Serian ‘The Original’
Serian ‘The Original’ is an exclusive tented camp located on the forested banks of the Mara River, facing the Siria Escarpment, in the Mara North Conservancy.
Serian is an exclusive ‘old school’ camp which is full of character and offers attentive personal service and a warm welcome. Owner Alex Walker is not interested in creating a manufactured luxury lodge and we like the fact he remains true to his values and promotes the safari experience and camp hospitality ahead of modern luxury. Having said this, accommodation is still very comfortable! The hospitality side of Serian is very good, with communal hosted meals and an informal social atmosphere in camp. The guiding is also great and every booking enjoys exclusive use of a vehicle and a private guide, something that can make Serian feel very good value for money. We also like the fact they offer unlimited walking, night drives, bush meals and the chance to sleep out in their Nest Treehouse.
Rooms
There are five accommodation tents at Serian, including one two bedroomed family suite which comprises two units connected by a private thatched decking/outdoor lounge area. Each tented room stands on hardwood decking with veranda to the front and is spacious with classic, slightly quirky furnishings. Each tent has a separate en suite flush toilet within the tent, as well as a private bathroom (plumbed shower and flush toilet, and all but one tent has a bath) which is located a few paces outside (at times down a few steps) and built of stone with an open front. The second bedroom of the family unit has a fully en suite bathroom. The plan is to gradually convert all the bathrooms to being fully en suite but for now the set up remains a little quirky and all adds to the feeling of being in the bush.
Central Areas
Bush pathways (rocky in places) lead to the intimate and social central areas, which are built under thatch and include a cosy lounge, dining area and spacious outdoor deck and fire pit.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – No
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – No
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 Mara North 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 is vast, stretching from the Aitong Hills all the way down to the north-western boundary of the Mara Reserve, and offers a good mix of wide open plains, rocky valleys and riverine thickets. The game viewing is superb.
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.
Serian have use of a small, private concession area to the west of the Mara River which is a walking only area and allows them total exclusivity.
Activities
The main activity at Serian is game drives through the Mara North Conservancy (by day and night), and to a lesser extent into the official Mara Game Reserve. Guided bush walks are also possible, often on the western bank of the Mara River where Serian enjoy use of a private vehicle-free concession. Walks of all durations are possible, from one hour birding walks along the river to multi-day trails across Mara North.
Fly-camping is available, either as an overnight experience or as part of a more dedicated multi-day walking trail. There is also the ‘Nest Treehouse’ which is beyond sister camp Ngare Serian on the west bank of the Mara River, where guests may spend a night out on their own in the bush. Fishing in the Mara River can break up the game drives, whilst helicopter scenic flights and hot air ballooning can be arranged via third party organisations (at an extra cost).
Seasons
Serian is open all year. Game viewing is good throughout this period, with the migration usually in residence from mid-July to mid-October.
Serian has a very owner-run feel and offers a warm atmosphere with flexibility when it comes to activities, all of which adds up to a great family option. There is no commercial brochure about a children’s program or ‘kids club’, yet the management, staff and guides will always be very accommodating towards families and children can be kept as busy and enthralled as they wish to be. There is an excellent and spacious family unit at Serian, though the lounge area linking the sleeping tents is external so may not be perfect for families with very young children. Standard tents are large enough for an extra bed or two if needed.
Serian are members of the Mara North Conservancy (MNC) whose land is leased through monthly payments to the Masaai landowners. The partnership provides the landowners with an incentive to set aside part of their land for wildlife conservation and low density tourism.
For three years Serian provided the base of the Mara Predator Project who were exploring ways to protect the remainder of Africa’s decreasing lion populations due to human and wildlife conflict. They support their efforts to ensure a healthy increase in numbers allowing lions thrive in their wild places.
Serian’s electricity mostly comes from solar power, with laundry being done by hand and the use of charcoal irons and ovens with charcoal made in the local communities. Organic waste goes into a compost pit which helps to feed the organic vegetable garden with the addition of manure from the local Maasai bomas.
