OFFBEAT MARA – MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY – MASAI MARA

Offbeat Mara is a small, traditional safari camp situated within the 74,000 acre Mara North Conservancy. The area is full of wildlife yet far from any other camp or lodge and the conservancy is only open to member camps and has a strict policy on game viewing etiquette.

Maro North Conservancy offers exceptional year-round game viewing with impressive big cat populations and the annual wildebeest migration from July – October. and the Offbeat Lion Pride reside very near the camp.  The camp is family friendly with two family tents and offers child friendly activities.

Enjoy 4 x 4 game drives with Masai guides who have earned their silver rated Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association qualifications, bush walks, and learn about the fascinating Maasai tribespeople and their traditional way of life on a cultural visit to a Masai Boma.

LOCATION

Offbeat Mara is located in the Mara North Conservancy in the Mara.  Access is via a light aircraft flight to Mara North Airstrip which is around an hour’s game drive from the camp.

CAMP

Offbeat Mara has a private, homely feel with just seven tents – five doubles/twins and two family tents which are all ensuite with flush toilets and traditional hot safari showers. Each tent has its own veranda and is carefully positioned to offer wonderful views, as well as privacy.  All the tents also have charging facilities.

The heart of the camp is the main mess tent with its bar, dining area, sitting room, fireplace and forest deck.  WiFi is available in the main mess area, and there is a central charging facility for cameras, phones etc.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The wildlife in this area is extraordinary with huge numbers of plains game and all the big cats.  Certain prides of lion in our area have become world famous thanks to the Big Cat Diary, and local pride, known as the Offbeat Pride, are seen often.  The guides know every member of the pride and all the history that goes with them over the past 14 years.  From July to October you can experience the annual wildebeest migration, and the Secret Season from January to March has clear skies, short grass and the Loita wildebeest migration coming to Mara North Conservancy.

Game drives – unlimited game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles with open sides, camera stands and roof hatches. These vehicles are designed to optimise game viewing and photography.  Drives can be arranged at any time and there are no time constraints.

Usually you will head out around 6.30am for a morning drive with a picnic breakfast and for those wanting to go out for a full day, a picnic lunch can also be carried. Afternoon drives tend to start around 4pm after a cup of tea and slice of cake and often cars do not return to camp until after dark.  Being in the exclusive Mara North Conservancy you can also head out after dinner (until 10pm) with filtered spot lights.

Guides are highly qualified silver rated guides and groups of four or more will always have their own vehicle.

Walking Safaris – experience the Mara from foot – you will be escorted by a local Masai guide who grew up on the land herding cattle and knows it intimately. The small five and other interesting facts will be revealed that you often miss in the vehicle. Often an excuse to burn off some calories from the delicious food in camp!

Bush meals – picnic breakfasts and lunches are often carried in the vehicles so you have the flexibility to stop where you like and enjoy your meal in stunning surroundings.  Bush dinners are also a highlight of your stay.

Sundowners – a famous safari tradition is sundowners in the bush…..after a full day of game viewing there is nothing more refreshing than evening drinks as the sun sets over the horizon, listening to the sounds of Africa.

Family Friendly Activities – with wo spacious family tents the camp is very child friendly. During July, August and Christmas and New Year the camp has lots of families staying.

The team of Masai guides are more than happy to entertain the little ones – be it learning to fire a Masai bow and arrow or throw a spear, beading with some of the ladies from the community, fishing or even baking a cake for afternoon tea, there is plenty to keep children entertained between drives and walks.

Special or early meals can easily be arranged and if your children want to go to bed early, a Masai guard will sit outside their tent until you return – and radio the main mess tent if they wake up – so you can enjoy your dinner in peace!

Cultural visits – the Maasai people are a fascinating and beautiful tribe who are proud of their traditions and love share their way of life. Offbeat Mara Camp work very closely with the local community and visiting these villages is a morning or afternoon well spent. There is a small charge to visit a Maasai village.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris – the camp can arrange hot air balloon safaris across the Masai Mara…a truly spectacular way to view the wildlife and scenery!

Running with the Maasai – for those wanting some exercise and to burn off the calories running in the bush with our Maasai staff is great fun.

Koiyaki Guiding School – all the camp’s guides are graduates from the Koiyaki Guiding School, which is a training ground for some of Kenya’s top guides. You can visit this school to learn more about the work done there.

Fishing – for some light hearted line fishing, the Olare Orok River offers the perfect spot to try and catch a catfish or Tilapia.

GIVING BACK

OFFBEAT MARA IS CLOSED FROM 1 APRIL THROUGH TO 1 JUNE AND 31 OCTOBER THROUGH TO 15 NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES BUT 8 YEARS+ IS RECOMMENDED. THE CAMP IS UNFENCED AND CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES.