Ol Seki Hemingways Mara

There are 6 light airy Nina Tents, ideal for couples and travel buddies. Six opening panels circle the comfy double bed on three sides, meaning guests can watch the sunrise in panorama without lifting a finger. Each Nina Tent comes with an en suite bathroom and shower, including bathrobes and complimentary toiletries, mosquito nets, a hairdryer, a lounge area and a private balcony perfect for cosy dining, sunbathing and stargazing.

Think bush penthouse!

The Simba Tent comes complete with a kitchen, a fully stocked bar and fridge, a dining area and lounge area, which connects two spacious double bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms, ideal for families (especially with younger children) or close groups. Also included are bathrobes and complimentary toiletries, mosquito nets, a hairdryer, and a large outdoor balcony if guests would prefer to dine outside.

The Chui Suite is more spacious than others, and consists of three individual tents linked by stone walkways,  making it perfect for families with older children and larger groups who might need a little extra privacy. The two twin bedrooms are separated by the central tent, which is fully furnished with a kitchen, lounge and dining area. Both bedrooms have their own private en suite bathrooms and come with bathrobes and complimentary toiletries, mosquito nets, a hairdryer and an outdoor balcony.

The team will provide all meals and drinks through an impressively varied menu. What’s best about the catering at Ol Seki Hemingways Mara is its mobility and flexibility, whether you’d like to have breakfast in the dining tent, a picnic lunch on a game drive, or a private dinner in your suite, the staff have got it covered! For guests staying the in Simba and Chui suites, a chef will even come to you and cook from your private kitchen.

One of the perks of being in a conservancy means guests have the freedom to go on game drives whenever they like, whether its first light to capture the sunrise and perhaps an early morning cheetah hunt or after dark to catch a glimpse of some of the nocturnal wildlife. Lots of guests like to do a full day of safari in the Mara Reserve, especially during the migration season with hopes of spotting a wildebeest crossing.

Another fantastic perk is that guests can take guided walks to stretch their legs and learn all about the area – the local plants and their uses, the different animal tracks and the local culture.

A dawn flight across the Reserve is the perfect way to start a day and experience a whole new perspective of the wilderness. The flight usually lasts about an hour and there’s a rather indulgent champagne bush breakfast waiting upon landing.

A morning’s ride with experienced guides presents a rare chance to experience the savannah of the Mara up close like never before. Don’t forget to reward your trusty steed with a treat afterwards!

The camp’s close work with the local community allows them to take guests along to some of ‘the local village homes for an introduction into the Maasai lifestyle.’ Meet the locals, get a taste of their rich culture and take home a little souvenir – your purchases go directly to the to the local Maasai women who made them for you!

Given the location of the camp in such a diverse and finely balanced eco-system where wildlife, local communities and tourism partners function alongside each other, Ol Seki Hemingways Mara are devoted to practicing safe and responsible tourism. They are proud participating members and Silver award-winners of Eco Tourism Kenya and through their partnership with Naboisho Conservancy they’re involved with numerous initiatives to conserve the land and wildlife, while developing sustainable livelihoods for the local communities.

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara supports local craftswomen who sell their souvenirs to guests who visit. With this support, these women can generate enough income to expand their markets and sell to more people. It also helps to keep indigenous weaving and carving skills alive. To further enable this sustainable co-existence, the camp also directly contributes to the ‘livelihoods of local communities through employment opportunities within the camp’. Over 60% of the staff are local Maasai people and are provided with training that allows them the ‘opportunity to develop professional skills which they use to support their families.’

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara works with Watamu Marine Association to sustain the ‘Watamu Marine Park and the communities who depend upon it’. Watamu Marine Association operates on the Kenyan coast, aiming to resolve conflicts between marine stakeholders, and combat environmental threats and challenges facing the Marine Park and Reserves.

One of their current initiatives is to collect glass and plastic waste for the purpose of building houses. By doing this, not only does the cost of the home decrease by reducing the demand for more common building supplies, but the environment is protected by reusing what would have otherwise been waste materials.