Naboisho Camp Maasai Mara

Privacy

Set in the 210km² private Mara Naboisho, the camp offers lovely game viewing, from the herds of antelope that dot the plains of this corridor throughout the year to the high numbers of wildlife, including lion and cheetah. But the real magic of this camp is its sheer privacy. You’ll experience a level of safari solitude and serenity simply unheard of in the reserves. With just 9 spacious tented suites, Naboisho is an intimate safari camp that balances your wilderness experience with discreet creature comforts. Even better, Naboisho camp offers the options of fly camping, walking safaris and night drives, activities not commonly available in most national parks. If you have a truly daring spirit, don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to immerse yourself in the magic of the African bush.

Experience

Designed to take full gain of its wild surrounds, Naboisho camp is very cosy. At the main communal area, the thatched lounge and dining room provide a splendid vantage point of the nearby waterhole, and meals are served to sights and sounds of the Kenyan wilderness. High levels of bespoke service from a team that has worked together for many years create the warm welcome that is the hallmark of Naboisho camp.

Tents

The 9 spacious tented suites offer cosy king-sized beds and private services with indoor and outdoor hot running showers and flushing toilets. Each suite benefits from a private veranda furnished with a day bed for the ultimate in post game-drive relaxation.

Meals

Our delicious home-cooked meals are often enjoyed communally. Our chefs prepare all meals in camp and bake fresh bread, biscuits and muffins daily. Breakfast is a tempting buffet-style spread. Choose from a continental or a full English breakfast. Light, buffet-style lunches in camp include fresh salads and vegetables with your main course. You can also ask for a picnic breakfast or lunch so you can spend most of your time in the bush. Tea and cake at 4pm are a camp culture. Dinner is a three-course silver service or plated affair.

Mara Naboisho

A true wildlife haven, the Mara Naboisho has more game than the adjacent Maasai Mara national reserve. The big cats reside here in big numbers. With over 100 lions living in the vicinity, it has one of the highest number of lions in the world. Because such a healthy lion numbers is not possible without an equally healthy wildlife food chain below it, you can expect tons of  game viewing. The existence of the Mara Naboisho ensures that ancient migratory cycles and patterns are left undisturbed. However, the real magic of the place is its sheer privacy. There are so few lodges in the area that you have a level of safari solitude simply unheard of in the busy national reserves.

Wildebeest migration

The earth vibrates with the thundering of millions of hooves as heaving herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles fill the plains to chase the rains in the epic annual struggle for survival known as the great migration. It is the greatest show on earth, a natural spectacle like no other and a life-changing experience. With a presence all along the great wildebeest migration route, Asilia will transport you to the best seat in the house. Few lifetime experiences can beat that of watching over a million wildebeest plus hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebra followed by their predators embark on a 1,000km long circular trek through the Maasai Mara in search of pasture and water. This natural spectacle is both thrilling and profoundly moving.

What is the migration

The annual wildebeest migration is a drama in two acts. The arresting dash for freedom as the herds swarm across the Mara and other rivers in the north braving enormous Nile crocodiles, lion, hyena, cheetah and leopard in search of water and new grazing, followed by the remarkable months of calving in the lush grasslands of the south. The great migration can also be split up into two main parts; the Serengeti migration as well as the Maasai Mara migration. It is the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. In fact, with up to 1,000 animals per km², it can be seen from space. The numbers are astonishing: over 1.2 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra along with topi and other gazelle move in a constant cycle through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of nutritious grass and water.

Migration journey

Guided by survival instinct, each wildebeest will cover 800 to 1,000km on its individual journey along age-old migration routes. Hungry predators make sure only the strongest survive. It is thought that rainfall over 50km away can trigger the start of the mass movement perhaps through smell or the recognition of thunder and lightening on the horizon. The circuit takes the animals from the Ngongorogoro conservation area in the south of the Serengeti in Tanzania, up through the Serengeti and across into the Maasai Mara, and back again. The journey is beset with danger. Young calves are snatched by predators, the slow are brought down by prides of lion, brave beasts break legs on steep river slopes, crocodiles take their share of the stragglers and the weak and exhausted drown.

Big cats

Few life experiences can beat that of getting up close and personal with Africa’s Big 5 and big cats. Asilia’s outstanding camps are located in some of the best pioneering areas in Kenya and Tanzania. On safari here, coveted sightings of big cats and the big five of Africa are common. In fact, you get so close to these glorious animals you can feel their extraordinary power. Covering some 25,000km², the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem encompasses a wide range of habitats, which is why it is home to Africa’s highest variety and concentration of wildlife, and of course, the big 5. Ruaha hosts an incredible 10% of the world’s lion, while Tarangire is famous for its vast elephant herds. These are the safari destinations of choice for discerning travellers looking for intense big cat and big 5 encounters. Predator and prey interactions are frequent.

Activities

The Mara Naboisho conservancy is not governed by the same rules as the national reserves, so there is the flexibility to see and experience something truly profound on safari at Naboisho. The activities at Naboisho Camp make the most of this unrivalled access to pristine wilderness: bush walks, off-road safaris, overnight fly camps, night drives and wilderness picnics are activities you could only dream of in the national reserves. The guides at Naboisho are adept at offering a deeper understanding of this complex ecosystem, making it an ideal choice for experienced safari travellers on their second or third visit to Africa, who are seeking a more profound experience.

Game drives

Twice daily game drives with passionate and highly knowledgeable guides are offered from Naboisho, as well as the chance to search for the elusive nocturnal creatures of the conservancy on a night drive. Off-road driving is possible on the privately owned land for once-in-a-lifetime sightings and excellent photo opportunities. Our guides take you in seven-seater open game-viewing vehicles or closed vehicles that seat five. All the vehicles have power points where you can recharge your devices, and are fitted with fridges to keep your drinks deliciously frosty. Game Drives are also possible in the adjoining Masai Mara Reserve (additional costs apply).

Walking safaris

Discover the smaller ecosystems that tend to pass unnoticed from a vehicle: explore the bush by foot, accompanied by an expert armed guide and Maasai tracker. Please note that walking safaris are at an additional cost of US$40 per person.

Bush picnics

Leave camp with the rising sun at dawn and enjoy a packed breakfast or lunch to maximise your game-viewing time.

Fly camping

Spend the night in a simple fly camp in a quiet corner of the conservancy and enjoy splendid meals cooked over the campfire with only the sounds of the bush for company.

Children’s safari programme

Our bush guides are all family men who have themselves been raised on these plains. They share their childhood secrets, bush skills, animal tracking know-how, local folklore and incredible stories of life in the bush with your children during guided bush walks. Kids also get the chance to play traditional games and visit a nearby community or school to learn more about the customs of East Africa, make pen-pals and buy local handicrafts.

Family safaris

Take your family on the greatest adventure imaginable: an Asilia Family Safari in the vast and unspoiled wilderness of east Africa. With a highly skilled, family-oriented guide at your side, you will discover untamed Africa the way few others ever do. Bring your family to explore the real Africa with us. Personal attention, guiding, accommodation and service are focused on creating a superb safari experience for the entire family. The African bush is the finest family playground you can imagine. Get right up close to the big five, hear lion roar, see thrilling natural spectacles and experience the world the way nature intended.

Romantic safaris

Africa is the perfect choice for a romantic holiday of a lifetime. The wild beauty of its vast jungles, the thrill of close-up encounters with the big five, the old-world charm and romance of traditional safari camps, the castaway beaches all these add up to honeymoon heaven. A holiday in east Africa is intimate and romantic. It cocoons you in a world of beauty, wildlife adventure and beach bliss. The remarkable hospitality and warmth of the people of East Africa ensure you rich memories to share forever. Asilia’s camps offer idyllic settings, elegant simplicity and serious comfort. Even better, our staff expect your every need to ensure you the luxury of relaxing entirely. And you don’t have to be newly wed. An escape for two is just what is needed to celebrate any special occasions or just the joy of being together.