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Mara Intrepids

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Superb Mara location
- Swimming Pool
- Mid-sized Camp
- Family tents

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Overview

Mara Intrepids is a larger 30 tent camp in the heart of the Masai Mara Reserve and a sound choice for those who want the facilities of a larger resort style property and for families who want to take advantage of the superb children’s activities.

Situated literally right next door to Ol Kiombo airstrip in the middle of the Masai Mara reserve, Mara Intrepids is one of the original properties in the main reserve, and has successfully maintained very high standards throughout. The feel here is clearly at the opposite end of the spectrum from the small owner operated camps in the Mara, with relatively fixed game drive times (0630-0800, 1030-1300 & 1530-1800), an array of charged for extra activities and a well-stocked souvenir shop.

Intrepids is very much a family friendly property, the swimming pool is clearly a huge asset, and the children’s club is excellent. The Adventurers Club is for children aged up to 12 years old and runs formally after lunch in the down time between morning and afternoon game drives. The Club is run by the resident Maasai naturalist, with activities including (but not limited to); bead making, butterfly catching, assault courses and learning how to make your own bow and arrows. If parents prefer, kids can also stay with the Club whilst they go out on game drives in the afternoon or a member of the Club team can join the game drive to help bring the experience alive for the children. We tried the Club with our 8 year old, and it was a genuine success – coming highly rated from both child and parent. However we did reflect that despite the success of the experience, if we were visiting on holiday we would prefer to stick together as a family throughout the day rather than separate. This will obviously depend on the family and how independent the kids are, but one happy coincidence regardless of whether you intend to use the Adventurer’s Club is that all the staff and guides are well used to dealing with children and are arguably better placed to bring the safari experience alive for children than your average Maasai guide.

There are two superb family tents at either end of the property, which are essentially a standard double and standard twin tent adjoined with a tented lounge area with large verandas with views of the river and frequently of the resident hippos. We’ve yet to see a bigger, better equipped family tent in Kenya, albeit in some regards it is so well equipped, you will feel like you are more in a hotel room than tent.

If you like your creature comforts, children’s activities and favour a less personal experience, then Mara Intrepids is a very good choice. Likewise, it can work well for families in combination with a stay at a more intimate smaller camp, with the pool and anonymity of a larger resort allowing the kids to let their hair down a little more. Just be aware that you won’t be getting the same very personal level of service and intimate atmosphere of a smaller camp.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • We had the most incredible time thank you. We loved Karen Blixen camp and felt part of a family there, it was incredibly special. And Breezes was very relaxing.
    We can't fault all the transfers and the moment we were greeted on the tarmac at Nairobi airport we knew we were going to be well cared for.

    Thank you so much to you and all the Tourdust team for making it such a happy and memorable trip.

    MissingZoe A reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 27 August 2019

  • We had an amazing trip. Everything was well thought out and so much fun. What a great way to truly see the country and learn the culture.

    Joseph was the perfect guide. Very kind, professional, knowledgeable and patient. The kids loved Joseph and keep asking when will they meet him again. He found the Big 5 for us which was unforgettable! Please pass along our appreciation to Joseph.

    Maji Moto was also another incredible experience. They had great customer service and we loved experiencing their culture.

    Sunbird was absolutely beautiful and I wish we had more time there. We loved the view of the lake!

    One suggestion to make the trip even better for other guests in the future would be to have a cooler with drinks and snacks in the Jeep at all times because a ton of driving is involved and it would be helpful to have a cold drink and snacks during the long trip.

    Thanks again for organizing this experience of a lifetime for us!

    MissingBrandon H reviewing Maasai Family Adventure on 12 June 2019

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