Encounter Mara

Encounter Mara - Kenya Safari accommodation

Encounter Mara is a luxury tented camp, opened in 2011, tucked in a shady forest of orange-leaf croton and Euclea trees on the edge of a vast open plain in the recently created Mara Naboisho Conservancy. There are no permanent structures at the camp and thus never anything but canvas between you and the bush. The camp is comfortable and stylish, however, and certainly aimed at those who appreciate a bit of luxury.

In 2015, Encounter Mara was taken over by the long-established and renowned camp owners Asilia, effectively making it the sister camp of nearby Naboisho also in Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

Both the mess and lounge tents are simply furnished, with high-quality, contemporary furniture. This lends a modern, slightly minimalist feel to what is a new camp, and it works really well.

This contemporary style has been carried through to Encounter Mara’s 12 tents, which are classic in design, with flaps that open up almost entirely at the front, and with one wall made entirely of mosquito screen. The tents are bright and airy, with plenty of room for the king-sized beds, flanked by modern and stylish bedside lights. Each tent can be a double or a single, or if necessary can accommodate a double bed and two singles. Soft furnishings are in muted safari tones. Every tent has a large wooden lock-up chest for safeguarding valuables and there is plenty of storage space for clothes.

The bathroom is located, unusually, to one side of the bedroom area, with a chemical loo, twin washbasins and a 40-litre safari shower of hot water, filled by the staff on request. Eco-friendly toiletries are provided in lovely glass flasks, as is filtered drinking water.