Karen Blixen Camp Masai Mara

We are two fit and healthy Australian sisters in our 60’s and decided after visiting South Africa and Kruger in 2011 we would visit Rwanda to Trek and spend time with the Mountain Gorillas, and Kenya and Tanzania to experience games drives and follow the Great Migration hoping to see a crossing. We achieved it all and left Africa full of love for the country and its people. Karen Blixen Camp was a highlight and absolutely outstanding for our 3 night stay. The tent was so well equipped , and the beds so comfortable. We had everything we needed. The availability of hot water morning and evening was perfect. All the staff were welcoming and helpful together with our Masai escorts to and from the tent during the darker hours. All that was required was the ringing of a bell. The dining area overlooking the Mara River with the hippos in residence whilst the giraffes elephants and baboons visited. It was a dream come true! Our guide Lorna was very special. She was the only female guide, with 10 years experience her knowledge of the wildlife, birds and plants was exceptional. She handled the big Land Cruiser over rough terrain to make sure we were up close and personal with every form of Wildlife nature presented in the Mara North Conservancy. We were on a private safari so Lorna collected us from the Migori Airstrip and took us on a game drive on the way to the Camp. She was as excited as we were to find a cheetah for us. We had games drives morning and afternoon. Each time Lorna would ask “is there something special you would like to see” and then “let’s see what nature gives us” ❤️ We saw lions, giraffes, elephants, hippos, wildebeest, zebras, baboons, hyenas, jackals, impalas, gazelles, dik diks, so many birds, the Masai herding their cattle the beautiful colourful Maisai women and so much more. We had Sundowner drinks with the lions. Lorna took us back to the Migori airstrip to continue our safari. Karen Blixen Camp and Lorna will always have a special place in our hearts. I hope either I or my family will visit again. ❤️

We thoroughly enjoyed our 4 night stay at this camp. The setting by the river was perfect for watching the hippos whilst having breakfast and lunch. The staff were all very friendly and professional. Our driver Francis went out of his way to ensure we saw as many animals as possible and his knowledge of the area and the animals was second to non. The bush breakfast and evening sundowners amongst the animals was an added bonus. We couldn’t have asked for anything more from our stay.

I stayed here 10 years ago and remembered it as magical and amazing. I was worried it might have changed… it did.. it was even better!! Empapa was our phenomenal guide and the trip was fantastic! The food is gorgeous, the staff are welcoming and you can feel how much they give and care for the local community! We are so many animals and we felt a part of the Masai.

Gosh where to start! Let's start with the lovely welcome and the hot face cloths they meet you with, whether you have just arrived or are returning from a safari. The camp is in an amazing setting opposite a watering place frequented by giraffe, Thompson gazelles, antelope, fish eagles, egrets and elephants all mingling with the resident hippos and 3 Crocs. It's surprising how time can pass just watching the wildlife. And that's just in the camp. The tents are fantastic. So clean and comfortable. They put hot water bottles in your bed at night coz gosh it gets cold. But you are snuggly under your duvet and thick blanket. Service is very friendly and you are always addressed by your name. Food - well how they provide what they do is amazing. Gorgeous soups! And in a heavenly setting. The safaris on the conservancy are all I'd hoped for. Most of the time it was just us and our driver, Dennis. He was a laugh and a great guide. The maximum no of cars around a siting in the Conservancy is 5 and they stick to it. They drive off road to so beware the bumps. I could say more, but I'll leave you things to discover for yourself.

We visited after a few days in the National Park and it was wonderful to experience the Mara with fewer vehicles but the same amazing animals. We were joined by guide Jeremiah on our trips into the Conservancy. Jeremiah was very informative and helpful finding animals. It was nice to be greeted back to camp with moist towels after our game drives. The tents were spacious and comfortable, the large outside shower was very unique. The food was excellent and eating while watching the variety of animals across the river was a memorable experience. Having some meals in the field was an amazing experience, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African savanna. Although larger than the first camp we visited the tents were widely spaced and I never felt the camp was crowded.

We had such an amazing time here. The camp was wonderful, and we felt so well looked after. The food was delicious, with plenty of choice even for vegetarians and kids who can be fussy. The tents were lovely, though we were mainly asleep because the drives were so tiring (in a good way)! We felt so lucky to have Lorna as our driver and guide - she is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She really wanted us to see a leopard and in the end we did! Back at camp we were very well looked after by Job. We were genuinely sad to leave - we’ll remember our three and a bit days there forever.

This was a trip of a lifetime. From the moment we were picked up at that airstrip, we were immediately exposed to the natural wonders of the Mara North Conservancy. Before even reaching camp, we saw a pride of lions feasting on a cape buffalo and a cheetah relaxing under a shade tree. When we first arrived at the camp, we were greeted by many staff members and were quickly offered refreshments, checked in, and shown to our "tent". I would call it more of a soft-sided cabin, more on the glamping end of the spectrum. The grounds were lovely. The tents were close enough that it was a short walk, but far enough apart, and in a wooded area, that we never heard our neighbors. The staff was fantastic. From our game drivers, servers, and porters, all of our needs were covered. Our game drivers (Francis and Mpapa) were extremely knowledgeable in all the wildlife we saw. They actively sought out species we had not yet seen so we could tick every one in our list (including a leopard!). Our kid even enjoyed it when the ride got a bit bumpy at times. From amazing sunrises to sunsets we saw more species than we knew existed in the Mara. Our server, Geoffery, was very attentive to our needs, especially those of a child with a selective palate. On our final night, he served us a traditional African meal which was very interesting. Something we had never had. Each day our room was tidied up and our drinking water containers were refilled. Between game drives, we relaxed at the camp, enjoyed a cocktail, caught up on news in the wi-fi shack, and swapped stories with other guests. We stayed four days with a 8 year old which seemed just the right amount of time. Even in July, bring pants and a jacket as the early morning and late evening drives can get a bit chilly. The accommodations were very comfortable. We had an extra single bed added for a child and there was still plenty of room. The tent was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, insect repellent, air freshener, and laundry soap. The service was exemplary and the room was tidied up during the morning drive and prepared for sleep during the evening drive. Can't think of anything else we could have needed. We utilized laundry services and the clothes were returned that evening.

We had the most idyllic time staying at Karen Blixen Camp on our honeymoon! The tents felt luxuriously outfitted, complete with turndown service every evening, and my husband couldn't get enough of our private outdoor shower. We loved spending meals and quiet afternoons along the Mara River, watching the hippos sunbathe and frolic, and even found some time to enjoy it from our private porch. Our guide during our stay was Lorna and mealtimes were attended to by Benson. These two made our trip to the Mara exceedingly special. Benson was attentive, kind, and quietly funny - After a long game drive, it was a delight to come back and see him, and the food at the camp was delicious and generously portioned. Lorna was the best guide I've ever had on game drives - Her relationships with other guides meant that we saw *everything* there was to see, and her timing was impeccable (As in, we literally saw a lionness make a kill - And were perfectly positioned to see it). We were fortunate enough to have a solo day with her before we left, and it was so fun to tell her stories about our lives and hear more about hers. The only side note worth mentioning, and not one that would reduce my rating, is that Wifi is only available near reception - You will not be able to access it from your tent. This actually ended up adding to our experience, because we only spent about 5 minutes every morning and evening checking on our phones and the rest of our time being present - But is worth noting for someone who might not be able to be so unplugged.

Our stay that Karen Blixen camp is one that we'll remember for a long time. Set in a beautiful location on the Mara river, you can sit and watch the hippos all day along with visiting giraffes, elephants, baboons and impalas. The tent itself is spacious with all the amenities you'd need. As an eco camp, it is all solar powered so there are set times for hot water in the mornings and evenings but this was not an issue as it works well with the timings of the game drives. The game drives themselves were excellently guided by Lorna who was a superstar! She made every effort to show us the rich variety of animals in the Mara and was very knowledgeable and patient with our questions. She even managed to get us the perfect locations for our sundowners - one night with a group of napping lions and another with a leopard up a tree a few yards away! The whole team at Karen Blixen is great. Our waiter, David, was lovely and attentive and Florence at the front desk was delightful. The team definitely made an already memorable holiday even better, I hope we can go back one day.