Visit Mara Explorer
Opened in early 2001, Mara Explorer has elevated the art of the African safari to spectacular new heights. This exclusive five-star camp, situated on a thickly forested river in the middle of the Maasai Mara reserve, offers guests the ultimate wilderness retreat, where you can watch elephants or giraffes drinking from the privacy of your verandah or from your own outdoor Victorian bathtub!
Situated in the heart of the Masai Mara game reserve, Mara Explorer enjoys prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration between June and September, and some of the world’s most rewarding Big Cat sightings during the remainder of the year.
Mara Explorer has been constructed as an eco-friendly camp, and its operations are designed to have a minimal impact on the fragile Talek ecosystem. All biodegradable waste is mulched for compost, while water heating is quelled by briquettes made from used coffee husks.
All the public areas are decorated with old African artefacts and memorabilia from the earliest days of the African safari.
Accommodation
This exclusive five-star camp has 10 luxurious and well-spaced tents, each with its own private river frontage and views over the Talek’s southern banks. Seven of the tents have giant double beds, while three have twin beds. Each tent is furnished in a classic ‘Explorer’ style, with fine hand-carved mahogany furniture, antique chests and historic prints, and equipped with a luxurious en-suite bathroom with twin basins and all modern amenities.
The tents have been specially designed to open up to the sky and, on a deck on one side, a Victorian claws foot bathtub offers secluded open air bathing and a unique new perspective of the African bush. Each tent has a personal tent attendant and radios for tent service.
An intimate canvas covered dining area looks out over the river close to the camp entrance. Meals are served from own kitchens, using fresh vegetables and herbs grown in the camp gardens. Meals can also be enjoyed on your veranda, or at one of a series of specially-selected bush sites close to the camp. Next door, the camp bar provides beautiful river views and a well-stocked library, while the lounge area offers luxurious sofas for reading, playing board games, or swapping safari tales.
Activities
At Mara Explorer, you will enjoy private game drives with experienced professional safari guides, walking safaris in the Mara Conservation Area, Bush Breakfasts and dinner under the stars, Romantic sundowners in spectacular selected areas. You can arrange early-morning hot air balloon rides or fishing safaris to Lake Victoria. Attend and learn from lectures and slide shows on the Maasai Culture and human-wildlife Ecology. Participate in Environmental activities such as tree-planting with local residents.
Together with a sister camp, the Mara Intrepids camp, Mara Explorer support local primary schools and medical clinics. Guests are invited to visit these facilities as well as the villagers’ own Manyattas, which offer a fascinating insight into traditional Maasai life.
Mara Explorer Gallery
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Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Kenya.
Rick McIntyre
Rick McIntyre
Hello, I'm Rick, based in Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years in the travel industry and a passport filled with stamps from over 70 countries. My heart was captured by Africa during my first visit to Kenya, and since then, I've journeyed back repeatedly, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Whether you're dreaming of a "once in a lifetime" vacation or you're a seasoned safari traveler, I'm here to assist in planning your perfect African adventure.
You can contact me at rick@gamewatchers.com or give me a call at +1-877-710-3014, and together, we'll make your African dreams a reality.
Rachel Chambers
Rachel Chambers
Rachel resides on the vibrant West Coast of Canada, specifically on Vancouver Island. She has a profound love for travel, having explored nearly 30 countries. However, it was a solo journey to Africa that truly ignited her passion. Upon stepping foot in Botswana for the first time, Rachel was captivated and knew she needed to explore more of the continent. Since then, she has ventured solo to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, where she traveled with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps.
It was during these experiences that Rachel realized her desire to be a part of the Gamewatchers team. More about Rachel
You can contact Rae at rae@gamewatchers.com or call +1-250-588-9112
Julie Roggow
Julie Roggow
Greetings, I'm Julie Roggow, and I come to you with over two decades of immersion in the world of travel. My journey into the heart of safari adventures began as I traversed Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, capturing the essence of these mesmerizing landscapes through my lens. Among these remarkable destinations, Kenya and the Porini safari camps hold a special place in my heart. Their unique blend of wilderness and conservation resonates deeply with me.
My passion for travel is matched only by my dedication to sharing that passion with others. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your very first safari, I'm here to ensure that planning your safari vacation is an enjoyable and seamless experience.
Feel free to reach out to me by email at julie@gamewatchers.com or through our toll-free telephone line at +1-877-710-3014. Let's embark on an unforgettable safari journey together, where the wild beauty of Africa awaits to enchant and inspire you.
Brad Wierman
Brad Wierman
Hello there, I'm Brad, and my safari odyssey began with my first expedition to Kenya in 1984. Since then, I've had the privilege of guiding and exploring various African destinations, from Tanzania to Ethiopia, Rwanda to Zambia, and beyond. Yet, after 34 years, East Africa still captivates me like no other. My most recent adventure here was in June 2018. As an Environmental Conservation major in college, I found my perfect match in Gamewatchers and Porini Camps, whose groundbreaking conservation efforts in Kenya are unparalleled. The moment you witness an elephant in the wild for the first time, you're irrevocably hooked, just as I was. Whether you're embarking on your inaugural safari or your tenth, I'm here to curate the ideal experience tailored to your expertise level, accommodation preferences, and budget.
I'm based in Bend, Oregon, and you can reach me at brad@gamewatchers.com or by calling +1 224-558-1887. Let's make your safari dreams come true!
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Exploring Africa’s Wilderness on foot – Mara Walking Safaris​
A Maasai women group from the Greater Maasai Mara region in the former Ol Kinyei Group Ranch has benefit from a 3,000-litre solar-powered milk coolant donated by the World Wide Foundation for Nature(WWF) with funding from the German government in partnership with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps.