Reviews of Offbeat Mara
Wildlife sightings and reviews
38 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Offbeat Mara and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Offbeat Mara review"
Often heard lions in the distance and zebra grazing outside our porch." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
"Here we saw The Crossing and the Leopard"
Here we took a night safari, which I thought was outstanding. We also were lucky enough to see the crossing to the wildebeasts. Amazing. The leopard in the tree was awesome. Our guides were so helpful in making sure we saw these rare amimals. They really went out of their way to see that we had an exceptional experience.
One day as we arrived back at camp, there was a herd of zebras just outside our tents. Friends and family really can't believe that we were that close to the animals." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Honeymoon heaven"
The rooms were not only clean and spacious, but also stylish and comfortable. The staff were all so funny and sociable, not to mention educated in all things safari. We asked many questions and received insightful, interesting answers. Lunch and dinner with the rest of the guests (in our experience, this was between 6 - 10 other people) was an absolute joy. We met so many interesting people with such varied lives. Kyle used to be a cook and so the standard of food was incredibly high given the camp's location in the middle of the bush. Everybody would sit around telling stories and sharing experiences. There are also lots of fantastic photography books to look at, further adding to the enjoyment. It's unbelievable to think that you have seen these things in books and films and then minutes later, you're sat in a jeep staring into the eyes of a pride of lions. Breathtaking.
The drivers at Offbeat were simply unbeatable. It's as if they were orchestrating the animals themselves and we were constantly finding ourselves in the right place at the right time. At first we thought this was luck, but then it dawned on us that it was the highly expert driver (David) and his spotter that were working so hard to make sure we had the best possible time. Not only this, but they had a passion for the wildlife that rubbed off on us, teaching us about animal psychology, local whether movements or bush-craft.
We saw the Marsh Pride of Lion with young cubs, 2 Leopards; one on the way from the airport strip to our lodge and one from the hot air balloon, lions mating and 2 river crossings we were very spoilt!" See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
"Offbeat Mara"
However, organisation of the camp was a little weak when we were there. Everything was too relaxed really, so we had to shift our own luggage ( I have no problem doing this but it is kind of annoying when someone says they will bring it: we arrived after a four hour flight, keen for a shower and after ten minutes I just went to fetch the luggage myself). Power for the lights did not get switched on until an hour after dark one night. Showers were forgotten on occasion too and it was hard to find someone to sort these fairly minor issues out.
We enjoyed ourselves and the guiding was good but changing guides each time was odd (although all were good). Despite a lack of organisation on our visit, they were flexible so we did everything we wanted. However, we had a sense of being a little abandoned in comparison to the excellent service and management at Offbeat Meru." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
"East Africa Manager"
"A true safari camp"
Our guide Josephatt was a charming knowledgeable guide who did his utmost to give us the best possible view of any sighting.
A leopard at last!" See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
"Great Safari at Offbeat Mara"
Each day you decided what you wanted to do ie: full day, half day, night drive etc. The food was very good and the area is abundant with wildlife." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
"Lovely tented camp with excellent wildlife"
The food was fantastic, prepared lovingly by the Chef, and a highlight was the regular visit by a melanistic greater galago coming to steal the bread! The accommodation tents were fabulous, with a flushing toilet and warm shower (from a hanging bucket, carefully pre-ordered as you returned, dusty, from safari).
Morning safaris were preceeded by a cup of real coffee steaming outside the tent so you could wake up in luxury. However, the wildlife is what it's all about, and there is so much of it. Offbeat Mara had a pride of lions close by on Lion rock, and I was hugely priviledged to spend a long time watching two females and their cubs playing tag after gorging on a fresh kill. Even though my stay was very short (2 nights) I was able to see a leopard and cheetah every day, not even mentioning the vast herds of game we saw gathering on the banks of the Mara River in the Mara Reserve itself. Outings are in groups, obviously, so your itinerary is somewhat directed by other guests who may be fairly assertive about what they want! However, for me, the trip was utterly fantastic." See all these reviews: 2n in Kenya
"Offbeat Mara review"
There is plenty of wildlife in the rolling plains of the Mara North Conservancy, the camp was literally next to a pride of lions. Although the migration was yet to start there were a lots of wildebeest, zebras and of course topi. Our award has been the lack to see every single a leopard, one walking just in front of our vehicle. And certainly a mother cheetah with her two youngsters stalking gazelles. The drive to the migration crossing(s) at the Mara river, is a long drive from the Conservancy but worth it. The views and smells of the Mara are special enough to compensate the scarcity of wildlife at places during the long drive.
Walking has been also a great experience, among others in realising the critical balance of co-existence between the Masai and their livestock with wildlife. The grass is definitely very high this time of the year, temperatures are cool to cold during the early and evening hours, but quite hot during the day. Most important is that in the Conservancy during this time you are sparred from the masses that come about in the Reserve the coming weeks.
We did enjoy this camp and we certainly recommend for a visit to the greater Mara." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
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Other lodges in Maasai Mara Conservancies
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp is a smart and intimate tented camp with a relaxed atmosphere and the perfect base in the Mara for keen photographers.
Kicheche Mara
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Kicheche Valley
Kicheche Valley is a boutique tented camp in a wooded district of the Mara ecosystem's Naboisho Conservancy, with plenty of wildlife in the area.
Naboisho Camp
Naboisho Camp is one of the most luxurious of the handful of camps in the Naboisho Conservancy. It offers day and night game drives, game walks and full creature comforts in the bush.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Elephant Pepper Camp is a small 10-tent bush camp, put together in the traditional "campaign" style, and including a large honeymoon/family tent.
Encounter Mara
Encounter Mara is located in the private Naboisho Conservancy – a game-rich area of the Mara ecosystem – and offers a contemporary take on the traditional, low-impact luxury safari camp.
Serian
Serian is a luxury tented camp on the east bank of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy. It is the sister camp of Ngare Serian, on the west bank.
Mara Plains Camp
Mara Plains is one of the very best camps in the Mara ecosystem. Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just outside the Mara reserve, it has access to three wildlife-viewing areas.
Basecamp Eagle View
Basecamp Eagle View is a community-focused safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy, with a strong emphasis on responsible tourism and a spectacular location.
Kicheche Fly Camp
Kicheche Walking Wilderness Fly Camp is a temporaray dome tent camp set up for participants in Kicheche's two-day walking safari between Kicheche Valley and Kicheche Bush Camp.
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp is a pioneering, community focused eco-camp, with excellent guides and game viewing, in the predator-rich, Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Ol Kinyei Adventure
Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp is a satelllite of the larger Porini Mara Camp. Both of them are located in the Maasai-owned Ol Kinyei conservancy, the oldest community conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Hemingways Ol Seki
Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Saruni Wild
Saruni Wild is a rustic and traditional safari camp in the Lemek Conservancy, with just three tents and limited electricity.
Ngare Serian
The luxurious Ngare Serian and its sister camp Serian face each other across the Mara River on the western side of the Mara North Conservancy
Porini Mara Camp
Porini Mara Camp is a small, pioneering eco-camp in the first private conservancy in the Mara region, with comfortable accommodation and a range of activities.
Offbeat Ndoto
Small and intimate, Offbeat Mara is set in a valley above the (often dry) Olare Orok River within the Mara North Conservancy.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a classic, luxury tented camp with a 1920s safari theme, located in its own conservancy on the southeast border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp sits on a meander of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy, just beyond the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Basecamp Leopard Hill
With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Leleshwa
Leleshwa was a delightful, boutique safari camp on the picturesque banks of a tributary of the Talek, with an extensive, little visited game area on its doorstep.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is a strikingly modern tented camp in the Virgin Limited Edition group, in a remote part of the Mara ecosytem's Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has lovely views and all the luxuries of a five-star hotel.
Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is a luxurious permanent lodge, on the remote northern edge of the Mara North Conservancy, with stunning views, good guiding and very private and comfortable rooms.
Mara Nyika
Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.
Basecamp Wilderness
Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.
Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is a luxury safari hotel on a private concession, outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with the emphasis on comfort, relaxation and good food and wine.
Cottars Private House
Cottar's Private House is one of the few truly luxurious, modern private houses in the Mara ecosystem, spoiling its guests with first-rate staff, a swimming pool and wonderful views.
Entumoto
Entumoto is a high-end tented camp, with a swimming pool, situated in a very pretty location on the east side of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
