🌍 Overview
Offbeat Mara Camp is a true gem for safari purists seeking an authentic, secluded, and immersive wildlife experience in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy, part of the greater Masai Mara ecosystem. This tented camp preserves the charm of the original safaris with an emphasis on intimacy, personalized service, and world-class guiding. With only seven tents, it offers exceptional privacy, uncrowded game viewing, and the freedom to explore the vast plains in your own rhythm.
Loved by photographers, seasoned travelers, families, and first-time safari-goers alike, Offbeat Mara Camp is known for its low vehicle density, proximity to the famous Great Migration route, and strong commitment to conservation and community.
📍 Location & How to Get There
Setting
Offbeat Mara Camp is set along the shaded banks of the Olare Orok River, deep within the Mara North Conservancy, one of Kenya’s finest private wildlife conservancies. The area is rich in biodiversity, home to resident big cats, elephants, giraffes, and even rhinos. Thanks to its location in a private conservancy, guests can enjoy off-road driving, night safaris, and walking safaris, which are not permitted in the national reserve.
Access
- By Air: The camp is best accessed by flying into Mara North Airstrip, serviced by daily scheduled flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi (about a 1-hour flight). Upon arrival, it’s a 45-60 minute game-drive transfer to camp through scenic terrain with excellent chances of spotting game along the way.
- By Road: Travelers can also reach the camp via a 5.5 to 6.5-hour drive from Nairobi. While the journey is long, it offers breathtaking views of the Rift Valley and the rural countryside. A 4×4 vehicle is essential, especially during the rainy season.
🏡 Accommodation
Offbeat Mara Camp maintains a classic and understated design that emphasizes a close connection with nature. There are seven spacious tents, each with canvas walls, shaded verandas, and views over the surrounding savannah or riverine forest.
Tent Categories
- Five Standard Tents
These are suitable for solo travelers, couples, or friends traveling together. Each tent is furnished with either a king-size bed or twin beds made from local cedarwood, a writing desk, solar lighting, and a shaded seating area outside. - Two Family Tents
Perfect for families traveling with children, these tents feature two separate sleeping areas joined by a shared lounge and dressing area. Each side has its own en-suite bathroom for added convenience.
Tent Features
- En-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot bucket showers
- Private shaded verandas with safari chairs
- Solar-powered lighting and charging ports
- Mosquito nets
- Handmade wooden furniture
- Daily laundry service (complimentary)
💵 Rates (Per Person, Per Night – Full Board, 2025)
| Travel Season | Rate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Jan 2 | $840 |
| Jan 3 – Feb 28 | $650 |
| Mar 1 – May 31 (Low Season) | $560 |
| Jun 1 – Jun 30 | $650 |
| Jul 1 – Sep 30 (Peak) | $920 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 31 | $840 |
| Nov 1 – Dec 15 | $650 |
| Dec 16 – Dec 31 | $840 |
Single supplements apply for solo travelers. Children under 12 are typically charged a reduced rate, and exclusive-use rates are available for families.
✅ Inclusions
- Accommodation in spacious safari tents
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Daily game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles
- Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, and sundowners
- Guided walking safaris
- Night game drives within the conservancy
- Cultural visits to local Maasai villages
- Laundry services
- Transfers to/from Mara North Airstrip
❌ Exclusions
- Mara North Conservancy fees (payable per person per night)
- Park entry to Masai Mara National Reserve (if visiting the reserve)
- Hot air balloon safaris
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance, medical evacuation
- Tips and personal shopping expenses
🚙 Safari Experiences & Activities
Offbeat Mara Camp delivers a world-class safari experience, with access to both Mara North Conservancy and Masai Mara National Reserve (on request). The camp’s guiding team is highly experienced and deeply familiar with the area, providing private and flexible game drives tailored to guest interests.
Game Drives
- Morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives
- Exclusive traversing rights in Mara North Conservancy
- Big Five sightings, including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo
- Excellent predator action, especially during the migration season
- Fewer vehicles mean better photography and uninterrupted experiences
Walking Safaris
- Conducted with an armed guide and tracker
- Learn about plants, tracks, birds, insects, and animal behavior
- Great for families or repeat safari guests seeking a slower pace
Night Game Drives
- Explore after dark with red-filtered spotlights
- Spot nocturnal species such as genets, civets, owls, bush babies, and hyenas
Cultural Visits
- Optional visits to nearby Maasai villages
- Learn about traditional pastoralist life, beadwork, and ceremonies
- Conducted respectfully, with proceeds supporting the community
🍽️ Dining
All meals at Offbeat Mara Camp are freshly prepared on-site by local chefs and served communally or privately upon request.
- Breakfast: Light or full bush breakfast during early drives
- Lunch: Often served under the shade of acacia trees in the camp
- Dinner: Three-course meals with safari classics and global inspiration
- Drinks: House wines, beer, spirits, and soft drinks included
- Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options available with notice
👨👩👧 Family Friendliness
Offbeat Mara Camp is extremely welcoming to families, with:
- Family tents with two separate sleeping areas
- Custom child-friendly meals
- Private safari vehicle included for groups of four or more
- Maasai warrior bush skills and storytelling for kids
- Safe walking paths within camp and a relaxed atmosphere
🧘 Sustainability & Ethics
- Camp runs on solar power with backup generators
- Water is sourced and used responsibly
- Low-impact construction using eco-friendly materials
- Staff are predominantly local Maasai, trained and supported
- Proceeds support conservation and community outreach through Mara North Conservancy
🌦️ Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jan – Mar | Good game viewing, fewer crowds, lush landscapes |
| Apr – May | Green season with low rates and fewer tourists |
| Jul – Oct | Peak wildlife and Great Migration sightings |
| Nov – Dec | Ideal for birdwatching and dramatic skies |
💬 Guest Reviews & Insights
What Guests Love Most:
- “Incredible guiding and privacy – no crowds and full days in the bush!”
- “The camp has a real soul – warm, welcoming, and magical.”
- “Walking safaris and night drives made this experience unique.”
- “Great for families – our kids learned so much!”
Minor Cons:
- Bucket showers may not appeal to those expecting modern bathrooms
- No Wi-Fi in tents (only in common areas) – but that’s intentional
- The rustic feel may not suit guests looking for a high-tech lodge
📌 Summary Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Mara North Conservancy |
| Accommodation | 7 tents (5 standard, 2 family) |
| 2025 Rates | $560 – $920 pppn |
| Best Time to Visit | July–October or January–March |
| Family Friendly | Yes – family tents, private drives, kids’ focus |
| Activities Offered | Game drives, night drives, walks, cultural visits |
| Conservancy Access | Yes – exclusive access to Mara North |
| Electricity | Solar powered (limited charging in tents) |
| Eco Practices | High – community-based, low-impact design |
Offbeat Mara Camp is ideal for travelers seeking a traditional, immersive safari experience with comfort, flexibility, and authenticity. It’s especially well-suited for families, photographers, and couples wanting a quieter, more private safari without sacrificing wildlife quality.