What does it take to find the perfect tree house? Located on the western side of the Mara River and only open to access by foot – thick with trees, valleys, rocks – we kept circling back to one particular spot: fifty metres from the water looking along a stretch that is filled by a raucous pod of hippo. A line of Warburgia stretches along a little draw, and a single tree at the end shows scars: a scratching post for a resident male leopard. The salt lick luring the impala leads to a hippo funnel and their small sandy beach.
Ngare translates to ‘by the river’ in the Masai language, and the idea behind this snug little camp was to transport the serenity of the original Serian camp to the water’s edge. Hugging the banks of the Mara, Ngare Serian is cosy and intimate. It can only be reached on foot, over a narrow rope bridge – and in a way the crossover is symbolic: a call to step out of touch and out of time, and give yourself over to the natural charm of the place.There’s something special about being on the water’s edge – the water slipping and sloshing over the stones sets a soothing soundtrack, but at the same time its energy and movement lends lightness and life – green shoots, verdant growth and glossy rocks that metamorphose into hippos.
Nkorombo is Serian’s tented mobile camp, set on a private riverside site in the Masai Mara Reserve. This snug little setup is chock-full of character with a view over the rushing Mara River, bursting with laughing hippo and languorous crocodile. Much like at Serian and Ngare Serian, life at Nkorombo is low-key and tranquil. Nestled among a stand of wild olive and orange croton, the camp is right next to a lively salt lick that regularly features black rhino, and lion and leopard on the lookout for kill. There is an abundance of prey in this area, and it’s the perfect spot for spectacular game viewing.
“Alex Walker's Serian” is a collection of intimate East African bush camps; that allow you to flee the bustle of contemporary life and experience a blend of untamed Africa in traditional tented splendor! Serian - The Original, was the first of Alex’s camps, and it perfectly captures the essence of its name: meaning ‘peaceful, calm, serene’ in the Masai language, it was designed to be a retreat from the bustle of contemporary life, and a chance to experience untamed Africa in traditional tented splendour.It lies in the private Mara North Conservancy, and the beauty of this location is that only 10 other camps have access to it – so the feeling of having your own personal piece of Africa is a luxury that we have in spades.
Encounter Mara is designed with high eco-friendly standards and built in a traditional safari style. The camp sits beneath a stunning canopy of acacia trees and blends naturally into its surroundings. It's common to see giraffes or zebras casually walking through the camp.Guests enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a comfortable canvas dining tent at the heart of the camp. Meals come with the natural backdrop of the bush, complete with its sights, sounds, and smells. The lounge area is cosy and simply decorated, keeping your attention focused on the beautiful views of the Maasai Mara.A nearby salt lick regularly draws wildlife, from plains animals to big cats. You might find yourself spending the whole day relaxing in camp, watching the animals come to you.Encounter Mara is the most affordable camp operated by Asilia in the Mara area. For a more luxurious experience, you can consider staying at nearby Naboisho Camp or Rekero Camp, located inside the main Mara Reserve.
