Basecamp Masai Mara

Interact with the Maasai people that live along the Talek River as you discover the wonders of the Masai Mara National Reserve from Basecamp Masai Mara Camp.

Monkeys and birds provide a constant backing track, while the views across the river from the secluded camp are unimpeded by the magnificent trees that provide shade and privacy.

The closeness of the local Maasai village lets you gain unique insights into savannah lifestyles and enjoy a more authentic Maasai cultural experience.

No other camp can offer this degree of access to the Maasai – the most important stakeholders in our conservation efforts in the Masai Mara, and without whose cooperation this luxury safari camp simply could not exist.

Because the camp is run by our neighbours, you’ll enjoy a more holistic experience of what is one of the world’s most astonishing wilderness areas. This is a unique opportunity to not only enjoy a superb Masai Mara safari, but also to learn from the people who call this amazing landscape home.

Accommodation

Basecamp Masai Mara has 17 spacious river-view tents, including 2 family tents. Bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve and hidden away under thatched roofs on a lush peninsula along the Talek River, the tents offer great views of the savannah, always populated by wildlife. Following recent refurbishments, each tent has been meticulously designed to provide an unparalleled blend of comfort and style, featuring a plush bed, chic furnishing, and modern ensuite bathroom. This is in addition to a private terrace with views towards the Talek river bed and the Masai Mara National Reserve. From here, guests enjoy views of the Mara landscape and its animals from the comfort of their tents. The family tents have each two separate wings, each featuring a double bed with a shared bathroom area. The atmosphere of the tents is perfect for living the classic safari adventure.

River View Tents

Each double tent offers king-size double or twin beds, a bathroom featuring bio-flush toilets and a solar-heated shower, free in-room wifi, a private deck where you have a direct view of the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Honeymoon Tent

The large honeymoon tent has a prime location with fantastic views over the National Reserve and it offers a king-size double bed, a bathroom featuring bio-flush toilets and a solar-heated shower, free in-room wifi, a private deck over the river.

Family Tents

The family tents have two separate wings, each featuring a double bed and a bathroom with bio-flush toilets. The tents offer free in-room Wifi, a larger deluxe balcony to give families or groups a chance to socialize in complete privacy. They overlook the river and the National Reserve.

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Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara aerial

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara main area dining

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara lookout deck

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara sundonwers

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara dining setup

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara main area at night

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara bridge

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara tent aerial

The Enjoolata education and entertainment centre at Basecamp Maasai Mara, designed to inspire and unite the Maasai community and uplift our local stakeholders by sharing the benefits of sustainable tourism.

The exhibits focus on local culture, wildlife, and conservation efforts, and Enjoolata acts as a resource for community members and visitors alike. The centre also provides ample space for workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions focusing on environmental conservation, Maasai culture, and community development projects.

Saruni Basecamp Family Safari enjoolata centre beading

When you enjoy authentic Masai Mara cuisine at Basecamp Masai Mara as part of your stay, you’ll be eating meals based on ingredients grown in the camp’s organic vegetable garden.

Each meal – whether it’s a bush dinner or open-air dining – draws on this rich source of both familiar green vegetables and cherished Kenyan staples. With an emphasis on organic farming methods and maintaining a balanced ecosystem, the organic garden (which also grows medicinal herbs and plants) is a cornerstone of our approach to sustainable tourism.

Saruni Basecamp Family Safari vegetable garden

There is no better place to discover unique Maasai handicrafts than at the Basecamp Masai Mara gift shop.

When you purchase authentic ceremonial necklaces, boxes, bows, spears, wood and leather items, you’re supporting local Maasai women artisans and benefitting from opportunities to learn more about their unique culture.

Facilites

Communal bar, lounge & dining areas
Communal fireplace
Gift shop – supporting community groups & projects
Enjoolata Educational Centre
Organic vegetable garden & Tree Nursery

Amenities

Complimentary Wi-Fi
In-room showers
Fan
Private verandah & living area
In-room safe
Electricity

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara fire side chats

Basecamp Masai Mara is located at Talek River, Masai Mara

The Talek River forms a natural boundary with the Masai Mara National Reserve, and a formidable obstacle for the herds involved in the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. The lush riverside forest, ribbon of water and the savannah beyond form the backdrop for a near-constant procession of wildlife.

This eco-friendly Masai Mara camp serves up the seclusion that is an essential component of all the best safari holidays.

Discover where our other Saruni Basecamp Properties are in Kenya

Basecamp Masai Mara has long been considered a model for sustainability and a leading example of partnership between the local Maasai community and conservationists and investors.

Managed and staffed by members of the local community, the camp empowers the Maasai people by facilitating sustainable development on their land.

As a responsible tourism operator, we recycle the solid waste produced by our business. More importantly, we extend our program of waste collection, management and recycling to benefit the local communities.

Basecamp Masai Mara aims to implement tourism operations in a responsible way by creating positive impact in the regions where we are active. One of them is the wider Maasai Mara ecosystem, which is currently facing unprecedented environmental challenges. We have taken action to restore the biodiversity of one of the most important habitats left in the world and empower the community to become resilient towards the negative effects of climate change.

Our approach to community-based conservation and community-based tourism is visible through many individual projects we have initiated or are involved in.
The Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB), for instance, is a community-based handicraft workshop that empowers disadvantaged Maasai women and preserves the Maasai beading tradition at the same time. The fair trade certified BMB enables Maasai women to apply their beading skills to produce and sell their handcrafted products, providing them with a reliable source of their own income. Basecamp Masai Brand was initiated in 2013 as part of our values centered around responsible tourism operations and community based development.

We use solar energy, harvest rainwater, recycle water, compost the waste of our kitchen, use local suppliers as much as possible, share water with the community during dry seasons, and share the Masai culture with our guests.

We lease land and pay a fair price to the local landowners, who are often our staff and managers.

All this is why Ecotourism Kenya has awarded Basecamp Masai Mara its coveted Gold eco-rating, a recognition that makes us very proud. We are equally proud of being an affiliate member of The Longrun, a membership community of nature-based tourism businesses committed to driving holistic sustainability and who excel in the 4C framework: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce.

Rates from US$130

See our 2024 Saruni Basecamp Rates and Terms & Conditions – simply click on the view/download button below.

Please contact us for Resident Rates applicable to residents of Kenya & East Africa.

View or download the Basecamp Masai Mara rates

Source

Saruni Basecamp Family Safari planting trees

Saruni Basecamp Basecamp Masai Mara hot air balloons

Saruni Basecamp Family Safari enjoolata centre

Basecamp Adventure Wildlife views in Masai Mara

Saruni Basecamp Family Safari throwing rocks

Basecamp Adventure wildlife in Masai Mara hyena

Basecamp Adventure Game drive in Masai Mara

Basecamp Adventure Masai Mara safari giraffe

Activities & Experiences

Guided/shared day game drives
Picnics, bush meals & sundowners
The Enjoolata Educational Centre
Young Explorers Club – family activity
Maasai Women Arts & Crafts Centre
Tree Nursery Tour with tree planting
Tribal Story-Telling & Fireside Chats
Traditional ceremonies and blessings

Migration River Crossings
Local Talek market visit
Cultural walk through Talek town
Bird Walk
Nature Forest Walk
Local Maasai Village & Manyatta Visit
Hot Air Balloon Safari

Reasons to Visit Basecamp Masai Mara

There are many reasons to visit Basecamp Masai Mara and we have selected the six main ones to make it easier for you to feel the uniqueness of this safari lodge, where nature, wildlife and people connect in a special way.

Private Game Viewing

The Masai Mara is famous for its unique concentration of wildlife, birds, rich vegetation and open savannah. From July to October or November each year, the massed herds of the Great Wildebeest Migration pass through the Mara, with over two million animals making their way north towards the Mara River crossings, in search of water and grazing.

Exceptional Landscapes

Explore the Africa of your dreams, with endless oceans of golden grass, iconic lone acacia trees, rocky kopjes crowned with fig trees and silvery ribbons of water hidden by deep gullies. The Mara is quintessential Africa, and its terrain that would be equally familiar to our ancient ancestors. Welcome home.

A More Meaningful Safari

Our community initiatives are changing lives for the better – and could have the same impact on you. Visit the Enjoolata Centre to learn about Maasai culture and Mara wildlife, or meet the ladies from Basecamp Maasai Brand (BMB), a community-based handicraft workshop, and discover their beautiful artisanal craft products. Explore our tree nursery and organic vegetable garden, and learn how our water project is supplying clean drinking water to nearly 2 000 local families.

Immersive Cultural Experiences

Engage with the local culture, spend time with our Maasai guides and discover their history, their knowledge of the wildlife and their former nomadic way of life. Enjoy insightful game drives with local guides, share stories around the campfire, and be inspired by the dreams of young Maasai for their future.

100% Kenyan Team

Wherever possible, we recruit from the local community (including offering intern opportunities), and many of our team grew up not far from the camp. Today, they are creating better lives for themselves, their families, and their community. Many of the team at the camp have been there for over a decade.

Tangible Returns

Our projects are deigned to ensure tangible returns to the local community, the custodians of this beautiful land. We are committed to community-based ecotourism and building a sustainable future for the next generation. By staying at Basecamp Masai Mara, you’re contributing to a brighter future for local people.