Mara Nyika Camp

Mara Nyika, means "Large Plains", and is the newest edition to the Great Plains Conservation family of camps in Kenya. This intimate four tent camp is set in a valley, straddling a small stream. The light-colored canvas tents were designed to sit under the canopy of umbrella thorn trees while still offering guests views out over the bush. Walkways from tents to the main area evoke the feeling of a treehouse under canvas.

Mara Nyika allows guests to explore the private and exclusive 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy, the second largest conservancy in the greater Maasai Mara region. The conservancy model combines the conservation of nature and cultural heritage, tourism and enhancement of livelihoods for the local communities. Each guest’s stay supports over 500 Maasai families with a sustainable livelihood and helps to ensures the conservation of this vital corner Maasai Mara eco-system.

You may combine a stay at Mara Nyika with either Mara Expedition or Mara Plains Camp to get exposure to all three wildlife areas, namely the private Olare Motorogi and Naboisho Conservancies and Maasai Mara Reserve. Each wildlife experience from these unique camps offers a different face of the incredible Maasai Mara ecosystem.

Tents
Three tents set on raised decking. The light-coloured canvas tents are set up high under the tree’s canopy to be offer guests awe inspiring views out over the bush. Tents include en-suite with flush loo, shower (indoor), copper bath tub and double basins and hot and cold running water.

Two Bedroom Suites
Two two-bedroom suites set on raised decking and under canvas. The suites include two bedrooms each with en suite bathroom connected by a luxurious lounge.

Game Drives
Game drives (day & night) take place in some of the Mara’s most coveted vehicles. Each of the camp's Toyota Land Cruisers is open-sided, canopied and customized for photographers (fold-down screens, raised roofs, photographic bars, multi-plug invertors). With just four to six guests each, the Cruisers also have fully-stocked fridges stocked with drinks and snacks. No two days are the same on safari. Drives typically start at sunrise, returning for lunch and depart again in the mid-afternoon before returning just after sunset. On other days guests can go out all day, deep into the Reserve or Conservancy with a packed breakfast and lunch. Very often, our safaris will continue into the night, a possibility because of our location on a private conservancy. Night drives are particularly prolific in the Naboisho Conservancy, and while they take patience, sightings commonly include lesser known nocturnal mammals and even lion and hyena hunts.

Cultural Visits
If a chance to learn about the Maasai is of interest, then cultural visits to a nearby Maasai village (locally known as an “enkang”) are also a highlight. 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. Guests are also able to visit the local ladies beading workshop to try your hand at beading or just to learn about how these beautiful goods are made.

Photography
Each of Mara Nyika’s guest tents comes with a pair of high-quality binoculars for guest use as well as a professional Canon camera set, including a Canon 5D camera body and Canon 100-400mm and 24-70mm lenses. Photos will be downloaded to a memory stick on guest’s departure. Photographic tuition through the Great Plains Wild Studio can be arranged for guests (at an additional cost and booked in advance). Tuition can be either on company cameras or own guest’s personal cameras.

Hot Air Balloon (Additional Cost)
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.
 

For more information on Mara Nyika, click HERE