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Ngare Mara Serian

ULTIMATE LUXURY CAMP ON THE BANKS OF THE MARA in an area of rich wildlife enjoying prime secluded positioning

Perfect for anyone looking for an intimate and cosy setting. The camp is nestled in the private Mara North Conservancy and can only be reached on foot, crossing a narrow rope bridge. This low traffic environment benefits from its prime secluded positioning with great views over the river.

Ngare Serian is made up of four very large tented suites dotted along the riverbank, each one decked out in style with Zanzibar four-poster beds, open bathrooms and incredible bathtubs built into the veranda decking.

Perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sights and sounds of the bush. With its own exclusive 1,500 acres of conservation area, the camp is ideal for those wanting to roam and explore, with night drives and fishing on the river also available.

Walking distance from the camp is 'The Nest,' an extension of the camps intimacy and charm. Tucked away in the conservancy is this gorgeous tree house, it makes the perfect picnic stop overlooking the Mara River or for spending a romantic night under the stars.

Camp Overview

Set in a prime and secluded position, this wonderful camp benefits from great views over the Mara River.

There are only 4 vast and spacious tented suites. These are spaced along the river bank and accessed using a network of riverside tracks. Each room within the tented suites is positioned on hardwood decking with separate lounge and sleeping quarters. There are bathroom facilities positioned to one side of the tent, although luxurious bathtubs are built into the veranda decking of each tent. Views over the Oloololo Escarpment can be enjoyed from each tent with sounds of the flowing river and hippos not far away at any time!

Hosted dining is available in a cosy dining room or on the lawn by the river

No Wifi (total tranquility)

24hr solar and generator powered electricty to the camp.

Activities

Guests enjoy the benefits of dedicated guides and spotters who will be assigned to their group from the moment you arrive at the local airstrip to the moment you wave goodbye. This intimate guiding relationship enhances your safari experience as your needs can be refined and adjusted accordingly throughout your stay as you get to know your guide more and more. The guides are personally handpicked and trained by Alex Walker, the owner and are regarded as some of the best guides in Kenya. 

In this low traffic area, guests will enjoy exclusive and private use of 4x4 Safari vehicles with your dedicated guide and spotter. The area is only accessible to a handful of other small camps and therefore you can enjoy the wildlife without having to endure the interference of other vehicles near your group. 

The Mara North landscape is very pretty with its traditional safari open plains mixed in with grassy hills with occasional bands of riverside coppice. Game drives, night drives, fishing on the river, walking safaris are all available for guests.

The guides may take groups out to a special location known as Leopard Gorge, where small caves can be host to hyenas and leopard.

Whilst most 4x4 safari excursions last 3-4 hours, both first thing in the morning and afternoon, it is also possible to go on an all day 4x4 safari. This is usually done by heading south into the main Maasai Mara Reserve and if this is of interest, Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions recommends the option of combining a stay at sister camp Serian's Nkorombo in order to do both areas justice.

Icecold Sundowners, picnic lunches, bush breakfasts and even bush suppers are available for all guests.

Cultural and local interaction is available for guests with low-key visits to the local Maasia village. Relationships with local people are very good and enhanced because of the conservancy support scheme helping over 1000 families in this area. Spur of the moment visits to community locations such as the school or the local choir group are possible, although guests are expected to make a modest contribution to the community village for their visit.

Balloon safari is also possible from this camp, although it requires an early morning start due to its location with a 4x4 journey being involved.

Guests may also enjoy a nights sleep-out at 'The Nest' - a romantic setting.

Bathroom Details

Each tent has an ajoining bush bathroom with hot and cold running water, a flush toilet and shower.

('The Nest' pictured below)

 

 

 

 

Background

The word 'Ngare' may be translated to mean 'by the river' in the local Maasai language. Some of the conceptual idea behind this charming little camp was to bring the tranquility and serenity of the original Serian camp to the water's edge. Ngare is positioned on the banks of the River Mara and if full of intimacy and cosy charm and sophistications. The camp is located on the 300 square kilimotre Mara North Reserve, which is the largest of several such private conservancies (there are only 11 camps in this conservancy) which form a critically important conservation area to the north of the main Maasai Mara National Reserve.

It is important to mention that revenues generated by tourism in these areas are paid directly to local Maasai tribespeople in order to compensate them for keeping their domestic herds away and leaving the place for wildlife. These amazing reserves therefore provide the mechanism for the Serengeti migrations to continue to flourish and visitors are therefore directly assiting the local conservation program in a positive manner.

The camp is open all year round, and due to its small and intimate nature, it is perfect for a group of friends or families. Private guides and exclusive use of 4x4 Safari vehicles allows for a flexible safari with an emphasis on being free to roam and explore in a safe and relaxed environment.

Ownership

The camp is owned and operated by Alex Walker. Alex is regarded as one of the best guides in Africa and is a welcoming host and someone who you would be proud to have as a friend. You are however, unlikely to meet Alex personally, due to his time table and requirement to host his other camps across the border in the Serengeti. His ethos and personality however remain at the camp and are translated through the competence of his staff and the authenticity of the safari and the environmentally sensitve approach towards viewing wildlife. 

All the camps in the Serian suite combine brilliantly and offer a complementary range of activities - Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions endorse the option of combining them as this adds up to a very rounded Mara experience.

'The Nest' is a beautiful little tree house only accessible by foot, located on the western side of the Mara River. Perched out on a limb in a lone Warburgia tree, it is the perfect picnic spot after a trek through the bushes, and also doubles up as a romantic overnight stay for two under the stars.

Overview

2 cosy nest shaped double beds plus space for additional bedrolls for children

Flush toilet up the tree

Bucket shower down below (on request)

Candlelight and kerosene lanterns

All weather and rain-proof 

Infra red spotlight and night-vision camera for watching nocturnal creatures

Walking distance from Ngare Serian

(View from 'The Nest')

Located in the Mara North Conservancy, the preferred airstrip is: Mara North (light aircraft)

Sandgrouse Travel and Expeditions will provide you with full information and information upon booking.