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    Mara Conservancies, Kenya

    Mara Toto Camp

    Intimate seasonal camp on the Ntiakitiak River

    Mara Toto is a small seasonal camp nestled in a thick ebony grove in a small bend in the Ntiakitiak River, just a few kilometres from its sister camp, Mara Plains. The camp draws from Africa’s original explorers’ designs and will appeal to those interested in East Africa’s romantic safari era. It’s name comes from the Swahili word for “favourite child”, which is fitting considering how quickly it becomes a favourite for anyone who stays there. With just four tents that can sleep eight people, it is ideal for small groups looking for privacy in a stunning setting. The tents have plumbed-in hot and cold water for bucket-effect showers.

    To avoid the challenges the flood season brings with it, the camp stays open for the migration (dry season) from mid-May to the end of October. The camp is locally famous for its leopard residents wandering the riverbanks. One such leopard, Fig, birthed her cub beneath one of the guest tents. The team named her Toto and she is the star of Great Plains’ owners Dereck and Beverly Joubert’s National Geographic film Jade Eyed Leopard. The camp is positioned to take the best advantage of two migrations – the famous annual Serengeti migration and the green season migration from Loita Plains, an additional 50,000 wildebeest and over 100,000 zebras vying for grazing rights. Mara Toto is a place for the ardent safari-goer.

    Guests at the camp have day access to over 350,000 acres of wilderness in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and 70,000 acres of private community land in the Mara North Conservancy. The Reserve and Conservancy are renowned for the variety and density of fauna, healthy populations of the ‘big cats’, not to mention the Great Migration which congregates on the plains on both sides of the forested glade.

    Highlights

    Day access to Maasai Mara National Reserve and Mara North Conservancy

    Visits to the local school and community projects supported by Mara Toto

    Visits to traditional Maasai bomas (homesteads)

    Four tents

    Mara Toto has two Canon EOS 50D cameras with 100-400mm and wide angle macros lenses which are available to guests on a first-come-first-use basis

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your trip, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Plan your trip to Kenya

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Kenya, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Places to combine Mara Toto Camp with

    Azura Marlin Beach

    Mozambique

    Azura Marlin Beach

    Azura Marlin Beach is located on the shores of Benguerra Island in Mozambique. The resort’s ten beautifully designed villas blend local craftsmanship with contemporary elegance, creating a seamless harmony between nature and comfort. Choose from beach villas and beach villa grandes or indulge in the exclusivity of villa vista, a spacious private sanctuary featuring two separate suites, a large pool and an expansive entertainment area, ideal for families or friends travelling together. Each villa is curated for both seclusion and connection, with open-air living spaces. The soft ocean breeze drifts through private terraces, while personal plunge pools offer a secluded oasis to bask in the sun. 

    Thoughtfully designed public areas maximise sweeping views over the Indian Ocean, providing tranquil spaces to relax, dine and take in the beauty of the island. Mornings begin with freshly prepared breakfasts overlooking the water, followed by leisurely afternoons spent poolside, where the sun-drenched deck invites deep relaxation. Evenings unfold with elegant candlelit dinners beneath the starry night, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the beachfront setting. For a taste of Mozambican tradition, the lively weekly beach bbq is a guest favourite, offering an immersive experience of grilled seafood, local specialties and storytelling under the open sky.

    Two Mile Reef, one of the region’s most pristine snorkelling and diving sites, reveals an underwater world of breathtaking colour and movement, where manta rays sweep gracefully through the depths and rare marine species make their home among the corals. PADI 5-Star certified scuba diving excursions, led by expert instructors, offer a deeper glimpse into this extraordinary ecosystem, while deep-sea fishing expeditions provide the thrilling opportunity to seek out the legendary black marlin that the Bazaruto Archipelago is renowned for.

    The resort’s open-air treehouse spa provides a haven of rejuvenation, where skilled therapists use traditional African oils and balms to melt away tension.

    Wilderness Magashi Peninsula

    Rwanda

    Wilderness Magashi Peninsula

    Wilderness Magashi Peninsula is the sister property of Wilderness Magashi Camp, an exclusive retreat in the heart of Akagera National Park in Rwanda that offers an immersive safari experience. Set within a private concession on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, with the Mutumba Mountains rising in the distance, this eight-bed camp is designed for those seeking unparalleled privacy and connection to nature. Here, the vast landscapes of open plains, acacia woodlands, shimmering lakes and rolling grasslands form the backdrop to extraordinary wildlife encounters. Akagera is a conservation success story, home to one of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. Over 500 bird species fill the air with their calls, while elephants wade in the lake and hippos bask along its banks.

    The camp comprises a stunning four-bed villa and two twin suites, each elevated to maximise the panoramic views over the lake. Private plunge pools invite moments of quiet reflection and the villa’s multi-purpose room is adaptable as a gym, office or family space. Personalised in-villa dining and a dedicated private guide transform each stay into a deeply personal journey, allowing you to explore the wilderness at your own pace. Embark on a morning game drive, glide silently through the waterways on a boating safari or set out on a guided nature walk.

    Rooted in sustainability and inspired by Rwanda’s rich culinary heritage, the menu features fresh, local ingredients. Start the day with a signature ‘rolex’ breakfast wrap, a beloved Rwandan street food specialty, and end it with a Kugisha dinner, a communal feast accompanied by traditional storytelling and song.

    As with all Wilderness camps, conservation and community engagement are at the heart of Magashi Peninsula. In partnership with the Akagera Management Company, Wilderness supports vital initiatives such as predator monitoring, invasive plant management and educational programs designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists. Magashi Peninsula builds upon this legacy, ensuring that both wildlife and local communities thrive side by side.

    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline