Kilima Camp

The classic tents at Kilima Camp are spacious and comfortable, and can accommodate up to 3 guests making them perfect for couples or small families. Polished wooden floorboards run throughout the tent, creating an atmosphere of authenticity which is enhanced by traditional colours and patterned fabrics.

Wide netted windows line the side of the tent, keeping bugs out but allowing fresh, bright air to fill the room and keeps the focus of guests on their wild surroundings. An ensuite bathroom includes a flush toilet and a walk in shower, with a private canvas screen.

The tent is softly lit, with folding doors at the end of the tent which reveal breathtaking views over the vast Kenyan wild. A private veranda is the perfect place to relax and soak in the warm rays of the sunset whilst keeping an eye out for meandering zebra or giraffe.

There are 3 deluxe tents at Kilima Camp. These tents are slightly larger and more spacious than the classic tents, making them suitable for a family of up to 5 members or honeymooning couples. Decorated in a similar style to the classic tents, the floors are polished wood creating a sense of the outside in and the large comfortable beds are covered in colourful, traditional and authentic bed linens.

A writing desk and storage chest furnishes the room, creating an authentic safari traveller atmosphere. Wide windows allow in fresh air and bright light, and folding doors reveal a stunning view which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own bed. An ensuite bathroom includes a flush toilet, double basins and a walk in shower. Guests can relax on their own private veranda which comes complete with sun loungers and comfortable deck chairs.

There are two restaurants at Kilima Camp, separated by an eye catching central bar, both restaurants can cater for buffets and they serve healthy and delicious meals, prepared with fresh vegetables and locally sourced ingredients.

Meals can be tailored for any specific dietary requirements or for children. Fine wine pairings can be found from the wine cellar or guests can grab a drink before or after dinner and relax around the fire pit under the wide starry sky.

A traditional safari bush breakfast is available at Kilima Camp. Enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast and refreshing juice drinks in the heart of the bush, immersing yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of nature. This is one of the best ways to wake up and feel connected to nature. Picnics can also be arranged for guests who want to go on a longer game drive.

In a 4×4, open sided vehicle guests can explore the Maasai Mara in comfort on a game drive. Accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced guides this is a traditional safari activity and excellent way to explore the surroundings and seeing the animals up close keeping disturbance to a minimum.

Due to the protected nature of the land guests are likely to be able to see the ‘Big Five’; elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalos and leopards. Due to the changeability of the weather and the wildlife, every game drive will be a unique experience.

For a more intimate exploration of the Maasai Mara guests can go on a walking safari through an undisturbed private concession area. Guided by an experience Maasai guide and Maasai Moran guests will be safe whilst being able to explore at a slower pace, picking up of the smaller things such as animal footprints and micro-ecosystems, which might be missed on a game drive. The Maasai guides are more than willing to teach guests about traditional uses of plants in medicines and how to use traditional Maasai weapons.

For a truly unique safari experience, explore the reserve on horseback. Become part of the nature as you trot over the plains next to giraffes or zebras. The horses are well-mannered and mild, perfect for all levels of horse riders and guests will be accompanied by a guide who will lead you through areas of abundant flora and fauna.

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience see the Maasai Mara plains and the Mara River from a birds-eye view. The best time to go is in the early morning when guests can soar silently through the air whilst the wild land is bathed in early sunshine tones. After your balloon ride, breakfast is served in the bush near your landing site in the open Mara plains.

Guests can relax and treat themselves to some self-indulgence at the spa. Offering breathtaking panoramic views over the Mara plains, guests can enjoy a variety of massages, facials or pedicures with a unique view. Two large baths can be arranged in this area, so guests can soak and enjoy the vista with a bottle of champagne, or guests can chose from a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage or aromatherapy to melt away any stress and tension.

With a local Maasai guide, guests can learn how to use a traditional Maasai spear and a Maasai bow and arrow. This is an educational and fun activity, and guests can see whether they would make a good Maasai warrior.

Enhance your safari experience by immersing yourself in the culture of the area. Guests have the opportunity to visit the Maasai Manyatta. A short stroll of about 15 minutes will lead you to the family Maasai village where you will be able to see the traditional way of Maasai life.

At the end of the visit Maasai handicraft items are for sale and the profits of these, as well as the visiting fee, goes back into the Maasai village. Guests can also visit the local Il Tolish Junior School and can help support the school by taking some pencils, school supplies or English books.

For an unforgettable experience, guests can chose to spend a night or two fly camping either on the banks of the Mara River or on the plains of the Mara Triangle. Accompanied by a diver, a chef, and Maasai warrior guests will be in safety, whilst enjoying a primeval feeling. Dinner will be served under the wide, starry sky leaving guests with unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.

Close to the Mara Triangle, Kilima Camp is helping to expand the area of preserved and unspoiled land. Finding luxury in being surrounded by an outstanding landscape and a diverse mixture of wildlife ‘conservation has always been of paramount importance to Kilima Camp.’

Awarded a Silver Medal by the Eco Society of Kenya in 2013, the 300 acre Kilima Camp Private Sanctuary was established to provide a ‘safe haven’ for the wildlife and to help preserve the untouched environment. A sanctuary fee is charged to guests to help maintain and protect the sanctuary, making it a lasting and sustainable project.

Kilima Camp prides itself not only on the conservation of the ecosystem but also ‘to the well-being of the local Maasai communities.’ A substantial annual lease fee is paid to local Maasai landowners. This fee creates an economic incentive and enables members of the local Maasai community to continue living alongside nature.

As the land surrounding the camp is fertile, the economic incentive stops the land being converted into agricultural land and protects the natural dispersal areas for the animals. Guests of Kilima Camp can visit the Manyatta – the local Maasai village – which was rebuilt with the aid of Kilima Camp. Money from the fee of visiting the manyatta goes straight back to the Maasai communities.

The camp helps to provide education, supporting the local Il Toshi Junior School, and also job opportunities and employment as most of the camp’s staff are from the local communities. Another initiative to help support the local communities is buying produce and items locally. As much food as possible is sourced locally and all the profits from items of Maasai handicraft which are sold goes back to the women who made the items.

Kilima Camp was awarded the Gold Medal from Ecotourism Kenya in 2016, making it a Gold Eco-Rated camp. To be awarded this, the camp must show use of solar energy, water conservation, show clear benefits and support to the local community and an effort to reduce the footprint of the camp by forestation and design.

Kilima Camp is the only camp in the Maasai Mara which is self-sufficient in water, with their own purpose built dams up to 12,000m³ of rainwater is collected and then purified before reaching the tents where guests can enjoy warm showers.

With a waste management scheme, hurricane lamps, candles and solar power, Kilima Camp has a minimal impact on the land they are on, protecting the ecosystems; if the camp were to ever move there would be no notable mark on the land. Since its opening, over 800 trees have been planted in a reforestation effort, to protect the trees only dead wood is used for evening fires and sundowners and gas bottles are used for cooking instead of using charcoal.