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Experience the friendly Masai culture and friendly service from the moment you enter Zebra Plains Mara Camp. Owned and managed by a qualified Kenyan guide, authenticity and comfort combine to offer guests a memorable stay.
Spacious is a word that perfectly describes the camp, with public areas comprising up to five bars that range from a well-stocked bar lounge to a TV lounge to outdoor relaxing spaces with day beads and chair swings. Color is splashed throughout dining areas in vibrant table clothes and in the luxury tents with blues and reds scattered on beds and chairs.
Experienced chefs impress with delicious English breakfasts and plated 3-course lunches and dinners, with not one but two crackling bonfires lit at night creating a cozy space for guests to share tales of their day on safari. The five luxury tents are designed with comfort and openness in mind, a couple created with honeymooners in mind and others suited to families or a small group of adults traveling together.
A 25 minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson airport to the Olkiombo airstrip which lies just north of the Talek River, will bring you into the famous Masai Mara National Park and a short distance to Zebra Plains Mara Camp.
Located just on the outside of the Olare Orok Conservancy, the Camp is ideally situated for thrilling safaris on the surrounding open plains of the Masai Mara. If arriving by safari vehicle transfer, the drive is around six hours from Nairobi.
From the moment you arrive, be on the lookout for herds of zebra, hence the name of the camp, as well as other game such as giraffe, wildebeest, hyena and hippos at nearby water spots.
The 18 luxury tents are all located a short distance from the main area, decorated in rich colors and complete with a large verandah and comfortable sitting area.
En-suite bathrooms include a shower with hot, running water and neat basin, while the bedroom’s reading table invites you to sit and record your sightings and thoughts of your day on safari.
The beds are covered with mosquito nets which adds to the overall tranquil ambience of the rooms.
Two rooms are dedicated to guests celebrating a special occasion, a private space to take in the romance of the surrounding bush.
Families with small children or 4 adults traveling together can enjoy their stay in the one standard luxury family tent that has connecting rooms, each equipped with their own bathroom and room amenities.
The camp also offers 2 large, deluxe tented family villas comprising two rooms which are connected by a living area and are recommended for families with teenagers or six adults traveling together. Separate entrances and verandahs mean that even for groups traveling together, there is still a sense of privacy.
Zebra Plains Mara operates 4×4 closed vehicles with an open roof and seating for six guests only, ensuring each safari-goer has a window to themselves and the chance to stand up and search for wildlife. Extremely knowledgeable and experienced guides will take you out onto the plains where you can witness great herds of zebra, marvel at gentle giraffe and spend some time watching hippos wallow while the prolific birdlife soars around you.
Early morning and late afternoon game drives by professional guides with close to a decade of guiding experience each will have guests in awe of the abundance of game in this area. Switch out your breakfast location for a spot next to the water’s edge as you enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature. Safari walks are a fascinating way to get up close and personal with both the land beneath you and animals that may be passing by, your guide adhering to the law of the bush at all times.
The best times to visit Tanzania are December through March or June through October during the dry seasons, when the game viewing is at its best. The rains usually last from April to May then occur again in November when there are fewer tourists and vegetation flourishes. During February, wildebeest are calving, giving you a front row seat to the baby's first moments in the savannah.
A mid-range safari with lodging runs $350 to $400 per person, per day while a high end luxury safari with all the trimmings ranges from $600 to about $1000 per person, per day. Read more about safari costs for Tanzania.
Both countries are reputed for outstanding game viewing. Tanzania’s jaw-dropping Mount Kilimanjaro, sweeping coffee plantations and the exotic island of Zanzibar make it unique from its northern neighbor, while Kenya's lush green landscapes make it a bit less tropical, climate-wise. The two countries are frequently combined into a single journey, given their proximity to each other and the fact that they are both locations for the must-see Great Migration. Read more about whether Kenya or Tanzania is better for a safari.
The Great Migration is a wildlife spectacle, sometimes called The Greatest Show on Earth by safari enthusiasts, during which hundreds of wildebeest and other mammals head towards greener grazing pastures during East Africa's dry season. It is heavily dependent on the weather, specifically the rain which brings new vegetation upon which the wildebeest feed. Generally-speaking, herds are in the Serengeti from November to May. In May, as the grass dries up, herds begin the 500-mile migration north and by June they are in the greener plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. They usually stay here until October. From January on, they alternate between woodlands and plains, depending on the weather. In anticipation of the short rains—and the greener grasslands that come with it—the herds begin their trek down to the Serengeti. In November and December, they arrive to a flourishing green landscape where they stay until the cycle begins again.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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