“Nyika” means “Large Plains or Great Plains,” and Mara Nyika is the perfect sister camp to Mara Plains in Kenya. It rings with the romance of the vast open plains of East Africa from a time when light canvas flapped in the light breeze across those plains as wildebeest and zebras call to each other and at twilight, “Simba,” the great lion’s roar across the Nyika.

Typical of the Maasai Mara’s ancient Nyika is the flat-topped Acacia kirkii trees. The Dereck Joubert designed guest suites take advantage of these umbrella thorn tree’s shade. While the camp is in a valley, actually straddling a small stream, the suites are set up high under the tree’s canopy to offer guests awe-inspiring views out over the bush.

Many may think of Mara Nyika as a treetop camp, with the suites' walkways to the main area giving a feel of a treehouse under canvas. However, the camp’s ethic and inspiration are still one of exploration and adventure - a sense of impermanence in this ever-changing world.

Privacy in this camp is the key to understanding it. Privacy to live, think, explore, be romantic, and be pampered – all the while with one of the most spectacular backdrops Africa can provide.

Mara Nyika, located in the private and exclusive Naboisho Conservancy, is unique because it allows guests to explore the conservancy and further afield with safari drives into the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Guest’s stay enables us to support over 500 Maasai families with a sustainable livelihood through the payment of conservation fees, which ultimately ensures the conservation of the wildlife in this vital corridor of the Maasai Mara eco-system.

Many Mara Nyika’s guests spend a few days here before extending their safari to either our Mara Expedition, Mara Toto Tree or Mara Plains Camps. Combining these camps ensures a more comprehensive wildlife experience as guests explore all three wildlife areas: the private Olare Motorogi and Naboisho Conservancies and Maasai Mara Reserve. Each wildlife experience from our camps is unique and offers different Mara faces, which is an unbelievable bonus.