Each guest at Mara Plains, a luxury Kenya safari camp, contributes considerably to the success of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy’s flourishing ecosystem; conservation fees are paid to safeguard this habitat while supporting over 1,000 Maasai families. This partnership agreement ensures the survival of an astounding volume and variety of wildlife.

This Great Plains Conservation Réserve-Collection safari camp is nestled in a lush forest on the meandering bends of the Ntiakitiak River, carefully considering every detail. The camp is not an imposition on the landscape but rather a subtle refuge among the wild. Its presence does not detract from the ecosystem’s visual beauty but incorporates it with sweeping views across the plains and careful position among the riverine forest. It is captivating on arrival.

The well-appointed en-suite facilities (including a deep copper bath) and extensive private verandah complete what is genuinely a stunning concept. Each suite has deep canvas canopied ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors and accents of East Africa’s rich safari history. Thick Lamu wood doors, deep reds, and brass accents – these small details transport guests to a time and land far away. These stylistic elements and thoughtful environmental elements such as solar power and no cement make Mara Plains a modern-day safari retreat.

The Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains, an intimate, two-bedroom exquisite, tented luxury Kenya safari suite, is built entirely under canvas and is a perfect partner to the safari experiences at Mara Nyika Camp and ol Donyo Lodge. It is on raised, recycled railway sleeper decking and offers guests incredible views of the steady stream of wildlife parading past whilst discreetly tucked away under the tree canopy. Central to the Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains is an indoor dining area leading out to a prominent private outdoor verandah and flanked by two large bedrooms with en-suite facilities consisting of a flush loo, double basins and indoor and outdoor showers and luxurious baths. A short walkway leads off the main area to a private swimming pool. Ceiling fans in the guest’s bedroom and careful tented suite design maintain a comfortable climate for rest and relaxation. When residing at the Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains, guests automatically enjoy the services of a private safari vehicle and guide.

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is reputed to have the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region while also having the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa. The camp is a sanctuary for resident wildlife species, including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark, larger mammals frequent the camp, and Maasai warriors escort guests to and from their rooms. Hippos snorting and leopards barking often provide the night’s chorus.

But most of all, Mara Plains is a showcase for one of the world’s most magnificent wildlife havens. We believe in keeping the safari experience intimate and personal, so there is no set camp schedule or set mealtimes. The guest’s preferences and wildlife opportunities of the moment tailor the day’s activities and dining arrangements. Each guest suite has a set of professional cameras and lenses available for guests to use on a complimentary basis. Add to it the pair of high-quality binoculars, and it is impossible not to see and capture the region’s incredible wildlife scenes.

Engaging youth in local communities living alongside conserved land is critical to long-term conservation. Our conservation education programs engage youth with the natural world at a pivotal time in their lives. Great Plains Conservation believes that through thoughtful engagement, environmental education, fun and mentorship, youth in communities that surround our protected wildlife areas can learn to appreciate the uniqueness of their ecosystems and become champions for conservation. Great Plains Student Conservation Camps are one of our longest-running community programs. Since the program began more than ten years ago, hundreds of children have benefitted from the program in both Kenya and Botswana. Learn more at www.greatplainsfoundation.com