Mara
Intrepids is located in a special Leopard spotting zone of the Maasai Mara. This
camp is just a short drive from the Mara River, where over a million wildebeest
and zebra make their perilous migration crossing every year. Outside of the migration,
period, the camp still offers some of the world’s finest game viewing, with
large local populations of plains game including, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and
all the Big Cats. In 2004 for example, some 75% of the footage for the BBC’s
famous Big Cat Diary was shot in the vicinity of the camp.
The
camp is run on strict eco-principles, with hot water generated by burning used
coffee husks, biodegradable waste mulched for compost, and all wastewater recycled
through our own on-site constructed wetland.
ACCOMMODATION
Mara
Intrepids boast 30 luxurious tents that are widely spread across a large riverside
site to ensure you the optimum of privacy and peace. Each tent is furnished in
the classic style of the grand African safaris, with large four-poster beds and
handsome reproduction furniture, offset by modern en-suite bathrooms with hot
showers, flush toilets and all modern amenities. Each tent sits on a shady raised
platform, with sweeping views over the riverbanks where a large variety of animals
come to drink.
At night, the restaurant is usually visited by wide-eyed bush babies some of which
are menalistic. A separate dining area is sometimes used for larger groups traveling
together, and bush breakfast, sundowners and bush dinners can also be arranged.
ACTIVITIES
Game
drives are always a delight here as they don't get much better than in this
central triangle of the Maasai Mara. Lion, cheetah, buffalo, spotted hyena, black-backed
jackal, bat-eared fox and various antelope are conspicuous in the plains that
divide the rivers, whose confluence lies close to the main crossing point used
by tens of thousands of wildebeest during the annual migration. This part of the
reserve receives fewer visitors than the eastern part and as such it is possible
to drive long periods without seeing another vehicle. The lodge also offers nature
walks and cultural visits to local Maasai villages. They can arrangements hot
air balloon safaris, leaving before dawn, and the Adventurers Club runs various
activities for kids.
As
one of the Mara’s most established camps, Mara Intrepids enjoys a very close
relationship with the local Maasai community, from which most of the camps staff
hail. Together with a sister camp, Mara Explorer, Mara Intrepids channels part
of income into local community initiatives, including environmental awareness
training, the establishment of medical clinics, and financial support for primary
schools, churches and women’s groups.
Mara
Intrepids is 298 kilometers from Nairobi and is served by an all-weather airstrip
that enables guests to be at the camp within 45 minutes of leaving the capital
city of Nairobi. Daily scheduled flights are available from the Wilson airport
and other safari destinations on your itinerary.