Mara Nyika Camp

The luxury suites at Mara Nyika Camp can be arranged in a double or twin formation and are spacious and comfortable with a cosy feel, enhanced by soft lighting and snug leather armchairs. Wide netted windows and a roll up door allow natural light to fill the space and afford stunning views on three sides of the tents.

The ensuite bathrooms include flush toilets, double basins, a shower and a large copper bathtub for soaking away any aches and pains. A decking area at the front of the tents are the perfect place to rest after a long day spent exploring to keep an eye out for meandering animals, watching the sunset or stargazing.

The family suite at Mara Nyika Camp consists of two bedrooms, each with their own ensuite bathroom and a large, luxurious lounge connecting both rooms. Decorated and furnished in the same style to the other suites and emanates a traditional safari feel with touches of comfort and warmth.

A neutral colour palette keeps guests attention focused on their surroundings, aided by wide netted windows and roll up doors. A decking area offers outstanding views over the plains of the conservancy and the horizon, the ideal area for spending some quality family time together.

Meals can be served around a communal table in the main area, or smaller more intimate tables can be arranged. Highly talented, trained and professional chefs create excellent meals where the presentation is as amazing as the taste.

Food is served a la carte , however can be catered to suit for specific dietary requirements with advance notice. For a more romantic dinner, a table can be set up on guests private decking outside their suite for a dinner under the wide starry sky.

Bush dining is available at Mara Nyika Camp so guests can immerse themselves in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy whilst feasting on delicious, freshly prepared food. Packed lunches can be arranged to be taken on game drives so guests can picnic in the heart of the wild.

Guests of Mara Nyika Camp can go on day or night game drives in comfortable, customised 4×4 vehicles. Seeing the wildlife at close range with minimal disturbance is a truly unique experience and every drive will offer different sightings, with night drives allowing guests to see the nocturnal animals of the conservancy – such as white-tailed mongoose, Cape hares and porcupines, to name a few.

Driving off-road offers the chance to see untraversed areas of the bush. This is an unmissable experience and a traditional part of the African safari experience. The vehicles include a small fridge full of drinks and snacks so guests won’t get hungry and drives can last longer.

For a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture, a visit to the local Maasai village can be arranged. This is an excellent chance to learn about the traditional Maasai way of life and support the local village as locally produced crafts will bet available to purchase, the proceeds of which feed back into the community, particularly schools and local women’s groups.

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience an hot air balloon flight can be arranged in advance for guests. Glide silently over the Mara Naboisho Conservancy and view the wildlife from the unique birds-eye perspective. Enjoy uninterrupted views over the horizon in the morning light, and see if you can spot galloping giraffes or herds of lion.

Great Plains Conservation seeks to “preserve, rescue and recover” communities, wildlife and landscapes in Africa. One of the ways they are doing this is through the Great Plains Student Conservation Camp by educating teachers and students in local communities and in Great Plains camps about environmental conservation and why this is important.

Having a commitment to responsible travel means that Great Plains Conservation not only protects the communities and land they operate within, but also green technology is integrated into all their lodges. The Conservation Grows program began in 2019 and “aims to restore indigenous trees to landscapes across Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.”

The Great Plains Foundation was set up to “conserve and expand natural habitats in Africa through innovative conservation initiatives with a long-term commitment to the environment, wildlife, and local communities.” This foundation works in tandem with  the Great Plains Conservation to help conserve and protect land, animals and communities in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Their aim is to restore and protect the land and wildlife and invest in local communities. There are various initiatives such as working to restore indigenous trees and securing land which is under threat in Zimbabwe, supporting the Rhinos without Borders project or the Maasai Olympics, which raise awareness for the conservation of lions.

Or investing in local communities through the ‘Great Plains Earth Academy’ which engages local people in programs which offer education, vocational skills and scholarships as well as the ‘Solar Mamas’ in Botswana which helps to provide solar power electricity whilst empowering local women.

Great Plains Conservation understands that employing people from local communities not only benefits the employee but also their wider family members. Having a job and an income reduces their need to rely on the land for survival so increases the protection of this land. A relatively new initiative is “Women Wildlife Monitors” which aims to employ and empower local women.

Great Plains Conservation have also donated solar lanterns to community members and students so their homes can have a safe and sustainable light resource. Every Great Plains Camp has a shop where local beadwork and other products can be sold, to help support local craft groups.

Great Plains Conservation is committed to using sustainable practices in their lodges and they have received recognition from both local and international ecotourism rating systems. All their camps have various practices to help them minimise their carbon footprint as much as possible including composting, bio-digesters, grey-water recycling and the removal of single-use plastics; Mara Nyika Camp receives 24 hour electricity from their nearby solar farm.

Guests of Great Plains lodges also have the opportunity to donate to tree planting or solar lantern programs to help offset their travel emissions.

Great Plains Conservation contributes to the Rhinos Without Borders project and aims to translocate “100 rhinos from poaching hot zones in South Africa to safe havens in Botswana.” Guests are helping to support this as a “Conservation and Community Levy is added to each stay” as a contribution towards this important conservation project.