Entumoto safari camp

Entumoto is a private tented safari camp elevated in the hills of the Rift valley, commanding breath-taking views and sunsets over the Mara plains. The camp has a private conservancy to give you a more intimate and exclusive safari experience as well as direct access into the Maasai Mara reserve. With no fences between the park and the conservancy all the animals you get in the Mara have free reign to come in and out of the conservancy – which is especially exciting during the great migration. Entumoto means meeting point in the local language Maa, which fits well as the camp is situated where the plains meet the hills and where two valleys come together.

Conservancy

The privacy of your game drives in the conservancy are a welcome contrast to those in the Mara and as we allow our vehicles to go off road you can get a real and private experience with the animals. We can offer walking safaris, sundowners and night game drives in the conservancy which are not permitted in the park. This gives you a chance to stretch your legs and get close to the animals on foot, enjoy drinks in the bush while surrounded by the wildlife and follow the nocturnal animals while they are active at night. Just remember this is a rare experience not possible to those staying within the national reserve. Being in our own conservancy also offers the benefit of not having to surround the camp with fences so you are fully immersed in the wildlife throughout your stay.

History behind the camp

Our founder, Karl von Heland, is the grandson of Erik von Heland. Erik was a young Swedish officer who became the manager of Karen Farm in 1919. The now world-famous farm belonged to the author Karen Blixen and her husband Bror and was the scene of the film, and one of the most famous novels Out of Africa. Almost a century later, in 2009, Eric’s grandson Karl von Heland established Entumoto Safari Camp in the Sekenani Valley together with his close colleague Rimoine Ole Kararei and some Swedish family companies. Rimoine was born in a Masai village near the camp and was one of the first from his area to go to university in Nairobi. He stayed with Karls relative, the diplomat Kjell Nordenskiöld, in Nairobi and thus got to know Karl and his family.

History behind the conservancy

In April 2014 Karl and Rimoine aspired to create a conservancy for Entumoto. The immediate area known as Sekenani Valley was not included in the surrounding Siana conservancy. It was therefore home to temporary manyattas that covered the landscape and meant wildlife was few and far between. After 2 years of selling the idea to the local Masai landowners and Siana Committee members the Sekenani valley was eventually included in the larger Siana Conservancy. The area was declared a conservation area and Entumoto conservancy was born. We are proud to be the pioneers of conservation in this part of the Mara as well as pleased to offer our guests exclusive viewing of wildlife in our private conservancy.

How it works

We lease land from the local Maasai plot owners who signed a 15-year lease agreement. Siana has 3,500 landowners who each own about 6.5 acre plots inside the conservancy. Proceeds accrued from conservation fees goes to paying the land leases, improving infrastructure, and training rangers among others. WWF rangers play an important role patrolling the area and ensuring that the conservancy is clear, clean, safe and free of cattle in designated areas.

WWF Financing

The WWF heard about the good work we were doing and in 2016 we received the news that they would help with funding the Siana conservancy – which was great news to all involved. We work closely with the WWF and they are to this day integral to the protection and security of the conservancy.

Animals

Entumoto conservancy is now teaming with wild animals, we have: several prides of lions, hundreds of elephants, baboons, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, buffalo and an abundance of plains game such as zebras, giraffes, antelopes and warthogs. Occasionally we even have black rhino and wild dogs passing in and out, and if you look closely you may spot aardvarks, porcupines and bush babies. Bird life in the conservancy is also abundant and diverse.

Eden

There is a section of open grassland with a large watering hole in the centre, that can only be described as Eden. It is the main water point for animals in the conservancy and is therefore often abundant with wildlife. At certain times in the day the density of different game, all in one place, is astounding. Entering Eden at midday or in the evening before the sunset you will often come across elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and impala all drinking together – it is a sight you will find hard to forget and a sight you will be hard pushed to find elsewhere in the Mara.

Positive effects

All the inhabitants in the community are directly benefiting from the conservation and tourism Entumoto brings. We lease the land from individual families and they get a fixed yearly lease and also a variable lease based on the number of tourist bed-nights we have. The creation of the conservancy has also given us the opportunity to have frequent meetings with large groups of Masai to co-manage the conservancy company. This is a very important step as it gives the Maasai a democratic and well-governed organisation, which can work for the benefit of the community.

The camp

The camp has 2 tiers of accommodation split into Entumoto Main and Entumoto Toto. All the tents are made of a multilayered canvas, are custom designed and set a hundred meters apart from each other for your privacy. Most guests staying in Entumoto Main stay on an all inclusive basis, including all meals, drinks, game drives and other activities. Many guests in Entumoto Toto come by road with their own vehicles and driver guides and normally stay on a full board basis – which includes all meals but the activities come at an extra cost. There is also the choice to book our mobile camp for part of the trip, which is a wild and wonderful experience.

Entumoto main

Entumoto main has 4 family and 3 double en-suite tents. The family tents include two double or twin rooms, two bathrooms and a central lounge with a fireplace – comfortably furnished with a table and two divans. Each tent has its own veranda where you can enjoy an early morning coffee, relaxing afternoon on the sofas or a sundowner in the evening and remember you are in the African bush so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in the camp. All tents have electricity, hot showers, double sinks, dressing gowns, hot water bottles and breath-taking views over the conservancy.

Entumoto toto

Entumoto Toto is our more affordable accommodation and has 2 family tents as well as 3 double en-suites. The Toto tents are furnished in a similar fashion to the Entumoto Main and also have their own private veranda – but without the views over the conservancy. However, they are nearer the lounge and dining area and are still surrounded by wildlife. All guests can enjoy our pool area, main lounge, dining area and other common areas. However for families and small groups who wish for more privacy there is a separate lounge and dining area in Entumoto Toto.

Mobile camp

You can choose to stay in our mobile camp which we can set up anywhere in our conservancy. Each tent will come with comfortable beds, chairs and tables and even a hot shower at the back of the tent. There will also be toilets, a kitchen, a main dining area and a bar will be set up in the evening. Our staff will light a nice warm fire for guests every night. This is perfect for families with children who like camping out in the wilderness. It is also great for anyone who wants to get that little bit closer to nature.

Main lounge, bar and dining area

The main guest area consists of a sitting area, dining area, bar, fire, library, games cupboard and veranda with views of the endless game-filled countryside. Beautifully handcrafted artefacts, bespoke antiques, lavish sofas, books and candlelight will transport guests back to the heyday of the romantic classic safari. We serve all meals in the dining area and pre dinner drinks and snacks in the lounge.

Meals

Breakfast consists of a full range of fruits and cereals. You may then order a cooked English breakfast of your choosing either in camp or out under a lone thorn-tree on the savannah plains. Lunch is a lighter affair – with locally sourced produce and fresh vegetables from our private garden. Pre-dinner drinks by the open fireplace or the pool allow us to share the adventures of the day. Sundowners are frequently served in a variety of beautiful locations around the conservancy. Dinner is served at your convenience and is a delicious and varied 3-course meal. All meals and drinks can be served in the privacy of your own veranda, in our dining area with a warm fire or in the bush for a more remote dining experience.

Vegetable garden

We take pride in growing many of our own fruits and vegetables in our huge ecological garden bearing aubergines, kale, avocados, passion fruit, papaya and mango as well as herbs such as parsley, basil, fresh mint and dill. We are organically minded and diet conscious and the chefs can create individual dishes for each of our guests according to dietary requirements.

Pool

The massage parlour is open for relaxing after a long game drive. You can also book manicures and pedicures if you feel like a bit of TLC. There is a pool with sun beds, a yoga terrace and a pool house for you to enjoy at your leisure  – we only ask guests not to swim at night because you never know what might join you.

Activities

Safari meaning journey or adventure is exactly what you can expect at Entumoto. Sharing the experience of being so close to the wilderness and its abundance of wildlife is what it is all about for us. We’ll give you a real understanding of the Maasai culture and offer you an experience you will never forget.

Game drives

Close encounters with the wild game are a given here – enjoyed from the safety of our specially designed open Land Cruisers. Our highly experienced and licensed guides will tell you all about the wildlife, the flora, the culture and anything else you would like to know about the area. We can offer game drives in the Mara or within our own conservancy where we have the freedom to off road for a closer look at the wildlife. You can also enjoy night game drives, which are not permitted in the Mara, so you can have a chance to see some of the nocturnal species and cats whilst they’re active and hunting at night.

Walking safari

Walking safaris are not allowed within the Masai Mara. However within our conservancy you can walk in the surrounding hills with stunning views or into the valley for a chance to get closer to the wildlife on foot. For your safety this is under the close supervision of our guides and askaris. With the vast knowledge of the bush that the Masai possess – this is a chance to learn how they use nature to their benefit. You will look at animal spoor and droppings, plants and trees that are used for curing ailments and small animals you would not normally notice from inside the vehicles.

Open air bush meals

We can organise bush meals for you to take on your trip to the Mara or set up a table in the conservancy. Bush meals save you coming back to camp if you want to enjoy a full day safari, we will pack up a home cooked meal which you can eat under the shade of an acacia tree overlooking the Mara plains.

Sundowners

We offer the chance to watch the sunset at some beautiful locations within the conservancy. We can set up a bush fire, and offer a mix of wines, beers and spirits whilst you enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife surrounding you. This combines with a short night drive back to the camp and the chance to sport some nocturnal animals.

Cultural trips

The land that makes up the conservancy is leased from local Masai families. We can thereby offer unchallenged insights and genuine cultural experiences of the Maasai lifestyle and trips to the local Manyattas. A sponsor-visit to the rescue centre to support the girls that have run away will be a memorable experience. Listening to the stories of how they have been exploited by their families for early marriage and FGM can be emotional as well as an eye-opening experience.

Conservancy bike rides/runs

We have a stunning bike ride around the conservancy. This loop is relatively flat. So it gives you a great chance to bike close to the giraffe and other plains game. If you wish to run we can organise a guide. We will have a vehicle follow you as a safety precaution. You can hop on to it at any time if you run out of steam.

Swimming/yoga/volleyball

The camp has activities of its own on offer with a swimming pool, volleyball net and yoga deck. A large tent shades the lounge and bar area. The library offers some interesting reading and some competitive board games.

Maasai Mara

Only a 30 minute drive from the camp, the Maasai Mara is the eighth wonder of the world. This incredible reserve within the Serengeti ecosystem lies elevated 1400–2,200 meters above sea level and stretches over 1,510 sq. km. It is famously the home of the colourful Maasai tribesmen who live in small villages called Manyattas. Their existence is dependent upon the proud heritage of cattle ownership. The sheer number of big cats, antelope, elephant, rhino, giraffe and zebra creates an awe-inspiring spectacle for visitors. For bird lovers there are over 950 species that have been identified in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem. One soon becomes acutely aware that this is a world heritage reserve without equal, and should be carefully protected.

The great migration

One of the most impressive natural events worldwide happens annually within the Mara, the well-documented great migration. This is where more than a million wildebeest, and other animals, move through the park and the surrounding conservancies. During the migration these plains are flooded with animals. They are driven by unrelenting instinct, making their way from and to the Serengeti. Not just wildebeest but hundreds of thousands of Thomson’s gazelle and zebra as well. The Maasai Mara supports the highest concentration of lion in the world. The other members of the Big Five. It is a spectacular game viewing experience where watching a chase becomes a daily activity.

Our responsibility 

Entumoto functions in the most eco-friendly way possible. We have our own well with crystal clear water that is enough for the camp. Entumoto uses only environmentally friendly liquids and cleaning materials. We are driven by the ambition to have as low an impact on the natural habitat as possible. Through this we reduce transport to and from Nairobi. Hot water to the tents and the kitchen is solar powered. The new sun power system will help reduce the amount we use the wood burning water heaters for the showers. Solar powered battery systems generate electricity with a back up diesel generator. All electrical fittings are low consumption based products. We engage ourselves in projects to better the Maasai Mara. We correct waste disposal, pellet  garbage for burning and forest planting.