Sekenani Camp at Maasai Mara - A Safari Experience In Comfort

Arriving At Sekenani Camp

Crossing the shallow gully, the camp sits hidden from view behind rolling hills and thick landscaping. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcome with a hot towel and cold drink at reception. After welcoming you with the immediate essentials, you will be given a brief idea on what to look forward to during your stay. Though the camp is elevated and sits higher than its surrounding areas, the camp is open and animals often wander in to look for food. There is a Maasai guard who will escort you to and from your tent during the evening hours. There are occasional visits from the baboons and elephants, but the staff members are good at chasing them away.

Accommodation

If you have the chance, request to be given tent number 10, as this one has a view out over the valley just above the Sekenani River facing south. The tents are permanent and covered by a metal roof that extends out over the beautiful hardwood floors. Enjoying a coffee or tea in the morning (even in the rain) out on the deck is a must. The room accommodation is simple, but comfortable with a fully-furnished bathroom, complete with skylight.

The camp is run completely on generator power and electricity is turned off every evening after all guests have retired for the night to conserve energy. The guest tents, however, will have power all night and do have adequate lighting throughout. The camp is truly an unplugged experience, there is no television or Wi-Fi. This allows you to immerse yourself in your surroundings and to really enjoy the company of your traveling companions, the staff and your camp neighbors.

The large intricately carved wooden chest in your room will serve as your safe to guard against the ever present threat of little thieves (vervet monkeys) that will take any opportunity to relieve you of your snacks, fruit or any other food you may have brought into your tent. Using the chest and making sure that your tent is zipped and locked up tight each time you leave will help keep the little unwanted guests out.

At the end of each evening, after dinner has finished, the fire pit has started to dwindle down and you’re ready to call it a night, you can expect to find a hot water bottle under the sheets waiting for you. Kenya sits just south of the equator so their winter months are June through September. Because there is slight chill in the air at night during those months, the hot water bottle is another example of the level of thought and care that makes this camp feel like a home away from home.

Dining in this safari camp

The Sekenani Camp sits on a plot of land owned by 26 Maasai families from the surrounding area, they charge rent and a fee for each guest that stays in the camp. This business model is one that makes sense for the Maasai and for discerning guests who care not only about “eco-friendly” buildings and environmental sustainability, but also socially responsible initiatives that help to improve the lives of the local communities they visit and will call home for a short time.

Since all of the food is grown or sourced locally and prepared by talented young chefs, you’ll find it hard to resist overeating at every meal. Whether it’s fresh baked pastries and fruit in the morning, a packed lunch for an all day game drive, or dinner featuring a local dish. The freshness and flavorful meals will make you want to take the chefs back home as permanent souvenirs.