Offbeat Mara Camp: Authentic Bush Safari in the Mara North Conservancy
Offbeat Mara Camp is a small, traditional bush camp tucked along the shady banks of the Olare Orok River in the Mara North Conservancy, bordering Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. For travellers seeking an authentic, unpretentious safari experience away from the crowds, this intimate seven-tent camp delivers exceptional game viewing, warm hospitality, and a genuine sense of adventure in the African wilderness.
Why Choose Offbeat Mara Camp?
- Intimate and Exclusive: With only seven tents, Offbeat Mara Camp offers a private, personalized safari experience. The camp accommodates a maximum of around 14 guests, ensuring individual attention and a peaceful atmosphere
- Prime Wildlife Location: Situated in the Mara North Conservancy, the camp enjoys one of the most concentrated wildlife populations in the greater Mara ecosystem. The conservancy’s 30,000 hectares of savanna, woodlands, and water sources support all of the Big Five, alongside abundant plains game and predators that thrive year-round.
- Authentic Safari Style: This is a traditional bush camp where evenings are spent around the campfire, dinners are served under the stars, and the sounds of the African night surround you. The atmosphere evokes the romance of a bygone safari era
Offbeat Mara Camp offers a distinctive retreat for travelers seeking quiet immersion in nature, with guided walks, local cuisine, and authentic village experiences.
Additionally, visitors appreciate the sustainable practices and the hospitality of hosts, which makes the stay feel insightful and comfortable.
Accommodation at Offbeat Mara Camp
Offbeat Mara Camp features seven well-appointed safari tents, each designed for comfort while maintaining an authentic bush camp feel:
- Five Double/Twin Tents: Equipped with large wooden beds, en-suite bathrooms featuring traditional hot bucket showers and flushing toilets, and private verandas overlooking the surrounding bush
- Two Family Tents: Spacious two-bedroom units suitable for families, accommodating up to four to six guestsEach tent includes solar-powered lighting and charging facilities for cameras and devices. The camp operates with a low environmental impact, blending discreetly into the natural habitat
The central mess tent serves as the heart of the camp, featuring a comfortable lounge with sofas, a small library of wildlife reference books, and a bar area. The adjoining deck provides a lovely spot for meals or simply watching wildlife pass by
Offbeat Mara Camp.
Safari Activities and Experiences
Wildlife and Activities
Offbeat Mara Camp offers a diverse range of activities designed to immerse you in the Mara ecosystem:
- Game Drives: Unlimited day and evening game drives in custom-designed 4×4 vehicles with open sides, camera stands, and roof hatches. The camp’s Maasai guides are highly experienced, with generations of knowledge about the local wildlife, including the famous Offbeat Lion Pride.
- Night Drives: Unlike the national reserve, the Mara North Conservancy permits night game drives, offering the chance to spot nocturnal species such as leopards, hyenas, and serval cats.
- Guided Walking Safaris: Explore the bush on foot with Maasai guides who share their knowledge of plants, insects, birdlife, and animal tracks. This intimate perspective on the ecosystem is a highlight for many guests.
- Cultural Encounters: Visit a nearby Maasai village to learn about traditional customs and daily life, or visit the Koiyaki Guiding School and Aitong Primary School to see how tourism supports local education.
- Running with the Maasai: A unique opportunity to run through the bush accompanied by Maasai guides—an exhilarating way to experience the landscape.
- Bush Meals and Sundowners: Enjoy breakfast at sunrise, picnic lunches in the wild, and evening sundowners as the sun sets over the savanna. Dinners under the stars are a signature Offbeat experience.
- Line Fishing: Spend a relaxing few hours fishing for catfish or tilapia on the banks of the Olare Orok River
Offbeat Mara Camp.
Wildlife in the Mara North Conservancy
The Mara North Conservancy is renowned for its exceptional wildlife density. Unlike the busier national reserve, the conservancy limits vehicle numbers at sightings to a maximum of five, ensuring a more exclusive and less crowded viewing experience.
Wildlife highlights include:
- Big Cats: Lion, leopard, and cheetah are regularly sighted, with the resident Offbeat Pride often heard roaring at night
- The Great Migration: Between July and October, massive herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti, followed by predators. The conservancy offers excellent viewing of this spectacle
- Year-Round Game: Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, warthog, eland, and numerous antelope species are present throughout the year
- Birdlife: Over 450 species have been recorded, including lilac-breasted rollers, black-crested snake eagles, and ostriches
Sister Camps and Lodges in the Offbeat Portfolio
Offbeat Mara Camp is part of the Offbeat Safaris portfolio, which includes sister properties in Kenya’s finest wilderness areas:
- Offbeat Ndoto Camp:-Opened in September 2021, Offbeat Ndoto is the newest addition to the Offbeat portfolio, located in the same Mara North Conservancy. This ultra-exclusive camp features just four luxury tents and one two-bedroom suite, offering stunning views across the Offbeat Valley. Each tent includes a veranda, sitting room, and shower room with fully plumbed hot and cold running water. Offbeat Ndoto shares the same exceptional guiding standards and intimate atmosphere as Offbeat Mara
- Sosian Lodge:– is a working ranch and safari lodge located on the Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya. This historic property offers a different safari experience, with activities including game drives, walking safaris, horseback riding, camel treks, and fly fishing. Like its sister camps, Sosian Lodge emphasizes authentic experiences, warm hospitality, and low environmental impact
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Similar Camps in the Mara Region
For travellers considering alternatives or combining camps, these properties in the greater Mara ecosystem offer comparable experiences:
- Mara Expedition Camp:-Positioned in a grove of acacia trees overlooking a valley in the Masai Mara Reserve, Mara Expedition Camp blends the action of the reserve with access to the private Mara North Conservancy. This camp features six tents, including a family unit, and is known for its leopard sightings and classic safari style.
- Tangulia Mara Camp:-Situated on a bend of the Mara River overlooking a natural salt lick, Tangulia Mara Camp offers constant wildlife activity and easy access to the Musiara Marsh, Rhino Ridge, and Mara Triangle. This eight-tent camp provides a comfortable base for exploring both the reserve and surrounding areas.
Offbeat Mara Camp – 2026 Rates (USD)
Valid: 03 Jan 2026 to 02 Jan 2027
Per Person Per Night
| Season | Adult Sharing | Teen Sharing (12–17 yrs) | Child Sharing (04–11 yrs) | Single (Note offer 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green – Mar, Apr, May | $580 | $435 | $290 | $830 |
| Regular – 03–31 Jan, Feb, Jun, Nov, 01–15 Dec | $670 | $505 | $335 | $920 |
| Mid – Oct, 16 Dec–02 Jan | $865 | $650 | $435 | $1,115 |
| High – Jul, Aug, Sep | $950 | $710 | $475 | $1,300 |
Conservancy Fees (Per Person Per Night)
| Adult | Teen & Child | |
|---|---|---|
| All seasons | $150 | $75 |
Subject to change and charged at the prevailing rate in 2026.
Specials
- Family Discount – 3rd child (4–11 yrs) sharing a triple pays conservancy fees only. All seasons; combinable with Specials 4 & 5.
- Honeymoon Discount – 25% off accommodation for one of the couple. All seasons.
- Per Single Rate – charged only from the second single room per booking (first single pays adult sharing rate). All seasons; combinable with Specials 4 & 5.
- 4 Nights for the Price of 3 – conservancy fees payable for all nights. Regular, Mid & Green seasons; combinable with Specials 1 & 3.
- 6 Nights for the Price of 5 – conservancy fees payable for all nights. Applies when booking Ekorian for 3 nights (Green & Regular) and Offbeat Mara for 3 nights (Regular, Mid & Green). Combinable with Specials 1 & 3.
Children 0–3 yrs: Free of charge.
Included
- Full board accommodation
- All drinks (except Champagne)
- Unlimited shared game drives
- Mara North airstrip transfers
- Laundry
- Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, sundowners, bush dinners
- Guided safari walks
- Visits to local market
- Visits to Koiyaki Guiding School and Aitong School
- Running with Maasai
- Exclusive use of vehicle for groups of 4+ pax
- Check-in 11am / Check-out 10am
Excluded
- Conservation fees (as above)
- Late departure (after 2pm): $100 per person (includes lunch & game drive)
- Maasai village visit: $30 per adult / $15 per child (pre-book and prepay)
- Balloon safaris: price on request
- Exclusive use of game viewing vehicle: $300 per vehicle per day
- Exclusive use of customised photographic vehicle: $375 per vehicle per day
- Masai Mara National Reserve fees: Jan–Jun $100 per adult / $50 per child per day; Jul–Dec $200 per adult / $50 per child per day
- Vehicle transfers in/out of Mara North Conservancy: rates on request
Getting There
Offbeat Mara Camp is accessed via a scheduled light aircraft flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Mara North Airstrip (approximately 90 minutes), followed by an hour-long game drive transfer through the conservancy to camp
Road transfers from Nairobi are also possible.
Additionally, the road transfers to Offbeat Mara Camp from Nairobi take five to six hours.
Best Time to Visit
The camp is open year-round, with each season offering distinct advantages:
- July to October: Prime time for the Great Migration, with excellent predator action and dry season game viewing. This is the busiest period
- November to December: Shorter rains bring lush landscapes and good birding, with fewer crowds
- January to March: Dry season with excellent general game viewing and good value rates
- April to June: Green season with occasional rain, but beautiful scenery, fewer vehicles, and the best rates of the year
Contact Beyond Kenya Safaris
Ready to experience Offbeat Mara Camp for yourself? Contact our safari specialists to design your perfect Kenyan adventure:
Email: sales@beyondkenyasafaris.com
Phone: +254 785 639 497
Beyond Kenya Safaris specializes in crafting personalized itineraries that combine the finest camps and lodges in Kenya with expert guiding and seamless logistics. Let us help you create unforgettable memories in the heart of the African wilderness.
Other Offbeat safari Camps Includes:Offbeat Ndoto-Masai Mara,Ekorian Mugie Camp & Sosian Lodge both in Laikipia
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Offbeat Mara Camp – 2027 Rates (USD)
Valid: 03 Jan 2027 to 02 Jan 2028
Per Person Per Night
| Season | Adult Sharing | Teen Sharing (12–17 yrs) | Child Sharing (04–11 yrs) | Single (Note offer 3) | Family Suite (up to 4 pax) |
| Green – Mar, Apr, May | $600 | $450 | $300 | $850 | $2,400 |
| Regular – 03–31 Jan, Feb, Jun, Nov, 01–15 Dec | $700 | $525 | $350 | $950 | $2,800 |
| Mid – Oct, 16 Dec–02 Jan | $920 | $690 | $460 | $1,170 | $3,680 |
| High – Jul, Aug, Sep | $1,010 | $755 | $505 | $1,360 | $4,040 |
Family Suite 1 – unit rates apply from January 2027. Family Suite 2 – unit rates apply from June 2027, once refurbishment is complete.
Conservancy Fees (Per Person Per Night)
| Adult | Teen & Child | |
| All seasons | $150 | $75 |
Subject to change and charged at the prevailing rate in 2027.
Specials
- Family Discount – 3rd child (4–11 yrs) sharing a triple pays conservancy fees only. All seasons; combinable with Specials 4 & 5.
- Honeymoon Discount – 25% off accommodation for one of the couple. All seasons. Honeymooners must travel within 9 months of their marriage date.
- Per Single Rate – charged only from the second single room per booking (first single pays adult sharing rate). All seasons; combinable with Specials 4 & 5.
- 4 Nights for the Price of 3 – conservancy fees payable for all nights. Regular, Mid & Green seasons; combinable with Specials 1 & 3.
- 6 Nights for the Price of 5 – conservancy fees payable for all nights. Applies when booking Ekorian for 3 nights (Green & Regular) and Offbeat Mara for 3 nights (Regular, Mid & Green). Combinable with Specials 1 & 3.
Children 0–3 yrs: Free of charge.
Included
- Full board accommodation
- All drinks (except Champagne)
- Unlimited shared game drives
- Mara North airstrip transfers
- Laundry
- Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, sundowners, bush dinners
- Guided safari walks
- Visits to local market
- Visits to Koiyaki Guiding School and Aitong School
- Running with Maasai
- Exclusive use of vehicle for groups of 4+ pax
- Family Suites – exclusive use of vehicle
- Yoga mats in each tent
- Check-in 11am / Check-out 10am
Excluded
- Conservancy fees (as above)
- Late departure (after 2pm): $100 per person (includes lunch & game drive)
- Maasai village visit: $30 per adult / $15 per child (pre-book and prepay)
- Balloon safaris: price on request
- Exclusive use of game viewing vehicle: $300 per vehicle per day
- Exclusive use of customised photographic vehicle: $375 per vehicle per day
- Masai Mara National Reserve fees: Jan–Jun $100 per adult / $50 per child per day; Jul–Dec $200 per adult / $50 per child per day
- Vehicle transfers in/out of Mara North Conservancy: rates on request
