Karen Blixen Camp, Masai Mara

Location

Superbly positioned in the Mara North Conservancy – part of the Masai Mara’s Greater Mara – this luxury camp is perfectly sited to discover the wonders of the Serengeti. This great collection of sweeping grasslands, meandering rivers and open plains is host to everything from elephants and giraffe to lions and cheetah. But, perhaps its greatest highlight is the annual gnu and wildebeest migration. Each year, these magnificent beasts thunder across the landscape in their hundreds of thousands – a sight that’s truly a high point of world travel. And, this is all just a 45 minutes’ flight from Nairobi – you’ll be met and waved goodbye by a complimentary airstrip transfer.

Accommodation

The camp features just 22 luxury en-suite tents, each secluded on their own spot on the banks of the Mara River. It’s a view taken full advantage of by their wooden verandahs, host to cushioned daybeds for that all-import siesta. It’s the perfect spot to watch the camp’s resident hippo pod. Inside, the likes of Persian rugs and cosy armchairs ensure a truly comfortable experience in a delightfully heritage setting. There’s even a romantic outside shower under the great African sky. While all of the tents are spacious enough to accommodate a third or fourth bed for children, there’s also a family unit that’s made up of two tents with a shared verandah. What’s more, there’s no age limit and there’s a full range of kids’ activities laid on, so the adults are free to explore.

Dining

Just like the lodge’s namesake, the Karen Blixen Camp is passionate about dining, often showcasing some of the legendary author’s own recipes in its menus. Here, you’ll enjoy an all-inclusive experience of gourmet meals washed down with complimentary drinks, including local beers and fine wines. Expect fresh herbs, picked from the camp’s own organic garden, to dress the likes of succulent lamb, grilled fish or lavish vegetarian options – each prepared with the finest, locally produced ingredients. Meat comes from ranches around Mt. Kenya, fruits from the coast and vegetables from the Kenyan highlands. Finally, there's even the option of taking a private dinner in the bush.

Facilities

The camp centres on its delightful, African-chic lounge area, built on a raised wooden deck for views, from the bar and campfire, of the local wildlife and magnificent starlit sky. For further relaxation, make for the pool and its sun beds, or book onto a spa treatment. The camp offers a wide range of wellness offerings and therapeutic massages that use organic African oils exclusively. You can even take yours in the privacy of your own private veranda. However, it’s the unlimited game drives that really stand out, complemented by one night excursion per trip. It’s all included in the nightly tariff.

Lastly, it’s worth noting the camp’s eco credentials. It’s ‘Gold Rated’ for responsible tourism activities, running local cooking, language and IT courses. The empowerment of local women is also high on the agenda, with the camp creating jobs in honey production and bead art, while anti-poaching programmes, a tree-planting regime and financial support of a local school round things off.