Hemingways Ol Seki Mara
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara is a tented lodge perched along a ridge in the heart of the exclusive Naboisho Conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara has a stunning location with fantastic views from the central mess areas and the accommodation tents. The camp is exclusive and has a relaxed feel – the kind of place where you can switch off, open a good book and gaze out at the views in between exhilarating game drives. The accommodation is spacious and comfortable, and the private villas are perfect for families with young children and for those looking for lots of space and privacy. Service, food and guiding are all good though we do not sell the property specifically on these factors. What is perhaps more significant is that considering the setting and exclusivity of the camp, we feel Ol Seki offers good value, and is especially perfect for honeymooners and families on a first-time safari adventure.
Rooms
Accommodation caters for around 26 guests in eight ‘Nina’ tents and two private villas. The spacious Nina tents are constructed from wood, glass and canvas, and have been designed with a contemporary feel and to meet environmental demands. Each tented unit is set on to a solid stone terrace, furnished with either twin beds or a double bed and single day bed, a standing fan and a plumbed en suite bathroom comprising an indoor and outdoor shower, bath, wash basin and toilet.
The private villas (Simba Private Villa and Chui Private Villa) are identical in design and each includes two en suite bedrooms connected internally by a communal lounge and dining area and a small plunge pool on the terrace. A private guide and vehicle is included with each villa, and private dining is also included if required.
Central Areas
The accommodation fans out on either side of the communal areas which comprise a bar, lounge and dining tent, a sun deck and a swimming pool. There is also a spa.
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. 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 Naboisho Conservancy offers relative exclusivity away from the crowds. You do sometimes still see other vehicles, but most 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 acacia woodland, and is superb for game viewing.
The conservancy is funded by a limited number of ‘tourism partners’ in cooperation with local Maasai land-owners, and this model has been shown to benefit not only the local land-owners who receive greater income and better pasture for their livestock, and the tourism partners, but also the wildlife and in particular, the predators.
Activities
The main activity at Ol Seki Hemingways is game drives through the Naboisho Conservancy by day, though a night drive is usually included during your stay. Further night drives, game drives into the official Mara Game Reserve, guided bush walks out on the open plains, bush dinners, hot air ballooning and cultural excursions to local Maasai villages are all available at extra cost.
Seasons
Ol Seki is open all year round except for the second half of April and May. Game viewing is excellent all year, with the migration usually being resident from mid-July to mid-October.
The two private villas are perfect for families with children of all ages, sleeping up to two adults and three children. The each include a private vehicle and guide and the option of private dining, offering flexibility. The Nina Tents have a day bed which can also be converted into an extra bed for a younger child.
Hemingways Collection, owners of Ol Seki, work with Watamu Marine Association to sustain Watamu Marine Park and the communities who depend upon it. One of their projects includes the collection of glass and plastic waste for the building houses. This not only lowers the cost of the home by also reducing the need for more commonly used building supplies, but helps to protect the environment by reusing what would otherwise be waste materials. They also support One Horizon who manage rescue centres for disadvantaged women and children in Nairobi. Their guests are able to visit the centres with the fees contributing to the food programmes at the centres. Hemingways Collection also donate food and visit the centres to assist with children’s classroom activities.
Another partnership is with the Community Rugby Association who operate in disadvantaged areas of Nairobi and run rugby events to give children a focus away from potential crime. Hemingways Collection provides the transport for the monthly tournaments.
Closer to Ol Seki sees guests given the opportunity to visit the nearby village of Paya where the funds go towards supporting the education of the village children. Local craftswomen sell their goods here which not only assists them financially but also help to keep their traditional skills alive.
In partnership Naboisho Conservancy, Ol Seki are involved in various conservation and community efforts to conserve the land and wildlife whilst creating sustainable livelihoods for their local communities.
