Naibor Camp
Location: Naibor Camp is located on the Talek River in the heart of the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya.
Naibor enjoys one of the premier locations in the game rich Masai Mara, situated on the Talek River just 20 minutes from the nearest river crossing point of the Great Migration.
Naibor is accessible either by regular scheduled flights or private charters from Nairobi (40mins) and other parts of Kenya. The nearest and best airstrip is Ol Kiombo. The Camp can also be reached by road from Nairobi (approx 5 hrs).
Accommodation: Naibor Camp offers a supreme bush experience – a traditional bush camp offering luxurious accommodations and a supreme safari experience. Each tent is a private unit complete with a shady veranda, his & hers wash basins, en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and safari shower. Each tent is on the bank of the Talek River, nestled in a riverine forest and they are well spaced to ensure privacy and offer guests a unique view of the surrounding bush and wildlife. The tents are furnished with solid, comfortable furniture so that you have the ultimate in camping-luxury.
The whole of Naibor is 12 tents, split into 3 camps: Main Naibor (7); Little Naibor (2 x 2-bedroom); and Naibor Wilderness (3).
Main Naibor Camp
Each of the seven units are identical; they sit on the river bank and feature a covered veranda with a large inviting day bed; his and her basins; a bedroom with a very comfortable king size bed and closet (shelf and hangers); and a bathroom – the bathroom has a flushing toilet, a basin, and a safari shower (this can be filled for use as frequently as needed, which only takes a couple of minutes; they provide plenty of water as well so there is no worry that you might run out mid-wash). The canvas tents are muted bush colors and blend in with the surrounding bush. Tent 7 is the most private and usually given to honeymooners.
One of the unique features of Naibor is that every tent has a private firepit right at the edge of the river bank. It’s a great place to enjoy coffee in the morning or an Amarula in the evening while watching birds and game (which is around regularly).
Little Naibor Camp
Little Naibor consists of two massive two-bedroom tents that are ideal for families. The Little Naibor units are just steps away from main camp and guests in these tents use the main camp at Naibor and all of its facilities. These units can be thought of as part of Main Naibor just on the other side of the common areas around the river bend. However, private dining is available at these tents and if an extended family or a few couples are traveling together they can take these units and treat it as a private camp.
Each tent contains 2 double or twin rooms both en-suite with their own spacious bathrooms, inter-joined by a communal lounge and dining area. These tents have their own private bar and each also features a private firepit (similar to those of the standard tents but a much larger area).
Naibor Wilderness
Naibor Wilderness is just a short walk from Main Naibor and it consists of three spacious double tents. The tents are more rustic than Main and Little Naibor but still very well appointed. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom with safari shower, King sized bed and a covered veranda. There is a private mess tent with light soft furnishings and spectacular views. This camp has its own dedicated staff to look after guests and its own vehicle that will seat 6 people for game drives. Naibor Wilderness is ideal for parties of 6 that can take the camp and its facilities as private, but single tents at Naibor Wilderness can also be booked and used in conjunction with the main Naibor Camp and its facilities.
Main Camp: The expansive common areas that sit at the heart of camp are most impressive. The main tent is huge and consists of a bar which leads into a long dining room that can be sectioned off into smaller private dining rooms, that opens to the lounge and then ends with a lovely deck.
Each of these areas offers plenty of comfortable seating ranging from sofas, to large floor cushions and even bean bag chairs. In addition to these public areas there is a covered veranda with day beds, chairs & sofas, and a firepit with seating on an open grassy area overlooking the Talek River and the pod of resident hippos.
Meals
The food at Naibor is excellent! I would consider the cuisine to be elevated safari fare; all prepared fresh by the camp’s talented chef. The quality of the food is equaled by the level of service of the staff – the head waiter, Jon, looked after us and he is a star! Most any dietary requirements can be catered to.
Since different camps organize the day/meals differently here is a rundown of the Naibor way:
Early Morning – coffee/tea and biscuits are served at your tent when the staff comes to wake you for your morning game drive (you give your preference of beverage the night before).
Breakfast – most days you will bring a packed breakfast on game drive to maximize your time in the bush (we did this both days), however if guests prefer they can have an early breakfast at camp (with a slightly later wake up time) and then go out for game drive. The breakfast boxes were hearty, fresh, delicious and filling (it was NOT a hard-boiled egg and dry roll…).
Lunch – Lunch is served at camp in the garden (weather permitting) around 1pm. You are seated with only your party (if there are any single pax in camp the camp manager will join them). A starter (delicious soup usually) is served at your table, then you get up to serve yourself from an assortment of delicious lunch options. Dessert and coffee/tea is then served to you at your table.
Evening – upon your return from game drive the fire is lit and the bar is set up on the river bank; enjoy a cocktail and light snack prior to dinner. You can relax at the main camp or go back to your tent to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner – Dinner is served around 8pm (depending on the guests’ arrival back to camp) and guests eat at one large communal table. If there are people in camp that would prefer to dine privately the staff is happy to accommodate at no additional charge. The dinners were all plated and the food divine.
Safari
The safari is the reason people visit Africa so this is the most important part of any lodge or camp. The true test is how good your vehicles, guides, and game viewing areas are – a test that I can easily say Naibor Camp passed with flying colors!
The vehicles are as open as the rules of the Mara permit (the side flaps roll up and the top is open so you can stand in the vehicle to view game) and they are incredibly comfortable. The vehicles feature bucket seats except for the back row which is a bench seat, and there is plenty of room to stretch out and also space for storing your gear. Each vehicle has electric coolers and plugpoints for charging cameras while on game drive. The camp has 5 vehicles (3 7-seaters & 2 5-seaters) and tries to provide each party in camp with their own vehicle and guide. This is usually possible b/c many guests include the Mara as part of an overland Kenya itinerary so they do not need to use Naibor’s vehicle & guide. Our guide David is a Masai elder and it was easy to see that other guides in the reserve respected him and looked up to him while we were out on safari. He is awesome at what he does! Naibor Camp has 4 full time Masai guides and they have a small pool of freelance guides to bring in during busy season if necessary. Walking safaris are also available (outside of the reserve) at no additional cost.
I was more than pleased with the camps vehicles and guide situation so that just leaves the game viewing area. Anyone that knows anything about safaris and Africa knows that the Masai Mara is one of the premier game viewing areas in the entire world. Naibor Camp’s location within the reserve is optimal – right in the center of the reserve and situated on a river. All parts of the Mara are accessible from camp and the nearest river crossing point is only a 20 minute drive. Due to the camps location there is also a lot of game activity in and around the camp itself. The safari experience at Naibor Camp would impress a first-time visitor to Africa and a seasoned game ranger alike!
General Info
Naibor Camp (in its current location) is 7 years old.
The camp manager Markus is terrific! He is very well traveled and a great photographer – the ultimate host!
The camp is 100% solar – lights in the room are on 24/7
There is a charging station in main camp with adapters for all plugs
Wifi is available in the main camp only – signal is decent but slow if too many people are trying to use at the same time.
There is a standalone spa tent at camp that offers a full range of treatments.
Naibor Camp welcomes children 8 years of age and above.
Hot air balloon safaris & Masai cultural village visits can be arranged for guests at an additional cost.