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Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp

About Sala's Camp

Sala’s Camp is a small, luxury tented camp that first opened in 2004 at the confluence of the Sand River ...

... and the Kebololoet (aka Keekorok) stream. It is located in the far south of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, near the Tanzanian border, and is thus often one of the first camps in the Mara ecosystem to greet the arriving herds of the great wildebeest migration. This area also tends to be a little quieter than other parts of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Sala's is a high-quality, luxury tented camp in a wonderful location and the team here is excellent. Although this area of the reserve is likely to be busy during the peak seasons, we would still expect it to be quieter than elsewhere. If you're looking for a very comfortable camp, with some extra levels of architecture between you and bush, then Sala's is a great choice.

Our view

Sala's is a high-quality, luxury tented camp in a wonderful location and the team here is excellent. Although this area of the reserve is likely to be busy during the peak seasons, we would still expect it to be quieter than elsewhere. If you're looking for a very comfortable camp, with some extra levels of architecture between you and bush, then Sala's is a great choice.

Jessica Plumb

Jessica Plumb

Kenya expert

Accommodation

7 tents

Children

Best for 8+

Open

1Jun to 31Oct & 1Dec–30Apr

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Hot air ballooning

Hot air ballooning

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Sala's Camp

5 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


96%
5 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
4
Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Ms M.fromLondon

Arrived 28 Jan 2024, 4 nights

"Sala's Camp review"

"Very nice and the managers...could not have been more warm and welcoming …" Read Ms M.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs B. fromArizona

Arrived 28 Jul 2022, 3 nights

"Sala's Camp review"

"Game drives were amazingly outstanding! Our tent (#6) was wonderful, spacious... …" Read Mr & Mrs B. ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs BfromLancs

Arrived 6 Feb 2022, 2 nights

"Sala's Camp review"

"lovely camp right along the riverside... Saw the most amazing wildlife here... …" Read Mr & Mrs B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms KfromChester Springs

Arrived 27 Aug 2018, 2 nights

"Great Location"

"Wonderful camp !! Elliott, the manager, was so welcoming and made us feel …" Read Ms K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs MfromFalmouth

Arrived 16 Feb 2018, 3 nights

"Didn't want to leave!"

"Such an amazing experience - saw so many animals. The service was phenomenal. …" Read Mr & Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Sala's Camp reviews

Safaris visiting Sala's Camp

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Rothschild Giraffe Safari

8 days • 3 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

A example of a luxury Kenyan safari, starting at the iconic Giraffe Manor before fabulous stays on the spectacular Solio Reserve and Sala’s Camp in a remote corner of the Maasai Mara.

Visiting Nairobi, Maasai Mara and 1 other area

US$12,650 - US$17,830 per person

Read more about the Rothschild Giraffe Safari

Sala's Camp: Our full report

Sala’s Camp is a small, luxury tented camp that first opened in 2004 at the confluence of the Sand River ...

... and the Kebololoet (aka Keekorok) stream. It is located in the far south of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, near the Tanzanian border, and is thus often one of the first camps in the Mara ecosystem to greet the arriving herds of the great wildebeest migration. This area also tends to be a little quieter than other parts of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Sala's Camp is the sister camp of Solio in Laikipia, Sasaab in Samburu and Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. If you're staying in one of the Garden Manor rooms at Giraffe Manor, then you have to be booked into one of the sister properties as well.

Although it's a relatively small camp, Sala's makes a big impression on arrival, as you sink into one of the armchairs or sofas in the stylish main lounge and dining tent or walk out onto the lawn and deck overlooking the Sand River. You'll be offered a drink and briefed about how the camp works and what to expect during your stay.

In most weather, breakfast and lunch are eaten out on the lawn or the deck above the river, either en groupe or at individual tables, depending on how many people are in camp and the composition of the parties. The river deck incorporates a fire pit where guests gather over a pre-dinner drink and solo travellers are likely to quickly make friends.

The main lounge tent has screen windows and glass doors, a bar and a tea and coffee station. It's furnished in a style that blends contemporary African with safari motifs and thoughtful comfort. Wildlife guides and Africa Travel magazines are scattered around and games are available for the rare occasions when the weather closes in.

Sala's has a small gift shop with souvenirs and local artefacts and a simple gym with a cross-trainer, rowing machine and spin-bike. You can also request massages, manicures and pedicures.

The seven tented rooms at Sala's Camp are scattered through the natural bush which can be quite thick in parts, keeping the whole camp shady and private. The glass-fronted tents are magnificent and extremely spacious, set on decks, accessed by a lockable front door, and each with its own, private plunge pool in the front deck.

The interior of each tent has a lounge area separated from the bedroom area, with the bathroom and toilet tucked away behind. Water pressure from the hot shower was excellent and the bed wonderfully comfy. All the rooms have UK-style, three-pin sockets for charging batteries.

'Tent' implies more canvas and rusticity than these rooms have, and combined with the front door and heavy, plate glass, they won't appeal to bush-seeking safari purists. However, if you're looking for comfort and lots of thoughtful detail, or you're a first-time safari goer not sure how you'll take to it, then Sala's would be a very comfortable bet.

If you're a group of four, or have a young family, then choose one of the two family tents ('Keekorok' or 'Forest'), which sleep 4 adults or 2 adults and up to 3 children.

As the camp is within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the activities at Sala's are principally safari drives. You can opt to head out for a full day with a picnic lunch or do separate morning and afternoon drives. All drives are led by experienced local Maasai guides who know the Mara ecosystem very well and are also able to escape the crowds. We had an excellent guide on our last stay here.

Depending on the season, the managers also sometimes organise activities such as volleyball, football and frisbee in when the Sand River in front of the camp is dry. Such options are rather indicative of the nature of this camp: relaxed and fun-loving as well as being a serious wildlife base.

Sala's location near the southern Mara bridge also gives you relatively quick access to the Mara Triangle portion of the reserve, on the west side of the Mara River. Most other camps are restricted to driving either in one area or the other.

Geographics

Location
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
This depends on the time of year and the individual traveller. If wildebeest are in the Mara then a stay at Sala’s of four nights is good. Outside the peak season when there is less game around, three nights would be ample.
Directions
It is roughly a 40-90-minute flight from Nairobi to Keekorok airstrip (depending on how many other airstrips you touch down at en route), then a 45-minute direct drive, or a longer game drive, to the camp.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
The food at Sala's Camp is varied and very tasty, and special dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior warning.

Breakfast is either served in camp or taken out as a picnic – depending on each guest's schedule for the day. Cereals, yogurt and fruit are followed if you like by a traditional, cooked English-style breakfast, made to order. Bush breakfasts included similar items, with modifications for easy transport.

Whether taken in camp, or out as a bush picnic, lunch is usually the same at Sala's Camp. On our recent visit we had chilled pumpkin soup served with onion focaccia. This was followed by a selection of small dishes – beef mishikake, lentil melanzane, cauliflower and bacon stacks, niçoise salad and fresh salad leaves from the camp's garden. Dessert was a delicious ice cream sundae. On another trip, we sat down to chilled tomato and tarragon soup, pulled pork mini burgers and a fragrant butternut and feta couscous with beetroot, and Chinese-style wraps. All followed by a fruits of the forest tiramisu.

Before dinner we were served bitings of boerewors and drinks around the campfire. Our starter was a very tasty asparagus and cheese filo pastry, followed by a main course of pork chops with mashed potato and vegetables, served with a peppercorn sauce. Pudding was a very rich and tasty chocolate mousse.

Dining style
Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Sala’s Camp serves early morning wake-up tea or coffee, and private meals in guests’ tents by prior arrangement. There is no room service.
Drinks included
Most drinks are included at Sala’s Camp, though Champagne and premium wines and spirits are at additional cost.

Special interests

Wildlife safaris
Sala’s Camp is one of the most southerly camps in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, making it the first to see the migrating herds heading north from the Serengeti. The surrounding open plains make this an ideal spot from which to view this great spectacle.
See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Kenya
Wellbeing
This small, luxury tented camp is located in the far south of the Maasai Mara reserve, an area which is generally quieter for game-viewing than elsewhere. Beautiful views, spacious tents, a gym and spa contribute to the camp’s pampering atmosphere.
See ideas for Wellbeing in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
Sala’s Camp is very happy to have children of all ages to stay.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
Sala’s Camp can arrange children’s meals, and the guides can do various bushcraft activities with them. There is a family tent that can accommodate up to four in two rooms.
Equipment
With some notice, Sala’s Camp can arrange cots and highchairs.
Generally recommended for children
This is a high-end camp, which nonetheless welcomes children – partly because the owners' own young family frequently visit. However it is located in quite thick, riverine bush and is unfenced, so we would recommend it for families with older, well-behaved children.
Notes
Children are of course the responsibility of their parents and should be supervised at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Sala's Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Sala's Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Cheetah

75% success

Eland

67% success

Striped Hyena

50% success

Pangolin

33% success

Wild dog

33% success

Black Rhino

25% success

Aardvark

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Solar powers the camp most of the time, with a generator as backup. All the tents have UK-style, three-pin sockets for charging batteries. The tents are also equipped with hair dryers.
Communications
There is WiFi in the main central dining area and lounge at Sala’s Camp, but not in guest tents.
TV & radio
None
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
The bathrooms at Sala's are fully plumbed-in using the camp's borehole and treatment facilities. A reverse osmosis system is used to produce pure drinking water which is provided to all guests.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The manager and guides at Sala’s Camp are first-aid trained. There is a comprehensive first-aid kit in camp and a smaller one in each of the vehicles. In case of emergency the camp has links to flying doctors in Nairobi.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
There are Maasai guards to escort guests around the camp at night.
Fire safety
Sala’s Camp has fire extinguishers in camp, and the managers practise fire drills with the team. There is a firebreak around the camp, and a fire assembly point.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Hot air ballooning

    Hot air ballooning

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Full laundry service is included in the rates, machine washed and line dried.
Money
There is a central office safe at Sala’s Camp for valuables. Currency cannot be exchanged.
Accepted payment on location
Sala’s Camp will gladly accept cash in US dollars, Kenyan shillings, British pounds and euros. They can also accept Visa credit cards with no surcharge, but Mastercard and Amex are not accepted.

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Sala's Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Sala's Camp.


Excursions from Sala's Camp

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Sala's Camp. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Balloon flight over the Mara

Balloon flight over the Mara

3 hours in total - morning only

With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.

More about Balloon Safari
96% (35 reviews)

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When to go to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Sala's Camp in Maasai Mara National Reserve


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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