Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya’s masai mara is best know for the annual wildebeest migration which is by far the greatest wildlife spectacle of the modern world. Watching it happen, one can easily see why this is the case. This truly must be the ultimate African   Kenya Safari experience.

These animals cover fast areas during the migration knowing no boundaries. From the magnificent and vast plains of the Serengeti, to the champagne colored hills of Kenya’s Masai mara over 1.5 million wildebeest are followed closely by 200,000 zebra and gazelle. Read more

Ilkeliani Camp Masai Mara

Ilkeliani camp pronounced (eel-kelly-ahni) gets it name from the maasai. The word refers to a certain age group of maasai young warriors. A young maasai warrior is first an ilkeliani before he can be a il moran.

Ilkeliani is an eco-friendly permanent luxury tented camp, centrally located in the Maasai Mara. Camp environs have been intentionally preserved so as to feel as close as possible to nature. Ilkeliani has 17 tents with each guest tent positioned on the edge of the Talek River looking out onto the Maasai Mara plains.

Guest tents are also well spaced out thereby ensuring that guests have maximum privacy. Lighting is provided by solar power and all tents are en suite with flush toilets and hot water showers 24 hours (we use a recycled by-product as fuel to keep the boilers hot).

Ilkeliani is the name given to the age group of the young Maasai warrior. The young warrior is thus an ilkeliani before he becomes the il Moran.To become a warrior is the dream of every Maasai youth; the word itself seems to convey magical powers.

A warrior must be strong, clever, courageous, confident, wise and gentle. Warriors enjoy great comradeship, sharing with one another everything from food to girl friends.

In addition to the practical services they provide for the group they live among, warriors also add an immeasurable sense of excitement, adventure, and romance; without their songs, their poetry, their flirting, their bold masculinity, Maasai life would not be the same.

Ilkeliani Experience

The Ilkeliani experience is one enjoyed entirely under canvas, and a very personal affair…
We accommodate a maximum of 30 guests at any one time. Personal attention and care is paramount to our service delivery. We offer extended game drives with the proficient help of your experienced Masai driver guide who has an intimate knowledge of the Game Reserve. The camps Resident Naturalist conducts daily nature walks along the Talek River and guests can identify different animal spoors and spot the diverse Birdlife in the camps extensive grounds . Excursions to the Masai village are encouraged to enrich ones appreciation of the Maasai Culture.
All meals are prepared by the camps chefs, offering hearty breakfasts, alfresco lunches and candle light dinners in the Mess Tent. Picnic breakfast/ Lunches are prepared if you prefer to stay out and explore the reserve all day long. A camp fire is lit from 6 pm onwards and the safari experience is shared with fellow guests while enjoying a “tusker”/drinks. Biting are served with Sundowner.