Mara Bush Houses - Acacia and Mara House
Mara North Conservancy, Kenya
Tucked away in the tranquil Ol Chorro Losoit Valley between the Lemek Hills — a haven for wild dog — Mara House and Acacia House are in the 30,000-hectare Mara North Conservancy, adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve in southwest Kenya.
About Acacia and Mara House
The three-bedroom, fully staffed houses are designed for families or groups who want the privacy of their own home while on safari in Kenya. As the houses are exclusive-use properties, you’re free to design your own itinerary. Choose to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your deck or head out early to watch the sunrise in the bush. Stay out all day or spend the afternoon lazing around the pool with a cold drink and a good book. It’s your safari.
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Open: Year round
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Closest airstrip: Mara North, 60-minute drive from camp
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Families: children of all ages are welcome
Accommodation at Acacia and Mara House
Take a look around
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https://africastreetview.360imagefilm.com/F1QrMPknwH/11338372p&112.71h&84.37t
Mara House in 360
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Mara House From Across The Dam
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Acacia House Double Room
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Acacia House Twin Bed
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Mara House Double Room
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Mara House Twin Bed
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Acacia House Bathroom
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Acacia House Lounge
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Mara House Lounge
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Acacia House At Night
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Acacia House Dining On The Private Verandah
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Mara House Breakfast On Verandah
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Mara Bush Houses Lunch At The Pool
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Bush House Dining
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Bush House Chef Braaing Kebabs
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Elephants Game Drive Mara Bush Houses
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Family Safari Walking Safari
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Elephant Mara Bush Houses
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Baby Elephant Masai Mara
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Cheetah Portrait Mara Bush Houses
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Wild Dog Pack
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Mara Bush Breakfast
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Mara House in 360
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Mara House From Across The Dam
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Acacia House Double Room
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Acacia House Twin Bed
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Mara House Double Room
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Mara House Twin Bed
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Acacia House Bathroom
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Acacia House Lounge
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Mara House Lounge
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Acacia House At Night
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Acacia House Dining On The Private Verandah
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Mara House Breakfast On Verandah
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Mara Bush Houses Lunch At The Pool
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Bush House Dining
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Bush House Chef Braaing Kebabs
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Elephants Game Drive Mara Bush Houses
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Family Safari Walking Safari
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Elephant Mara Bush Houses
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Baby Elephant Masai Mara
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Cheetah Portrait Mara Bush Houses
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Wild Dog Pack
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Mara Bush Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation & Amenities
Inside each house, you’ll find an open-plan dining room and lounge with a log fire – perfect for when the temperature takes a slight dip in the evenings. Each house has three bedrooms; Mara House has three en suites, while Acacia has one en suite, a ground-floor bedroom with a shared bathroom, and an attic room that’s ideal for kids.
Though not hosted, each house comes with a full team, including a chef, house manager, and your own private guide.
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Mara House: 3 spacious en suite bedrooms each
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Fully catered
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Acacia House: 1 double room with en suite bathroom, one attic room and a double room on the ground floor with a shared bathroom
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Swimming pool
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Complimentary laundry service
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Solar and generator power
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Battery-charging facilities
LOCATION
Location of Acacia and Mara House
Far removed from the most-visited parts of the Mara, Acacia House and Mara House overlook the popular Ol Chorro waterhole. The two houses share a pool and the barbecue areas are ideal for sundowners or long lunches.
Experiences
Peaceful and private
Far removed from the most-visited parts of the Mara, Acacia House and Mara House overlook the popular Ol Chorro waterhole. The two houses share a pool and the barbecue areas are ideal for sundowners or long lunches.
Experiences
A typical day on safari at Acacia and Mara House
When you stay at one of our Mara Bush Houses, you’ll have your own private vehicle, so you can decide exactly when you want to go out on safari and for how long. As a suggestion, this is a typical day on safari:
Game drives head out first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, when animals are more active. Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed back at the house or out in the bush. The second drive or walk will usually depart around 4pm. After sundowners (and maybe a night drive), head back to the house for dinner.
Experiences
Game drives
Our guides can take you out on two game drives per day: one in the morning, and another in the late afternoon. You’re also welcome to stay out all day with a packed lunch. Because you have a private vehicle, you can remain at each sighting as long as you like. There’s no need to leave those lion cubs behind because other guests want to find elephants!
Our vehicles are either open-sided or closed with rooftop hatches so you can stand up for a better view. The vehicles have fridges to keep drinks nice and frosty and charging points so you won’t run out of juice just as the lioness you’re filming breaks her cover.
Experiences
Night drives
Dusk and the early evening just after the sun has fallen below the horizon is a thrilling time to be on safari. Antelope come out to feed in the cool air, predators take advantage of the cloak of darkness to stalk their prey and nocturnal species such as aardvark, zorilla and white-tailed mongoose begin their day. Join a knowledgeable guide on a night drive and seek out the action that takes place after darkness falls.As we’re in a private conservancy with more flexible rules than the Masai Mara National Reserve, we are able to drive after dark. Using a spotlight to find glinting eyes, you might see predators hunting or nocturnal creatures like a bush baby or genet going about their business.
Experiences
Nature walks
Set out on foot for the most intimate exploration of the savannah. On a nature walk with one of our guides, you’ll see all the small things you miss or scare off in a vehicle: bugs, butterflies, birds and more. It’s also a fascinating learning opportunity for children, who get to examine dung and identify animal tracks with our excellent guides.
Experiences
Cultural excursions
The guardians of this land are the Maasai, who live in villages around the Mara. Head to one of the nearby communities to learn about the Maasai lifestyle and culture in a respectful way.
Experiences
Photographic safaris
Nearby Naboisho is home to one of our specially modified photographic vehicles. The open vehicle allows keen amateurs and professional photographers alike to shoot at eye level with wildlife. It is equipped with all the gear to ensure award-winning shots — from beanbags and camera rests to 360° swivel seats. You can read more about the vehicle here. Please enquire to ensure availability of the vehicle and confirm any additional fees.
Experiences
Meals and refreshments
Your meals are prepared in-house, using produce from the local area and Nairobi. We’ll fit around your plans. If you wish to take breakfast or lunch out on your game drive, we’ll pack it up for you. All dietary requirements are catered for; just let us know ahead of your arrival.
When to go
What to expect during the year
There’s lots to see all year round in the Mara. From July to October (peak season), the wildebeest migration herds arrive. July and August are particularly busy months, while December to June is Green Season, with far fewer people in the Mara.
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January - March
Why travel at this time
The Mara isn’t so busy during these months, in part due to the absence of the wildebeest herds. There’s still lots of wildlife to spot though, including big cats, giraffe, elephant and, if you’re lucky, black rhino. This is also when many animals give birth to their young. Migratory birds are in the region during these months, too. The clear skies and flowers that spring up after the short rains of November and December make for good photographic conditions.
Climate
January and February are mostly dry with the long rains beginning in March. It is the hottest time of year with an average high of 28°C/82°F in February. The average minimum is 13°C/55°F from January to March.
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 28°C / 82°F
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Rainfall: 97mm / 3.8in
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April - June
Why travel at this time
The quietest months of the year are April and May. If you don’t mind a bit of rain (usually, roads are only affected in May), this is your chance to avoid the crowds. It’s also when many camps offer low-season rates.
Climate
April and May are when the long rains fall. By June, conditions are fairly dry. The average high is 26°C/79°F in April and 25°C/77°F in May and June. The average minimum is 14°C/57°F to 12°C/54°F.
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 26°C / 79°F
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Rainfall: 169mm / 6.7in
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July - September
Why travel at this time
July and August are the busiest months of the year with dry conditions. It’s the best time to see the famous river crossings, as the Great Migration herds arrive in the Mara.
Climate
July is the driest month and relatively cool, with a maximum average temperature of 25°C/77°F and a low of 11°C/52°F. There are a few more showers in August and September, when the average high hits 26°C/79°F with lows of 12°C/54°F.
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Low Temp: 12°C / 54°F
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High Temp: 26°C / 79°F
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Rainfall: 48mm / 1.9in
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October - December
Why travel at this time
There are still some river crossings in October, as the final herds make their way back to the Serengeti. Migratory birds arrive in November and the short rains revive the dried-out grasslands. There are also fewer visitors in the Mara at this time.
Climate
The short rains fall in November and December. October and November have a maximum average temperature of 27°C/81°F. The weather cools off a little, with an average low of 12°C/54°F in October and 13°C/55°F in November and December.
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 27°C / 81°F
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Rainfall: 99mm / 3.9in
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Guest reviews
We have two girls aged 14 and 9 and they loved every minute. We made the most of every opportunity offered to us whilst there so we were up and ready for early morning safaris, as well as a whole day safari, we visited a local school and interacted with the staff and children, spent time at a local market to get a feel for life in the Masai Mara and even ate meals in the middle of the Mara! .
We could not have been happier. The house is stunning with natural wood everywhere. Truly a home away from home. Sitting on the back porch watching animals coming to the water hole was magical. The staff was friendly and so helpful. Our safari driver Martin was fantastic and made sure we saw everything! The food was fresh and so tasty and beautifully presented. We felt blessed to be there
Leaders in sustainability. The location is one of a kind, overlooking a waterhole that’s 100m away. Delicious food, suited to our dietary req. Best staff ever: hardworking, sincere, and great to talk to!
Rates
When would you like to go?
Below, choose your travel dates for an estimated accommodation cost per person sharing, or scroll down for a table of high and low season rates.
Dates in grey indicate ‘not available’
Additional information
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Rate includes
Full board accommodation, house drinks, limited laundry, one vehicle and guide per house, transfers to/from nearest airstrip, game drives on Mara North and Lemek conservancies, night game drives
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Rate excludes
Park and conservancy fees, transfers other than to/from nearest airstrip, extra vehicle hire, activities not mentioned, flights and airport taxes, Masai Mara Game Reserve entrance fees, gratuities and items of a personal nature
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Budget factors
Special offers may apply. Contact us for the best available rates. Last minute offers and long-stay rates may apply.
Rates and Seasonality
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Green season: 01 Apr 2022 - 31 May 2022 Rate: US$1150
What to expect
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Best for avoiding crowds
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Green and lush
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Increased chance of rain
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 26°C / 79°F
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Rainfall: 169mm / 6.7in
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Low season: 01 Jun 2022 - 30 Jun 2022 Rate: US$2249
What to expect
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Fewer crowds
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Lush vegetation
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Good resident wildlife
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Low Temp: 12°C / 54°F
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High Temp: 25°C / 77°F
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Rainfall: 56mm / 2.2in
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Peak season: 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Jul 2022 Rate: US$3289
What to expect
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Peak of the Migration season in the Mara Reserve
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Great for predators
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Dry conditions offer greater visibility
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Low Temp: 11°C / 52°F
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High Temp: 25°C / 77°F
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Rainfall: 27mm / 1.1in
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High season: 01 Aug 2022 - 31 Oct 2022 Rate: US$2716
What to expect
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Still able to see the Migration in the reserve with fewer crowds
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Arrival of migratory bird species
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Wildlife frequently gather at the water hole in front of the houses
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Low Temp: 12°C / 54°F
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High Temp: 26°C / 79°F
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Rainfall: 48mm / 1.9in
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Low season: 01 Nov 2022 - 19 Dec 2022 Rate: US$2249
What to expect
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Fewer crowds
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Increased chance of showers
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 27°C / 81°F
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Rainfall: 99mm / 3.9in
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High season: 20 Dec 2022 - 05 Jan 2023 Rate: US$2716
What to expect
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After November rains, the landscape is lush
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Many baby animals
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Fewer crowds
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 27°C / 81°F
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Rainfall: 83mm / 3.3in
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Low season: 06 Jan 2023 - 31 Mar 2023 Rate: US$2249
What to expect
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Fewer crowds
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Lush vegetation
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Chance of afternoon showers
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 28°C / 82°F
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Rainfall: 97mm / 3.8in
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Green season: 01 Apr 2023 - 31 May 2023 Rate: US$1150
What to expect
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Best for avoiding crowds
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Green and lush
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Increased chance of rain
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Low Temp: 13°C / 55°F
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High Temp: 26°C / 79°F
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Rainfall: 169mm / 6.7in
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WILDLIFE
Mara wildlife
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Lion
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Elephant
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Cheetah
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Buffalo
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Black Rhino
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Wild dog
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Leopard
ITINERARY
Best Bush & Beach Families
On the Best Bush & Beach Family itinerary, you will spend a night in Nairobi before three nights at a private house in the bush in search of The Big Five and then three nights in your own villa relaxing on the tropical shores of the Indian Ocean. Two three-night stays with flights in between is perfect because travel time is minimized, leaving you with more time to make the most of your East African safari.
