Budget level:
High-End
Country
Kenya
When to Go
All year
Duration
7 Nights
Safari Type
Lodge
Location
The Masai Mara
Safari Rating
This 7-night private house family safari will take you to the two of very best private Conservancies in the Greater Mara with arguably the best game viewing in the Park. Both private homes (booked out exclusively for a group) offer the old charm “Out of Africa” feel with great personal service, own private guide and vehicle, it really does feel like your own home in the wild. With a permanent spring and waterhole in front of the houses in the Mara North, the wildlife is strolling right past the front door of your private sanctuary.
Itinerary in Brief
3 Nights Acacia House
4 Nights Topi House
Your private house family safari begins with three nights at the private Acacia House, in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy. This 300 square kilometre conservancy was leased back in 2009 from 800 traditional landowners and the aim is to create a best practice, world-class conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife, and local communities.
Your last four nights stay will be at the private Topi House which is adjacent to Mara North Conservancy in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, which was etup in May 2006. The Conservancy is very well regarded for its conservation work and community involvement. The Conservancy comprises of 139 square kilometres, made up of 89 square kilometres in Olare Orok and 50 square kilometres in Motorogi. These two areas are managed as one conservancy.
This area, just north of the border with the National Reserve has some of the best game-viewing in the Mara, with plentiful predators and one of the highest densities of lions on earth. This in combination with the low visitor density, walking, off road and night driving activities which are possible here, makes this SAFARI FRANK’s favourite area in the whole of the Mara!
Bring your family to explore the real Africa with us – personal attention, guiding, accommodation and service are focused on creating a superb safari experience for the entire family.
The African bush in a private conservancy and in a private house is the finest family playground you can imagine. From Wilson Airport in Nairobi board a charter flight with the family heading on an adventure of a lifetime to the Masai Mara!
See more of the Masai Mara here.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 to 3: Acacia House, Mara North Conservancy
Touching down in the first conservancy, Mara North, game drive to Acacia House which is a private home within the northern section of the 30 000 ha Mara North Conservancy.
Combine Acacia House’s home comforts with the great wildlife expertise of the local guides and you are guaranteed an exceptional game-viewing experience in the hills, valleys, plains and rivers of the private reserve.
Acacia House accommodates six people in three double rooms, so it is ideal for couples, families and groups. Acacia House’s large open-air veranda is perfectly positioned to give you a window onto all the action at the busy Ol Chorro waterhole. Leading off from this veranda is an open-plan dining and seating area, complete with an authentic log fire. Beyond are two spacious double en-suite bedrooms and a third attic room, created specifically with children in mind.
To the side of the house, raised above the waterhole, you will find the pool (shared with nearby Mara House) and a barbecue area – the perfect place to dine and relax between safari expeditions and for evening sundowners. The house comes complete with a full complement of experienced staff members, including a chef, wildlife guide and house manager, to ensure a safari experience that delivers the very best the Mara has to offer.
Having your own private vehicle and guide is very family friendly: it allows you to set the pace of viewing experiences to suit your own needs and schedule. During bush walks, your Maasai guide will teach the children all about bush skills, including spoor and dung identification, animal tracking, beetles, bugs and birds. And when they aren’t splashing in the pool back at home, you may well find them in the kitchen baking sweet treats with the staff!
Your days will begin with an early morning wake up, followed by a quick breakfast before heading out on safari with your guide, game viewing is best done early mornings. Returning to camp for a light lunch and siesta in camp, make yourself feel at home!
Head back out on an afternoon safari which including stopping for sundowners as the African sun sets over the savannah. The sunset from the top of the hill at Acacia House is a very special experience and one of the best views over the expanse that is the Masai Mara. Returning to camp in time for a home cooked meal!
Overall a stay at Acacia House is VERY special for those seeking a private safari experience!
Day 4 to 7: Topi House, Olare Motorogi Conservancy
After breakfast, game drive to your next private house, one of the best game drives in the Mara.
Topi House is located in a small thorn-tree forest between Olare Orok Conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve, in a site carefully chosen to maximise the striking views over the National Park boundary and into the reserve beyond. From this coveted spot you enjoy unrivalled access to the eastern side of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The location of Topi House is second to none and arguably in the best game viewing and predator area in the Mara if not in Africa!
The house has three spacious en-suite bedrooms that are linked by a large veranda running along the front facade. At the far end is the living area, which is made up of an open plan sitting/dining room complete with an open log fire. Guests can also relax around a campfire near the house under the stars.
Your team will prepare all meals to the usual high standard and will cater for bush picnics or lunches out on the lawn under the shade of the acacia trees. Like Acacia and Mara Houses, Topi House is not hosted, but comes with a full complement of well-trained and experienced staff at your disposal, including a chef, professional safari guide and house manager. Together they ensure a seamlessly run and personal safari experience. The area, with its rolling hills, is also ideal for bush picnics and sundowners with a view.
For families there is just no other experience that comes close to a private house in the wild that is the Mara!
When to go
| jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec | |
| The Masai Mara |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | |
= Best
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= MixedPrice
Based on a family of four with private use of the houses on a full board basis, including return flights between Wilson Airport Nairobi and the Masai Mara.
The Accommodation
Looking for the ultimate family safari?
Contact SAFARI FRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!
