Lerai Safari Camp
Lerai Safari Camp lies in the golden savannah plains of the private Olerai Conservancy in southern Kenya. Between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Naboisho Conservancy and barely 15 miles away from the Serengeti National Park, Lerai is a haven for wildlife and wildlife-lovers alike! With just 6 guest tents, you’ll be able to enjoy total peace and privacy while you immerse in your safari adventures. Whether you’re looking to get stuck in with game drives and horse riding or take it easy with a little birdwatching and a bit of pampering, Lerai invites you to journey with them through the Maasai Mara.
Lerai Safari Camp, Kenya
Lerai is a riverside camp within the Olerai Conservancy, a private conservancy spanning 5,000 acres of unspoilt natural land. To the north-east is the Naboisho Conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve surround the south and west borders. The conservancy serves as an elephant corridor and the lush marshland grasses also provides them with a feeding ground, as well as hosting the largest concentration of giraffe and eland in the local ecosystem. The access Lerai Camp, guests can take a charter flight from Nairobi to the Olkiombo Airstrip, which is only a 25 minute drive away from the camp.
- Only permanent safari camp in Olerai Conservancy
- Immersive experience with Maasai culture
- Prime location for migration herds
- Great range of activities including horse riding and hot air balloon safaris
- 6 safari tents
- Access to iMac computers and free WIFI
- Close to Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park
Lerai was established in 2018 and built up slowly with constant mindfulness of coexisting with the surrounding wildlife and habitats. It’s the only permanent camp in the Olerai Conservancy, guaranteeing a low density of tourism that’s more beneficial for the environment while still supporting local communities. The Olerai Conservancy was set up in direct partnership with local Maasai landowners to expand protected territory and migration routes for wildlife.
Being in the midst of migratory pathways, the areas around the camp are positively teeming with wildlife during the migration season, which takes place between July and October. But even if you can’t make it at this time of year there’s still plenty of wildlife to see all year round!
Lerai hosts 6 canvas tents that are understated but comfy and cosy, and beautifully adorned with the traditional safari style of East Africa. Each tent comes with its own en suite bathroom with a shower and flush toilet. Positioned along the banks of the river they all offer scenic safari views.
Lerai prepares delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners for all their guests. All meals are freshly made and can be enjoyed while overlooking the seasonal river and golden plains. The lounge area shares these gorgeous views so you can take in the scenery with your favourite drinks as well!
Game drives are at the heart of the safari adventure. 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. Night game drives are available on the Olerai Conservancy meaning you’ll get the chance to spot some of the underappreciated members of the ecosystem such as spring hares, porcupines, bush babies and maybe even a pangolin!
As dawn breaks, ascend into a wildlife adventure like no other. Guests will often find themselves struck by the serene silence and stillness, the perfect setting to take in the wildlife from above without any interference. Upon landing, guests are met with a delicious bush breakfast before they drive back to camp to really finish with a flourish!
Take a break from drives and explore 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. While learning all about the plants and their medicinal uses and Maasai folklore, guests can walk in the footsteps of the animals they’ve seen.
Visit a nearby Maasai village to meet the locals and get a chance to see their daily lives up close, and learn about their vibrant culture and traditions!
Saddle up and venture out onto the plains for a thrilling ride and the chance to get right up close to game herds.
With so many scenic spots to choose from, who could pass up the chance of a delicious breakfast or lunch or evening drinks out in the bush? Do let the staff know if there are any special occasions you’d like to celebrate!
Olerai’s ethos values people as much as wildlife and they are at the forefront of the Green Economy Strategy, designed to improve the quality of life in local communities, create green job opportunities that collaborate with conservation initiatives, and provide economic stability. Lerai supplies fresh and clean drinking water to the local community through piping connected to a deep borehole. In collaboration with their sister camp, Entim, they are also working to add 4 new classrooms to the local school, which has 480 students in the district of the conservancy.
Children must be aged 8 or over to visit the camp