Property Description
Encounter Mara is an award winning eco-friendly, classic safari camp located just North of the Maasai. Mara National Reserve in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. With natural simplicity and elegance, Encounter Mara provides a completely unique and eco-friendly approach to safari lodging. Built from natural materials with a focus on conservation, Encounter Mara offers more than just comfort in their twelve custom-designed, spacious tents, positioned for privacy as well as optimal game viewing. The camp structure offers multiple areas for open-air relaxation, including hammocks and hanging chairs, where guest can enjoy views of game wandering past. Encounter Mara is also specifically situated in an area with rich wildlife. With limited numbers of tourists allowed within the conservancy at any one time, vehicle crowding is reduced and guests often find themselves to be the only vehicle around, giving spectacular, unspoiled views of exciting wildlife. Mara Naboisho Conservancy has one of the highest densities of lions in Africa. One of the major prides, comprised of 22 lions, makes its home nearby Encounter Mara. There are several resident leopards, frequent cheetah sightings and the conservancy also has impressive numbers of elephant, giraffe, and other plains animals, in addition to hosting some of the rarest animals in Kenya.Encounter Mara are committed to responsible low-impact tourism operations, employment of local communities and being part of creative solutions to the many problems facing surrounding communities and the conservation of the Masai Mara ecosystem, as well as Kenya's wider natural environment. Encounter Mara strives to provide every guest with an outstanding safari experience, pairing the best of wildlife viewing with the simplicity of a classic safari camp. Along with game drives guests may take advantage of safari walks and night game drives, birding and cultural interactions.
Green Sustainability
Elements of this eco-friendly design include: 100% Solar Power – All tents have plenty of light provided through low-wattage bulbs, run solely off of Solar power. Only the dining tent is equipped with electrical outlets for charging electronics/batteries which is also provided solely through solar power 100% Solar Water Heating – All shower water is heated by efficient solar heaters eliminating the use of wood or charcoal fuel and reducing carbon emissions. Eco-friendly waste water system – All waste water is treated and filtered before disposal Eco-friendly cooking and heating methods – All cooking is done on pressurized gas from Nairobi or eco-friendly recycled charcoal briquettes. Camp fires use wood from sustainable timber plantations in Limuru. Minimal plastic waste – All drinking water is decanted from large 20 litre containers of mineral water from Limuru into glass bottles in the rooms and aluminium bottles for activities to avoid excessive wastage of small plastic bottles. We support the “Throttle The Bottle”campaign – a new initiative to help sensitize East Africans to the menace that plastic waste presents to our lives. Completely removable infrastructure – All structures in camp are either constructed completely out of canvas, or temporary woodwork. No cement has been used in construction, and no structure is permanent. Replanting of trees – In order to offset the impact of the use of wood furniture and carbon emissions, one indigenous tree is planted, and nurtured to maturity, in Limuru for every guest that stays at the camp. Locally Grown Vegetables – All vegetables come from our own vegetable garden in Limuru or from local Limuru farmers, using sustainable agricultural practices, and are supplemented by a small vegetable/herb garden in camp, with no chemical pesticide use. Biodegradable soaps – In order to avoid contaminating the local ground-water, all guest soap and shampoo is organic, and biodegradable. Traditional canvas bucket showers This aids in water conservation whilst still providing as much water as requested for hot showers Laundry Schedule – Planned washing of linen and towels once every three nights or with new guests (unless specifically requested otherwise) helps to conserve water Rainwater harvesting – Large collection tanks harvest rainwater from roof gutters for multiple uses within camp. Waste separation – All solid, inorganic waste from camp is separated and categorized to be sent back to Nairobi for recycling or disposal. All organic waste is composted in camp. Local employment – More than 90% of the staff at Encounter Mara Camp are from the Maasai communities immediately surrounding Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Support of Koiyaki Guiding School – For every guest that stays at Encounter Mara, one day of school fees is paid for a student atKoiyaki Guiding School. Support of local conservation – Encounter Mara Camp is affiliated with African Impact and it’s Masai Mara conservation volunteer program . This program involves work with Koiyaki Guiding School, cheetah monitoring with the Kenya Wildlife Trust, lion conservation and research through the Mara Naboisho Lion Project, and community development.
Details / Other Expenses
Year of Last Renovation: | 2011 |
Floors: | 1 |
Rooms: | 12 |
Corridors: | All Rooms Have Interior Hallways |
Suites: | 0 |
Room Windows: | Windows Do Open |
Cleaning Frequency: | Daily |
Meeting Rooms: | 0 |
Dist. to Food/Bars: | On-site |
Dist. to Nearest Gym: | On-site |
Policies / Expenses Cancellation: PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS20% Deposit is required upon confirmation of booking. Full payment is required a minimum of 45 days prior to arrivalCANCELLATION POLICYLoss of 20% Deposit50% Cancellation Charges |
Nightly Parking: | n/a |
Typical Group Deposit: | 25% |
Total Taxes: | 10.00% |
Total Misc Fees: | $40.00 USD (mandatory resort fees/taxes) |
Amenities / Features
Airport & Shuttle Information
Flights usually depart from Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 9:15am. Upon arrival into the Masai Mara, Encounter Mara staff will welcome you and transport you to the camp, stopping to enjoy a packed brunch and your first wildlife sightings along the journey.
Local Shuttle Info: A above
Breakfast Information
06.00 – 06.30 Early Morning BreakfastIncluding a variety of cereals, fresh fruits of the day, home-made cookies, tea, coffee and fruit juices.Please note that spill-proof mugs areprovided for you to take your hot drinkon the game drive, and if you would like to take a snack along on the drive, please let your guide know and they will pack this for you.If you would prefer tea or coffee in your room, please let one of the waiters know the evening before, and it will be brought at the time of your choice along with a small selection of cookies & fruits.Our early morning breakfasts are served in the Dinning Tent, where your guide will also join you to proceed for your morning game drive.10.30 – 12.30 BrunchThere should be no hurry to get back in time for brunch and game-drives should- n’t have to be cut short to rush back to camp. This meal is a mix of Breakfast & Lunch and includes a choice of eggs, sausages, bacon & toast (to order), mixed salads and a daily set of meat and vegetarian items with
Pet Friendly?
Sorry, pets are not allowed.