The Great Plains of the Mara
Follow the great plains of the Mara, where vast grasslands, powerful predators and the movement of the Great Migration create one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences.
At A Glance
Collection | Signature Safari Collection |
Journey Type | One Destination Safari |
Destination | Masai Mara National Reserve / Naboisho Conservancy / Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya |
Recommended Stay | 4–6 Nights |
Choose From | 7 Luxury Lodges |
Nearest Airport/Airstrip | Mara Ol Kiombo, Mara Ol Seki or the airstrip closest to your chosen camp |
Wildlife Highlights | Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, hippo, hyena and abundant plains game |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
The Great Plains
The Mara is defined by vast open grasslands broken by acacia, rocky outcrops and winding rivers, creating an extraordinary landscape for both wildlife and photography.
Big Cats in Open Country
Lion, leopard and cheetah are among the Mara’s great attractions, with the open terrain often allowing you to follow their movements and behaviour across the plains.
The Great Migration
From roughly July to October, enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra move into the Mara as part of their annual migration through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem. The timing and exact location of the herds depend on rainfall and grazing, making every season different.
The Mara Beyond the Migration
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You do not need to visit during migration season to experience exceptional wildlife. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and hyena are resident across the wider ecosystem, with predators following the abundance of prey throughout the year.
Three Ways to Experience the Mara
We offer camps in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho Conservancy and Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Each area has its own character, wildlife patterns and style of safari, allowing us to choose the right one around what you want from your time in the Mara.
The Space to Follow the Story
The Mara is at its best when you have time to stay with what is happening rather than rushing between sightings. A longer stay gives your guide the freedom to follow changing wildlife behaviour, return to a promising sighting or simply spend a morning watching the plains unfold.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
The Great Plains of the Mara is built around seven carefully selected camps across three distinct areas of the greater Mara: the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho Conservancy and Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Each offers a different setting and style of safari, allowing us to match your stay to what matters most to you, whether that is access to the classic Mara landscape, a quieter conservancy experience or particularly strong predator viewing.
&Beyond Bateleur Camp
Set beneath the Oloololo Escarpment in the western Mara, Bateleur combines classic Kenyan safari romance with a wonderfully secluded setting. Hardwood floors, antique touches, polished copper and canvas tents give the camp a timeless character, while its private concession allows for a quieter safari experience alongside excellent access to the Mara and the Great Migration.
Best Suited For
Couples and honeymooners wanting a romantic safari
Travellers drawn to classic, old-world safari style
Families looking for a luxurious and welcoming camp
Guests wanting a private-concession experience alongside access to the Mara
Travellers who appreciate polished service and more traditional safari elegance
Lodge Atmosphere
Classic • Elegant • Romantic • Timeless
Naboisho Camp
Set overlooking the open plains of Naboisho, this stylish camp brings together a little more space and comfort without losing its connection to the wilderness. Resident elephant, buffalo and lion move through the surrounding landscape, while walking safaris, night drives and specialist photographic vehicles allow guests to experience the conservancy in very different ways.
Best Suited For
Wildlife and photography enthusiasts
Travellers wanting a broader range of safari activities
Families looking for a comfortable private-conservancy stay
Guests interested in walking and night safaris
Couples wanting more space and amenities without a large-lodge feel
Lodge Atmosphere
Stylish • Spacious • Immersive • Welcoming
Rekero Camp
With a prime position beside the Talek River, Rekero places you right in the heart of the Masai Mara’s wildlife story. The camp overlooks a natural migration crossing point and is surrounded by productive plains, making it particularly compelling for guests who want to spend their days immersed in the movement and drama of the Mara rather than tucked away from it.
Best Suited For
Wildlife enthusiasts wanting a prime Mara location
Travellers visiting during the Great Migration
Photographers seeking exceptional wildlife opportunities
Guests who prefer a classic, intimate tented camp
Returning safari travellers looking for a deeply wildlife-focused stay
Lodge Atmosphere
Classic • Intimate • Wildlife-Focused • Riverside
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Kicheche Valley Naboisho
Hidden among the acacia woodlands of a secluded valley, Kicheche Valley Naboisho feels wonderfully removed from the busier parts of the Mara. With only six elevated tents and wildlife moving through the surrounding conservancy, the camp offers an intimate, low-impact safari where walking, game drives and time in the bush are equally important.
Best Suited For
Couples seeking an intimate safari
Travellers wanting a quieter, more secluded camp
Guests who enjoy walking alongside traditional game drives
Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts
Travellers who prefer small camps with a personal feel
Lodge Atmosphere
Secluded • Intimate • Natural • Understated
Kicheche Bush Olare
Set in a remote corner of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kicheche Bush Olare is an unfenced camp where wildlife can move freely through the surrounding wilderness. The atmosphere is relaxed and personal, with excellent guiding and a genuine sense of being in the bush, while the conservancy’s low vehicle density creates space for unhurried wildlife encounters.
Best Suited For
Travellers who want an authentic bush experience
Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers
Guests seeking excellent big-cat viewing
Couples and small groups wanting a personal camp
Travellers who value guiding and time in the wilderness over elaborate facilities
Lodge Atmosphere
Authentic • Intimate • Relaxed • Wild
Mara Plains Camp
Hidden among riverine forest on the edge of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains Camp is an exceptionally intimate interpretation of luxury safari. Just seven canvas suites overlook the wilderness, with access to both the conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve. The experience is highly flexible, allowing each day to follow the wildlife rather than a fixed camp schedule.
Best Suited For
Luxury travellers seeking an intimate safari
Serious photographers and wildlife enthusiasts
Couples celebrating a special occasion
Travellers who value flexibility and private experiences
Guests wanting access to both Olare Motorogi and the Masai Mara
Lodge Atmosphere
Intimate • Refined • Photographic • Exclusive
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 4 Nights | 5 Days
We believe four nights gives you enough time to settle into the rhythm of the Mara and experience its wildlife without rushing. Your camp will be selected in the area that best suits your interests, whether that is the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho Conservancy or Olare Motorogi Conservancy, with each offering its own character and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly from Nairobi into the Mara and meet your safari guide at the airstrip.
Enjoy a game drive en route to your camp, beginning your first look at the surrounding landscape and wildlife.
Arrive at camp, settle in and enjoy your first evening in the Mara.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-4
Head out early for game drives while wildlife is active and the plains are at their best.
Spend time following the species and behaviour that interest you most, from big cats and elephants to the abundant plains game.
Return to camp during the middle of the day before heading out again in the afternoon.
Depending on the area and camp you choose, additional experiences such as guided walks or night drives may also be possible.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, selected activities where applicable, sundowners, dinner.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a final early morning game drive before returning to camp for breakfast.
Depart by air from the nearest airstrip for Nairobi or your next destination.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast and/or lunch, air transfer.
The All Out Safaris Perspective
The Mara is one of those places where the name almost feels bigger than the landscape itself. But once you are there, it is the details that stay with you: a lion beneath an acacia, elephants crossing the horizon or thousands of wildebeest filling the plains.
The Mara is one ecosystem, but every area has its own rhythm. We choose between the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho and Olare Motorogi based on the season, what you want to see and how you want to experience it.
Sometimes it is the reserve. Sometimes a private conservancy. The right choice is the one that fits your safari.
Questions about this safari
What wildlife can I expect to see?
The Mara is one of Kenya’s great wildlife destinations, with excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and hyena. The ecosystem also supports a wide variety of smaller mammals, plains game and birdlife.
Is the Great Migration guaranteed?
No. The migration is a natural movement driven by rainfall and grazing, so the timing and location of the herds change each year. July to October is generally the main period for the herds to be in the Mara, but exact sightings and river crossings can never be guaranteed.
What is the difference between the Masai Mara and the conservancies?
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the classic Mara experience, with its extensive open landscapes and access to the migration. Naboisho and Olare Motorogi are privately managed conservancies bordering the reserve, where visitor numbers are more controlled and activities such as guided walks and night drives may be available depending on the camp.
Can I visit outside the Great Migration season?
Absolutely. The Mara has strong resident wildlife year-round, and the conservancies are particularly valuable outside migration season because they offer excellent predator and general game viewing without relying on the arrival of the migratory herds.
Which Mara lodge should I choose?
That depends on your travel style, budget and priorities. Rekero Camp suits couples and photographers looking for an intimate, classic safari experience. &Beyond Bateleur Camp is better suited to couples and special occasions wanting a more refined stay. Kicheche Bush Olare is ideal for travellers who prefer intimate, understated camps, while Mara Plains Camp suits those looking for more space and a contemporary feel. Encounter Mara and Naboisho Camp work well for couples, families and first-time safari travellers wanting a relaxed conservancy experience, while Kicheche Valley Naboisho is particularly suited to those who prefer a smaller, more intimate camp. If you're unsure which is right for you, we'll recommend the option that best matches your travel style and preferences.
Is this safari suitable for families?
Yes. Several of our selected camps welcome families, although age policies and activities differ between properties. We can recommend the most suitable area and camp based on the ages of your children and the kind of safari you want.
How do I book this safari?
Simply complete the enquiry form below. We'll then hop on a consultation call to discuss and prepare a personalised safari proposal with recommended accommodation, itinerary options and pricing for you to review.
Similar Safaris
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