Arrival Experience: After flying via small plane to a gravel airstrip on the Masai Mara conservancy in southern Kenya, a Range Rover meets guests with a game tracker while Masai staffers are happy to help load bags. Game drives begin immediately en route to camp as the jeeps pass by a river flocked with hippo wallowing in the muddy water and elephant grazing the fields nearby. Depending upon one's arrival time, some guests go straight to camp while others make a pit stop near an enormous acacia tree where the Masai staff from camp have set up an impressive sunset fire pit with freshly prepared haloumi cheese and vegetable skewers roasting over the flames, a cloth-covered table covered with wine, Kenyan beer and every type of cocktail imaginable, and a semi-circle of folding leather chairs facing the savannah where the sun will soon set. There is nothing comparable to this outdoorsy welcome blending elegant service with the rustic surroundings.
Dining: Dinners at this luxury camp are served al fresco at a gorgeous long dining table illuminated by candles and lanterns underneath the trees and endless stars. No worries about getting cool since stone heaters are placed behind each set of chairs as diners indulge in homemade soups, salads, and freshly caught game and fish prepared with local ingredients and produce. Who said this was camping? Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed in the same outdoor setting or on the patio of the camp's main lodge. The most unusual experiences are the camp's amazing bush meals that can be arranged upon request. Breakfast follows an early morning game drive and is set up under a shady tree in the middle of the grassy savannah. Table cloths cover the dining table as fresh fruit is sliced table side while juice and Kenyan coffee or tea are served steaming hot. Masai chefs prepare fresh eggs and toast on a fire pit nearby as guests nosh in wonderment at their unique table setting. Lunch can be served in similar fashion or picnic-style.
Accommodations: This luxury tented camp is comprised of eight large, permanent tents dotted around the grounds affording privacy for each without creating a long walk from the main lodge. Inside, guests will find large beds with soft mattresses and pillows with sheets pulled tight just like the finest hotels. Bedside lamps sit on the nightstands while long tables opposite hold flash lights, bottled water, and blankets. Shelves in a separate area of the tent provide storage space while the bathroom is private, behind a zippered flap. Bucket showers provide hot water through special piping while a real toilet and sink make guests feel like they are at home. Hot water arrives on request, and homemade organic toiletries and soft towels are in all. This is luxury camping at its finest. Wake up calls arrive with a tray of hot coffee or tea delivered by a Masai staffmember. The tents are kept secure by zippered doors on each, which are especially appreciated while campers doze to the sounds of hippo and hyena roaming the grounds only feet away during the night. Guests take comfort in knowing the animals never bother those who stay in their tent; Masai guards keep watch throughout the night just in case.
Conclusion: Staff invite guests to the cozy main lodge to enjoy the fireplace, curl up with a good book, or use the camp's free wireless Internet signal. Electric plugs can also be found here for guests who wish to charge camera batteries, phones, and other devices. Bush walks, game drives, and visits to local Masai villages occupy most visitors' time to this service-oriented camp. The staff is highly experienced in spotting the region's wildlife and does everything possible to get guests up close and personal with the animals insuring many memorable photo opportunities. Solar energy provides much of the power here, and a Victorian bathtub set amid a private fence is the perfect place for a soak following an exciting game drive. This is an area with minimal malaria risk although many still opt to take medication. The gourmet dining and exciting outdoor experiences here make this a popular option for families and adventurers (up to 20 people at a time maximum) looking for modern-day safari fun.
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