Mara Plains Camp (Olare Orok
Conservancy - North of the Masai
Mara Game Reserve) Kenya
Location:
Mara Plains Camp is a small, high quality, six-roomed
camp under canvas that is located within the private Olare
Orok Conservancy and just a few hundred meters to the north
of the Masai Mara National Reserve boundary.
Guests can game drive in both the Masai Mara National
Reserve and in the privacy of the neighboring Olare Orok
Conservancy away from the crowds.
The Conservancy is a fabulous wildlife reserve of nearly
twenty thousand acres, rich in wildlife (including the
predators and big cats in particular), It boasts Mara's
lowest vehicle density, no mini-buses and only one guest
room per 700 acres.
The camp is located in a private conservancy bordering
the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Guests inside
the conservancy are allowed to enjoy nature-based walks and
productive night game drives that would otherwise not be
possible if you were staying inside the park.
The Olare Orok Conservancy
Some of the most valuable land on earth lies within
proclaimed national parks and game reserves. Yet many of the
world's poorest communities live on the boundaries of these
same parks and reserves. For conservation to be sustainable,
this anomaly needs to change. The land that surrounds game
reserves, if zoned and developed carefully and sensitively,
could become some of the most valuable land left on earth if
converted to wildlife.
One of the conservation movement's biggest opportunities
is to capitalize on this and to expand the amount of land
under formal conservation protection while simultaneously
uplifting the lives of impoverished rural communities. The
Olare Orok Conservancy is an initiative that addresses both
community upliftment and wildlife conservation. The 30,000 acre Olare Orok Conservancy on the boundary of
the Masai Mara National Reserve is an intriguing new
conservation and land-use initiative that is now just three
years old and is set to become the blueprint for a
sustainable Mara. Until recently, these 30,000 acres of
prime rolling grasslands and riverine forest were filled
with rural homesteads and large herds of cattle and goats.
Today, the homesteads, cattle and goats have moved away
and the conservancy has become a magnet for big cats,
offering some of East Africa's finest year-round game
viewing. The Conservancy has created a win-win for both the
Maasai land owners and for the wildlife of the Mara
eco-system. Today, the Maasai people earn guaranteed monthly
income from their land all year, regardless of how few
Tourists have visited the area, paid by the camps within the
conservancy.
Visitors to the Olare Orok Conservancy have the best
possible wildlife viewing away from the crowds. The Olare
Orok Conservancy now offers a premium wildlife experience,
with a strict minimum of at least 700 acres per guest tent
and has banned its camps from using mini-buses. Nature walks
and night game drives, activities which are not possible in
the reserve, are additional activities offered in the Olare
Orok Conservancy. One of the three camps currently operating
within the Olare Orok Conservancy is Mara Plains Camp.
As Mara Plains Camp is located just north of the Masai
Mara National Reserve's northern boundary, guests of Mara
Plains have the privilege of game-viewing both in the Masai
Mara National Reserve and in the Conservancy.
As luck would have it, Mara Plains Camp is surrounded by
territories of a number of prides of lion. Rarely a night
passes without lions roaring nearby, while leopards are
regularly found to wander through the camp and cheetahs have
established territories close by.
Accommodation:
Mara Plains Camp opened in 2008 in a extraordinary
location that appears to be the epicenter and hunting
grounds for many of the big cats. Hardly a night passes
without the exciting sounds of predator activity and lions
roaring nearby. The camp caters for only 12 guests in six
spacious and comfortable en-suite canvas rooms built on
raised decks.
There is an additional tent for a pilot or private guide.
The camp is situated along the Ntiakatek River with
uninterrupted views of the surrounding plains and riverine
forest. The camp has been designed and built to be as
environmentally friendly as possible and we can proudly
boast that not even a teaspoon of cement can be found
anywhere on the property!
In addition to the tented rooms, the camp has a raised
dining room under canvas as well as a comfortable lounge.
The outdoor dining area is a great place to relax in the
cool shade of the large trees along the river.
Game Viewing / Activities:
The 4x4 open game-viewing Landcruisers have been designed
for comfort with only four to five guests per vehicle. This
ensures increased maneuverability for better viewing,
photography and an easy environment in which to communicate
with our highly experienced guides. All Mara Plains guides
are Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association qualified.
They are from the area and thus possess intricate knowledge
of the local flora and fauna as well as the tribal
traditions and customs of the people. Access to Mara Plains
Camp is via the Ol Kiombo airfield which is serviced daily
by Safarilink and Air Kenya from Nairobi.
At Mara Plains we believe in keeping the experience
intimate and personal, so there are no set camp schedules
and no set meal times. The day's activities and meals are
tailored around your preferences and the wildlife activities
of the moment. A typical morning starts with an early
wake-up call at first light before we set out to explore
what animals traversed the area during the night and early
mornings when the big cats in particular are most active.
Returning to camp for breakfast allows for conversation
around the table about what was seen and what were the
highlights of the morning's drive. Getting closer to nature
on foot is a highlight for many guests and this can be
arranged after breakfast for those who are interested. Your
armed guide will introduce you to the abundant birdlife and
can help you identify trees and local plant species, or
sharpen your wildlife tracking skills.
There is usually time for a siesta after lunch. Game
drives are arranged for late afternoon / early evening so we
can savor the African sunset with refreshing sundowner
drinks and snacks before continuing our drive to witness the
nocturnal animals as they become more active.
A hearty dinner awaits you back at camp. Share stories of
the day with other guests and staff, whilst listening to the
sounds of the African bush come alive. Mara Plains guests
can also take advantage of the fascinating cultural
opportunity to visit a Maasai village (or "Enkang" as it is
known locally) and experience the traditional ways of the
community.
For those who are interested in a hot air balloon safari
we can take you to one of the ballooning launch sites for a
fabulous early morning experience (This is at extra cost).
Accommodation Rates:- From $880 per person per night sharing. Please contact us
for a quote and suggested itinerary
