Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Leleshwa Camp is an intimate tented camp, which stands just outside the borders of the national reserve on the private ‘Siana' Maasai-owned community conservancy, which is located on the north-eastern edge of the reserve. The camp is located along a stream in a secluded valley, overlooking the hills and rolling plains of the reserve. Stylishly presented, the camp is run and hosted by its owners, who promise warm hospitality, attention to detail and home-cooked cuisine.
World renowned for the breathtaking spectacle of ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth', the awe inspiring annual migration of the wildebeest, the Mara is Kenya's most visited protected area. Technically an extension of Tanzania's renowned Serengeti National Park, the Mara constitutes only 4% of the entire Serengeti ecosystem but its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers and towering escarpments offer one of the world's most rewarding and evocative wildlife arenas.
Kenya hotels and accommodation
Amongst the wide range of Kenya hotels, some make the ideal Kenya safari destination. Choose a safari lodge, safari hotel, bush camp, luxury lodge, safari camp, tented camp or bush lodge. National park accommodation usually takes the form of a traditional safari lodge or tented camp, but numerous other options exist on the park boundaries. Luxury lodges and luxury camp options are also offered in the private wildlife conservancies.
Location
The Masai Mara is 270 miles from Nairobi (five hours by road). All weather air strip - less than an hour from Nairobi by plane. The camp is just 1 km from Ol Kiombo airstrip and hence situated in the Maasai Mara heartland.
The Background
The Masai Mara National Reserve
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five' in one morning.
As to scenery, the 1,800 sq kilometres of this veteran reserve offer the classic mix of African imagery; miles of lion-gold grasslands, shoals of lilac-misted hills, a meandering river, acres of thorn-bush and mile upon mile of undulating wilderness.
The Miracle of the Migration of the Wildebeest
Between the end of July and November, over one and a half million wildebeest accompanied by half again as many zebras and gazelles, migrate from the short-grass plains of the Serengeti to fresh pasture in the grasslands of the Mara; thus creating one of nature's grandest spectacles. Moving in groups of up to 20,000 at a time they thunder across the plateau hesitating only briefly to cross the Mara River, where many fall prey to the waiting crocodiles. Towards the end of October they begin crossing back into Tanzania. The actual timing of the migration, however, is dictated by the weather and does not always ‘run to schedule'.
Accommodation
The 7 widely spaced, scenic, luxury tents are equipped with luxurious beds (double and twin available), spacious private verandahs, and traditional camp furniture. The ensuite bathrooms have hot and cold running water, showers and flushed WCs. Solar and generator power is supplied. Also offered are two suites, which feature a separate lounge area - ideally suited to families or honeymoon couples.
Dining and bars
In the centre of the camp is the mess tent, where all meals are served. All meals at the camp are freshly prepared by the camp's head chef, offering buffet lunches and set a' la carte dinners. Our chef will also ensure that picnic meals are readily available for all those who prefer to stay out in the bush all day long. Adjoining is a luxurious and comfortable tented lounge. On the terrace is a traditional camp fire where evening sundowner cocktails are served. Early morning coffee / tea can be served on your private tent veranda.
Wildlife highlights
Offering an abundance of herbivores, the Mara makes the ideal hunting ground for Kenya's famous ‘big cats' and hosts her largest population of lions. It also offers the best chance of spotting a leopard in the wild. Other predators include cheetah and spotted hyena. Historically teaming with wildlife, the Mara is famous for the large herds of elephant and buffalo that meander its plains; also for the fat pods of hippo that wallow in its mud-brown rivers. Other stars include the distinctive Masai giraffe, plum-coloured topi, Coke's hartebeest, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, zebra, impala, Kirk's dik-dik, bushbuck, waterbuck and red duiker. The Reserve also boasts plentiful Nile crocodile, monitor lizard, baboon, vervet, blue and red-tailed monkeys, nocturnal bush babies, and tree hyrax. There are over 550 resident and migratory species of birds.
Child-friendly
The camp welcomes children, but parental supervision is required at all times.
What to see and do
Activities
No two days at Leleshwa Camp need ever be the same, yet all hold the promise of adventure. You determine the pace of your stay with us and we will tailor it to your personal preference with activities that includes game viewing, hiking in pristine wilderness areas, attending a photography workshop and immersing yourself in Maasai culture.
Game Drives
Enjoy a full or half day of discovery in the world renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve which is within comfortable driving distance of Leleshwa Camp. Your guide and tracker will set the route for your game drive depending upon the season and their local knowledge of where the best wildlife viewing is to be found. They are experts at identifying flora and fauna and will interpret the behavior of the different animals that you encounter.
As the animals are most active during the early hours of the day, we recommend an early start with a mid morning picnic breakfast pausing for lunch under a shaded tree on the banks of the Mara River. Your guide and tracker will set out a traditional picnic with ice cold drinks after which you can enjoy a siesta on the blankets and cushions we provide before continuing your afternoon game drive back towards camp.
Explore the Siana Conservancy which boasts a rich diversity of game and bird species consisting of our resident predators which include three lion prides, numerous leopards and cheetah, large herds of plains game and shy forest dwellers. Game drives in our conservancy are private and undisturbed therefore guests will rarely encounter other vehicles. Many guest enjoy ending their stay at Leleshwa camp by rising early on their final morning to watch the sunrise over the African plains with a steaming cup of coffee and hot muffin.
Leleshwa Camp - Masai Mara | Kenya Safari Tented Camps
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