Great Plains will welcome Mara Toto and Mara Plains, two stunning new safari camps in Kenya this summer.
The brand-new Mara Toto Camp, which is perfectly suited for families and intimate groups traveling together, will open its doors to guests on May 25, 2021. Meaning “baby” in Swahili, Mara Toto Camp will be located 2km away from big sister Mara Plains Camp, which is also scheduled to re-open on June 1, 2021, after a full refurbishment that has included the introduction of an exquisite new private honeymoon suite as well as the creation of the eagerly anticipated Mara Jahazi Suite, an exclusive-use villa that includes a private game drive vehicle, guide, butler, and chef.
Located along the Ntiakitiak River banks, on the border of the Maasai Mara Reserve, Great Plains‘ new Mara Toto Camp is hidden in the forest, offering guests privacy and wonderful game-viewing opportunities with access to both the Maasai Mara Reserve and the adjacent Mara North Private Conservancy. Accommodating up to eight guests, the intimate Mara Toto Camp (below) is perfectly suited to be hired out exclusively for small groups, couples, and families with children aged six and up. Designed by Beverly Joubert, the new camp will boast tranquil blue interiors with leather and canvas touches that create a feeling of comfort and adventure.
READ: We Explore the Masai Mara During the Rainy Season
Mara Toto Camp will consist of four canvas tents with spacious brass baths, along with a communal relaxation area, and indoor and outdoor dining options. Opening at the start of Kenya’s dry season, Mara Toto Camp will be an excellent base for budding big cat photographers with leopards, lions, and other wildlife frequently passing through camp.
Situated in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on the planet, and with unrivaled access to more than 100,000 acres of exclusive land as well as access to the 375,000 Maasai Mara Reserve, Mara Plains Camp will re-open in June with a chic new look. Located upriver from Mara Toto, the refreshed Mara Plains Camp (below) is completely elevated on high-rise decks and will now offer couples a brand-new honeymoon suite on its own peninsula island.
READ: Exciting New Itineraries in 2022 From Crystal River Cruises
The new Honeymoon Suite can only be accessed via suspension bridge offering couples their own oasis of exclusivity and privacy. Designed by Great Plains CEO and co-founder Dereck Joubert, the new honeymoon suite at Mara Plains will have large wooden Swahili doors, a spacious open-plan design, and décor by Beverly Joubert that has a colonial influence complete with wooden floors, big antique brass chandeliers from the original South African Blue Train, red-hued interiors, and fine brass furnishings, offering an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere that complements the abundant surrounding wilderness.
Mara Plains will also be introducing the eagerly anticipated Mara Plains Jahazi Suite, an impressive new private two-bedroom villa. Featuring big wooden Zanzibar doors, large teak Mahogany desks, and exquisite luxurious red-colored interiors, the spacious, exclusive open-plan residence consists of a two-bedroom suite (which can accommodate up to four adult guests sharing or a family of five comprising of two adults and three children), a shared lounge and dining area, and will include the services of a private game drive vehicle, guide, and chef.
This exceptional exclusive use villa residence has been created especially for guests seeking a five-star personal safari experience catered to their own preferences and will be ideal for groups and multi-generational travelers.
Maintaining its conservation ethos, all Great Plains properties are solar-powered, and a local sapling is planted for every guest that stays at a Great Plains Kenya camp as part of the Great Plains Foundation’s Replacement of Shade Programme; a sustainable travel initiative that aims to restore indigenous trees to Kenya’s vast landscape.
For more Safari stories click here.
Want to Stay Up to Date? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram or Sign Up for our Bi-Weekly Newsletter.