Great Plains, the eco-tourism company founded by National Geographic explorer/filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, has unveiled a series of updates at its four Kenyan camps for the 2023 season. These include a new spacious two-bedroom suite complete with a private vehicle, butler and guide, updated décor, fire decks and in-room spa treatments.
The updates have been carried out at Mara Nyika Camp, Mara Plains Camp, ol Donyo Lodge and Mara Expedition Camp.
The private and exclusive tented Mara Nyika Camp sports a new two-bedroom suite, The Sambuk Suite at Mara Nyika. The new suite will be of the standard of the Dhow Suite at Zarafa Camp, the Selinda Suite in Botswana, the Zanji Suite at Tembo Plains in Zimbabwe and Kenya’s Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains. The Sambuk Suite at Mara Nyika will include the services of a private guide, vehicle and butler, all with a separate entrance for complete privacy and seclusion. The Relais & Châteaux-accredited camp hosts only 14 guests sharing rooms including children from age eight and above. The camp is tucked beside a small stream on the western side of the 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy in Kenya.
Mara Plains Camp, another Relais & Châteaux-accredited Great Plains camp, received a soft refurbishment with fresh décor and upgraded guest suite entrances including wooden Zanzibari doors. It is located in the private 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just on the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains was originally launched in June 2021 at Mara Plains Camp. This has been upgraded and is an exclusive-use villa residence consisting of a two-bedroom suite, which can accommodate up to four adult guests sharing or a family of five comprising two adults and three children. It has a shared lounge and dining area and includes the services of a private vehicle and guide. A new plunge pool has since been added for guests. The refreshed new luxury villa is ideal for group travelers and multi-generational travelers who want to stay longer. The Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains Camp accommodates children aged eight and above.
Exciting changes have been made to Great Plains’ Relais & Châteaux-accredited ol Donyo Lodge, which offers eight Deluxe Suites and a two-bedroom family suite. All the Suites will be similar in terms of interior layout with the removal of the split-level flooring, and addition of pools to all rooms. A new fire deck under the stars off the main area allows for stargazing and outdoor dining. The new sunken hide is now double the size, allowing guests to remain in there all day, a spacious and comfortable place to relax and photograph the steady parade of wildlife. Guests can also enjoy in-room spa treatments. ol Donyo is located on the Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch, comprising 275,000 acres of wilderness between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks and bordering Chyulu Hills National Park.
On private land adjoining the Olare Motogrogi Conservancy and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve lies Mara Expedition Camp. The camp has unveiled a new two-bedroom family tent, so families of four can be comfortable sleeping on one deck, with linking tents. Here the guests can enjoy one of the most unique swimming pools in the world; on the back of a WWII truck and experience an evening at the Interactive Kitchen with the talented singing chefs. Like all Great Plains camps, Mara Expedition Camp specializes in vegan, vegetarian and plant-based food. It hosts 14 guests, sharing.
For more information, visit www.greatplainsconservation.com.
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