Quiet and easy Naibor tented camp

BY KELVIN KAUME

Hidden on the banks of the Talek River, in the heart of the world-famous, wildlife-rich Masai Mara, lies a luxury tented-camp that combines contemporary style with comfort.

Naibor, the Masai word for space, whiteness and clarity, is a camp that has been designed to offer the opportunity to escape to a quiet corner of the famed Masai Mara Game Reserve.

The camp offers a standard of comfort and personal attention that brings camping into a new dimension.

Large pale canvas tents with ensuite bathrooms and spacious verandas are hidden amongst the riverine forest of the Talek River. King-size beds, wool rugs, deep-cushioned sofas and tasteful dÈcor lend an atmosphere of calm and personal space.

Meals can be taken in the main lounge dining tent, on the banks of the river at lunch, by the fire in the evening, or at a private-lit table by your own tent.

Naibor is an ideal place to honeymoon. You can indulge at the spa on the banks of the river or enjoy a good book while listening to the birdlife or watching the resident pod of hippos in the river.

Spectacular views

There is also an offshoot of the main establishment called Little Naibor. Located within the immediate vicinity of Naibor Camp, Little Naibor is made up of two spacious suites that are uniquely designed to blend in effortlessly with the surrounding riverine forest.

Each tent contains twin rooms, both ensuite, inter-joined by a communal lounge and dining area. Both of these tents have a private bar and fireplaces set up with complete privacy and spectacular views. Little Naibor can be booked and used as an exclusive private arrangement, or in conjunction with the main Naibor Camp.

Naibor is also only 20 minutes away from the world famous wildebeest crossing sites.

During a morning outing you may see antelopes, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, elephants and cheetahs. Perhaps a late afternoon drive will reward you with a sighting of leopards, lions, hyenas or even the black rhino.

Full day trips complimented with a picnic lunch can be arranged if a couple wishes to go further, particularly during migration time. You can also have breakfast in the bush or sundowners overlooking the Mara River. Hot air balloon safaris followed by a champagne breakfast can be arranged on request.

However, one of the bumps about Naibor is accessibility. The camp is accessible either by regular scheduled flights from Nairobi, Samburu, Lewa Downs and Nanyuki or by short private charter flights from Nairobi, the Mara or Amboseli. The nearest airstrip for Naibor is Ol Kiombo. The camp can also be reached by road from Nairobi using a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Once in the Mara, to avoid getting lost, inform the camp in advance of your arrival so they can direct you from whichever of the Mara gates you enter from.

Full board accommodation

Honeymooning at the Naibor depends on the timing. During the low season (June-July and October-November), the residents game package rates range from Sh14,000 per person sharing per night. During the high season the rates range from Sh18,000 per person sharing per night. A fee of Sh1,000 per person per night also has to be paid for the Mara Reserve fees.

These rates include full board accommodation; all house beverages including house wine, beer and local spirits, tea, coffee and soft drinks; guided game drives in a shared vehicle; sundowners and laundry; plus pick-up and drop off to Ol Kiombo airstrip. It excludes items of a personal nature, phone calls and beverages such as premium brand spirits, cellar wines and champagne.

The writer is a director at Panaroma Safaris.