🌍 Overview
Tucked into the heart of Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Porini Cheetah Camp is one of Kenya’s most intimate eco-camps, ideal for safari enthusiasts seeking an unfiltered experience of the African wilderness. With just six guest tents, personalized service, and a front-row seat to untamed nature, the camp lives up to its name by offering one of the best chances to see cheetahs in their natural habitat.
Established in collaboration with the local Maasai community, Porini Cheetah Camp strikes a harmonious balance between luxury and low-impact tourism, providing an immersive, guided safari that supports conservation and local livelihoods.
📍 Location & How to Get There
Where It’s Set
Porini Cheetah Camp is located in Ol Kinyei Conservancy, an exclusive 18,700-acre private conservancy within the Greater Mara ecosystem. The camp overlooks a seasonal riverbed, flanked by woodlands and open plains that attract a range of game, from zebra and antelope to big cats and elephants. The surrounding area is known for its quietness, especially compared to the busier sections of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
How to Get There
- By Air: Guests typically fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Naboisho/Ol Seki Airstrip, which is about 45 minutes away by road. Transfers from the airstrip to camp are included and offer excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities en route.
- By Road: Though more time-consuming, it’s possible to drive to Porini Cheetah Camp from Nairobi in approximately 6.5 to 7 hours. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended, especially during the rainy season.
🏕️ Accommodation
Porini Cheetah Camp maintains a classic, low-impact safari style with six spacious tents, thoughtfully positioned for privacy and views. The ambiance is rustic yet refined—each tent combines safari simplicity with the comfort of modern conveniences.
Tent Details
- Spacious canvas tents with king or twin beds
- Private verandas with outdoor seating
- En-suite bathrooms featuring hot showers, flush toilets, and washbasins
- Solar-powered lighting and charging points
- Writing desks, cozy seating, and luggage racks
- Cooling fans and mosquito nets
These tents are positioned to offer direct views of the surrounding bush, often allowing guests to spot wildlife from their verandas.
💵 Rates for 2025 (Per Person Per Night, Full Board)
| Season | Rate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Mar 31 | $690 |
| Apr 1 – Jun 30 | $626 |
| Jul 1 – Jul 21 | $1,114 |
| Jul 22 – Sep 30 (Peak) | $1,239 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 31 | $1,239 |
| Nov 1 – Dec 19 | $626 |
| Dec 20 – Dec 31 | $1,239 |
Children aged 8–16 typically enjoy discounted rates. Single supplements may apply during high season.
✅ Inclusions
- Accommodation in tented camp
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Drinks: house wines, soft drinks, beers, and selected spirits
- Two shared game drives per day
- Guided walking safaris with Maasai trackers
- Night game drives in the conservancy
- Bush breakfasts, sundowners, and picnic lunches
- Cultural visit to a local Maasai village
- Transfers to and from the airstrip
- Conservancy access fees
- Daily laundry service
❌ Exclusions
- Park entry fees for visits to Masai Mara National Reserve (optional)
- Premium brand alcoholic beverages
- Hot air balloon safaris (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Tips, souvenirs, and personal items
- Travel insurance
🦁 Safari Experiences & Activities
Porini Cheetah Camp’s strength lies in its exclusivity—fewer vehicles, uncrowded game drives, and access to private areas unavailable to mainstream tourists.
Game Drives
- Conducted in custom 4×4 safari vehicles
- Maximum of 6 guests per vehicle to ensure window seats
- Big Five sightings with particular emphasis on cheetah and lion populations
- Access to both Ol Kinyei and Naboisho Conservancies, and game drives into Masai Mara National Reserve for stays of 3+ nights
Night Game Drives
- Unique to private conservancies
- Spot aardvarks, servals, bush babies, and hunting predators
Walking Safaris
- Explore on foot with a Maasai tracker and armed guide
- Learn about animal tracks, medicinal plants, and bush survival techniques
Cultural Visits
- Visit nearby Maasai villages
- Gain insight into their semi-nomadic lifestyle, traditional beadwork, and spiritual beliefs
Sundowners & Bush Meals
- Scenic locations like White Rock provide breathtaking views
- Sunset drinks or bush breakfasts enhance the safari feel
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Meals are served in the open-air mess tent or under the stars, with a focus on wholesome, locally inspired cuisine. Dietary preferences and restrictions are easily accommodated with prior notice.
- Breakfast: Hot and cold bush breakfast or traditional options in camp
- Lunch: Buffet-style or picnic boxes for longer game drives
- Dinner: Three-course plated meals with international and local flair
Guests enjoy communal dining, which fosters a friendly, social atmosphere, although private meals can be arranged.
👨👩👧 Family-Friendly Features
Porini Cheetah Camp welcomes children over the age of 8 and is well-suited for:
- Family groups using multiple tents
- Private vehicles available for families
- Educational walking safaris tailored for younger guests
- Exclusive-use options available upon request
🌿 Conservation & Sustainability
Porini Cheetah Camp operates under the Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps ethos, a pioneer in responsible tourism in Kenya.
- 100% solar-powered camp
- Built using eco-friendly materials
- Low guest density helps minimize impact on the environment
- Supports wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, and land lease programs that compensate local landowners for conserving land rather than grazing livestock
- Employs and trains local Maasai as guides, trackers, and camp staff
💬 Guest Reviews & Testimonials
What Guests Loved:
- “This was our favorite camp in Kenya—personal, quiet, and packed with wildlife!”
- “Incredible guides with unmatched knowledge of the Mara ecosystem.”
- “Seeing a cheetah hunt from our vehicle with no other cars around—just unforgettable!”
- “The camp feels like it belongs to the bush, not the other way around.”
Constructive Feedback:
- No Wi-Fi in tents (only limited connectivity in the common area)—great for unplugging, but not ideal if remote work is needed
- Bucket-style showers may not appeal to all, though they’re part of the eco-friendly approach
- Not ideal for those seeking ultra-luxury amenities like spas or pools
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Experience Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jan – Mar | Great resident game, warm weather, fewer tourists |
| Apr – Jun | Green season, budget-friendly, dramatic skies |
| Jul – Oct | Great Migration, predator sightings, peak season |
| Nov – Dec | Excellent light for photography, birding season |
Porini Cheetah Camp is open year-round, each season offering unique safari opportunities.
📌 Quick Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Greater Mara |
| Accommodation | 6 luxury safari tents |
| Rate Range (2025) | $626 – $1,239 per person per night |
| Game Viewing | Cheetah, lions, elephants, giraffes, hyenas |
| Activities | Game drives, walks, night drives, cultural visits |
| Family Friendly | Yes (ages 8+), private vehicle on request |
| Eco Credentials | Fully solar, community-owned conservancy |
| Best Time to Visit | July–October, or Jan–Mar for lower crowds |
Porini Cheetah Camp is a standout choice for those looking to combine exclusive wildlife encounters, authentic cultural experiences, and sustainable travel. Whether you’re chasing cheetahs with your camera or walking the savannah with a Maasai guide, this camp delivers a safari that’s both thrilling and meaningful.