About
In the Mara Naboisho Conservancy in southwest Kenya, next to the famous Masai Mara Reserve, is our boutique Encounter Mara Camp.
Enjoying a wonderfully secluded location, you can witness the world’s highest concentration of lion surrounded by comfort, romance and the people and culture of Naboisho. With magnificent wildlife on your doorstep, you will experience the perfect intersection of tourism, conservation and community. Enjoy our exceptional hospitality, offering sensational service, guiding and hosting within this game-rich conservancy. Our camp is designed for maximum sustainability, ensuring a light footprint and the best wildlife-viewing adventures.
CLOSED: MAY 
CLOSEST AIRSTRIP: MARA OL SEKI, A 45-MIN DRIVE FROM CAMP 
FAMILIES: CHILDREN AGED 5 AND OLDER
OPEN: JUNE TO APRIL 
ACCOMMODATION & AMENITIES
With ten spacious and comfortable tents, you’ll feel at home at Encounter Mara Camp. En suite bathrooms provide ultimate comfort with plumbed hot-water showers. Relax on the daybed on your veranda with views across the plains, or fall asleep at night accompanied by the distant, and sometimes not so distant, roaring of lion.
10 TENTS (INCLUDING 2 FAMILY TENTS)
BATTERY-CHARGING FACILITIES
COMPLIMENTARY LAUNDRY SERVICE
EN SUITE BATHROOMS
HOT WATER SHOWERS
SOLAR AND GENERATOR POWER
WI-FI Our Encounter Mara Camp is in the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy, southwest Kenya, adjacent to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
This area provides a superior wildlife viewing experience, particularly for lion, but also for zebra, giraffe, elephant and buffalo. Even during the peak months of the Great Migration in the neighbouring Masai Mara Reserve, the Naboisho Conservancy continues to challenge the quality of the game viewing experience with its staggering wildlife density and unrivalled exclusivity. Safari guides adhere to a strict code of conduct within the conservancy, ensuring a greatly enhanced experience that values and respects both wildlife and the local people.
Best time to visit Encounter Mara Camp
June - September
The dry season provides the ultimate game viewing conditions as the vegetation thins and wildlife congregate close to permanent water sources. The density and variety of wildlife in the conservancy continues to impress, even against the mass of the Migration in the adjacent reserve, offering world class game viewing without the crowds.
October - January
The short rains bring some respite after the dry season, refreshing the conservancy and revitalising the wildlife. Migratory birds begin to arrive, creating excellent birdwatching opportunities. The rain settles the dust and cleans the air, and with the strong population of resident wildlife in the conservancy, ideal photography conditions are created. With fewer tourists, now is a rewarding time to travel.
February - May
February and March continue to offer rewarding safari conditions ahead of the approaching long rains. Birding is excellent and the conservancy sees fewer tourists, creating a strong sense of exclusivity. The long rains rejuvenate the conservancy, turning it green and lush and providing good grazing conditions. Game drives can become challenging at the height of the rainy season, but exceptionally good rates make the adventure worthwhile.
Rates & Seasonality*
* Special offers may apply
* Contact us for the best available rates
* Rates are correct at the time of publishing and subject to change
Currency
Includes: Full board accommodation, conservancy bednight fee, all house drinks (except champagne), game drives, night drive, transfers to/from nearest airstrip and to/from Encounter Mara, limited laundry service.
Excludes: Conservancy fees, Asilia conservation charge and other fees specified in the park fees tab, cultural visits (US$30 per person), balloon safaris, transfers other than to/from nearest airstrip or Encounter Mara, flying doctors/medical evacuation insurance, flights & airport taxes, gratuities, items of personal nature, additional lunch (picnic or in house) US$25pp.
Book any combination of Asilia properties for 7+ consecutive nights and all in country transfers are on us!
All Asilia
Discover the finest safari destinations with All Asilia. An incredible offer to suit endless possibilities.
Minimum 2 adults | Minimum 2 nights per camp | 7+ nights must be consecutive
Your Questions Answered
The closest airstrip to Encounter Mara Camp in Kenya is Mara Ol Seki – only a 45-minute drive.
Yes! We welcome families with children over the age of 5. We have two tents specifically for families, plus twin tents for kids over 12.
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy has an even higher density of animals than neighbouring Masai Mara National Reserve. It has one of the world’s most concentrated lion populations.
Migration viewing from within the conservancy is not guaranteed, but is most likely in August and September. However, the conservancy boasts excellent resident wildlife year-round. The camp is closed in May.
Our highly skilled safari guides take you in custom-modified 4×4 vehicles to traverse the stunning landscape in search of wildlife. Game drives occur twice daily, and the vehicles are equipped to keep you safe and comfortable while providing comforts like snacks and drinks.
Our chefs prepare the food on-site at camp. We buy fresh vegetables and source food from the communities as locally as possible.
Please let us know your dietary requirements before arrival; we’ll happily accommodate.
When on safari, we suggest dressing in neutral-coloured clothing appropriate for your season. Light synthetic hiking shoes are also recommended as multipurpose safari footwear. Please remember that the weight limit for small planes is 15 kg (33 lbs).
Encounter Mara Camp has solar and generator-powered electricity and en suite bathrooms with hot running water and flushing toilets.
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Encounter Mara is the place dreams are made of. The camp is gorgeous, the food is exquisite, the staff is welcoming and kind. Every person went above and beyond to make sure we were looked after and cared for.
Rodianna K
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
This is a lovely camp in charming setting with wonderfully comfortable tents. No detail was overlooked, the food was excellent and the game drives provided varied wildlife sightings in the conservancy including night drives.
Jeremy S
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
You can’t beat the quiet, outdoorsy, serene setting. It will be hard for the next camp to compete with Encounter Mara.
Catherine A
Awards & Recognition
Encounter Mara consistently achieves top ratings from our guests on TripAdvisor and was recognised for a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023.
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