Typically, we rise just before dawn, have a quick bite, and head out at first light to see what has happened overnight. We look for tracks and signs of nocturnal activity, perhaps heading in the direction of the lion calls and hyena laughs we heard overnight. The big cats are usually quite active in the early hours. As the sun begins to rise in the sky, and the heat mounts, we head back to our midday resting post, Mara Plains Camp for a brunch and a bit of a siesta. Or, if guests prefer, it’s a lovely time sit quietly and enjoy bird watching along the river. Our guides introduce us to the abundant birdlife and can help you identify trees and local plant species, or sharpen our wildlife tracking skills.
In the late afternoon, as the sun wanes, we are off again in search of wildlife. It’s a time to savour the African sunset with refreshing sundowner drinks and snacks before continuing our evening drive as nocturnal animals become more active with dusk.
A hearty dinner awaits us back at camp, whenever its time to return. We share stories of the day around the campfire and under the stars. So goes another blissful day in Africa.
We venture daily into the Masai Mara Game Reserve as well. These are particularly popular during the wildebeest migration season. For full day expeditions, lavish picnic boxes with cold drinks are provided.
No other camp in the greater Masai Mara Game Reserve or Olare Orok Conservancy has the privilege of traversing opportunities of Mara Plains Camp. Guests are able to traverse three wildlife filled regions as part of their stay at Mara Plains:
Olare Orok Conservancy: 30,000 acres
Mara North Conservancy: 80,000 acres
Masai Mara Game Reserve: 375,000 acres
At Mara Plains Camp, we believe in keeping the experience intimate and personal, so there are no set camp schedule or meal times. Plans are tailored around the whims of the day, and as the wildlife dictates. After all, we are located in one of the most wildlife rich regions of the world.
Mara Plains Camp guests have the opportunity to visit a local Maasai village, or "Enkang" in Maa which is the local Masai language, learning more about the traditions and culture of the surrounding community.
No visit to the region would be complete without experiencing the thrill of floating quietly above the Masai Mara and viewing wildlife from a Hot Air Balloon. This is a very early morning activity, giving stunning views of the sunrise, the landscape and a sense of the sheer size of the Masai Mara region. This must be booked in advance and is at an additional cost.
Photographers - for photographers and non-photographers alike - have specially designed our Toyota Land Cruisers. We are among the only, if not the only camp, in the Masai Mara to have completely open game drive vehicles. The thoughtful engineering provides all-round visibility with a (removable) canvas roof, and comfortable bucket seats. These rugged, 4X4 vehicles provide access to all of the region’s diverse ecosystems, and do so with ease.
Sole use of vehicle is an option and is subject to availability. This arrangement must be made at the time of booking and well in advance. Our private vehicle comes equipped with a Canon50-D body and 28-135mm and 100-400mm lenses. During the guest’s stay, images are downloaded each day. This allows for instant feedback, improvement and learning on-site. Upon departure, the images are burnt to disc as a souvenir. It does incur an additional cost.
