Tangulia Mara
Tangulia Mara Camp is a cosy riverside safari camp, the first in the Mara to be owned and manged by members of the local Maasai community, making it an unmissable destination for those interested in Maasai culture. The camp overlooks the Mara River and the Olotulo-Murt salt lick, and is positioned between the Mara North Conservancy and Maasai Mara National Reserve, making it an appealing attraction for abundant populations of herds and predators alike. One of the best attractions of Tangulia is the chance to meet Jackson Looseyia, famous safari guide and ‘Big Cat Diary’ presenter. But what really sets Tangulia apart is that there’s neither showmanship nor spectacle, just quality game viewing and guiding and the chance to make genuine connections with your hosts.
Tangulia Mara Camp, Kenya
Tangulia Mara sits by the Mara River between the Mara North Conservancy (MNC) and the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), which is only 15 minutes away from the camp. The MNC is a private conservancy spanning 67,954 acres of protected wilderness and wildlife and forms the north-western zone of the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, while the MMNR is one of the most famous and important wildlife conservation areas in Africa and borders Tanzania in the south. The Mara River is integral to the ecosystem and has many crossing points which are used by herds during the Great Migration.
The camp is only a 25 minute drive from the Musiara airstrip and 35 minutes from the Kichwa Tembo airstrip, which can both be reached via Nairobi.
- Rustic and cosy tented camp
- Ideal camp for authentic Maasai cultural experiences
- First camp in the Mara to be owned, managed and run by local Maasai community
- Famous guide and presenter from ‘Big Cat Diary’, Jackson Looseyia
- Prime location for wildlife on Mara River and near natural salt lick
- 8 chic safari tents
- Fantastic hosts and team
Tangulia was opened in 2016 and is run collaboratively between directors, Dominic Nchoe and Jackson Looseyia, who were both born and raised in the Maasai Mara region. Making connections is the heart of Tangulia’s ethos and guests will often be joined by the team in the evenings where they can talk, swap stories and learn about each other’s cultures. Because of its location, Tangulia is a great camp from which to see the yearly Great Migration, which takes place between July and October.
Millions of wildebeest and zebra travel north from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and into Kenya, crossing over the Mara River. But there are many advantages to travelling in the low season such as more exclusive game views, less tourism and the early months of the year are when many animals give birth to their young so there will be cubs and calves aplenty!
Tangulia has 8 luxury tents, including a family tent, and can accommodate up to 18 guests at any one time. The tents have a rustic charm and are spread apart to ensure tranquillity and privacy. All tents have their own individually handmade king size bed that will guarantee a blissful night’s sleep. They also have en suite bathrooms with hot running water, flush toilets and showers, and come with complimentary eco-friendly toiletries. Fantastic views of the Mara River and plains come with each of the tents but Tent 2 has an especially good view of the much visited salt lick!
The food at Tangulia is in keeping with the rest of the camp – wholesome, home-cooked and hearty! For breakfast you can pick from a selection of fresh fruit, cereals, pancakes, toast and then a follow up cooked breakfast to get you ready for the day. Lunches and dinners offer a great variety of dishes that are sure to tickle the taste buds, from salads to pasta and stews to curries. Chefs can also pack up a delicious picnic for you to take along on your game drives.
Tangulia’s tip-top bar serves a great variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and you can always let them know in advance if there’s a particular drink or brand you’d like to have waiting for you!
Game drives make up the heart of the safari adventure. Join your expert guide for an excursion across the Musiara Marsh, Rhino Ridge, the short grass plains and maybe even cross the Mara River into the Mara Triangle. Venturing out into the savannah with an expert guide is the perfect way to experience the Kenyan wilds with high chances to see all the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – as well as cheetah, hyena, serval, jackal, giraffe and antelope
Take a break from the vehicles and stretch your legs. Take to the slopes and the savannah with one of the camp’s expert guides and naturalists. Walking the same ground as the animals of the Maasai Mara takes safari to a far more intimate level. It’s a great time to talk with your guide and tap into their wealth of knowledge.
You can’t possibly experience the Maasai Mara in full without visiting a Maasai village. There, you can meet the local people and learn about their vibrant culture, traditions and history, and get an unspoilt insight into their daily lives.
At the end of the day, perhaps after finishing up a game drive, you can retire to a beautiful little corner of the wilderness and watch the sunset with your favourite drink in hand.
Solar energy is the sole source of power for the camp and its facilities. All lighting is LED-based and all water is heated by solar power. This has a really beneficial impact on the environment because solar energy is the most efficient renewable energy source, reduces air pollution in replacing fossil fuels and it doesn’t require water to make energy.
Tangulia Camp is recommended for older children (8+ years) as the camp is unfenced and potentially dangerous animals around but there aren’t any official age restrictions.