Mara Nyika

Explore the vast private and exclusive 50 000-acre Naboisho Conservancy, immerse yourself in the great migration.

 
 
 
 
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WELCOME TO MARA NYIKA

“Nyika” means “Large Plains or Great Plains” and as such Mara Nyika is the perfect sister camp to Mara Plains in Kenya. It rings with the romance of the vast open plains of East Africa from a time when light canvas flapped in the light breeze across those plains as wildebeest and zebras call to each other and at twilight, “simba”, the great lions roar across the Nyika.

Many may think of Mara Nyika as a “tree top” camp, with the walkways from tent to the main area giving a feel of a tree house under canvas, but the camp’s ethic and inspiration is still one of exploration and adventure – a sense of impermanence in this ever-changing world.

Privacy in this camp is the key to understanding it. Privacy to live, think, explore, be romantic and be pampered – all the while with one of the most spectacular backdrops Africa can provide.

Guest’s stay enables us supporting over 500 Maasai families with a sustainable livelihood through the payment of conservation fees and which ultimately ensures the conservation of the wildlife in this vital corridor of the Maasai Mara eco-system.

Many of our guests would spend a few days in Mara Nyika combined with a stay at either our Mara Expedition or Mara Plains Camp to get exposure to all three wildlife areas, namely the private Olare Motorogi and Naboisho Conservancies and Maasai Mara Reserve. Each wildlife experience from our camps is unique and thus offers different faces of the Mara which is an unbelievable bonus.

Mara Nyika is unique in that it allows guests to explore the private and exclusive 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy in which the camp is located. “Naboisho”, means “coming together” in the Maasai’s Maa language.

Inspired by their neighbours in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy (where our Mara Plains Camp is located), the approximately 500 local landowners signed a 15-year lease to create the Mara Naboisho Conservancy on the 28th of March 2010. The conservancy model combines the conservation of nature and cultural heritage, tourism and enhancement of livelihoods for the local communities.

The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is now the second largest conservancy in the greater Masai Mara region.

The key objectives of the Naboisho Conservancy are:

  1. to conserve the biological resources and the socio-cultural heritage of the conservancy area;
  2. to promote tourism through partnering with investors and;
  3. to contribute to wealth creation for landowners.

The economic objectives of the Conservancy revolve around the creation of employment possibilities for the local communities. It is necessary to ensure the broad-based distribution of economic benefits amongst all stakeholders. This is achieved through the development of sustainable livelihoods and steady employment for the local community, ensuring minimal underemployment and unemployment. In creating employment, the use of local knowledge, skills and traditions is encouraged and secured, which ultimately results in a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction to the people of Mara Naboisho.

The key economic objective of providing steady and sustainable employment leads to the possibility of creating an improved standard of living for the community as a whole. However, it is important that the sensitive and indigenous cultures of the local people are protected against potential negative influences. Our tourism activities and behaviours naturally respect the cultural heritage in Mara Naboisho.

The overall objective is to contribute towards the social development of the community, through community empowerment and wealth creation. The obvious approach in achieving this goal is through the creation of employment opportunities for the local community. In addition to this, there are supporting actions which will educate and empower the community. These include water conservation programs that support access to clean water, access to renewable energy, education programs, and the promotion of female empowerment.

The Mara Naboisho Conservancy provides a significant wildlife migratory corridor for the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, supporting both the northern and southern wildebeest migrations. Through our involvement in the Conservancy’s sustainable tourism initiatives, our guests contribute to the protection of the wildlife and its natural terrain through a high-quality game viewing experience.

Over 50,000-acre is yours to explore from

$1,735

(The above rate is based on a per person per night sharing basis for travel during the period 01 April – 31 October 2019)

BOTSWANA

KENYA

ZIMBABWE

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Quick Facts

Accommodation

Fully inclusive of all scheduled activities, meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding imported and premium drinks). Park fees and flights are additional.

Number of Guests

Mara Nyika can accommodate 8 guests sharing, plus an additional guide’s tent as required.

Children from 8 years are welcome and can be accommodated in our family suite.

Activities

Early morning, late afternoon and night game drives in an open, 4×4 vehicle as well as the option of getting to know more about the local Maasai Community. Balloon flights across the Maasai Mara can be arranged but are at an additional cost.

Location

Located on the 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy

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