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Maasai Mara

Named after its native inhabitants and the Mara river that runs throughout it, the Maasai Mara is one of Kenya’s most famous reserves responsible for inspiring countless documentaries and major motion pictures that continue to capture the world’s fascination with African wildlife. Every year game enthusiasts from all over the world flock to the Mara to witness the largest migration of animals on the planet as Millions of wildebeest, thousands of zebra and gazelle make their way from the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing in the Mara’s grassy plains,

Location

Nestled into the hills at the top of the Siria escarpment, Kilima Camp offers unrivaled aerial views across the Mara, allowing guests to appreciate the enormity of their surroundings. Kilima Camp's exclusive position provides a natural degree of privacy. Kilima Camp’s enviable location also offers guests the chance to discover local wildlife as well as learning about Masai customs and traditions on a variety of nature walks originating from the proximity of the camp. With the entrance to the Mara reserve (Oloololo Gate) and local airstrip just a fifteen minute drive away, Kilima Camp is not only easy to reach but also the perfect base from which to explore the plains and its wildlife.

Prime Location as Kilima Camp's private concession touches the current boundaries / official perimeter of the Maasai Mara National Reserve

GPS for Kilima Camp: 1.14.209S and 35.01.012E.

Kilima Camp is about 1800 metre above the sea level, whereas the Maasai Mara is at an altitude of 1500 to 1600 metre above the sea level.

How it started

In December 2005, 5 friends on safari in the Maasai Mara decided that it would be great to set up a camp and offer tourists an experience close to what they were having while camping in the Masai Mara. As 2 of them (Axel & Dominique) have been living in Kenya for 15 years and were in the tourism industry, they were in charge of setting up this project.

Only one year later, Pascal, designer in London, Veronique and Yvon, ex-bankers, were coming back to Kenya for New Years’ Eve (31^st Dec 2006) at Kilima Camp for a soft opening: a dream came true.

After getting all the relevant authorizations, they received their first clients in July 2007. They are proud to get already repeat clients who love the eco concept of the camp which combines simplicity and style.

Luxury

Kilima Camp consists of twelve stylish and spacious tents, complete with their very own verandahs and en-suite bathrooms. There is a mess tent which is a spacious, central meeting point where guests gather to eat, drink, talk, play games, read, or just enjoy the view. The intimate size of the camp and the understated elegance and luxury of each tent provides guests with a comfortable and relaxing environment in which to unwind after an adventurous day on safari. Aperitifs from the bush bar followed by a refined dinner of French-influenced cuisine are served on sundown, before stories and photos of the day’s sightings are exchanged over around the campfire.

Sundowner, a true Kenyan tradition, is also arranged in the middle of the bush in our private concession, not far away from Kilima Camp. Our guests enjoy our appetizers and aperitif while watching the sun come down and touch the horizon behind the hills. A peaceful moment of relaxation with the superb scenery of the Mara all around. The ideal way for finishing the day after a game drives in the Maasai Mara!

Activities

Several bush activities are proposed by Kilima Camp manager, as to make your stay at Kilima Camp even more interesting, enjoyable and rewarding. Traditionally, our manager will discuss with the guests, before or after the dinner in the main tent area, the programme for the next day, as to better respond to their specific interests and wishes.

Game drives are conducted at the most appropriate hours, when animals are most active, very early in the morning and after 3.30 pm in the afternoon. Full-day game drive with a bush lunch by the river can also be arranged. You are back at camp between 6.30 and 7.00, to enjoy your sundowner before having dinner. Our driver's knowledge of the area thanks to their daily presence in the reserve will give you the best chances of observing the big five and many other species. Night game drives can also be arranged upon request.

Bush walks are the other favourite activity at Kilima Camp, which are making Kilima renowned in all the Mara area. Being situated at the edge of the game reserve, we can offer what camps situated inside the protected area can not propose: experiencing the African bush on foot. Escape the confined space of a vehicle to encounter wildlife in a totally different way, under the expert guidance of your guide and your Maasai escort.

Visit to Masai Manyatta: Discover the traditional way of life of the local Maasai people… The Manyatta you will be invited into is nor an artificial tourist trap! As the exclusive guests of Kilima Camp, you are invited into the settlement where the family of our landowner still lives. After a gentle downhill stroll of 10 to 15 minutes, your guide and Maasai escort will lead you into the family settlement.

Archery During our guided bush walks or the Manyatta visit, your Maasai Moran (guerrier) will be happy to initiate you to the use of the traditional Maasai weapons: spear, bow and arrows.

Sundowners A true Kenyan tradition… In the middle of the bush, not far away from our camp, enjoy our appetizers and aperitif while watching the sun come down and touch the horizon behind the hills. A peaceful moment of relaxation with the superb scenery of the Mara all around you…
Hot Ballooning Early morning is the ideal time to see wild animals on the plains. You also have better chance to spot a leopard on your way to the site. In the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya the balloon safari is an experience you will never forget.

School visit: In 2009, Kilima Camp has decided to support Il Toshi Junior School, a local Community based School from Nursery to Class 3. Our guests and their children can visit the school and the children on holiday can also spend half day with some news Kenyan friends at School. It will be an interesting opportunity for your children to share something different with the local community.

Bush luncheon and bush dinner An exclusive bush experience and bush dinner can be arranged upon request

Environmentally-Aware

Kilima Camp prides itself on being the only camp in the Masai Mara to be completely self-sufficient in water. * A purpose built dam collects up to 6000m3 of rainwater, which is then purified prior to reaching each individual tent where guests can enjoy a safari shower. With solar power and candles for lighting as well as an effective waste management scheme, one can be safe in the knowledge that a stay at Kilima Camp has a minimal impact on the local environment. Over eight hundred trees have been planted since its owners, whose commitment to the environment remains of paramount importance, first built the camp. Kilima Camp is proud to announce that the Ecotourism Kenya has awarded a Bronze Medal it. Kilima Camp performed well in most of the assessment criteria: efforts to reduce the facility’s ecological footprint by design and forestation, extensive use of solar energy, water conservation and having clear benefits to the local community including supporting the cultural village.

At Kilima Camp, we do not only strive to offer our guests an unforgettable experience of the African bush thanks to our prime location in one of the best wildlife areas in the world: we also want to contribute to the conservation of the Mara Ecosystem as well as to the well-being of the local Maasai communities

Local Projects

Kilima Camp's environmental consciousness reaches beyond the confines of the camp to the heart of the local community. Projects so far include assisting with the rehabilitation of the neighboring Maasai village, as well as paying for the salary of a teacher at the local school. Guests of Kilima Camp are encouraged to visit the village and witness the work for themselves. There is even the opportunity for children to spend a fun afternoon learning alongside local Masai children who attend the school. Such an enriching experience epitomizes Kilima Camp's ethos, offering its guests more than just a typical African safari, but an insight into deep-rooted Masai customs and tradition. After all a visit to the Mara without the Masai wouldn’t be a complete experience,

Cuisine

Our chef has an extensive experience managing kitchens in luxurious tented campsites. He will provide an excellent international cuisine, supplemented by a selection of fine wines.

Breakfast

Usually breakfast is served in the mess tent. Our Buffet includes fruits, selection of ham and cheese, yogurts, cereals, pancakes and home baked bread. We also serve the traditional Full English Breakfast. It is possible to order coffee and tea and home made biscuits in your tend, served in your terrace.
 

Lunch& Dinner:

Usually lunch is served in the mess tent either a la Carte, for groups smaller than ten people or we arrange a rich buffet for larger groups.
When the weather permits, dinner is served outside below the African stars. Soup of the day served at the table, then buffet with African specialties: spit roasted goat or lamb. This is a traditional meal, usually cooked by the Maasai for special event and it will be cooked in the wood fire in front of our guests. The meal is served with a selection of vegetables and sides, including Ougali, made of Manioc and African bread, the renowned Chapati, similar to the Indian bread

CONTACTS:

Kilima Camp Manager: + 254 (0)734 910488

Ground assistance: Office in Nairobi: +254 20 2081747 / Mobile Nairobi +254 733 625 399

Overseas: +33 (0) 666 52 53 57

Possibility to book as well transfers and domestic flights, if needed

Booking : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

More information: www.kilimacamp.com

Extra payable by Credit card at Kilima Camp (or cash: main currencies accepted: USD, EUR, GBP), Credit card are accepted from December 2009.

How to get there:

By plane: Mara airstrip Kichwa Tembo is 15 to 20 minutes away from Kilima Camp (5 daily flights from Nairobi National Airport Wilson and daily flights to Mombasa). Flight takes about 40 minutes to Nairobi.

By Road: 6 hours from Nairobi, direction depends on the weather

Rack Rates 2010:

2010 Rates varies from $325 to $420 depending on the season.

The prices include:

• Accommodation in our tent based on 2 adults sharing a tent
• on full board basis
• with drinks (Red Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon wine and white Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon wine, or equivalent, sodas, beers and mineral water)
• 2 game drives per day in our 4x4 opened sighted vehicle or the full day with a Bush lunch by the river Mara
• Transfers to / from the Kichwa Tembo airstrip (20 min from Kilima Camp)
• Bush walks on Kilima Camp concession
• Sundowners
• local school visit

Not included:

• Pack fees ($60 per person (>17yrs) or $30 below 17 yrs per day paid to the Mara Conservancy)
• Tips
• Optional excursions like hot balloon ride in the Maasai Mara and Maasai Village or night game drive
• Expenses of personal nature
• Flights to the Mara and Transfers in Nairobi

Children Policy excluding July and August:
- 0 to 2 years: free
- 2 to 12 years: 50% of adult fare
- 12 to 17 years: 85% of adult fare

Children Policy July and August 2010
- 0 to 2 years: free
- 2 to 12 years sharing with 2 adults: 50% of adult
- 2 to 12 years sharing with 1 adult: 75% of adult

Special prices ranging from $200 to $300 apply for clients who which to come with their own vehicle and driver applies (accommodation and full board only).