Mara Intrepids is a short drive from the Mara River, where more than a million wildebeest and zebra make their perilous migration crossing every July and August. For the remainder of the year, the camp offers some of the world’s finest game viewing. These include large local populations of plains game, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and all the Big Cats. Overlooking the Talek River, at the very confluence of the Masai Mara’s four game-viewing areas. Mara Intrepids enjoys one of the most spectacular locations in the world’s best-known wilderness in Kenya. In fact, in 2004, some 75% of the footage for the BBC’s famous Big Cat Diary was shot in the vicinity of the camp.
Dinner is usually in a large dining room under a traditional Makuti thatch roof. While breakfast and lunch are hosted on a breezy terrace beside the riverfront swimming pool. Besides the main bar is a fully equipped conference room, where Maasai naturalists deliver evening slide shows on the local culture and wildlife. And where corporate and team-building groups can indulge in a spot of ‘bush business’.
There is a small boutique shop with souvenirs and safari essentials and free WiFi in public areas.
Mara Intrepids has the best kids club in the region for cultural and wildlife edutainment. Recommended for children accompanying their parents on safari this family program provides a fun and exciting opportunity for the kids to learn about the wild from Maasai naturalists who specialize in plants, wildlife, and survival skills.
Kids activities – catching butterflies
Mara Intrepids Accommodation
The 30 x luxury tents are widely spread across a large riverside site. This ensures optimum privacy and peace. Each luxury tent is approximately 26 sq. meters and has either a queen size bed or twin beds. They are furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris. With large four-poster beds and handsome reproduction furniture. They have modern en suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets, and all modern amenities. Each tent sits on a shady raised platform, with sweeping views over the riverbanks where a large variety of animals come to drink.
There are tea/coffee-making facilities, insect repellent, and safety deposit boxes in each of the luxury tents.
Luxury tent
Two of the tents are family tents, with two bedrooms on either side of a spacious lounge, and can accommodate up 5 people.
Family tent separated by a lounge
Why Mara Intrepids?
Three guided tours daily in the game reserve with expert personal guides Escorted walking safaris outside the reserve Bush breakfasts and dinners under the stars Romantic sundowners on the Mara plains Cultural visits to neighboring Maasai communities (extra) Arrangements for dawn hot air balloon safaris over the Mara plains (extra) Overnight fishing excursions to Lake Victoria (extra) Private parties on the champagne terrace Lectures & slide shows on culture and wildlife Star-gazing in the evening (subject to clear skies) Heritage’s famous Adventurers’ Club for kids (2 – 12yrs) and Young Rangers’ Club for intrepid teenagers (13 – 17yrs).
Cheetah
Leopard
Lions
Mara Intrepids Facilities
Small riverfront dining areas with private catering
Freeform swimming pool with sunbathing terrace
Conference room with business and video facilities
Elevated game-viewing platform with bar service
Custom-built four-wheel-drive safari vehicles
Reliable 240-volt generator electricity supply
Board games and guests’ reference library
Single-day laundry and valet services
Wet towels and drinks on arrival
Resident doctor available 24 hours
Flex body therapy for half or one hour.
Ecotourism
As one of Masai Mara’s most established camps, Mara Intrepids enjoys a very close relationship with the local Maasai community, from which most of the staff hail. Together with its sister camp, Mara Explorer, part of the fees are channeled into local community initiatives. Including environmental awareness training, the establishment of medical clinics, and financial support for primary schools, churches, and women’s groups. The camp itself is run on strict eco-principles. Hot water is generated by burning used coffee husks. Biodegradable waste is mulched for compost. And all wastewater is recycled through the camp’s own on-site constructed wetland.
How to get to Mara Intrepids
Mara Intrepids is about a six-hour drive from Nairobi. Therefore most guests fly into the camp. The camp is only a 45-minute flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to the all-weather airstrip, Ol Kiombo.
When to visit Mara Intrepids
Seasons run as follows Summer is from September – April with highs of 34˚C / 194˚F and lows of 20˚C / 68˚F Winter is from May – August with highs of 25˚C / 77˚F and lows of 11˚C / 52˚F There are two rainfall seasons. The long rains are from April – May, and the short rains are from November – Mid December.
The wildebeest migration is in the Masai Mara between July and September so this is obviously the best time to visit. However, there is still excellent game viewing all year. Especially lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Mara Intrepids Accommodation Rates
Mara Intrepids now uses the best available rates so we can’t publish here.
NB: Over Easter, high season rates shall apply
The rates are full board, per person per day, which includes three lip-smacking meals, accommodation in en suite luxury tents, three game drives a day in open-sided Land Rover jeeps, and free adventurers’ club membership for the children (from 3 – 11-year-olds).
The rates exclude transport to and from the Masai Mara, Park Fees, drinks, and other extras.
The award-winning Cottar’s Safari Camps are situated in the private conservancy, bordering Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti, Tanzania – rates and offers
