Welcome to Olimba About the Camp
Olimba, meaning strength and courage in African tradition, is a small, cozy eco-bush camp perfectly set along the Talek River, at the heart of the wild and breathtaking Maasai Mara. Nestled between the thriving Mara Naboisho Conservancy and the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve, Olimba offers an unforgettable safari adventure with sustainable accommodations that connect you deeply with nature.
Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of Africa’s wildlife, where the thrill of the wild meets the comfort of an intimate, eco-friendly camp. Whether it’s witnessing the Great Migration or experiencing the magic of a Maasai-led safari, Olimba is where adventure and authenticity come alive in the world-famous Maasai Mara.
Access to the Park
Just 10 minutes from the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Olimba Mara Camp offers easy access through the Mara Simba Rangers barrier or the Sekenani main gate. Along the way, guests are treated to incredible wildlife sightings, with frequent encounters of giraffes, impalas, zebras, wildebeests, and even big game like elephants and lions before you even reach the reserve.
Solar Power
We are deeply committed to minimizing our environmental impact through eco-friendly and sustainable practices. We harness solar power both day and night to provide energy-efficient lighting and solar-heated water, ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply to all of our safari tents. By utilizing renewable energy, we offer an environmentally responsible and comfortable eco-safari experience that supports conservation efforts in the Maasai Mara.
Water Cleaning System
We sustainably source water for our toilets and showers from the nearby Talek River. The water is pumped into large storage tanks and treated with a reverse osmosis system with pre-filtration to ensure it is safe and clean for use throughout the camp. This eco-friendly approach ensures responsible water management.
Fences
Olimba Mara Camp is an unfenced, open camp, allowing wildlife to roam freely through the area at any time. To protect our reforestation project, we’ve enclosed the tree-growing area with a fence, safeguarding the young seedlings from resident elephants and hippos, who previously damaged many of the plants. Despite the camp’s open nature, it is securely guarded 24/7 by our dedicated security team, ensuring the safety of our guests while providing a true wildlife safari experience.
Animals around the Camp
Situated along the Talek River, next to a historic salt lick, Olimba Mara Camp offers guests a unique opportunity to observe diverse wildlife while enjoying meals right by the riverbank. From giraffes and elephants to impalas, banded mongoose, waterbucks, warthogs, and hippos and even a resident leopard, these incredible animals are frequent visitors, providing an unforgettable and authentic wildlife viewing experience as you dine in the heart of nature.
At Night
As dawn breaks at Olimba Mara Camp, you’ll be greeted by the roar of lions, the calls of hyenas, and, if you’re lucky, spot the footprints of the elusive leopard the next morning. No need for a wake-up call—nature provides your morning alarm with a symphony of birdsong and wildlife sounds.
This is our MAin Tent
Our main tent at Olimba Mara Camp provides a spacious and comfortable service area for our guests. Relax in the cozy lounge, enjoy delicious meals served here, or unwind with a drink from the well-stocked bar offering a variety of beverages. The tent features a large verandah perfect for relaxing outdoors, along with a beautiful garden that extends down to the river. For breakfast and lunch, when not out on a game drive, you’ll enjoy your meals and drinks by the riverbank, surrounded by the natural beauty of the camp.
This is your Guest Tent
Our six guest tents at Olimba Mara Camp accommodate up to three adults per tent, with the option of a super king-size bed, twin beds, or single beds.
Each tent is comfortably and stylishly furnished, featuring a hot water shower, flushing toilets, and eco-friendly, reusable organic soaps and lotions. Outside, you’ll find a private verandah with side tables and chairs, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings. On cooler nights, we provide a hot water bottle to keep your bed warm, ensuring a cozy and peaceful sleep.
Dinner & Bonfire
At our main tent we serve delicious three-course meals in our main tent, tailored to your dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other special diets. In the evenings, guests gather around the bonfire overlooking the Talek River for a true Maasai Mara experience.
Enjoy traditional entertainment as Maasai Warriors hum and dance around the fire, creating a vibrant atmosphere of cultural exchange. The bonfire is a place for socializing, sharing folktales, stargazing, and exchanging stories from the day’s wildlife adventures.
Reception, Lounge & Bar
Our reception is open 24/7, with no fixed check-in or check-out times, allowing you to experience the natural rhythm of the Maasai Mara without constraints.
Our lounge and bar are always open, offering a wide selection of coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, and beverages, including local specialties and premium spirits, ensuring your stay is both refreshing and indulgent. Whether you’re unwinding after a day of wildlife exploration or simply enjoying the serenity, we cater to all your preferences throughout your time at the camp.
Books & Maps
At Camp we offer a curated selection of books, maps, and field guides covering a wide range of topics. Explore the History of Kenya and Africa, Fauna & Flora, and the rich Maasai culture, along with materials on wildlife conservation. Our collection includes coffee table books and safari-related resources, with a variety suitable for both adults and children.
Jump into Our Safari Car
Meet our highly professional, silver-rated guides, who will craft a personalized safari plan tailored to your interests, from tracking the Big Five to exploring hidden corners of the Maasai Mara. Our guides will also brief you on park rules and safety measures while introducing you to camp essentials like the Maasai Shuka blanket, reusable water bottles, and field guides for an enhanced wildlife experience.
At Olimba we offer private game drives to all our guests as no one should compromise on sightings and have the most unique safari.
Our safari vehicles are designed for comfort and exceptional game viewing, with open sides for unobstructed views, low-angle photography options, pop-up roof and space for gear, making them perfect for capturing wildlife up close.
The quality of our game drives and the expertise of our guides are at the heart of your safari. Our private safaris ensure intimate wildlife encounters, all conducted with respect for the animals and their environment.
Plan your activities with your guide or camp manager to ensure a smooth, stress-free stay. Your adventure awaits!
4x4 Vehicles
At Olimba Mara Camp, our game drives are conducted in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles, designed to provide unobstructed views and enhance your wildlife viewing experience.
Drive In
Bringing your own vehicle or arriving with a tour company? No problem! We offer flexible food and accommodation-only packages, ensuring you have everything you need during your stay at Olimba.
Private Game Drives
At Olimba Mara Camp, we offer exclusive private game drives for a truly personalized safari experience. Unlike shared drives, our private safaris allow you to explore the Maasai Mara at your own pace, ensuring no compromise on wildlife sightings. Whether you’re tracking the Big Five, birdwatching, or capturing stunning landscapes, our private drives provide an intimate and unforgettable wildlife experience tailored to your interests.
Discover The Salt lick
The salt lick at Olimba Mara Camp is the only one in the area, making it a central feature and the reason the camp was built in this prime location. The minerals and water hole regularly attract a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, giraffes, wildebeests, elands, zebras, impalas, and warthogs, which in turn draw predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals.
This natural spectacle of animals gathering at the salt lick creates a constant source of excitement for our guests. For birdwatchers, the attraction is even more rewarding with sightings of species such as the lilac-breasted roller, Egyptian geese, crowned cranes, saddle-billed storks, kingfishers, weavers, and sunbirds frequently seen in and around the camp.
Precious Salt
Salt is primarily made up of sodium and chloride, but it also contains essential trace minerals that are vital for the healthy growth and development of animals. These minerals play a crucial role in maintaining proper bodily functions and overall well-being.
Animals
The saltlick attracts a large variety of wildlife. Giraffes, elephants, gazelles, warthogs, monkeys and birds are regular visitors at the saltlick.
Talek River
The Talek River is a seasonal waterway that plays a vital role in the drainage system of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. As one of the five key tributaries of the Mara River, the Talek contributes significantly to the overall health of the ecosystem. The River is also an essential corridor for the movement of wildlife, particularly during the Great Migration, when thousands of animals pass through the Maasai Mara.