Mahali Mzuri Maasai Mara

Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson’s 12-tented luxury safari camp in the Kenyan Bush. The name means ‘beautiful place’ in Swahili and is located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy in the wider Maasai Mara ecosystem, right in the path of the annual great migration.

Mahali Mzuri means ‘beautiful place’ in Swahili, and we hope you agree! Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson’s 12-tented luxury safari camp located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy in the wider Maasai Mara ecosystem in Kenya.

Due to Mahali Mzuri’s excellent location on the Kenyan plains, you’ll have a front row seat, not just to the annual great migration, but also to the abundant game you can see all year round. During our twice daily game drives, you will have the opportunity to see lions, wildebeest, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs, but that’s just for starters!

At Mahali Mzuri, our super stylish tented suites make for the perfect retreat during your stay. We can cater for up to 24 guests in the camp at any one time, so you are guaranteed peace and quiet, as well as excellent customer service at all times.

LOCATION
We’re located within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy to the north of Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara National Reserve at an elevation of 1700m above sea level. The camp is perched on the side of a lush valley with views over the rolling plains.

Together the Motorogi and Olare Orok Conservancies cover roughly 13,500 hectares (33,000 acres) and there are strict limits on the number of guests that can stay at any one time.

The camp is well placed to observe the abundant game in the area and also to take advantage of the annual ‘Great Migration’, which sees up to one million wildebeest undertake a journey of roughly 1,600km.

THE HISTORY
It is well known that Sir Richard Branson has always had a personal love for Africa and has visited Kenya on multiple occasions. With this background, the foundations for Mahali Mzuri were first laid in 2007, when in June of that year Richard was made a Maasai Elder, a traditional honour the tribe chose to bestow on him in return for bringing prosperity to the land.

The traditional ceremony, known in the Maasai language as ‘Ipayiani’, was conducted by the Maasai Elders in the presence of around 30 members of the local tribal community.

Through a relationship with Jake Grieves Cook, formerly Chair of the Kenya Tourism Federation and now operating a partner camp in the neighbouring conservancy, Richard was made aware of a severe environmental threat to the Maasai Mara ecosystem.

Jake proposed that Richard and a number of others invest in the area with a view to expanding the protected area for the benefit of both the local community and wildlife alike.

With a Virgin Limited Edition commitment to operating a safari camp in Kenya firmly on the agenda, an area within the Maasai Mara ecosystem was identified just north of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, specifically in the Motorogi Conservancy.

SUSTAINABILITY
The most important contribution to sustainability is how Mahali Mzuri works together with the local community in the formation of conservancies and the protection of the wider Maasai Mara Ecosystem.

The land surrounding the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara reserve was once considered Koiyaki Group Ranch territory and was managed by a community committee. It has now been sub divided into individual free hold titles.

These small units were not considered economically viable and conflicting land use was a major concern among interests such as tourism, agriculture, development, conservation and charcoal production.

Forming conservancies made up of contiguous parcels of land has become the most viable way of preventing the fragmentation of such an important environmental resource. The basic concept of these conservancies is to guarantee a fair income to every landowning member regardless of tourism numbers.

THE COMMUNITY
The Olare Motorogi Conservancy, is one of four established conservancies which together cover a total area of 63,000 hectares in the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, bordering the northern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The other three conservancies are Olare Orok, Mara North and Naboisho, and together all are helping to increase the protected area of the ecosystem by nearly 50%.

Since 2006 a unique land management structure has been developed in the conservancies with a dual aim of extending the protection afforded to wildlife in the National Reserve to an even greater area whilst directly supporting the needs of some 1,550 Maasai families.

Today we are seeing both the Maasai community and safari guests enjoying the true benefits of conservation of this land in a relationship that will see the ecosystem protected for many years to come.

THE WEATHER
For game viewing the Olare Motorogi Conservancy has abundant wildlife year round, and Kenya’s position straddling the equator means there isn’t a huge amount of variation in temperature throughout the year.

You can expect average highs of 30° C/86°F from December to March with cooler temperatures from July to September during the height of the migration.

WHAT TO PACK
The key in the bush is layering, as even with the sun shining you may find that it is a little chilly on game drives. In the warmer months, go with a windbreaker, hat and sunglasses , then a light padded jacket for the evenings.

For the cooler and wetter months, take a jumper/ sweater, scarf and a fleece or warm jacket. On game drives, it is best to wear pale or neutral colours and a pair of closed shoes.

Whilst there’s no dress code at camp, and the choice is yours, we ask you to be mindful of our team’s local culture and customs. Formal wear isn’t always practical but if you want to dress up for the evening that’s absolutely fine. Make sure you don’t forget your swimsuit too!

TENTS
Your tent is your window onto some of the world’s more spectacular scenery. Each of our 12 luxurious tents are designed to be your home away from home throughout your stay, with an en suite bathroom, inviting private deck and views you won’t want to miss.

You’ve heard of glamping but this isn’t camping as you know it! Our 12 tented suites are super stylish and unlike any tents you’ve ever experienced. There are six tents on either side of the Main Tent, each accessible by a walkway, the furthest of which is approximately a five minute walk from the Main Tent.

Ten of the suites can be configured with either king or twin beds and two of the suites are four poster king size beds designed to accommodate up to two additional children on sofa beds in the living room. We can cater for a maximum of 24 guests in the camp at any one time.

DINING
Our chefs have developed numerous pan-African dishes influenced by a variety of cultures, flavours and spices. Whether dining under the African sky in the open bush, on a deck or in the dining tent, our menus and meals promise to be exciting, social and inspirational.

From bush BBQs to champagne picnics to sundowners our team will treat you to a wide selection of African and international menus. All our breads and pastries are baked daily and we also cater for private meals and special occasions. We use locally-sourced produce, flavours and spices to deliver something truly memorable.

All meals and drinks including alcohol and our finest champagne are included in your stay and guests are welcome to help themselves to whatever they want at any time. If you have any special dietary requirements just let us know before you arrive and we’ll make sure we can cater for these.

At breakfast a continental buffet including cereals, muesli bars, yogurts, fresh pastries, cheese, hams and fruits will be served with hot dishes available to order. It’s a great time to chat with your fellow travellers about the wildlife you saw earlier that morning.

An à la carte lunch is normally served on the main deck but if you fancy lunch by the pool or even on your private deck, let our team know. In the evening, choose dinner around a large communal table, out in the bush or somewhere private just for two!

WEDDINGS IN KENYA
First of all, congratulations! We love the colour and joy of a celebration and whether you’re planning your wedding or a blessing, renewing your vows or a celebrating an anniversary, we would be delighted to help organise your special occasion at Mahali Mzuri.

We can arrange everything from intimate ceremonies just for the two of you or larger celebrations for your nearest and dearest. Tell us what you’re dreaming of and we’ll tailor your special day. Our priority is you, your partner and your guests (if you choose to invite them) and ensuring that your day is all you had hoped for.

In the heart of the Kenyan Bush there are plenty of places to get married and toast the happy couple, but here are just some of our favourites:

LONE TREE HILL
With stunning savannah views, it’s a beautiful location to say ‘I do’ covered by large canopied trees.

BIG ROCK
Expect panoramic views of the conservancy and incredible sunsets; it’s a special spot for the ceremony, sundowners or bush dinners.

POOL DECK
This location is perfect for smaller weddings, receptions or private dinners. The infinity pool extends the view during the day and in the evening is lit up with candles and lamps creating a romantic atmosphere.

FIRE DECK
From this spectacular elevated space with views out into the gorge, watch the sun set while the firepit provides the perfect romantic atmosphere.

SHEPHERD’S NOOK
This area offers privacy and is a small but beautiful area. It’s also the perfect spot to continue the celebrations with a reception or bush dinner.

ACTIVITIES
The thrill of going on a game drive is difficult to top, so our advice is try and soak up the views from all the sharing spaces and sit back and take in the view, keep your binoculars handy as you never know what you’ll spot!

Relax in our Main Tent that features an open but snuggly lounge area with fireplace, a library of books, iPads, iPod docking stations and speaker systems and a TV/DVD. We’ve got a 12 metre outdoor heated infinity pool, big enough for a leisurely swim or a refreshing dip.

SPA & WELLNESS
What better way to relax than at Nasaro – which means ‘refuge’ or ‘relaxation’ in Maa – the local language. Nasaro is located down near the valley floor and provides a private, intimate setting in which to be pampered. We use a range of products from Africology ethical skin care products to capture the rejuvenating and healing essences of Africa.

A whole range of treatments are available, from facials to massages to those essential grooming rituals. Below are just a sample of what we have to offer. Spa treatments are available for an additional charge.

MAASAI COMMUNITY TOURS 
While you’re staying at Mahali Mzuri you’re welcome to visit one of the Maasai villages in the local area to get a flavour for daily life in the Mara and to learn about the local Maasai Tribe whose traditional pastoralist customs are still very much in practice.

The village is only 10 minutes’ drive from Mahali Mzuri and the best times to go are first thing in the morning when you can help milk the cattle or in the evening when the cattle, goats and sheep are being herded back to their enclosures for the night.

The local school is a further 5 minute drive from the village. This is where the Maasai children aged 3-15 years attend. You are welcome to visit the school, please let your guide know in advanced of your trip.Your Guides at Mahali Mzuri will take you on a tour and introduce you to their families while explaining some of the cultures and traditions.

GAME DRIVES
Game drives filled to the brim with exciting African wildlife sightings. At Mahali Mzuri we have twice daily game drives which are filled to the brim with exciting wildlife sightings as well as romantic scenery and dramatic views. If you are looking for something that little be different from your normal game drive experience, how about.

Game drives in the evening open up a whole new world with the chance to see predominantly nocturnal game including aardvarks and honey badgers. Full day excursions with a packed lunch give us the flexibility to really explore the conservancies, and for the curious we can also organise day trips to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Anyone who’s been on safari before knows that no two game drives are ever the same! Safaris in Kenya are filled to the brim with exciting wildlife sightings as well as romantic scenery and dramatic views. Wild animals roaming the Kenyan plains include wildebeest, elephants, zebra, lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffe, impala and gazelles, but that’s just for starters.

The abundant animal life in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy is quite simply jaw-dropping, and you won’t need to go far to see some unforgettable sights. All the drama that only nature can provide is on your doorstop and you’ll be in the hands of our experienced Field Guides with a front row seat on your safari tour.

A number of lion pride territories meet in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy which can make for some interesting encounters as the different groups battle for dominance. The area is also home to roughly 150,000 Loita wildebeest that don’t make the annual migration south and seem content to ‘loiter’ all year round!

Of course one of the biggest draws to the area is the annual ‘Great Migration’, which sees up to one million wildebeest plus hundreds of thousands of zebra, gazelles and other game undertake a journey of roughly 1,600km through Tanzania and Kenya.

THE MIGRATION
Known as one of the seven ‘new’ wonders of the world, the annual Great Migration, or Great Wildebeest Migration to be more accurate, is truly breath-taking. The migration is in fact a sort of circle, with anywhere up to 2 million animals, mostly wildebeest, moving en masse in a never-ending search for food and water.

The wildebeest and accompanying zebra, gazelle, eland and topi make up the bulk of the migration, but they aren’t the only players. Lions, hyenas, leopards and other predators take full advantage of the passing buffet and exploit every opportunity in search of a decent meal! Some of the highlights are being immersed in the mass of wildlife – a truly intimate experience amidst this astonishing natural spectacle.

This is a key time for wildebeests to breed, and incredibly, a newly born wildebeest will be on its feet and walking around within 3 minutes, running with the herd within 5 minutes, and able to outrun a predator shortly thereafter!

The best time to view the migration will depend on the climatic conditions that year, but in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy you can expect to see the herds arrive anytime from July to September, departing around November for the return journey to the Serengeti in Tanzania.

CONSERVATION
We are located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, and are a part of one of four established conservancies which together cover a total area of 63,000 hectares in the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, bordering the northern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The other three conservancies are Olare Orok, Mara North and Naboisho, and together all are helping to increase the protected area of the ecosystem by nearly 50%.

Since 2006 a unique land management structure has been developed in the conservancies with a dual aim of extending the protection afforded to wildlife in the National Reserve to an even greater area whilst directly supporting the needs of some 1,550 Maasai families.

Today we are seeing both the Maasai community and safari guests enjoying the true benefits of conservation of this land in a relationship that will see the ecosystem protected for many years to come.

FAMILY FUN 
We love children at Mahali Mzuri and our team are experts at keeping your ‘little warriors’ entertained while you enjoy some rest and relaxation during your family vacation in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy.

Since we know every ‘little warrior’ is different, we do not operate a set kids’ programme but instead we offer an fun range of activities tailored to each of our younger guests or groups.

On arriving at Mahali Mzuri, all ‘little warriors; will be given their own pack of goodies to keep them entertained, to educate them about the African Bush and to get them excited for the fun that awaits.

Rooms: 12

Price: from 1.143 EUR per night

Source: www.virginlimitededition.com