Serian’s Nkorombo Mobile
Serian’s Nkorombo Mobile is an exclusive tented camp set up in a forested location on the banks of the Mara River inside the Masai Mara National Reserve.
We absolutely love the intimacy and simplicity of this high quality tented camp, but being in the official reserve does mean that it is hard to achieve exclusivity whilst out on game drives. This is something to be aware of and for this reason we often recommend just 2 or 3 nights at Nkorombo prior to a few nights at sister camps Serian ‘The Original’ or Ngare Serian which can offer greater exclusivity and more varied activities. During the migration season (July to October), Nkorombo is perfectly placed to witness the migration and in particular is located close to several crossing points on the Mara River. Food, service, hosting and guiding is all of a high standard and the camp has a relaxed bush atmosphere. Overall, a wonderful small camp that is perfectly placed for experiencing the migration.
Rooms
Nkorombo can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests in five tents. Each tent has a view of the Mara River and is furnished with comfortable twin or double beds, bedside tables and luggage rack. To the rear of each tent is a spacious bathroom with flush toilet, safari bucket shower and wash hand basin, water for which is provided in a jug. To the fore of each tent is a verandah with safari chairs and a small table. One of the tents is a family tent which includes two en suite tents linked by an outdoor living area.
Central Areas
Central to the camp are the comfortable dining and lounge tents.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – No
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – No
Habitat & Wildlife
The Masai Mara, perhaps the world’s most famous wildlife area, lies at an elevation of around 5,500 feet and is one of the few areas left in Africa where animals can be seen in the large numbers that existed a hundred years ago. The predominantly open grassland plains are dotted with trees and thickets, and incised with forested drainage lines and a couple of rivers which flow, or hold water, throughout the year (Mara River and Talek). The drier parts of the region have a few thickets of acacia woodland and whistling thorn.
The diverse habitat enables many different species to co-exist: elephant, black rhino, Masai giraffe, Cape buffalo, eland, Burchell’s zebra, topi, Coke’s hartebeest, wildebeest, waterbuck, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, reedbuck, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena, jackal, genet, civet and serval, hippo, crocodile, baboon, vervet monkey, warthog, various mongoose species, and many more (we would be particularly interested to hear if you see roan antelope or oribi). During July to October, the Mara is home to the famous wildebeest migration which is accompanied by large numbers of zebra. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the area, including Denham’s bustard, Temminck’s courser, yellow-throated sandgrouse, Usambiro barbet, saddle-billed stork and Gabon nightjar. Some 50 of the bird species are raptors; the large martial eagle even preys on small antelope.
Activities
Being situated in the Reserve itself, game viewing is limited to day-time game drives. A private vehicle included for every booking gives you flexibility to explore at your own pace. Helicopter scenic flights and hot air ballooning are also possible (at an extra cost).
Seasons
Nkorombo is open all year round, though migration season is usually mid-July to mid-October.
The slightly adventurous and simple nature of the camp doesn’t immediately make us think of it as perfect for young children, but for families with older children the personal service and intimate atmosphere of the camp could be perfect. The game viewing from Nkorombo is superb, especially during migration season.
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.
