Serian’s Kimya Kimya
Serian’s Kimya Kimya is a beautiful private camp overlooking the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy.
Kimya Kimya has a gorgeous location overlooking the Mara River with the open plains of Mara North tumbling down from the east and the Siria escarpment looming in the background to the west, beyond the river. Animals often cross the river right in front of camp, especially giraffes and elephants, as there is a local salt lick they like to visit. The camp is Serian’s newest and most modern camp, with extremely comfortable tented style accommodation, though the original room closest to the river, with incredible views, does feel a bit like the ‘master suite’. Being totally private, Kimya Kimya feels like a real escape into the wild, and offers a very peaceful experience in camp. You are looked after by a friendly team and hosted by your guide, with the managers of nearby Serian ‘The Original’ also on hand. The incredible game viewing of Mara North begins the moment you depart camp, and sometimes you don’t even have to leave it! A fantastic option for couples seeking total exclusivity, friends travelling together or a private family group.
Rooms
This intimate timber and canvas bush camp is for exclusive-use bookings only and sleeps up to six guests in three rooms. The original bedroom and central dining areas are located very close to the river with superb views up the river. This is a two-storey structure built from timber and canvas, which has indoor and outdoor dining and lounge areas downstairs, and a bedroom, sink and flush loo upstairs. The views of the river from the bedroom are beautiful, and the room faces the sunrise. Downstairs to the side there is a bush bath and an outside shower overlooking the river, while to the other side set back from the river is a sandy campfire area. Beyond that are two tented rooms, built onto raised wooden decks, each with open plan en suite bathrooms behind the sleeping area (a curtain can be drawn across) including a flush loo, running water and plumbed shower. The bathroom areas are built from timber, whilst the sleeping areas have canvas and mosquito gauze walls giving a light, airy feel. The deck area has comfortable seating outside. These two rooms are set very close to each other with one room set a little further forward with more open views of the surrounding bush (perfect for a family of four).
Central Areas
Being an exclusive-use camp, the central areas are small and intimate, and located under the main bedroom. They include indoor and outdoor dining areas, a small lounge and outside campfire area.
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 Kimya Kimya 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.
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 Kimya Kimya is open all year. Game viewing is good throughout, with the migration usually in residence from mid-July to mid-October.
There is no official age restriction for staying at Kimya Kimya, which is a great option for families seeking an exclusive, private camp experience. However, there is no dedicated family tent, so it will work best when kids are old enough to sleep in their own tent, just a few metres away from their parents. The Serian environment is one of fun and flexibility, which is great for families. Kimya Kimya would be ideal for small multi-generational family groups.
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.
