good for you

Named after the sacred sandpaper tree, a symbol of peace for the noble Masai people, at Ol Seki Mara Camp not only will you be immersed in luxury, but in one of the oldest cultures on earth.

Based on the style of a traditional mobile safari camp, you will enjoy large lavish tents; elegant candle lit dinners and a resident masseuse. The Ol Seki Mara Camp enjoys panoramic views in an area teeming with game – but luckily not other tourists.

Set amongst the acacia trees on a rocky promontory, with magnificent views overlooking the sweeping Isupukiai River and hippo pools below, you won’t need to leave your private veranda to see the wildlife here. If you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of the resident leopard that has made the camp its home.

Be warned though, the abundance of wildlife in the Masai Mara is overwhelming, and the bickering and cackling of a clan of hyena on the hunt so close to camp, could keep you awake at night!

good for kenya

Ol Seki aims to provide sustainable and responsible tourism in the Mara region.

Education in Kenya is an area that needs assistance, and the camp works with the local primary school to help improve conditions and create a future for the children. A current project involves raising funds to build a school kitchen so that the children can benefit from a Government feeding scheme.

Ol Seki is also one of the largest supporters of the Koiyaki Guiding School which enhances conservation of Masai Mara wildlife by creating an economically viable conservation area.

The school equips local people with the professional skills needed for them to participate in and promote conservation and wildlife management. Donations are made from each visitor per stay to the school, as well as offering practical on-site training in tourism for the students.

Rooms

Food

• Food is one of the highlights at Ol Seki with three meals a day included in all rates as well as soft drinks, beer and house wine. Champagne is extra.
• Meals are served outside, safari style, as a picnic lunch or indoors as a romantic candle-lit dinner.

breakfasts

Fresh fruit, cereals, breakfast bar with eggs/omelettes served to order, pancakes, toast, home made marmalade and jams.

lunches

Gaspacho Soup, Cucumber/Avocado Soup, Paella, Curries, 'Taste of Africa', Quiches, Various pastas, various salads, fresh garden salad with rocket, fresh fruit salad,

Orange tart, passion fruit mousse, raspberries and cream, Kenya Cheese platter

dinners

Melon and parma ham, tomato roulade, salmon and avocado mousse, tomato and orange soup, Mushroom vol au vent, prawn cocktail.

Quails, Duck casserole, fillet steak, herb fish, chicken a la king, roast lamb, roast pork fillets and prunes, various vegetables, roasted peppers/baby corn, courgettes, brocolli and sesame.

Rich Chocolate mousse, Cheesecake, Brandy snaps, Meringues, Crepe Suzette, Creme Caramel.

Features & Facilities

• Eight spacious tents accommodating a maximum of 24 people.
• Additional double tents to accommodate families available.
• En-suite bathrooms.
• Hot showers and flush toilets.
• Dining and library tents.
• Activities included in rates include day and night game drives, cultural excursions and nature tours.
• All rates include all meals and drinks.

See Local Info section for more information on Activities in the area.

Local Info & Activities

South Western Kenya is the heartland of the Maasai.

The Maasai are a strongly independent people who still value tradition and ritual as an integral part of their everyday lives. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but that they are as much a part of the life of the land as the land is part of their lives.

Traditionally, the Maasai rarely hunt and living alongside wildlife in harmony is an important part of their beliefs. Lions and Wildebeest play as important a role in their cultural beliefs as their own herds of cattle. This unique co-existence of man and wildlife makes this Maasai land one of the world’s most unique wilderness regions.

At the heart of these lands is the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve. The Mara comprises 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest. Contiguous with the plains of the Serengeti, the Mara is home to a breathtaking array of life. The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. The Acacia forests abound with Birdlife and Monkeys. Elephants and Buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara Swamp. The Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with Hippos and Crocodiles.

Each year the Mara plays host to the world’s greatest natural spectacle, the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti. From July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the north brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd. They pour across the border into the Mara, making a spectacular entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon.

all rates include day and night game drives, cultural excursions and nature tours.

Game viewing: The Masai Mara Reserve has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet, and game drives with experienced guides are arranged from the camp. One of the only places in the world where you can enjoy sundowners overlooking the hippo pools.

Star Walks: From five stars to five thousand stars; you won’t believe what you can see in the sky over Africa.

Cultural Visits: Visit the local Masai villages to see life that has not changed for thousands of years.

Botanist’s paradise: Walk to the nearby plains and Bardamat Hills for plants you won’t see anywhere else or visit the ancient Ndorobo cave below the camp with a tribal tracker.

Balloon Flights Optional balloon flights and/or fishing excursions to Lake Victoria from the Mara.

insider tips

Ol Seki is open from July to October and from December to March. Temperatures are usually warm during the day, but can be cool at night, so it is best to bring warm clothes and a lightweight raincoat just in case.

Yellow Fever, hepatitis and tetanus vaccinations are recommended for all of East Africa and precautions should be taken.

While in East Africa, only drink bottled water. It is recommended that at least four litres of non-alcoholic fluid be consumed each day to prevent dehydration.

African gastroenteritis 'bugs' are the next most common cause of stomach upsets and diarrhea. Generally, antibiotics will cure this illness within 24 hours.

When traveling on safari, baggage should be kept to a minimum. Charter flights and vehicle transfers do not allow a large amount of baggage. Soft duffle bags should be used rather than suitcases, as frequently the air plane baggage lockers cannot fit a large suitcase.

An airport departure tax of US$40 per person, or its equivalent, is payable when leaving Kenya. A local departure tax of Kshs 200 (approx. US$3) per person, per flight, is payable for internal Kenyan flights.

Sustainability

Ol Seki holds silver status with the Ecotourism Society of Kenya.

The National Environmental Management Authority has given their seal of approval to the camp in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act.

Ol Seki trains and employs nearly twenty staff from the community and has one of the few women Masai Guides in the area, contributing to the prosperity of the local people.

It also contributes financially to local educational and wildlife conservation programs through the money raised through tourism activity and guest donations.

Education in Kenya is an area that needs assistance, and the camp works with the local primary school to help improve conditions and create a future for the children. A current project involves raising funds to build a school kitchen so that the children can benefit from a Government feeding scheme.

Ol Seki is also one of the largest supporters of the Koiyaki Guiding School which enhances conservation of Maasai Mara wildlife by creating an economically viable conservation area.

The school equips local people with the professional skills needed for them to participate in and promote conservation and wildlife management. Donations are made from each visitor per stay to the school, as well as offering practical on-site training in tourism for the students.

Getting There

by road

The point of road access to this region is Narok, a 3 hour drive from Nairobi. There are regular buses and matatus to Narok from Nairobi and other destinations.

Ol Seki is located on the Ilsupukioi River, north of the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Getting there by road is the more environmentally sustainable option and full maps and directions will be provided to guests on booking.

by air

Kenya is well served by major international airlines, which fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) or Moi International Airport (Mombasa).

Ol Seki is accessed via twice daily scheduled flights or private charter flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Siana airstrip (forty minutes away) or Koiyaki airstrip (20 minutes away) with transfers by road to the camp.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

ol seki is closed for april, may and november.

US$450 p/person sharing

US$560 p/person single occupancy

US$225 p/child under 12 years

daily park fees

Adults US$60

Children US$35

• Three meals
• All drinks including beer and house wines.
• Game drives, night and day
• Guided Walks
• Maasai Cultural visits
• Laundry
• Transfer from airstrips

booking & cancellation policy

• A 25% deposit secures reservations and balance must be paid in full 45 days prior to arrival.
• Cancellation policy: Between 120 and 45 days before stay – 20% of total cost of stay is forfeited
• Between 30 and 45 days 40% of total cost of stay is forfeited.
• 100% is forfeited if cancelled 30 days prior to arrival.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.