By Beyond Kenya Safaris | Crafting Unforgettable Safaris Since 2006

In the heart of Kenya’s spectacular Maasai Mara ecosystem, the golden savanna meets acacia-dotted woodlands where a camp proves that a world-class safari doesn’t have to come with a world-class price tag.

Welcome to Encounter Mara Camp, a stylish, low-impact tented camp from the award-winning Asilia Africa portfolio.

At Beyond Kenya Safaris, we believe in finding the perfect balance between authentic wilderness experiences and genuine value. Encounter Mara delivers this in spades. Located in the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy, this camp offers the exclusive, uncrowded wildlife viewing usually reserved for ultra-luxury properties, all within a charming, rustic, and welcoming setting.

The Encounter Mara Difference: Value Meets Authenticity

Encounter Mara stands out in the Greater Mara for its exceptional value and its deep commitment to community and conservation. It is the perfect choice for discerning travelers who want a genuine safari without unnecessary frills.

A Model of Community-Led Conservation

The Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a pioneering conservation success story. Covering 50,000 acres, the land is owned by over 500 Maasai families who have come together to lease their land to tourism partners like Asilia Africa. The conservancy fees generated are shared among these families, providing a sustainable livelihood and incentivizing the protection of wildlife. By staying at Encounter Mara, you are directly contributing to this model, supporting both the local community and the incredible wildlife that calls this area home.

Low-Density, High-Drama Game Viewing

Encounter Mara highlights the Naboisho Conservancy, renowned for one of Africa’s highest lion densities. A pride of 22 lions often makes its home near the camp, and cheetahs and leopards roam nearby.

What truly sets the conservancy apart is the exclusive safari experience it provides.

Additionally, visitor numbers are strictly limited, and off-road driving is permitted.

As a result, your expert guide can take you closer to action for wildlife encounters away from Maasai Mara crowds.

A Rustic and Stylish Sanctuary

Encounter Mara offers a contemporary take on the classic tented safari camp. Nestled in an indigenous forest with expansive views of the savanna and a nearby salt lick, the camp feels secluded and peaceful.

The Tented Suites

The camp features 10 spacious and private tents (including family options), each designed for comfort and simplicity.

• Classic Design with a Modern Touch: Tents feature comfortable king or twin beds, stylish furnishings, and a large front opening that allows you to soak in the sights and sounds of the bush.
• En-Suite Comfort: Each tent has a modern en-suite bathroom with twin washbasins, a flush toilet, and a hot-water safari shower.
• Private Viewing Deck: Unwind on your veranda with a day bed, hammock, and director’s chairs—the perfect spot for watching wildlife wander past.
• Eco-Friendly Amenities: Enjoy solar power, a safe, and complimentary laundry service, all designed with minimal environmental impact.

Camp Facilities

The main area consists of two open-fronted tents—one for lounging and one for dining—which are simple yet stylish with a cool, contemporary feel. They offer stunning views of the salt lick and the plains beyond. Guests can also enjoy outdoor dining on the manicured lawns, a campfire under the stars, and even a breakfast hideout overlooking the river.

Unforgettable Safari Activities

The freedom of a private conservancy allows for a range of activities not possible in the national reserve.

• Day and Night Game Drives: Explore the conservancy in open 4×4 vehicles. The ability to go off-road allows for exceptional, close-up encounters with big cats and other wildlife.
• Guided Bush Walks: Experience the bush on foot with an armed Maasai guide, learning about tracks, plants, and the smaller wonders of the ecosystem.
• Cultural Visits: Visit a local Maasai village to gain a profound insight into the traditions and daily life of the Maasai people. This is a deeply authentic experience often cited as a highlight by guests.
• Hot Air Balloon Safari: Soar above the Mara plains at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.
• Fly Camping: For adventurous souls, a night under the stars in a mobile fly camp can be arranged.
• Visit Koyiaki Guiding School: Learn about the high standards of guiding in Kenya by visiting the local training school, where many of the camp’s guides are graduates.

Your Stay with Beyond Kenya Safaris

Since 2006, Beyond Kenya Safaris has been a family-owned company dedicated to crafting tailor-made safari experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Our deep knowledge of Kenya, our long-standing partnerships with camps like Asilia’s Encounter Mara, and our personal touch ensure that your journey is seamless, luxurious, and unforgettable.

We handle all the logistics, from domestic flights and private charter transfers to ensuring you have the best guides to tell the stories of the land.

Combining Encounter Mara with its Sister Camps in Kenya

Encounter Mara is part of the esteemed Asilia Africa portfolio. Staying with Asilia ensures a consistently high standard of hospitality, guiding, and conservation ethos, regardless of which camp you visit. Beyond Kenya Safaris can design a multi-destination itinerary that combines Encounter Mara with its sister camps for a varied and unforgettable safari circuit.

Naboisho Camp (Mara Naboisho Conservancy)

Encounter Mara’s closest sister, Naboisho Camp, is also located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy but offers a slightly more luxurious experience. While Encounter Mara is praised for its excellent value and chic, rustic style, Naboisho boasts a stunning saltwater infinity pool and a more premium feel. Combining these two allows you to experience the same incredible conservancy from two different price points, enjoying the intimate game viewing of the Naboisho area from the comfort of two top-tier camps.

Rekero Camp (Maasai Mara National Reserve)

For a classic reserve experience, Rekero Camp is Asilia’s flagship camp located on the banks of the Talek River inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself. Combining Encounter Mara with Rekero offers the best of both worlds: the exclusive, crowd-free game viewing and off-road driving of a private conservancy, and the dramatic, open landscapes and classic reserve feel of the Maasai Mara, especially during the Great Migration.

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp (Laikipia)

For a change of scenery from the savannah plains of the Mara, Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is situated in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia. This is the only conservancy in Kenya that is home to chimpanzees and is a sanctuary for the last two remaining northern white rhinos. Combining Encounter Mara with Ol Pejeta creates a contrast between the classic “Big Five” safari of the Mara and the conservation-focused, game-rich landscapes of Laikipia.

Ready to Encounter the Magic?

Encounter Mara offers a chance to connect with the wild heart of Kenya in an authentic, sustainable, and affordable way.

Moreover, it is the ideal choice for travelers seeking a genuine safari adventure without compromising on quality or comfort.

Contact Beyond Kenya Safaris today to book your stay at Encounter Mara Camp. Let us help you plan the safari of a lifetime.

Key Facts at a Glance

Feature	Details
Location	Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Greater Maasai Mara
Number of Tents	10 Suites (including family options)
Children	Welcomes children aged 5 and over
Key Activities	Game Drives (Day/Night), Walking Safaris, Cultural Visits, Fly Camping, Hot Air Ballooning
Sustainability	B Corp Certified, Community-Leased Land, Solar Powered
Approx. High Season Rate	From US$880 per person sharing, including conservancy fees

Nearby camps:Naboisho Camp and Ol Seki Hemingways Mara

Encounter Mara rate 2026

Season	Dates		Sharing (pp)	Single	Triple (pp)
Green	0		0	0	0
Secret	1 Nov – 19 Dec | 6 Jan – 28 Feb		710	1,065	592
High	1 Jun – 31 Oct | 20 Dec – 5 Jan		940	1,410	783

Inclusions / Exclusions  “

Inclusions: Full board accommodation, conservancy bed-night fee, all house drinks (except champagne), scheduled game drives, night drive, transfers to/from nearest airstrip and to/from Encounter Mara, limited laundry service.

 Exclusions: Conservancy fees, Asilia conservation charge and other fees specified in the park fees tab, cultural visits ($ 30 per person), balloon safaris, transfers other than to/from nearest airstrip or Encounter Mara, flying doctors/medical evacuation insurance, flights & airport taxes, gratuities, items of personal nature, additional lunch (picnic or in house) $25pp.”               

• Airstrip and transfers     “Ol Seki airstrip (45 min from camp) Transfers between Encounter Mara/ Naboisho Camp and Rekero can be arranged free of charge for GP bookings.
• Encounter Mara to Rekero approximately 1 hour 45min.
• Encounter Mara to Naboisho Camp approximately 15min.   

Private vehicle $500 per day subject to availability. Minimum 2 days.