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Kenya Safari

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp

Eastern Koyiaki Conservation Area, (North of Masai Mara Game Reserve), Kenya

Ol Seki Mara Camp, Kenya
Return to Map of Masai Mara                     Image © Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp

View images of Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp  Ol Seki Mara Camp Images

OL SEKI HEMINGWAYS MARA RATES: Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Rates

OL SEKI HEMINGWAYS MARA CAMP - EASTERN KOYIAKI CONSERVATION AREA, KENYA
Set on a wonderful rocky promontory, overlooking the sweeping Il Sabukioi River, the luxurious Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp enjoys panoramic views in a gorgeous wilderness area teeming with game. Eastern Koyiaki, north of the Mara, provides a rare opportunity to enjoy wildlife viewing in a pristine setting. This oasis of inspired and beautifully designed tents is nestled amongst Cordia and Acacia trees, attracting an abundance of wildlife and birds, many of which are seen from the tents in the valley below.

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp was opened in July 2005 by Sue Allan and her son and daughter in law, Jan and Erin. Sue has run luxury mobile safaris for over 35 years throughout Kenya and East Africa with her company Tor Allan Safaris and has used her extensive experience to create this exclusive seasonal camp. The ultimate hostess, Sue's warmth and knowledge will make your stay one to remember. Jan has specialised in environmentally friendly building in Kenya for many years and has added his signature touch to the uniquely spacious and contemporary design of the camp. He has designed camps, lodges and homes throughout Kenya and abroad.

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp is a member of the Ecotourism Society of Kenya and has won accolades for its environmental initiatives.

The camps name is derived from "Oseki" (Cordia monoica), the sandpaper tree and a Maasai symbol of peace. The Maasai have many uses for the Oseki - edible fruit, useful timber for bows, and special walking sticks used by elders during significant rites of passage

Accommodation            For images of Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp, click Ol Seki Mara Camp Images
Our camp is small and exclusive which means we can only host a maximum of 20 guests. We have eight stylish tents, each one expertly designed to offer secluded privacy and spacious accommodation in safari-chic muted tones of vanilla and taupe. Every tent sits on a private vantage point up on the rocky escarpment so you have a 270 degree view of the bush from your bed. We have six domed Nina tents and two expansive suites - Simba and Chui. Hot running water blasting through rain shower-heads and dainty flush loos are a feature of every ensuite bathroom. These low-impact structures are camouflaged by the landscape and are fashioned for sustainability - they include ingenious features that promote conservation and minimise waste.

The simple, modern architecture creates an exciting living space in the six 12-sided, roomy tents on wooden platforms. Each tents has a double and a single bed, crisp linen, thoughtfully designed lighting, a changing room and en suite hot showers and flush toilets. Extra double tents, to accommodate families, have breathtaking views and all are designed to meet environmental demands and complemented by the minimal and fine décor of the comfortable library and dining tents.

Elegant candle lit dinners, romantic dining for honeymooners, a resident masseuse a delight for all senses! With privacy in mind, the ambience of the traditional mobile safari camp has been extended to heights never dreamed of in this peaceful and magical setting.

Nina Tent
These tents are ideal for couples. The high dome centres over a double bed decked out in fine linens. Six opening panels encompass the bed on three sides which mean that from the comfort of your pillow, you can watch the dawn break in panorama. The rear section of the tent houses your ensuite bathroom and dressing area and in front of the tent is a large wooden deck where you can enjoy private dining, sunbathing and star gazing. The tents are huge and beautiful and you’ll forget that there are any other structures nearby, so well hidden is each tent.

Simba Suite
The Simba Suite is a self contained pent-house in the bush with a private driveway. Complete with kitchen, dining room, living area which connects two enormous double bedrooms, both ensuite, you could house your family here while on safari or just sprawl out in the extensive luxury of a private suite all by yourself. There’s a fully stocked bar and fridge and you can decide the level of service you require - we can provide a tent attendant to be present at all times to cook, pour your drinks and make coffee or we can make your staff invisible and give you the freedom to help yourself to the amenities. The expansive deck can house the telescope at night so you can admire the galaxy or during the day its linen sofa-bed is the ideal place to lounge and flick through the wildlife guide books or the historical photographic books to be found on the bookshelf in your suite. This is ultimate privacy - you need not meet another guest at Ol Seki, unless you’d like to.

Chui Suite - Family Tent
This suite offers greater individual privacy than the Simba suite as the two ensuite double bedrooms are separated from the central living space. The main area between the bedroom tents houses the kitchen, lounge and dining room. The three distinct structures are connected by wooden boardwalks. This means that if other members of your party want to stay up late in the private bar, you can retire to the quiet seclusion of your room next door with a comfortable distance between you and the hub of activity. This suite is ideal for families or friends travelling together who would also like some privacy within the group.

Facilities
Library Tent
Our camp is small and exclusive which means we can only host a maximum of 20 guests. We have eight stylish tents, each one expertly designed to offer secluded privacy and spacious accommodation in safari-chic muted tones of vanilla and taupe. Every tent sits on a private vantage point up on the rocky escarpment so you have a 270 degree view of the bush from your bed. We have six domed Nina tents and two expansive suites - Simba and Chui. Hot running water blasting through rain shower-heads and dainty flush loos are a feature of every ensuite bathroom. These low-impact structures are camouflaged by the landscape and are fashioned for sustainability - they include ingenious features that promote conservation and minimise waste.

The Deck
Descend from the Library to the low deck, following the lantern-lit pathway. From this ledge where the evening camp fire blazes, you have an excellent view of the waterhole and the stars. Many warm evenings have been whiled away here in canvas safari chairs...

Activities & Wildlife
The following are activities offered at Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp:
• Game viewing with experienced driver/guides in immaculately maintained Landrovers and Landcruisers
• Bush picnics and sundowners in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, on the plains and to the nearby Hippo pools.
• Optional balloon flights and/or fishing excursions to Lake Victoria from the Mara.
• Visits to the local and authentic enkangs or villages.
• Scenic walks on the nearby plains and Bardamat Hills, a botanist's paradise.
• Visits to an ancient Il dorobo cave below the camp with our resident Il dorobotracker.
• Game viewing from your private verandah, binoculars in hand and star gazing at night.
• Visits to the newly established Koyiaki Guiding School where skills of effective tourism and wildlife management are taught. A bed night fee is pledged to support their mission and those who protect the area.
• Participation in local community projects and the Olesere Primary School

The guides at Ol Seki Mara are very professional, know the area well and their tales are wonderful to hear.

Community Support Projects
Olesere Primary School

Olesere Primary School has 120 students enrolled with three teachers and one head teacher. It covers pre-unit through Year Three (about 4 to 12 years old). The school itself is very basic and our foremost goal is to improve the learning conditions as they are very spartan. Four years ago a free primary education scheme was started in Kenya. The budget for each student per year is 400 Kenyan Shillings- just over 3 pounds/$5USD. This is to cover teacher salaries, materials and texts. The government does not give money for building schools so often you will find classes taking place under the not-so proverbial acacia tree! Olesere, fortunately, has three classrooms, a staff room, outhouses and two water tanks- as well as a dedicated team of teachers. Teachers are paid very little and irregularly but this team is dedicated and energetic- very willing to make do with the little they have and raising the school's standards.

Ol Seki are working with the teachers, students and parents to make Olesere a great school. One of our main goals is to give the community and the school ownership of this project- we aim to work WITH the school instead of FOR them. They are keen and willing to do what they can towards this goal. An NGO called World Concern has done need assessments for the community and concur that education is the area in which they need the most help. They have built teachers' houses for the school and found the community to be of great help. Listed below are the school's priority needs. They have agreed to provide the labour - although we will budget for one 'fundi' (craftsman) to guide them in maximising materials, craftsmanship and efficiency.

Koyiaki Guiding School
The neighbouring Koyiaki Guiding School has the following goals.
• To enhance conservation of the Maasai Mara wildlife by converting this region into an economically viable conservation area.
• To equip local people with the professional skills needed for them to participate in, and promote conservation and wildlife management.
• To provide financial benefits from tourism to the local communities thus underpinning advantages of conservation for their own lifestyle.
• To reduce encroachment of wildlife habitat by farming communities and thereby reduce man-wildlife conflict.

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp is proud to be one of the largest donors to the school by contributing $10 USD per bed night to the school. We have had 5 Koyiaki Students help us in the camp camp during their school holidays to give them practical training. We sponsored one student last year- see picture and will sponsor another this year. Our camping and conservancy fees and donations to the school have provided an income for the community, which has enabled further EU donor funding. On a practical side, we have a close working relationship with the school and have offered free bednights to both donors and lecturers. We have also assisted with a succulent garden at the school.

Other Considerations
Seasons: Ol Seki Hemingways Mara Camp is open from December to March and from June to November.
Travel: From Nairobi's Wilson Airport, daily morning and afternoon scheduled flights to nearby Siana airstrip and charters into Koyiaki airstrip take about 40 minutes.  By road from Nairobi, the trip is five to six hours, via Narok.


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