Mara Plains Camp is a small, high quality, five-roomed camp under canvas and on raised decks with sweeping views across Kenya’s notable savannahs. It is among the smallest and most personal camps in the Maasai Mara region. In addition to the five double rooms there is a 2-bedroom suite that is called the Jahazi Suite. It can accommodate a family of 5 with 2 adults and 3 children, or 4 adults traveling together and includes the use of a private vehicle.
The tents provide ample space with 65m2 and a private verandah of nearly the same size. The rooms feature a king-size bed, a desk, a dressing area, a small lounge and an en-suite bathroom with copper tub and indoor shower.
The main area consits of a lounge with a small library and writing area and the main dining area with a large wooden table. Meals are either held here or under the stars.
Mara Plains Camp is primarily accessed by seat-in plane air transfers to Ol Kiombo airstrip. On arrival at the airfield, the transfer to camp is approximately 40 minutes allowing time for game viewing. The camp is also accessible by private charter to the Olare Motorogi airstrip. Flying time from Nairobi Wilson airport is about 45 minutes.
May 2006 was a landmark date for conservation in the Maasai Mara with the formation of Olare Orok Conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. This was the date when a deal was brokered with the 277 Maasai landowners that has since become the template for the Mara community wildlife conservancies and a blue-print for the sustainability of the greater Maasai Mara eco-system. The Conservancy later expanded to also encompass Motorogi lands, thereby becoming Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Tourism in the conservancy is limited to a maximum of 94 beds. As a result, the conservancy has once again become a haven for big cats and part of the annual wildebeest migration route. The conservancy now offers some of East Africa’s finest, year-round wildlife viewing.
Additionally, July sees the arrival of the first ca. two million wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle that migrate from the Serengeti to feast on the fresh green grass of the Maasai Mara. They remain until September, when they make their way south again towards the Serengeti. The animals traverse the Mara River, where hungry crocodiles lie in wait for their prey, a spectacle known as ‘river crossings’.
Game drives take place in the conservancy, but also cross into the actual Maasai Mara Game Reserve, which is particularly popular during the great migrationIt is not unusual for guides to pack breakfast and lunch and spend the whole day out with guests to witness one fo the River Crossings. Night drives are allowed in the private conservancy, but not in the game reserve.
The safari cruisers take four to six guests and have fully-stocked fridges stocked with drinks and snacks. Unusual to Eastern Africa, the vehicles are open-sided, as it is done in Southern Africa.
Guests are able to traverse three wildlife filled regions as part of their stay at Mara Plains: Olare Motorogi Conservancy: 35'000 acres, Mara North Conservancy: 80'000 acres and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve: 375'000 acres.
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