Immortalised through famous tales of olden day safaris, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the richest and most diverse wildlife areas in the world. Known as the ‘spotted land’ to the Maasai, the reserve is home to a vast number of resident wildlife, as well as part of the annual phenomenon of the Great Migration. The migratory wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi join abundant elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah in the Mara. Leopard and serval are frequently encountered, while endangered black rhino can be found in the dense bush thickets. The Mara River is also famed for its enormous crocodiles, which lay in wait for the wildebeest and zebra during the excitement and drama of the migration. Six species of primates and over 450 birds add to the Mara’s incredible natural diversity.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is part of a huge conservation area that also includes the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in neighbouring Tanzania. With no fences or man-made barriers, wildlife can move freely throughout this area, constantly recreating an ageless natural cycle.

Located on a private concession leased from Maasai landlords in the western Mara, Kichwa Tembo lies directly in the path of the Great Migration.

Despite its proximity to the equator, the high altitude means that daytime temperatures in the Mara are mild (average 26°C/79°F) and nights can be fairly cool (average 12°C/54°F). Kichwa Tembo is situated along the Sabaringo River, which spills down the Oloololo escarpment and into the Mara River. The riverine forest provides refuge for unique bird and mammal species. Blue monkey and redtail monkey feed on fruits in the forest canopy, while dense reed beds are home to many frogs, birds and insects. Warthog are the only larger mammal within the area. Spectacular birds and colourful butterflies can be seen darting through the dappled forest shade. The slopes of the escarpment are sparsely wooded, with mountain reedbuck, klipspringer and rock hyrax inhabiting the rocky incline. Forest patches at higher altitude contain trees species not found in the riverine forest below and are home to small numbers of giant forest hog, red duiker, buffalo and bushbuck. The plateau formed by the escarpment is dominated by acacia woodland where giraffe, impala and zebra can be found. In addition to the migrants, the grasslands support a tremendous diversity of herbivores, with different grass types attracting different species. Antelope such as topi, kongoni and Thomson’s gazelle prefer shorter grass, while wildebeest and buffalo graze on the longer strands.

The Mara River flows from its source on the highlands of the Mau escarpment down onto the plains, where it is joined by seasonal tributaries on its journey to Lake Victoria. Thanks to its origin in such high rainfall areas, the Mara never ceases to flow, remaining the lifeline of the Masai Mara even in periods of intense drought. While large numbers of hippo make the river their home, the Mara is probably best known for the enormous Nile crocodile that inhabit its shores and form an additional obstacle for the migrating wildebeest that ford the rushing waters between July and October.
 

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp Hotel is one of our favorite camps; Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp nestles below the Oloololo Escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, affording spectacular views of the Masai Mara’s game-filled plains.

The Kichwa Tembo Hotel camp is set among the forests just below the spot where a famous scene from Out of Africa was filmed. This setting was also chosen to illustrate the motion picture's poster. Kichwa Tembo's two thatched en suite rondavels overlook the Sabaringo River, shaded by tall Fig and Ebony Trees.

Known as Kenya’s best loved safari camp, Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara Tented Camp offers a quintessential game viewing experience, with sweeping vistas of the magnificent vistas of the Masai Mara or the Sabaringo River. Kichwa Tembo is renowned for its gracious teams of Kenyan staff whose warm welcome, charming service and effortless energy delight guests from all over the world.

Kichwa Tembo Hotel Camp Accommodation
Each classic safari tent is spacious and affords total privacy. All tents are luxurious and built of stone floors and canvas. Kichwa Tembo's main living area and all the tents overlook endless, game-filledplains and are shaded by dense forest canopy. In the background, the Oloololo Escarpment stretches into the distance