Mara Explorer Camp is currently closed until further notice after the floods in April 2024.
Mara Explorer is an Eco-friendly 5* camp on the edge of the Talek River. In the very heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve. It lies at the confluence of the Masai Mara’s four main game viewing areas. And enjoys prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration between July and September. For the remainder of the year, there are herds of elephants, hippos, and plains game. Plus, some of the most rewarding cat sightings. The superb setting and location of the camp make for a wonderful game-watching experience. Including from the comfort of your bed, bath, or verandah.
There is free WiFi in public areas.
Mara Explorer Camp Accommodation
Mara Explorer Camp has 10 x luxurious and well spaced tents. Each has its own private river frontage and views over the River Talek’s wildlife rich southern banks.
Each luxury tent is approximately 36 sq. meters. Seven have queen size beds and 3 have two twin beds. They are furnished in a classic ‘Explorer’ style of the grand African safaris. With fine hand carved mahogany furniture, antique chests, and historic prints. They all have a luxurious en-suite bathroom with twin basins and all the modern amenities.
The tents have been specially designed to open up to the sky. They sit on shady raised platforms with views of the Talek River. They all have a private deck with a table and chairs for you to relax and watch the wildlife. On one side of the tent is an outdoor Victorian claw-foot bathtub. A unique new perspective of the African bush.
A personal butler is on call 24/7 to meet your every need.
Gorgeous tented rooms and bath
Wining and Dining
Enjoy your meals in the intimate canvas covered dining area overlooking the river or on you deck of your tent. All meals use the fresh produce grown on-site. If dining at the camp proves a tad too tame, you can head out to wilder settings. Enjoy sumptuous bush breakfasts and dinners including sundowners. The thrill of dining within sight of a lion or a herd of elephants is the ultimate African appetizer.
Evenings in the Mara come alive. With the night animals stirring to hunt under the cover of darkness. like the bat-eared fox, the owls, and the big cats like the lion and the leopard. You simply cannot miss drinking a toast to Africa’s incredible diversity of wildlife.
Activities at Mara Explorer Camp ↓
Game Drives
Mara Explorer Camp offers three guided drives in the game reserve every day. Free with every stay. The early morning safari is from 6 am to 9 am. The mid-morning is after breakfast. While the late afternoon is from 3.30 pm returning to camp at sunset. Or you can indulge in a full day game safari to the Mara River with a packed picnic breakfast and/or lunch. The 4×4 safari jeeps allow for more legroom. Additionally the roof racks open for the best game viewing and photography.
Masai Mara safari
Nature walk
A two hour nature walk is included at no extra cost. You will be accompanied by a Maasai naturalist. They will help you identify more than 30 species of plants, and spot a variety of birds. While picking up some survival tips like knowing how to behave in the presence of wild animals.
Walking safari
Maasai Cultural Activities
Mara Explorer Camp is very much connected with the local culture and encourages interactions with the local Maasai village. Visit the traditional homes, called Manyattas, and learn about traditional Maasai life. They offer lectures and slide shows on the Maasai Culture and human-wildlife issues and solutions. Plant a tree with the local residents.
Hot air balloon ride
Enjoy the thrill of an early morning hot air balloon ride. And the spectacle of the Masai Mara sunrise with an aerial view of the big game scattered across the rolling plains. At an extra cost.
Hot Air Balloon safari
At an additional cost, why not take a fishing safaris at Lake Victoria?
Ecotourism
Mara Explorer is an Eco-friendly camp. Its operations are designed to have a minimal impact on the fragile Talek ecosystem. All biodegradable waste is mulched for compost. While water heating is fueled by briquettes made from used coffee husks. Together with its sister camp, Mara Intrepids, Explorer helps to build and equip primary schools. And medical clinics in the area. Guests are invited to visit these facilities. As well as the villagers’ own manyattas. This offers a fascinating insight into traditional Maasai life.
Getting there
Mara Explorer is 298 kilometers and a six-hour drive from Nairobi, therefore most guests fly into the camp. The all-weather airstrip, Ol Kiombo, is only a 3-minute drive from camp. The flight from camp is only 45 minutes from Wilson Airport in Nairobi. There are regular flights daily by both Safarilink and Air Kenya.
Mara Explorer Camp Accommodation Rates
Mara Explorers Camp uses best available rates so we are not able to publish them. Check with us about your dates and the number of people it is for.
NB: Over Easter, high season rates shall apply
The rates are on a fully inclusive basis, per person per day. This includes: Three meals a day plus soft drinks, local beers, and wine, Airstrip transfers, Three game drives per day, bird walks, A personal butler, Taxes and service charges, Laundry.
The award-winning Cottar’s Safari Camps are situated in the private conservancy, bordering Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti, Tanzania – rates and offers
