Great Plains, a leading eco-tourism company founded by National Geographic explorer-filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, has announced the forthcoming launch of Mara Toto Tree Camp. Set to open on 1st July 2024 in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the newest offering from Great Plains will form part of its exclusive Réserve-Collection safari camps.
The new Great Plains camp located within a forest canopy, Mara Toto Tree Camp will accommodate up to eight adults in four luxurious tented suites. Enjoying a stunning and secluded location overlooking the Ntiakitiak River within the 150,000-hectare Maasai Mara National Reserve with private access to the 26,000-hectare Mara North Conservancy, the romantic safari era-inspired camp provides the ultimate base for those looking to discover this region and its bountiful wildlife in style.
Explaining the vision for the new camp, Great Plains’ CEO and Founder Dereck Joubert said: “I wanted to design a camp that sits in the treetops to catch the cool breezes and off the ground, a kind of Tarzan meets Robinson Crusoe rustic designed and decorated hideaway in the Mara. It feels like a movie set from each of those references, with rare melanistic bushbabies living at the same elevation and in total acceptance of us being at their level. Right along the river’s edge and tucked into the canopy of some of the most spectacular ebony trees, its position creates a hidden haven to retire to between exciting safari drives. Leopards are often seen, and lions are heard almost every night. It is ideal for families, or small parties, explorers, adventurers and photographers who want to experience Africa the way we have for many years, just better – and now at treetop level!”
Mara Toto Tree Camp offers guests a choice of four light and airy, spacious canvas tree canopy tented suites, each with en-suite bathrooms complete with double vanity basins, copper baths and huge brass safari showers. A central lounge, dining and wine room offers ample space to unwind and enjoy fine dining following a day spent on the plains, while an outdoor seated fire area is just the spot for enjoying a sundowner and swapping stories from the day’s adventure.
Located firmly in East Africa’s big cat territory, guests of Mara Toto Tree Camp are spoilt for choice when it comes to wildlife spotting opportunities. All safari drives will seat up to four guests in a vehicle with a private guide taking place on Mara Toto Tree Camp’s two specially designed Land Cruisers. Totally open-sided – a rarity in the Mara – the 300-degree view provides ideal circumstances for photography. Guests will find high-quality binoculars and a full professional Canon camera set in their suite, with all photos taken during their adventure downloaded onto a keepsake memory stick upon departure. Photography lessons – using either the camp cameras or guests’ own – can also be arranged.
Explorers can take advantage of two migrations – the famous annual southern migration of over one million animals from the Serengeti, typically in July and August, and the green season migration from Loita Plains in the Spring, where over 100,000 zebras and wildebeest arrive from the northwest. For those in search of a true bucket-list-in-the-bush experience, there is even the chance to book a hot air balloon ride over the Mara – a truly stunning way to experience the landscape and an unforgettable sunrise.
Those in search of some post-adventure rest and relaxation can book a spoiling in-room spa treatment, the ideal way to unwind while listening to the sounds of the bush all around.
Just a few kilometers from Great Plains sister camps are Mara Plains Camp and Mara Expedition Camp. The new Mara Toto Tree Camp pairs perfectly with the Mara Nyika Camp in the private Naboisho Conservancy, as well as ol Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills for a complete Kenyan safari experience with Great Plains.
Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Mara Toto Tree Camp start from $1,445 per person per night on an all-inclusive basis.