Kempinski Hotels has recently opened the doors (or rather tent flaps) to its all-inclusive Olare Mara Kempinski, Masai Mara Tented Camp. As the company’s first property in Kenya, the Camp is located in the Olare Orok Conservancy Masai Mara, a one hour flight from Nairobi or 90 minutes from Mombasa. The Masai Mara is a large game reserve that stretches 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and rises 1,500-2,170 metres above sea level. The terrain is primarily grassland and forest with clumps of distinctive acacia trees. Famous for the abundance of lions, the great wildebeest migration and the homeland of the Masai people, the Camp will allow guests to experience Africa at its finest.Accessible via twice daily air transfer on Air Kenya or Safarilink from Nairobi and one daily flight from Mombasa, Olare Mara Kempinski is hidden in a grove of woodland on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River and accommodates a total of maximum 24 guests at any one time. Each tent is furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris with four poster or twin beds, outdoor and indoor showers with oversized old fashioned claw foot bathtub and a teak deck spread over 80 sq metres. One of the tents features its own plunge pool.
Designed for active adult travellers, the Camp presents a wide variety of on-site and off-site activities including game drives in 4X4 Land cruisers with knowledgeable safari guides, night safaris, escorted bird, game and nature walks, Masai village visits, bush breakfast at the hippo pool or early morning balloon safaris over the Masai Mara National Reserve. All trackers, rangers and guides have a minimum of Bronze Level KSPGA qualification.
Guests can also relax in the Camp’s pool after a long day of activities or enjoy a sundowner (cocktail) on the deck at the main lodge or around the campfire. Keeping with the traditions of rural Africa, Olare Mara Kempinski offers guests a daily set menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner at communal or individual tables in the restaurant. Dinners can also be scheduled under the stars in the bush amid wildlife under the protection of Masai warriors.
Olare Mara Kempinski prides itself on being an eco-friendly resort that believes in taking care of the environment. From growing its own fresh produce in the largest organic garden in the conservancy to sourcing solar power for 70% of its energy needs, the camp ensures that it does not harm the fragile ecosystem of the grasslands.