Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is a luxury tented lodge with a stunning location in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy which borders the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Mahali Mzuri is a luxurious safari lodge with wonderful views out over the rocky terrain of the northern Olare Orok Conservancy. Owned and run by Virgin Limited Edition, there is definitely a slightly commercial feel to the lodge, and with 12 tents and significant facilities including a large swimming pool, it is not as small and intimate as some camps. However the lodge is well run and the nature of facilities makes it ideal for travellers specifically wanting a luxury lodge environment that is not too adventurous, while still benefitting from a great location and exclusive game-viewing.
Rooms
The 12 luxury canvas suites are set along the hillside and raised off the ground and include a comfortable bedroom, en suite bathroom (shower, bath, double vanity and separate toilet) and an outdoor sitting area with extended verandah. Two of the rooms are designed for families and have an additional sitting area which converts into an extra bedroom (only suitable for children aged 6-14 years) sharing one bathroom.
Central Areas
The central areas, also on raised decking, include a lounge and bar area, separate dining room, open air sunken lounge and fire pit. There is also a curio shop, swimming pool and spa treatment area.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Masai Mara ecosystem is one of the best game viewing areas in Africa and is especially good for viewing the big cats. Elephants, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyaena, impala, gazelles, eland, waterbuck, topi, jackal and serval are all common and seen regularly. Rhino are found in certain areas, and wild dogs are more transient visitors. The famous wildebeest and zebra migration is usually in residence from mid-July through to mid-October, though the movement of the animals is always somewhat unpredictable. The scenery of the Masai Mara is stunning with open grassland plains intersected by rivers, rocky ridges and pockets of riverine forest. Birdlife is varied and especially good around the riverine woodland areas.
Whilst the official Masai Mara Game Reserve can be busy with tourist vehicles in places, especially at river crossings in migration season, the Olare Motorogi Conservancy offers relative exclusivity away from the crowds. You do still see other vehicles, especially at predator sightings, but much of the time you will be able to explore away from other vehicles. The Conservancy offers a good mix of open plains, rocky hills and riverine thickets and is superb for game-viewing.
The conservancy, the first to be set up in the Mara ecosystem, is funded by a limited number of ‘tourism partners’ in cooperation with local Maasai landowners, and this model has been shown to benefit not only the local landowners who receive greater income and better pasture for their livestock, and the tourism partners, but also the wildlife and in particular, the predators.
Activities
Activities focus on twice daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles. Night drives are possible subject to availability. Cultural visits and hot air balloon flights are also available at an additional cost. As one of just a few camps currently operating within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, it is possible to avoid the high tourist density of the Masai Mara National Reserve itself, although if desired (especially to see river crossings), a full day safari to the reserve is offered during a stay of three nights or longer.
Seasons
Mahali Mzuri is open year round. Game viewing is superb all year round, but the migration is usually in residence from mid-July to mid-October.
The camp accepts children from two years of age and has two family tents which can accommodate children in a separate enclosed sitting room, with shared bathroom. As well as being in an exciting wildlife area, the camp has children’s books, games, a TV and DVD player and a games console for extra entertainment and so makes an excellent choice for those travelling with younger children and teenagers, looking for a very comfortable safari base with comparatively good facilities, while the team is very flexible and great at tailoring the experience to younger guests.
The Olare Motorogi (formerly the OlareOrok) Conservancy (OMC), the first to be set up in the Mara ecosystem, is funded by a limited number of ‘tourism partners’ in exchange for exclusive game viewing (there is a very low bed-density ratio within the conservancy). The Motorogi Conservancy, set to the north of the OOC was part of this initial setup but did not have any tourism partners until Mahali Mzuri opened – the two are now managed as a single entity. This model has been shown to benefit not only the local landowners, who receive greater income and better pasture for their livestock, and the tourism partners, but also the wildlife and in particular, the predators.
