Deep in the Masai Mara ecosystem lies the Ol Kinyei Conservancy, a Maasai community-owned conservation area with abundant wildlife roaming the grounds. The conservancy is home to only two small safari camps, Porini Mara Camp and Porini Cheetah Camp. Porini Mara Camp is small, intimate and welcoming. The abundance of game in the area makes this safari camp a popular safari destination. The landscape surrounding the camp includes sprawling savannah, pockets of forest, natural springs and rivers. The actual Masai Mara National Reserve is only a short drive from the safari camp for those who wish to spend a day there as well. There are several benefits to staying at the conservancy though. For starters, guests can embark upon Maasai guided bush walks, head out on night-time game drives and can engage in cultural encounters at a local Maasai village.

The camp is made up of six spacious safari tents and a common area where guests can meet up, dine or kick back and have a few drinks. The safari camp’s mess tent is a large open-sided canvas tent that houses both a dining area and a comfortable lounge. The mess tent is perched up on a low-rise plateau and overlooks the guest tents and the river. The lounge features comfortable rustic couches, cow hides covering the floor, a coffee table and a tea- and coffee station (which also features herbal teas and cold drinks). Dinner is generally served at a large dining table that seats 12 comfortably with director’s chairs. Naturally, the camp also serves wonderful meals out in the open-air, al fresco style. In the morning you can have a cup of coffee or tea delivered to your tent. The mood in the camp is friendly and informal. You’ll find the staff more than happy to tell you more about the area and Mara ecosystem.

Each of the six safari tents is luxurious, comfortably decked-out and spacious. They are set upon wooden platforms, raised on posts. From the outside they blend into their surroundings and seem quite utilitarian. Guests receive turndown service and can receive hot water bottles for chilly African nights. On the inside they are comfortable and tastefully decorated. Floors are covered in brightly-coloured rugs, and each tent is outfitted with a writing table and folding chair and hanging rail for your clothes. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, flushing toilet, hot and cold running water and a safari shower. The camp's six tents are all spread out ensuring your privacy and that of your neighbours. The verandah has two director's chairs and a small table on it. When leaving your tent after dark, a Maasai guide will escort you to where you need to be to ensure your safety.

Activities at Porini Mara Camp

Aside from the tested and true early morning and evening safari game drives (in either an open or closed safari vehicle), this camp also offers guided walking safaris. These bush walks are held out on the open plain and armed guides and rangers will accompany you and point out wildlife and tracks during the walk. The camp also offers cultural visits to local Maasai villages and you can even go on a hot-air balloon safari complete with champagne breakfast (at a surcharge). The Maasai guides that will accompany you on safari activities are very knowledgeable about the land and wildlife. They will do all they can to ensure you spot as many animals as possible, all the while being respectful of all wildlife and environment.

Tripadvisor comments Porini Mara Camp

The Porini Mara camp is on the Ol Kinyei Conservancy, and it has access to the Naboisho Conservancy. While we were there, many grazers from the Maasai Mara had migrated into the conservancies. Despite being the 'low' season, there was a lot of game. We saw lions, leopards, cheetah, and elephants. George and David were our guides. They did a great job, and we had a fun time. My wife and I got some of the best phots we've ever gotten on safari. We had the option of doing a game drive in the Maasai Mara, but we didn't see the point of going. The food was delicious; and the camp staff was very attentive. This was our third visit to the Porini Mara camp, and it exceeded our expectations in every way.

Chi_catColumbus_Ohio from Columbus, OH

This is definitely one of my favorite places in Kenya. I've had the luck to stay here twice and our game drives have been something out of this world. The first time, when we were going back to the camp after sundowners, we bumped into a pride of lions where two males were trying to mate with the females and the roaring of the whole pride was something that got inside your skin, absolutely fantastic. The second time, with the amazing experience of George, our guide and friend, we saw a cheetah hunting and we could stay a whole day watching another pride of lions with 2 cubs of 2 months jumping all over the mom... what an experience. The staff, the food, the rooms, everything makes this camp something you never forget in your life.

coteterre from Santiago, Chile