🏞️ Overview
Mara Plains Camp is one of the most exclusive safari lodges in Kenya, located in the pristine Olare Motorogi Conservancy, which borders the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. This Relais & Châteaux property is known for its unmatched blend of eco-conscious luxury, impeccable service, and unrivaled access to wildlife. With just seven canvas suites, Mara Plains promises a highly personalized, private safari experience, ideal for discerning travelers, honeymooners, photographers, and anyone seeking the best that the Mara ecosystem has to offer.
The camp is operated by Great Plains Conservation, a respected name in African eco-luxury tourism, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community empowerment.
📍 Location & How to Get There
Setting
Mara Plains Camp is tucked away under a canopy of riverine forest on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River, nestled deep within the 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy. This setting offers incredible access to some of the richest predator populations in Africa, combined with total seclusion and low tourism density. Expect to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and abundant plains game—often right from your private veranda.
Getting There
- By Air: Most guests arrive via a scheduled flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Olare Motorogi Airstrip, which takes approximately 1 hour. From the airstrip, it’s a scenic 45-minute game drive to camp—often your first safari encounter.
- By Road: Although possible, the drive from Nairobi takes 5.5 to 6.5 hours and is best suited for adventurous travelers or those exploring Kenya by 4×4. Transfers can be arranged for both road and air arrivals.
🏕️ Accommodation
Mara Plains offers seven ultra-luxurious tented suites, including one exclusive Jahangir Suite designed for even more privacy and personalized service.
Suite Features
Each suite is raised on wooden decking and thoughtfully designed to evoke the elegance of classic safari style, combined with Swahili and colonial influences. Handmade Lamu doors, Persian rugs, copper bathtubs, and leather campaign furniture all create an ambiance of refined wilderness living.
- King or twin beds with canopy mosquito netting
- Large en-suite bathroom with indoor & outdoor showers
- Copper soaking tubs with views over the plains
- Lounge area and writing desk
- Private veranda with seating
- Yoga mat, binoculars, yoga blocks in room
- Professional camera gear and Swarovski binoculars available for guest use
- 24/7 solar power and backup
- Ceiling fans (no air conditioning by design)
Jahangir Suite
The Jahangir Suite is a private-use villa that includes its own lounge, dining area, private safari vehicle, butler service, and exclusive guide. Ideal for families or VIP guests.
💰 2025 Rates (Per Person Per Night – Fully Inclusive)
| Season | Standard Suite | Jahangir Suite (pp based on 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Jan 10 | $2,820 | $3,550 |
| Jan 11 – Mar 31 | $2,133 | $2,950 |
| Apr 1 – Jun 14 | $1,606 | $2,330 |
| Jun 15 – Oct 31 | $3,133 | $3,900 |
| Nov 1 – Dec 19 | $1,606 | $2,330 |
| Dec 20 – Dec 31 | $3,133 | $3,900 |
Single supplement applies during high seasons. Children 6+ are welcome. Exclusive-use rates for Jahangir Suite vary based on group size.
✅ What’s Included
- Accommodation in luxury tented suites
- All meals (fine dining breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Premium drinks (including wines, spirits, and champagne)
- Use of professional camera gear (Canon DSLR & lens) and Swarovski binoculars
- Daily game drives in Olare Motorogi Conservancy & Masai Mara Reserve
- Guided nature walks (subject to availability and weather)
- Night game drives (in conservancy only)
- Airstrip transfers (Olare Motorogi)
- Laundry service
- Conservancy fees
❌ What’s Not Included
- Park entry fees for game drives into the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Travel insurance, medical evacuation
- Tips and gratuities
- Boutique purchases or spa treatments (on request)
- Hot air balloon safaris (available at additional cost)
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Dining at Mara Plains Camp is a culinary highlight. Meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients with an emphasis on farm-to-table sustainability. The lodge offers fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere and adapts to dietary requirements.
- Breakfast: Full buffet or bush breakfast during morning drive
- Lunch: Multi-course, plated or buffet-style
- Dinner: Gourmet three-course meals served in the dining tent or privately
- Sundowners: Cocktails or wine served at stunning viewpoints in the bush
- Special Requests: Vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and allergy-aware menus are all available
🐆 Safari Experiences
Mara Plains Camp offers unmatched game viewing in both the private conservancy and the Masai Mara. Guest vehicles are shared (maximum 4 per vehicle), but private-use vehicles are available for families or photographers.
Daily Activities
- Morning & afternoon game drives
- Night drives in Olare Motorogi Conservancy
- Walking safaris with Maasai guides (seasonal)
- Birding safaris
- Big Cat tracking (lions, cheetahs, leopards)
- Cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages
Wildlife
Expect to see:
- Lions (Mara Plains lies within lion pride territories)
- Leopards, often in the riverine forest
- Cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalo
- Seasonal Great Migration (Jul–Oct) including crossings
- Hyenas, bat-eared foxes, servals, jackals
- Over 300 bird species, including raptors and hornbills
🌱 Sustainability
Mara Plains Camp is a leader in eco-conscious tourism:
- 100% solar-powered with low-impact design
- No cement foundations – everything built on raised decks
- Community employment and training programs
- Conservancy fees help fund anti-poaching, ranger patrols, and community healthcare & schools
- Only seven tents allowed in the conservancy to preserve wildlife space
👨👩👧 Family & Private Travel
Mara Plains Camp welcomes children 6 years and above, offering excellent private safari options for families. The Jahangir Suite is ideal for families traveling together.
- Private vehicle and guide for families
- Flexible dining times and menus for kids
- Cultural experiences (e.g., Maasai storytelling, beadwork) available on request
- Great for multigenerational safaris
💬 Guest Reviews & Insights
What Guests Love:
- “This is not just a camp, it’s a sanctuary. Wildlife at your doorstep and pure luxury in the bush.”
- “We were treated like royalty, but still felt connected to nature. The guides are superb.”
- “The food was exceptional, and the complimentary camera gear was a huge plus for capturing our memories.”
- “We loved that it’s so eco-conscious—felt good to stay somewhere doing real conservation work.”
Constructive Feedback:
- Premium pricing may not suit budget travelers
- No spa facilities (though massage can be arranged)
- Limited Wi-Fi access in some suites (intentional for digital detox)
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Calving season, predator action, fewer crowds |
| Apr–Jun | Green season, stunning scenery, lower rates |
| Jul–Oct | Great Migration and river crossings, peak wildlife viewing |
| Nov–Dec | Birding, newborn wildlife, dramatic skies |
📌 Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Olare Motorogi Conservancy, near Masai Mara Reserve |
| Accommodation | 7 Tented Suites (including Jahangir Suite) |
| Rate Range (2025) | $1,606 – $3,133 pppn |
| Dining Style | Fine dining, private or communal |
| Best Time to Visit | Jul–Oct, or Jan–Mar for fewer crowds |
| Family Friendly | Yes (ages 6+), Jahangir Suite ideal for families |
| Safari Style | Private conservancy & national reserve access |
| Wildlife Highlights | Big Cats, Great Migration, Elephants, Rare Birds |
| Sustainability | 100% solar, eco-certified, community-funded |
| Activities | Game drives, night drives, walks, culture, photography |
Mara Plains Camp is the epitome of luxury in the wild—where every detail, from the carved Lamu doors to your personal safari guide, is curated to offer an experience that’s as meaningful as it is indulgent. For guests who value privacy, conservation, and extraordinary wildlife, this camp is one of the best Kenya has to offer.