Lemek Conservancy, Maasai Mara

Saruni Wild

Overview

Timeless Mara safari

In the heart of the Maasai Mara’s iconic plains, on the border between Lemek Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy, Saruni Wild is a timeless, intimate tented camp surrounded by wilderness.

The camp itself is a classic canvas affair with just three tents, including one for families, and a communal lounge and dining mess tent. Everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Join your professional Maasai guides – proud custodians of their homeland – on exciting game drives that start as soon as you hop into the open-side Land Rover or walks straight from camp. Under vast African skies, the plains are teeming with wildlife.

Facts

At a glance

  • Two double tents

  • One family tent

  • Lounge and bar tent

  • Maasai guides

Saruni Wild 2

Experiences

  • Saruni Mara 8

    Game drives

    Hop into a specially designed Land Rover where a professional guide and tracker will seek out the Mara’s iconic wildlife. Days can be hot or cold, sunny or rainy but the wildlife of the Masai Mara is always in action. Being in a private conservancy means virtually no other traffic and the ability to go on night drives.

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    The Migration

    Millions of wildebeest and zebra thunder their way from the across the Tanzanian border from the Serengeti onto the Mara each year in what is one of the world’s great natural spectacles – the Great Migration. Usually on the Mara between August and October, game drives are especially thrilling during this period.

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    Bush walks

    On a game walk, you will feel, touch and smell the trees, the bushes, the rocks and the tracks that make this area unique. To walk with the Maasai warriors in the African bush is a fantastic experience.

Community & Culture

Saruni Wild is a founding member of the Mara North Conservancy, which provides jobs, income, training and guidance for the local Maasai people. Tourism directly supports conservation - by visiting Saruni Mara, you are directly giving back to the community who protects this beautiful land, improving their quality of life, while at the same time encouraging conservation

The Mara North Conservancy was created in a partnership between member camps and over 800 Maasai landowners. By leasing land directly from individual Maasai landowners, they have received substantial and direct income from wildlife.

More than 80% of Saruni Wild's employees are Maasai from the local communities. They are trained, employed and encouraged to rise through the ranks so that the local communities benefit directly from the lodge’s presence in the area.

Saruni also sponsors young Maasai to train as guides at the Koiyaki Guiding School, to make sure that the future generations of conservationists and safari guides come from the area.

Conservation

The lodge protects the northern corridors of the Maasai Mara ecosystem and contributes to the preservation of the Mara North and Lemek Conservancies by making wildlife preservation a financially sound alternative to raising cattle.

Footprint

Saruni Wild utilises a range of eco-friendly policies and practices. It is solar-powered, collects rainwater, uses biodegradable products, eliminates as much plastic as possible, disposes of waste responsibly and recycles. The physical footprint of the camp is very small, with tent foundations built around natural features.

What makes us different

Why Niarra

Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.

In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.

Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.

  • Unforgettable experiences

    Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.

  • Positive impact

    Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.

  • Fairness and transparency

    An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.

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