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At Mara Plains Camp, we believe in keeping the experience intimate and personal, so there are no set camp schedule or meal times. Plans are tailored around the whims of the day, and as the wildlife dictates.
Typically, we rise just before dawn, have a quick bite, and head out at first light to see what has happened overnight. We look for tracks and signs of nocturnal activity, perhaps heading in the direction of the lion calls and hyena laughs we heard from bed. The big cats are usually quite active in the early hours. As the sun begins to rise in the sky, and the heat mounts, we head back to our mid-day resting post, Mara Plains Camp for a brunch and a bit of a siesta. Or, if guests prefer, it’s a lovely time to take a walk or sit quietly and bird on the river. Our armed guide will introduce us to the abundant birdlife and can help you identify trees and local plant species, or sharpen our wildlife tracking skills. In the late afternoon, as the sun wanes, we are off again in search of wildlife. It’s a time to savour the African sunset with refreshing sundowner drinks and snacks before continuing our drive as nocturnal animals become more active with dusk. A hearty dinner awaits us back at camp, whenever its time to return. We share stories of the day around the campfire and under the stars. So goes another blissful day in Africa.
We do regular full-day adventures to the Masai Mara Game Reserve as well. These are particularly popular during the wildebeest migration season. For full day expeditions, lavish picnic boxes with cold drinks are provided.
Mara Plains Camp guests have the opportunity to visit a local Masai village (or "Enkang" in Maa) to learn more about the traditions and culture of the surrounding community.
Hot air balloon safaris are available, and must be booked in advance (at extra cost). This is a very early morning activity, giving stunning views of the sunrise, the landscape and a sense of the sheer size of the Masai Mara region.
OUR GUIDES
There is no question that an exceptional guide is a key ingredient to an extraordinary safari. Our guides exemplify the best in the industry. Each day is different and unpredictable. It’s a journey of discovery, filled with the unfamiliar and full of delights. A guide makes it all come to life.
Our camp guides are superb, each of who is Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association qualified to the level of silver or gold.
Like any specialist, education is ongoing. They are constantly upgrading their skills and refreshing their knowledge, through courses in botany, tracking, ornithology, geology, amphibian identification & handling, firearm use and taxonomy. Our guides excel at supplementing the academic with the traditional and enhancing a safari experience. They are considered experts in their field. As a result, we are confident in entrusting them with our guests’ enjoyment and safety. Please make use of this opportunity to find out more about whatever subject possible. Our guides and staff look for every opportunity for guests’ to study and photograph the wildlife, and they will help to achieve this as long as it can be done without disturbance or significant environmental impact.
OUR VEHICLES
Our 2008 Toyota Land Cruisers have been specially designed by the photographers. The thoughtful engineering provides all-round visibility with a removable canvas roof, and comfortable bucket seats. These rugged, 4X4 vehicles provide access to all of the region’s diverse ecosystems, and do so with ease. We limit each vehicle to four (and rarely) five guests.
Sole use of a vehicle is available. This arrangement must be made at the time of booking and well in advance. It does incur an additional cost of $250 per day.
Our private vehicle comes equipped with quality Canon digital camera kit to enhance your experience. The kit contains:
- Canon 50D digital camera
- Canon 28 to 135mm lens
- Canon 100 to 400 lens
During the guest’s stay, images are downloaded each day. This allows for instant feedback, improvement and learning on-site. Upon departure, the images are downloaded and given to the guest.
OUR FOOTPRINT
Olare Orok, Mara North Conservancies and the Masai Mara Game Reserve are places intended to be peaceful, where tranquility replaces the chaos of the modern world. It is home to much wildlife, all of which is cautious of Mara Plains Camp’s presence. It is our goal to limit our impact on the environment, to walk quietly and softly on the Earth, and that includes the noise and light pollution we generate as well as the more obvious by bi-products of our society. We are guests in this space. In limiting pollution, the wildlife is comfortable and often comes through camp. This is a gift.
A network of small tracks traverses the Conservancies. If something exceptional begs our attention we do go off-road. We do this as sensitively as possible; ever aware of the impact we have on the environment.
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