Ol Seki Mara Camp
Eastern Koiyaki Conservation Area, (North of Masai Mara Game Reserve), Kenya
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OL SEKI MARA CAMP -
EASTERN KOIYAKI CONSERVATION AREA, KENYA
Set on a wonderful rocky promontory, overlooking the sweeping Il Sabukioi River, the luxurious Ol Seki Mara Camp enjoys panoramic views in a gorgeous wilderness area teeming with game. Eastern Koiyaki, 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 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 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
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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.
Activities &
Wildlife
The following are activities offered at Ol Seki 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 Koiyaki 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.
Koiyaki Guiding School
The neighbouring Koiyaki 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 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 Koiyaki 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 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 Koiyaki airstrip take about 40 minutes. By road from Nairobi, the trip is five to six hours, via Narok.
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