Day 1 - 4: Mara Bushtops Camp (Stay 4 Pay 3)
Mara Bushtops has been called the best camp in Kenya, by people who know the difference between wild claims and the real thing. It boasts a sensational location, perched on the side of a hill, with a scenic valley to one side. Set amid the Bushtops Conservancy, a private ranch bordering the Masai Mara, it is less than five kilometers from the main gate into the Mara National Park. The private status of the conservancy allows you to enjoy truly exclusive game drives, viewing wildlife the camp protects in close cooperation with local tribes. Together with the local land owners, Mara Bushtops created the Conservancy in discussion with village elders. This led to the creation of plans and codes of conduct which serve them, you and – most importantly – the animals and local ways of life. As a result, Masai herds cohabit with a greater number of predators and prey, whilst guests enjoy the delights of a truly private corner of Kenya.
Directly in front of the restaurant and spa lies a salt lick. Animals love it, arriving primarily at noon but also throughout the day and night to absorb the minerals needed for healthy bones and growth. This creates a constantly shifting nature show, as gazelle jostle with warthogs, zebra and impala, topi and buffalo. It is not unusual to have a herd of elephant join them. Naturally, the predators take an interest, with leopard and lion visitors. Mara Bushtops is quite unique: as it is the only camp in the Mara with a natural salt lick that size!
The words ‘exclusive’ and ‘luxurious’ are often exaggerations: at Mara Bushtops they fit like a glove. Watching from your own 100 square meter private deck as an abundance of wildlife congregates around the adjacent salt lick is, literally, unforgettable. Having your butler draw your hot tub after a spectacular game drive is heavenly. Delving into the well-stocked wine cellar and enjoying superb cooking simply adds to the magic. Together, these experiences create an oasis of five-star luxury, blending peace with adventure – and first-class comfort with unforgettable sights and smells, sounds and sensations.
Mara Bushtops comprises 12 luxury tented en suites. None of the tents are overlooked, but all look over the private conservancy and its teeming wildlife. No expense was spared in turning each of Mara Bushtops’ spacious and fabulously appointed luxury tents into a perfect haven of comfort. Each opens on three sides to create a unique view of distant plains and the Siana hills, with nothing to spoil perfect panoramic views. Every tent at Mara Bushtops is bounded by a private wooden deck of more than a hundred square meters. This provides ample room to wander at leisure, sink into a deck lounger, soak in your private hot tub or use the telescope provided to spot distant wildlife.
The Leopard Suite is a family unit comprising of two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. By adding an extra children’s bed to each bedroom, this suite can accommodate a family of six (guests from 7 years of age are welcome). Its sunken lounge is the perfect location for an afternoon siesta, while the hot tub on the deck is perfectly placed to view the salt lick and visiting wildlife. The suite also has a private fire place, wine wall and mini bar.
No Safari camp is complete without its water hole – but few include a salt lick. The restaurant at Mara Bushtops overlooks this natural gathering point for local wildlife. This makes the adjacent camp fire an enticing place for a sundowner, or final drink after dinner. Most guests, however, find it hard to tear their attention away from the superb cuisine. Being presented with a choice of sumptuous a la carte dishes may seem paradoxical in the heart of the wilderness, yet our trained, friendly service staff make it a nightly pleasure.
It doesn’t matter how long you stay, it will never feel long enough! That’s because when you are not ranging across the Masai Mara or the Conservancy on one of the camp's 4 x 4s, there is always a choice of activities. A walking safari and bush breakfast is always fascinating, but you may prefer a break from the wildlife. A tour of a local school provides an education (we’re never too old to learn), whilst visiting a traditional Masai village showcases just how different yet similar we all are. Children can part-take in the Bushcraft Challenge, or give you a tour into how the camp runs sustainably and efficiently. And of course, when the activity gets too much, it’s time to relax in the Spa, in your tent, or in the shared spaces.
Day 5: Departure
Bid farewell to your journey as you make your way back to the airstrip for your return flight to Wilson Airport.