Offbeat Mara Camp
Offbeat Mara Camp is one of Mara’s smaller camps with just 7 tents set in the exclusive North Mara Conservancy (NMC) but boasts some of the best wildlife viewings in the Maasai Mara. Leopards, elephants and buffalo are often seen around the camp as well as the resident lion pride who are often close by, so you’ll never have to venture far. You’ll also be far from any of the other camps in the NMC, meaning you’ll get those amazing game viewings practically all to yourself. While Offbeat Mara might not be a deluxe boutique camp, guests will have all the comforts of home and may find they prefer a more understated safari adventure that feels more authentic and immersive. If you’re looking for a real-deal safari it’ll be hard to find anywhere better than here!
Offbeat Mara Camp, Mara North Conservancy, Kenya
Offbeat Mara Camp is situated within the North Mara Conservancy (NMC), by the Olare Orok River. The NMC borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve and makes up a vital part of the Maasai Mara ecosystem as its north-western zone. The Conservancy spans 67,954 acres and is a partnership between 13 Tourism Partner members, including Offbeat Mara Camp, and over 900 Maasai landowners.
- Traditional safari in the heart of the Mara
- Exceptional wildlife views all year round, including resident lion pride
- Authentic and exciting safari activities
- Small and exclusive, 7 safari tents
- Communal dining
- Family-friendly
- Partnered with North Mara Conservancy
The camp is one of 13 partners of the MNC, which is committed to low density tourism and having minimal impact on the environment. It’s their vision to create a world-class conservancy with long-term mutual benefits for the environment, local communities and wildlife through a partnership with sustainable tourism.
Any time of the year is a great time to visit the camp. The Great Migration takes place between July and October each year, beginning in the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania and crossing into southern Kenya, bringing the Maasai Mara into full swing. January – March is great for elephant spotting and it’s during these months that many animals give birth to their young, especially in March where visitors will be able to see baby warthogs, giraffes, elephants, hyenas, zebras and hippos.
April and May make up the larger of Kenya’s two wet seasons but this is when the Maasai Mara is at its quietest, and still brimming with wildlife! To reach Offbeat Mara Camp, guests can fly in from Nairobi to the Mara North airstrip and then take an hour’s drive through the conservancy.
5 of the camp’s tents can be set up as doubles or twins, with room for an extra single bed. Each comes with an en suite fitted with a flush loo, wash basin and safari shower. Outside is a private veranda with tables and chairs where guests can dine and soak up the scenic views.
The camp’s other 2 tents are Family Tents. They come with 2 en suite bedrooms, one double and one twin/triple. As with Standard Tents, the en suites are fitted with a flush loo, wash basin and safari shower, and there is a large private veranda outside with a dining table and chairs.
All meals are prepared freshly every day in the camp. Tea and coffee can be brought to your tent to get the day started. Breakfasts consist of continental and hot cooked options, and can also be packed up for a bush breakfast if you’re keen to start your adventures. Classic lunch dishes include fresh salads and pasta, and the camp serves afternoon tea between 4pm and 5pm. Dinners are served in 3 courses in the communal dining tent or out under the stars.
Offbeat Mara offers unlimited game drives in vehicles designed to optimise your game viewing experience. Game drives can be arranged at any time and aren’t restricted to a set schedule so you can set out whenever best suits you. A bonus of being in the Mara North Conservancy means you can arrange night-time game drives as well so you’ll get a full 360 experience of the wildlife residing in the Maasai Mara region.
If you fancy a break from driving and want to stretch your legs then there are plenty of scenic walking paths to explore so that you can get the best chances to see rare birds and the smaller animals in the area that could easily be missed on game drives. These guided walks also take you to places that vehicles can’t reach, allowing you to explore the secrets of the Olare Orok Valley.
With so many picturesque sites at your door how could you pass up the chance to enjoy a bush breakfast or lunch or sundowners? Picnic breakfasts and lunches can easily be packed up for you to take on your game drives so you can enjoy some delicious food surrounded by the Kenyan wilderness. Then at the end of the day you can head out to a beautiful secluded spot with your favourite drink in hand as you bathe in the glow of the sunset.
If parents would like a little break then there are kid-friendly activities to try out under the supervision of a team of Maasai guides. Kids can learn how to fire a Maasai bow or try beading with some of the local ladies, fishing and cake baking for afternoon tea.
Maasai culture is vibrant and fascinating, as are the Maasai people! Guests are very welcome to visit the nearby village for a chance to learn about their way of life, traditions and day-to-day lives.
As the sun rises take to the skies for one of the most iconic and romantic safari experiences. Glide silently over the Mara plains and take in the beautiful scenery and undisturbed wildlife below.
Since the camp runs alongside the Olare Orok River guests can try their hand at a little fishing and see if they can catch (and then let go!) a catfish or Tilapia.
Offbeat Mara is one of the Mara North Conservancy’s founding members and committed the preservation of its ecosystem. A key part of this is supporting the local communities and forming links between these communities, wildlife conservation and ecotourism.
Over 90% of Offbeat Mara’s staff are local Maasai people who helped to build the camp in 2005. The skills they’ve acquired in the tourism industry can be passed down to the next generation and broaden their horizons. The camp also sponsors the local Aitong Primary School, which has almost a thousand children between 6 and 15, so this next generation can be equipped with as many skills and as much knowledge as possible.
In recent years the school has quickly expanded and become more accessible through the building of a boarding facility for families who live far away.
Offbeat Mara camp is aware of the fragility of the ecosystem and the necessity to preserve it. For this reason there are no permanent structures on the camp that could damage the environment. All structures are made with canvas and local rock so as to put as little strain on the environment as possible.
Offbeat Mara Camp loves to have families with children stay and can offer:
- Children’s activities
- Children’s meals
- A Maasai warrior to look after children if they want to go to bed early
Since the camp is unfenced children must be supervised at all times.