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Maasai Mara Big Cat Safari

This 4 night / 5 day camping safari includes stays at two small eco-camps located inside exclusive wildlife conservancies in the Maasai Mara eco-system which are reserved solely for the camps' guests. Game drives are in open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles, with experienced Maasai safari guides, to look for the Big Cats in the park and the conservancies. Night game drives offered at both camps allow you the opportunity to be out when the Big Cats are most active.

Porini Mara Camp is sited inside the exclusive 17,500 acre wildlife conservancy of Ol Kinyei, one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the Serengeti-Mara eco-system. This is pristine wilderness with open savannah plains, riverine forest, springs, streams and rivers, rolling hills and spectacular views across the Mara. Ol Kinyei belongs to a Maasai community who has recently set aside the conservancy as a sanctuary for wildlife. The conservancy holds a wide variety of the animal species for which the Mara is famous including a large resident pride of lions as well as leopards and cheetahs.

Location

Ol Kinyei Conservancy is about 10 miles from the Maasai Mara park boundary and 25 minutes from the Siana airstrip used by the daily scheduled flights to Mara from Nairobi.

The Camp

The Mara Porini Camp has 6 guest tents sited in the shade of Yellow-barked Acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli, a permanent spring within Ol Kinyei. The tents are spacious and each has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and safari shower. With no more than 12 guests in camp one gets the experience of real safari camping in the bush in an exclusive private wilderness but with all the comforts required by discerning travellers. Food is excellent with home baked bread, fresh salads and high quality meals prepared by the camp Chef.

Porini Lion Camp, Olare Orok Conservancy

Porini Lion camp is located inside the exclusive 20,000 acre Olare Orok Conservancy. This expansive conservancy, which borders the Masai Mara Game Reserve is home to an abundance of animals including all the Big Cats for which the Mara is famous.

Location

Olare Orok Conservancy is adjoining the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The Ol Kiombo airstrip used by the daily scheduled flights to Mara from Nairobi is a short 25-minute drive from camp.

The Camp

The eco-friendly Porini Lion Camp has no permanent construction and is situated along the Ntiakatiak River, a seasonal river with permanent hippo pools near camp. With 10 guest tents the camp is small and exclusive, giving you a real "in the bush" safari camping experience. The tents are very spacious and have private verandas along the length of the tent, providing a secluded and quiet place for you to relax and enjoy the beauty of this African wilderness. Each tent has en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. Food is excellent with fresh baked bread and high quality meals prepared by the camp Chef.

The Experience at Mara Porini Camp and Porini Lion Camp

Qualified Maasai safari guides enhance the experience by educating the camp guests about the flora, fauna and people of the surrounding areas. Guests are taken on day and night game drives in the camps' custom built open-sided 4x4's. In the evening a stop is made at a scenic viewing point to enjoy a drink while watching the sun go down over the Siria escarpment. A night game drive is taken on the way back to camp, giving guests the opportunity to see many of the elusive nocturnal animals. Maasai warriors escort guests on walks in the conservancies where they can learn about how the various indigenous plants are used by the community and how their way of life is intertwined with their surroundings and with the wildlife.

Facilities and activities included for all guests:

• Large Safari tents with a double and single bed, solar electric lights, en suite bathrooms with flush toilet and safari shower.
• All meals and picnic lunches, free mineral water, sodas, gin, beer and house wine.
• Custom built 4x4 safari vehicles for game drives.
• Expert Maasai driver-guides and spotters.
• Morning, evening and night game drives in Ol Kinyei Conservancy and Olare Orok Conservancy.
• Full day in Maasai Mara National Reserve with picnic lunch.
• Escorted walk with Maasai guides.
• Sundowner drinks to watch the sunset from scenic viewing points.
• Arrival and departure transfers between airstrips and the camps.

*Big Cat photos courtesy of Mr Joseph Lam while on his 2008 safari