Reviews of Naboisho Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
52 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Naboisho Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Brilliant safari and great staff"
We were particularly pleased to be allocated a guide and vehicle for the whole period on an exclusive basis. Our guide (Benjamin) was excellent" See all these reviews: 4n in Rwanda; 4n in Kenya
"Wonderful Naboisho Camp"
The tents are spacious with luxury linens and plenty of storage in the dressing area. We enjoyed the twin bucket showers outside as well as as one indoors. At night we appreciated the hot water bottles tucked into our bed, as well as those in the car on the early morning game drives. The food was excellent, with a fresh and varied buffet each day for lunch. Dinner was served at a large communal table with the managers joining the guests (at all three meals). Manager Helen stocks their excellent gift shop with locally made goods.
We had good game viewing, both on our drives and on two walks with manager Roelof. Roelof gave us a rare opportunity to view a baby eagle from a vantage point on the hillside above its nest, and we also were close to zebra and hyenas on one of our walks. We had great sightings of big cats, including some very playful lion cubs and a pair of cheetah resting in the grass. The landscape was beautiful and green, and the sunsets and full moonrise were spectacular. We would return to Naboisho any time!" See all these reviews: 10n in Tanzania; 7n in Kenya
"Naboisho Camp review"
We highly respect the camp's effort to aid the community and be environmentally friendly." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
"Naboisho Camp review"
Meals were excellent especially some of the lunches and the staff made every effort to cater for any special requests.
The game viewing in this conservancy was on a par with the other reserves, with lions and their cubs, cheetah and leopard being seen. We came across a baby giraffe within a minute of it being born which was exciting to see it try to move about on four rather unconnected legs!!
We went on what we thought was a walking safari on our first afternoon but this turned out to be not much more than a 2 hour route march through the bush surrounding the camp. Having read some of the other reviews on the Expert Africa website regarding the walking safaris at this camp we do feel we were a bit short changed, but perhaps not having Roelof in camp may have something to do with that.
One other issue that I had was with the format of the Toyota Land Cruiser that this camp uses. Unfortunately they have no roof access so it is not possible to stand up in the vehicle and rest camera lenses on top as with the vehicles used in the Kicheche camps. Keen photographers might find this an issue, especially those interested in birds." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"Naboisho Camp Review"
Though our time was short--just 48 hours--it was well worth it! Both mornings we went on bush hikes (walking safaris) with Roelof starting at the crack of dawn and going for 4-5 hours. Here we saw elephants, lions, giraffe, baboons, zebras, gazelles, impala, dikdik, topi, eland, etc, all kinds of birds, etc. It was incredible to be out walking among them in their natural habitat. Roelof is a weath of knowledge, as were all the guides we met there.
The camp itself was beautiful, comfortable, and charming, as were the host and hostess. At night we could hear the lions from our tents. What a gift to stumble into this camp, these people, and this place." See all these reviews: 2n in Kenya
"Naboisho Camp review"
Roelof and Helen Schutte have really stamped their characters on the camp and have created a wonderful atmosphere there – so warm and friendly and they make yourselves so available to the guests. We were very impressed with both of them.
We absolutely loved Roelof's walking safaris – a definite ‘life highlight’ for us. He is a fabulous guide, really knows his stuff and you feel absolutely safe in his hands. We tracked elephants on most of the walks we did with him. I would also note:
- Being able to drive off road is a great bonus in the conservancy
- The fly camping: it is arranged so that it is just your group doing this. Great fun to walk in and out and Roelof barbecues a mean steak
- The night drives are a fantastic and very different experience
- The wonderful tent – very nicely decorated and spacious
- Good company at the table – we enjoyed most of the other guests
- Wonderful salads at lunchtime
- Porridge for breakfast!
- Dawa and hot towels on our return to camp
- The amazingly varied scenery at Naboisho and the sheer quantity of animals and birds
- Naboisho itself – how nice to see such a success story in action when generally the news from Arica about wildlife conservation is so negative and depressing.
Helen runs the camp and is an amazingly warm and open person." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
"High class camp in beautiful location"
Ken was sick one night and rested up the next day. Helen was most solicitous, and on the morning of the following day Ken was able to join the 3 hour morning walk without difficulty.
Our guide, Benjamin, was very knowledgeable and efficient but rather unsmiling.
Apart from a private visitor, we were the only guests the whole time at Naboisho Camp. Helen and Roelof kept us company at meals and took great care of us.
The meals at lunchtime were very good but again in the evening the meat tended to be tough." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
"Cannot fault Naboisho Camp. Superb guide."
We loved lunch under the acacia tree. All our meals were excellent. Beautiful log fires each evening. Very friendly and respectful staff seemed to anticipate our every need.
Our room was gorgeous. We loved having our beds prewarmed each night with hot water bottles. Hot showers whenever we desired.
The animals could wander through the camp, but generally only come close at night. We always felt safe even hearing the roar of lions from our room at night.
The guides were highly knowledgable and passionate about their subject. They spoke excellent English and were keen to teach us all they know. We saw all the big five and lots more." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
"Good stay at Naboisho Camp"
Not as much game as I'd expected overall and hard to persuade the guides to stop focusing on cats and show us different animals. But a good camp with great staff" See all these reviews: 3n in Tanzania; 3n in Kenya
"Great camp wonderful position bird walk great"
[Ed: In his general comments on the trip, this traveller wrote: "Naboisho Camp was good, small but everyone so friendly. Bush bird walk great. Rolloff and Roger great guides, if you could stop them arguing about the size of the spot underneath the left wing of the LBJ lark. Tent great position. Saw the Wilderbeste crossing."]" See all these reviews: 5n in Kenya
Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.
Other lodges in Maasai Mara Conservancies
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kicheche Bush Camp
Kicheche Bush Camp is a smart and intimate tented camp with a relaxed atmosphere and the perfect base in the Mara for keen photographers.
Kicheche Mara
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Kicheche Valley
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Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara is a small traditional camp that appeals to safari traditionalists, located in one of the Maasai Mara’s quiet conservancies.
Encounter Mara
Encounter Mara is located in the private Naboisho Conservancy – a game-rich area of the Mara ecosystem – and offers a contemporary take on the traditional, low-impact luxury safari camp.
Elephant Pepper Camp
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Serian
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Mara Plains Camp
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Basecamp Eagle View
Basecamp Eagle View is a community-focused safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy, with a strong emphasis on responsible tourism and a spectacular location.
Kicheche Fly Camp
Kicheche Walking Wilderness Fly Camp is a temporaray dome tent camp set up for participants in Kicheche's two-day walking safari between Kicheche Valley and Kicheche Bush Camp.
Hemingways Ol Seki
Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Saruni Wild
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Porini Lion Camp
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Offbeat Ndoto
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Basecamp Leopard Hill
With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Porini Mara Camp
Porini Mara Camp is a small, pioneering eco-camp in the first private conservancy in the Mara region, with comfortable accommodation and a range of activities.
Ngare Serian
The luxurious Ngare Serian and its sister camp Serian face each other across the Mara River on the western side of the Mara North Conservancy
Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp sits on a meander of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy, just beyond the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a classic, luxury tented camp with a 1920s safari theme, located in its own conservancy on the southeast border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Leleshwa
Leleshwa was a delightful, boutique safari camp on the picturesque banks of a tributary of the Talek, with an extensive, little visited game area on its doorstep.
Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is a luxurious permanent lodge, on the remote northern edge of the Mara North Conservancy, with stunning views, good guiding and very private and comfortable rooms.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is a strikingly modern tented camp in the Virgin Limited Edition group, in a remote part of the Mara ecosytem's Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has lovely views and all the luxuries of a five-star hotel.
Mara Nyika
Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.
Basecamp Wilderness
Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.
Mara Bushtops
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Mara Toto Tree Camp
Mara Toto Tree Camp is located on a wooded bend of the Ntiakatek River, 1km south (as the pied crow flies) from its sister camp, Mara Plains. It's the offspring of the original "Mara Toto" which was swept away in floods.
Cottars Private House
Cottar's Private House is one of the few truly luxurious, modern private houses in the Mara ecosystem, spoiling its guests with first-rate staff, a swimming pool and wonderful views.
Basecamp Mara Houses
Basecamp Mara Houses consists of three private houses located in the northernmost part of the Mara North Conservancy.
Entumoto
Entumoto is a high-end tented camp, with a swimming pool, situated in a very pretty location on the east side of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
