Mara Bushtops Camps

Mara Bushtops camps comprises 12 luxury tented en suites. None of the tents are overlooked, but all look over our private conservancy and its teeming wildlife. Each tent is named after one of the animals that might saunter past its private viewing deck. Leopard is a family suite, with two double bedrooms linked by a sumptuous lounge of its own. We are always happy to add extra beds to our tents, to squeeze in a small adventurer or two.

Tents

Mara Bushtops camp has spacious and fabulously appointed luxury tents. Each opens on three sides to create a unique view of distant plains and the Siana hills. Every tent at Mara Bushtops is bounded by a private wooden deck of more than a hundred square metres. This provides ample room to wander at leisure, sink into a deck lounger, or soak in your private hot tub.

Family tent

Leopard is the most magnificent creature at mara bushtops camps. It has 2 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. By adding an extra children’s bed to each bedroom, Leopard can accommodate a family of six. Its sunken lounge is the perfect location for an afternoon siesta. The hot tub on the deck is perfectly placed to view the salt lick. The suite also has a private fire place, wine wall and mini bar. At Mara Bushtops we always look to add something new, magical and better. Leopard is just about as good as it gets.

Cuisine

No safari camp is complete without its water hole but few include a salt lick. The restaurant at Mara bushtops camps overlooks this natural gathering point for local wildlife. This makes the adjacent camp fire an enticing place for a sundowner, or final drink after dinner. Most guests, however, find it hard to tear their attention away from the superb cuisine. Being presented with a choice of sumptuous a la carte dishes may seem paradoxical in the heart of the wilderness. Yet our trained, friendly service staff make it a nightly pleasure.

Wine

Wine may not be essential to the perfect evening, but it certainly plays a wonderful part. At Mara bushtops camps, it takes a central role. Most guests are astonished to find a large, fully-stocked wine cellar lies beneath the restaurant, with selected world-famous wines kept in optimum climatic condition by ancient charcoal and evaporation refrigeration techniques. Here you can find wine from Kenya, award-winning wines from South Africa, and exclusive vintages from Europe and the new world. Guests’ recommendations have led us to add gems sourced from privately-owned vineyards in Switzerland, Austria, France, South Africa and even a Canadian ice wine.

Conservancy

Mara bushtops camps is set within a large conservancy. This allows you to enjoy truly exclusive game drives, viewing wildlife we protect in close cooperation with local tribes. Together with the local land owners, we created the conservancy in discussion with village elders. This led to the creation of plans and codes of conduct which serve us, you and, most importantly, the animals and local ways of life. As a result, Masai herds cohabit with a greater number of predators and prey, whilst our guests enjoy the delights of a truly private corner of Kenya. The Mara Bushtops Conservancy is private to Bushtops guests. You can enjoy various activities such as night game drives, off road game drives, walking safaris, sundowners, sunrises on the Sekenani hill and a visit to the Kakiya cave.

Salt lick

The private conservancy where Mara bushtops camps is situated is a haven for wildlife and the best bit is just yards from the camp. Directly in front of the restaurant and spa lies a salt lick. Animals love it, arriving primarily at noon but also throughout the day and night to absorb the minerals needed for healthy bones and growth. This creates a constantly shifting nature show, as gazelle jostle with warthogs, zebra and impala, topi and buffalo. It is not unusual to have a herd of elephant join them – and we have hosted more than 40 giraffe at a time. Naturally, the predators take an interest, with leopard and lion visitors. We like to think Mara Bushtops is unique: as the only camp in the Mara with a natural salt lick this size!

Starting married life, on safari

Whether you tie the knot on site or join us after your wedding, we’re convinced that Mara Bushtops is the perfect destination from which to start the biggest adventure of your life! All our guests enjoy wild luxury, but we make sure you receive extra-special attention on your safari honeymoon. As a newly-married couple, we treat you like royalty, assigning you to our specially-appointed honeymooner tent, where a bottle of bubbly awaits you. A private bush breakfast adds yet another memorable moment. We recommend you stay at least four nights to make the smooth transition from engagement to coupledom, united in marital bliss!

An African safari honeymoon

A honeymoon in Africa creates memories that will last for ever. It forms the perfect backdrop to recollections of your special day, but also a wonderful escape into a whole new reality. Here amidst the rolling hills they find a haven of tranquillity in which to relax, let the world go by, and quietly begin planning a lifetime ahead. The wonders of Maasai Mara and our own conservancy lie all around, with ample time to rest and relax in your tent, or make use of our beautifully-appointed facilities. Naturally we lavish extra-special attention on newly-married couples, sharing the joy of a new life partnership. We know that choosing Bushtops is a huge compliment, so all our efforts go into making ourselves worthy of that honour.

Wild luxury weddings

It is the biggest day of your life, so why not have your wedding against some of the biggest backdrops on earth – the African plains? We are licensed to host tailor-made luxury weddings at Mara Bushtops, so if you like the idea of getting married on safari, we would love to make it happen. Our wedding coordinator can guide you through our wedding and honeymoon package, perhaps adding a safari marriage to a honeymoon holiday on the coast. The alternative is to put everything in our hands and let us prepare the most wonderful combination of wedding, honeymoon and Wild Luxury safari experience for you, all right here at Mara Bushtops.

Unforgettable wedding venue

Should you choose us as the venue from which to being your new life together, your African wedding will begin with an exchange of vows in the most unforgettable of settings. We look forward to showing you how the sights, sounds and scents of the African Bush can come together to create a unique setting for your wedding ceremony. With secluded accommodation augmented by superb cuisine and outstandingly attentive service, we really do provide a venue and experience that stands apart. We sort out all the paperwork on your behalf and can also arrange a photographer.

Be different!

In a world where the conventional rules, wouldn’t it be wonderful to escape the strains and stresses of everyday life? Wouldn’t it be a joy to invest in the most glorious location from which to make your vows – as you move from single people to a married couple? We think so! But you won’t be alone. Others have started their journey into matrimony with us. Without exception, they tell us that the experience was magical. After all, it’s an incredibly potent formula: two people in love, making their vows under the endless expanse of the African heavens.

Bucket-list

These days, a lot of people have the word ‘Safari’ on their bucket-list of things they simply must do. It would be a shame to make such an exciting commitment then fail to choose the world’s best formula. Forgive our self-confidence, but we really think that bucket-list item should read specifically ‘visit Mara Bushtops’, not just any old safari. Browse this site then talk to us and we’ll hope to make an unarguable case!

Birthdays

A birthday is always called a ‘special day’, but why restrict it to one day? Celebrate an 18th or 80th – and anything in between – with an endless series of special moments at Mara Bushtops.

Anniversaries

Whether it is your first or fiftieth year of marriage, or simply a red letter day commemorating the past, we can tailor the unique wonders of Bushtops to create a great way to mark the occasion. Just let us know a bit of background and we promise to make your anniversary safari a lifetime highlight.

Game drives

Every day in the Masai Mara is different. Each of our game drives is an adventure into the unknown. We recommend staying with us for at least four days to ensure you absorb as much game viewing as you can, balanced with relaxation in camp. We’d love to guarantee you’ll see the big five. We’re confident you will spot lions, buffalo and elephants, often in great numbers. Leopards and rhino can be shy, but we do all in our power to seek them out. The secret is to make sure you take part in at least one early morning game drive, one full day game drive and an evening game drive. The knowledge of our rangers and the sharp eyes of Masai spotters will do the rest.

Night game drives

One of the unusual aspects of Mara Bushtops and owning our own conservancy is being able to arrange night game drives. When the sun sets, nature shuffles its deck, revealing new players and dramas under the moonlit skies of the Masai Mara. The lights of our 4x4s may pick out the eyes of a spring hare bounding like a kangaroo, or the loping figure of a hunter bearing down on a herd of impala. A night game drive is a wonderful opportunity to spot the best of Kenya’s wildlife – perhaps a lion, leopard or buffalo, a silver backed jackal, hyena or banded mongoose.

Maasai spotters and unique night game drive technology

Maasai spotters know where to look and seem able to see in the dark, aided by night torches. Our specially converted car is equipped with a heat-seeking night-vision camera, known as a ‘flir’, whose infra-red images are relayed to screens on the seatbacks ahead of you. This adds a new, unexpected dimension to game viewing – and another way in which we aim to surprise and delight our guests.

Rangers and spotters

It is astonishing what the experts can find, secreted among the vast expanses of the Masai Mara. We employ qualified rangers who know every inch of the terrain. They supplement practical Bush experience with study and exams, to ensure they remain constantly fascinating sources of information. On safari, they form a network linked by radio, swapping news and information so that all our vehicles can home in on the action. However, what really gives our expeditions the edge is the presence of Masai spotters, who sit at the back of each vehicle, using their uncanny powers of observation to detect movements, spoor and other signs of hidden wildlife. We are one of the very few operators who use these incredibly sharp-eyed tribespeople to augment our rangers’ eyes and ears. They ensure that wherever animals are on the move, we’ll be there.

Safari vehicles

Our safari vehicles are our pride and joy. We operate a fleet of specially-adapted, constantly-updated, open-sided Toyota Land Cruisers, giving you uninterrupted views and proximity to the Bush. This is the best way to bring visitors close to nature and the wonders of the Masai Mara. We designed our 4x4s ourselves, drawing on over 100 years of African off-road driving experience. The attention to detail is infinite, with particular emphasis on comfort and safety: our prime objective is to get you as close to the action as possible, whilst remaining totally safe. Your 4X4 is fitted with a VHF radio, spare tyres, an electric winch and extra high lift jack and spades for muddy terrain. Reliability is ensured by replacing all our vehicles regularly – and maintaining each to the highest standard.

Maasai Mara wildlife

We never cease to be amazed by the abundant Maasai Mara wildlife – a never-ending showcase for untamed nature. Whenever you visit, thousands of predators maintain their timeless hunt for millions of prey. The endless horizons remain a beauteous backdrop throughout the year. Our guests revel in the constants of the Bush: gazelles feeding in skittish flocks; lions coughing round the camp; hippos bathing in the rivers; topis gazing and grazing from kopje high points; giraffe billowing across the horizon; or simply a porcupine shuffling about its business. With some 450 bird species to spot, the chance to see a Paradise Flycatcher or Purple Grenadier is matched by endless possibilities.

Crocodiles

The crocodiles have been with us since the age of the dinosaurs, so we can guarantee they’re heating up on a bank near you. Sometimes it is the smaller sights which bring the greatest delight: a family of dwarf mongoose; a bright green chameleon crossing in front of a leopard tortoise; or even a dung beetle taking on the challenge left by an elephant!

Enjoy the wildlife of the Masai Mara from our own conservancy

Masai Mara’s terrain is primarily open grassland, interspersed by seasonal rivulets. The density of wildlife is greater in this smaller park; consequently there are more people and vehicles than you would find in the Serengeti. The wonders of Kenya’s Mara are complemented by the wildlife found in the Mara Bushtops conservancy. The huge advantage of the latter is that you can watch our local carnival of the animals whilst reclining on your tent bed, peering through your deck telescope or sitting at our restaurant overlooking the salt lick. Whatever you see and however it is encountered, one thing is likely to remain a constant: the happy smile, plastered across your face.

The great wildebeest migration

The highpoint of the annual calendar is undoubtedly the great migration, when wildebeest and zebra herds create a wonder of the natural world. As vast numbers move in search of pastures new, their timing and precise route cannot be guaranteed. Both change, year on year. Nature will not be dictated to! However, the move north usually takes place between June and October, as the herds travel from the Serengeti into the Mara to breed and crop the rich pastures. Then, at some time around late October, they return, following Africa’s eternal circle of life.

The Great Migration at Mara Bushtops camps

During the great migration, we track the activities of the wildebeest and zebra daily, to predict when and where they might attempt the famous river crossing. Nothing compares to the heady rush of a million large herbivores, as they attempt to pass the snapping jaws of waiting crocodiles. Yet even without a grandstand view of the crossing, simply following the herds is an extraordinary experience – and the highlight of any African adventure.

Activities

It doesn’t matter how long you stay, it will never feel long enough! That’s because when you are not ranging across the Masai Mara or the Conservancy on one of our 4 x 4s, there is always a choice of activities. A walking safari and bush breakfast is always fascinating, but you may prefer a break from the wildlife. A tour of a local school provides an education (we’re never too old to learn), whilst visiting a traditional Masai village showcases just how different yet similar we all are. Children can part-take in the Bushcraft Challenge, or give you a tour into how the camp runs sustainably and efficiently. And of course, when the activity gets too much, it’s time to relax in the Spa, in your tent, or in our shared spaces.

Walking safaris

One of the many advantages of being located in our own private lands is being able to run walking safaris directly from the camp. All you need is good walking shoes and a sense of adventure. A qualified, armed ranger, naturalist and Masai spotter lead the way, bringing you to within a safe distance of impala herds, zebra and sometimes giraffe. En route they explain the tracks, markings, droppings and plant life which create the tableaux around you, with insights into how nature’s bounty provides food, medicine and resources for tribal life. You may never be closer to nature, at its most raw and unspoiled, than this.

Bushcraft challenge

The Bushcraft challenge introduces guests to basic survival skills, local culture, the importance of conservation and local flora and fauna. Completing the challenge leads to a Bushtops certificate, authenticating your unique newfound skills – and sense of real achievement. Although we designed the Challenge for younger members of the family, we’ve found it appeals equally to curious minds of all ages! Activities include learning to make fire without matches or a lighter; completing animal spotting checklists; identifying animal tracks and making a memento plaster cast of their favourites; learning about animal bones; practicing archery; trying out bead-making skills; and baking Swahili treats.

Kakiya cave

We’re used to surprises in the Bush, but sometimes we get left open-mouthed. Finding an historic Masai cave in our conservancy was just such an occasion. As a result, our excursions have just become even more exciting!

Balloon safari

It’s an astonishing image: a balloon, framed against the rising sun, overlooking the herds of Masai Mara plains. You could be in that balloon’s basket, creating a memory that will last a lifetime. If you want to add a balloon safari to your itinerary, it’s best to let us know in advance. This lies outside your stay at Mara Bushtops and bookings are outside our control: the sooner you let us know, the more likely we can confirm availability. Having booked your flight, you will be picked up from Mara Bushtops in the early hours of the morning, ready to take flight as dawn breaks. As you level out over the Bush, you gain a bird’s eye view of the herds. After about an hour, your experienced pilot brings the balloon safely to earth. You celebrate the amazing experience with a Bush champagne breakfast.

Maasai village visit

Masai tribal villages are dotted around East Africa’s national parks. At Bushtops we highly recommend a visit to a Masai manyatta, to gain a rare insight into one of Africa best-known traditional cultures. Our relationship with local tribal elders has built trust and an agreement to allow us privileged access to authentic living history, perpetuated in the villages which border our private conservancy.

Private bush breakfast

Picture this: an early morning wake-up call, followed by a mysterious drive into the wilderness. Then, as the sun rises and light floods the landscape, you find yourself in an oasis of tranquility. You hop from the truck to survey this wonderland. Moments later, your table awaits you. This is your Private Bush breakfast. It’s highly unlikely that you have ever started the day in such a glorious location, or in such splendid isolation. No fellow diners: just you, our chef and your driver, serving a hot meal and an array of delicious buffet delicacies. A glorious day in the Bush has begun … We recommend you pre-book your private bush breakfast with us before you arrive. The cost is 50USD per person – but the experience is priceless.

Starlight pool

At Bushtops, we try to create the astonishing. The star-lit swimming pool within our Mara Bushtops Spa complex is genuinely out of this world: a multi-sensory experience that has to be seen and felt, to be understood. The design was the brainchild of Robin Stuart, whose passion for astronomy and astrophotography led him to recreate the Orion constellation, using a grid system to transfer each respective star to the pool floor. Translating this extraordinary vision into reality means guests can now swim under and above the stars, as they gaze out at the dark mysteries of the night bush. The spa has been voted the best in Africa – making the pool the jewel in our award-winning crown.

Sundowner

It’s a classic moment, immortalized in films, fantasies and a million great safari adventures: watching the sun set over the African bush. There’s simply nothing like it. You may see a burnished disk slip gracefully from view. If not, the clouds will diffuse an amazing palette of colour, flooding the horizon. Either way, you’ll be part of an incredible experience which will live on in your mind’s eye, for ever. At Mara Bushtops, your sundowner will follow an evening game drive in our private conservancy. We know the perfect spot, facing west to give you the ideal view, as day turns to dusk – then night.

Spa

Our award-winning safari spa at Mara Bushtops takes Wild Luxury to new heights. It adds luxurious pampering, peace and tranquillity to the excitement of game watching, culinary excellence and the comforts of the camp. Working alongside architect Andrin Schweizer, we designed and installed an Amani African Spa Village, adapting its multiple award-winning formula to the magic of a Mara Bushtops setting. The spa was opened in July 2014, adding a completely new level of luxurious pampering for Mara Bushtops guests. So as you contemplate the delights of your safari adventure or silver service dinner, what better way to let the cares of the world slip from your shoulders than a spell in the Spa?

Facilities

Within the soothing confines of the safari spa, rejuvenating massages, hydrotherapy and a range of holistic skin and body treatments are complemented by a fitness facility, complete with high-tech cardiovascular and weight training equipment. A sauna, rasul steam room and hot  Jacuzzi vie for attention with a heated infinity pool with beds inside the pool complete with water jets. There is also a cold plunge pool to take the edge of the heat. And to wind down, there is the simple glory of our wooden relaxation deck. It provides uninterrupted views of the camp’s salt lick and the majestic African bush.

Safari spa treatments

This is where the luxury part of Mara bushtops camps comes to glorious life. We offer a range of delights, embracing Amani signature spa treatments, luxurious body treatments, sensational journeys, massages and facials. Alongside the bliss-inducing attentions of our fully-trained spa staff, sensory perfection is achieved using Terres d’Afrique organic skincare products. These combine advanced phyto-technology with inspiration from the traditional use of African plants.