute walk from our camp. Enjoy a unique opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Maasai as well as the challenges they face.

Basecamp Sunset Sundowners – just as you wind up your afternoon game drive your guide will set up for a sundowner drink. Enjoy a selection of drinks, cocktails and delicious bitings usually served against the backdrop of the African sunset.

The Enjoolata Center – Basecamp Explorer Kenya will establish the Enjolaata Centre in the midst of Basecamp Explorer’s birthplace – the Basecamp Maasai Mara in Talek. The Enjoolata Center is an education and entertainment centre which aims to inspire the Maasai community to come together to make a difference through awareness creation.

Children – of all ages are welcome to stay at Basecamp Masai Mara. The lush lawns at the camp provide an opportunity for the children to take part in a number of tailored activities such as bow and arrow making, butterfly catching, wildlife tracking among others keeping the children engaged and educated.

The Maasai people are very fond of children and they are happy to cater to the youngsters, however, arrangements to get a childminder should be made before arrival. For young travellers, the Young Explorers Club has a lot to offer the children while the parents are on a game drive safari or walking safari.

GIVING BACK 

When we began our operations 20 years ago, we made a decision that all our projects lead to sustainable development. Today we empower the local Maasai women in Masai Mara to support their households and send their children to school. We promote conservation of the world’s most important wildlife area, the Masai Mara–Serengeti ecosystem. We have planted countless trees to help establish an actual forest biome in the Talek region, simultaneously making our operation carbon positive.

Basecamp Explorer Foundation is a non-profit organization working with local communities to safeguard nature. Basecamp Explorer Foundation is part of the Basecamp Explorer Group, operating through sustainable tourism. Basecamp Explorer Foundation helps with strategic fundraising for the relevant projects in the regions where we run our tourism business. We always seek a broader approach that also invites our guests, partners in tourism and institutions to join in.

BASECAMP MASAI MARA IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.  THE CAMP IS UNFENCED SO PARENTAL SUPERVISION IS NECESSARY AT ALL TIMES.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RECOMMENDED AGE FOR WALKING SAFARIS IS 12 YEARS AND OLDER