This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara
Offbeat Mara

Reviews of Offbeat Mara

Wildlife sightings and reviews

42 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Offbeat Mara and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Dec-2018, 18 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Offbeat Mara.
Lion

100% success

Leopard

76% success

Cheetah

100% success

Wild dog

27% success

Buffalo

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Spotted Hyena

94% success

Striped Hyena

29% success

Aardvark

7% success

Black Rhino

7% success

Pangolin

0% success

Showing 1-10 of 42
Duration
Arrival date
Mr W & Ms W + kids
NL

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 8 Aug 2024
"Offbeat Mara was the perfect camp for us. It feels like you're really in the bush with the bucket showers and everything, while still being taken care of so well. The staff was great with the kids, especially James who made every meal exciting for them. Also we enjoyed our tour of the staff area and playing soccer/volleyball with Patrick. And also, going for a short run with James across the plains in the scorching sun was an amazing experience! There was so much to do at camp!

The gamedrives here were also excellent. Our guide, Benson, was great with the kids, being willing to learn Dutch from them and sing along with their silly songs. Watching the three of them have fun in the front seat on our way back to camp is a memory we'll cherish. Aside from all the fun, we also saw a lot of great wildlife on the gamedrives.

We can't wait to return here!" See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

1 sighting

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

1 sighting

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Kelly
Pittsford NY

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 13 Jan 2024
"I wanted a bush camp experience but I’m not a very good camper. I like some creature comforts and this place fit the bill, with electricity and flush toilets. Hot water is delivered each morning to wash up and you can request hot water for a bucket shower. The tent was thoughtfully decorated and very comfortable, with both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

The property is part of the private Mara North Conservancy, which abuts the Masai Mara Reserve. There is an abundance of wildlife and fewer vehicles than in the reserve. The camp is flexible but the morning drive typically starts at 6:15 am. Breakfast is taken at ~9 am in the bush, continuing afterwards until the return back to camp at around noon. The afternoon drive usually starts at 4:30 pm, ending in sundowners in the bush before returning to camp for dinner at 8 pm.

The guides are excellent at getting guests close to exciting wildlife. The staff provides excellent service and we’re all very personable. I’m pescatarian and the chef took special care to make me delicious meals for me each night. This camp was an excellent complement to Sosian." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

1 sighting

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr G.
Winnersh

"Offbeat Mara Review"

4 nights Arrived 9 Jan 2024
"Offbeat Mara is a relatively simple, tented camp that will appeal to regular safari goers. It is well managed and has a team that are welcoming and genuinely keen to make sure you have everything you need. The camp has a very relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel very much at home.

The food was very good indeed. Lunch was normally a good variety of different salads, usually served with one hot dish. Soup was the normal starter at dinner followed by a main course of either a chicken, beef or pork dish that were tasty and full of flavour. Something different every day.

The tents were spacious and very comfortable. Bucket showers are ordered by your guide on the way back to camp and were always hot. Wi-fi and charging points have now been installed in all tents. I stayed in Tent 1 which was quite close to the camp kitchen where staff start their day soon after 4.00am. It wasn't a problem for me but, although they try to be as quiet as possible, some guests may find the proximity to the kitchen a little bothersome.

The guiding here was very good and the camp is close to the area which has most leopard sightings.

If I visit Mara North again I will certainly stay at Offbeat Mara again." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

7 sightings

Cheetah

1 sighting

Eland

5 sightings

Elephant

8 sightings

Giraffe

5 sightings

Hippo

4 sightings

Lion

6 sightings

Spotted Hyena

9 sightings

Wildebeest

8 sightings

Zebra

8 sightings

Mr BG
Newport Coast

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 22 Nov 2023
"Beautifully upgraded since the flood, they moved upscale since we were there prior to then.

Very good guiding and good food as well." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr F
Exmoor Somerset

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 14 Sep 2022
"Outstanding in every way!!!!

We have been blessed to visit Africa several times over the years and Kenya especially remains our most treasured. Returning to Offbeat camp never fails to touch the soul in every way, from arrival to departure Jennifer and the team provide a beautiful welcoming Masai community feel and transport you through an experience which touches all the senses.

Jennifer is such a personality, great hostess and organiser and credit to the camp. Her job made that much more successful because of all the other loyal colleagues who are extremely, friendly, courteous, professional, thoughtful and fun.

Simply stunning location provides great backdrop for this small, clean tented camp. Nothing is too much trouble and where the facilities are perfectly executed. Evening dining is an experience to enjoy sitting and eating with new found friends over delicious food and wine, in and around the great mess tent and outside dining area. Simply stunning!!! Great chef!! If it were not for the early mornings the relaxed fun atmosphere can so easily detain you.

We were so delighted to meet up again with David our guide and friend, whose knowledge, experience, passion and good nature encompass the very essence of this truly spectacular experience. He welcomes all to his homeland with pride. Every game drive he try’s showcasing the wild beauty of all wildlife and the fascinating interactions that occur through life and death. The reserves size facilitates greater peaceful watching with David never rushing. The journey is always so much more rewarding!! We were also privileged to have Benson with us providing his knowledge and spotting skills.

No matter the game drive or amazing walking safari we did, great care for us and the needs of the wildlife and conservation were paramount.

We are truly thankful to Jennifer, David and all the staff for the compassionate manner in organising a tree planting at the site of my wife’s mothers ashes scattering. Having taken place a few years earlier revisiting this spectacular location was deeply moving. Thank you and for the sundowners celebration with other guest afterward Amazing!!!
As always visiting offbeat Mara fulfils every expectation of a spectacular Kenyan experience.

Until the next time thank you again to all." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Aardvark

1 sighting

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Striped Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

1 sighting

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Ms S
London

"Offbeat Mara review"

3 nights Arrived 12 Jul 2022
"Offbeat was lovely. Amazing food and community feel, a lot of folks ate dinner together alongside camp management (Jennifer and Carol, who were amazing), and the Mara North reserve itself was great. The tents were very comfortable, although missing a few luxuries (no outlets for phone charging or running hot water) but nothing that wasn't fine for a few days. The staff and other guests were definitely the highlight though, it was wonderful getting to know everyone!" See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

3 sightings

Eland

1 sighting

Elephant

7 sightings

Giraffe

6 sightings

Hippo

3 sightings

Leopard

2 sightings

Lion

8 sightings

Spotted Hyena

3 sightings

Wildebeest

8 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mr & Mrs P
Banbury

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 14 Jun 2022
"Everything at Offbeat Mara was amazing, Jennifer runs a very happy ship and all the staff are very friendly and attentive.

The quality of the tent was above expectation, very roomy and clean and well serviced each day in our absence. The mess tent was a great communal area.

Food was excellent ( I especially liked Jennifer's Vegetable Lasagne but forgot to get the recipe from her!) and drinks service was great too. We totally loved our last night supper around a camp fire and under the stars.

The game drives were simply amazing and our guide, Mooli, was so friendly and knowledgeable. The conservancy was brilliant, as well as all the wild life being in a relatively small area, it was a real advantage to be able to go off the beaten track for special sitings." See all these reviews: 4n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

1 sighting

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Dr A.B
Rotherwick

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 30 Dec 2021
"Offbeat Mara is in an excellent location within Mara North Conservancy. With its own pride of lions on the doorstep (the "Offbeat Pride") plus a resident leopard mother and her two cubs, we saw fabulous game within minutes of every drive.

The team were welcoming, helpful and smiley, and the food delicious. The camp has a relaxed rustic atmosphere, it is unpretentious, small and informal, but also provided fabulous Masai entertainment on New Year's day and an exceptional private candlelit dinner in the bush for my birthday.

Best of all was our Masai guide David who was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. Within 10 minutes of collecting us from the air strip he had found a cheetah and her cub, who we then watched stalk and hunt an impala. He was incredible with the children - making them Masai spears and bows and arrows - and also found the best spots for bush breakfasts and sundowners, always surrounded by wonderful game and spectacular views.

We didn't undertake the trip to the Mara National Park as there was so much to see within Mara North - we weren't missing anything!" See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

6 sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

4 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

3 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Ms D
Ireland

"Offbeat Mara review"

3 nights Arrived 28 Dec 2021
"Very welcoming and friendly team, especially Bob, Nicolas and Eliz. Everything works smoothly, The bucket showers are ready in minutes!

The variety of wildlife in North Mara is really good: Plenty of lions sightings with the Offbeat pride on the camp doorstep.

I witnessed my first kill (on my 17th safari!), a cheetah taking a male Thomson gazelle to feed her 3 young cubs. It was spectacular!

We were also very lucky to see a pair of wild dogs and followed them for quite a while until darkness." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Cheetah

3 sightings

Eland

2 sightings

Elephant

6 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

2 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wild dog

1 sighting

Wildebeest

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

The Lins
California

"Offbeat Mara review"

4 nights Arrived 25 Dec 2021
"Incredible game drives that kept getting better with every drive! Our guides Simon and Kush were phenomenal and got us closer to spectacular animals than other drivers could. We had the most up close and incredible viewings of lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and all the animals we wanted to see. The entire staff was friendly. Tent accommodations and food were excellent! Hearing lions and hyenas while sleeping in our tent was a once in a lifetime thrill!" See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Cheetah

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Striped Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Showing 1-10 of 42
98%
42 reviews of Offbeat Mara by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
39
2
1
0
0
Filter by month

Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya

From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Other lodges in Maasai Mara Conservancies

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Kicheche Bush Camp

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.


100% (104 reviews)
Kicheche Mara

Kicheche Mara

Kicheche Mara Camp has just ten tents and a rustic and comfortable feel. It is set by a stream in a pretty area of the Mara ecosystem's Mara North Conservancy.


99% (95 reviews)
Kicheche Valley

Kicheche Valley

Kicheche Valley is a boutique tented camp in a wooded district of the Mara ecosystem's Naboisho Conservancy, with plenty of wildlife in the area.


99% (66 reviews)
Naboisho Camp

Naboisho Camp

Naboisho Camp is one of the most luxurious of the handful of camps in the Naboisho Conservancy. It offers day and night game drives, game walks and full creature comforts in the bush.


98% (49 reviews)
Encounter Mara

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.


93% (19 reviews)
Elephant Pepper Camp

Elephant Pepper Camp

Elephant Pepper Camp is a small 10-tent bush camp, put together in the traditional "campaign" style, and including a large honeymoon/family tent.


99% (17 reviews)
Serian

Serian

Serian is a luxury tented camp on the east bank of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy. It is the sister camp of Ngare Serian, on the west bank.


97% (15 reviews)
Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains is one of the very best camps in the Mara ecosystem. Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just outside the Mara reserve, it has access to three wildlife-viewing areas.


100% (13 reviews)
Kicheche Walking Wilderness

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.


96% (10 reviews)
Basecamp Eagle View

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.


96% (10 reviews)
Porini Lion Camp

Porini Lion Camp

Porini Lion Camp is a pioneering, community focused eco-camp, with excellent guides and game viewing, in the predator-rich, Olare Motorogi Conservancy.


82% (9 reviews)
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara

Hemingways Ol Seki

Magnificently located tented lodge on a bluff looking south across the Naboisho Conservancy toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


96% (9 reviews)
Saruni Wild

Saruni Wild

Saruni Wild is a rustic and traditional safari camp in the Lemek Conservancy, with just three tents and limited electricity.


96% (9 reviews)
Offbeat Ndoto

Offbeat Ndoto

Small and intimate, Offbeat Mara is set in a valley above the (often dry) Olare Orok River within the Mara North Conservancy.


100% (8 reviews)
Porini Mara Camp

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.


96% (5 reviews)
Ngare Serian

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


96% (5 reviews)
Basecamp Leopard Hill

Basecamp Leopard Hill

With six beautiful tents, Basecamp Leopard Hill is a smart safari camp in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.


100% (5 reviews)
Karen Blixen Camp

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.


92% (5 reviews)
Cottars 1920s Camp

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.


92% (5 reviews)
Leleshwa

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.


90% (2 reviews)
Mahali Mzuri

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.


100% (2 reviews)
Saruni Mara

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.


80% (1 review)
Mara Nyika

Mara Nyika

Mara Nyika is one of the newer additions to the Naboisho Conservancy and offers a luxurious and exclusive safari.


100% (1 review)
Basecamp Wilderness Camp

Basecamp Wilderness

Basecamp Wilderness Camp is a simple, traditional tented camp, set in a remote valley in the Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecoystem.


100% (1 review)
Mara Bushtops

Mara Bushtops

Mara Bushtops is a luxury safari hotel on a private concession, outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with the emphasis on comfort, relaxation and good food and wine.


No reviews yet
Mara Toto Tree Camp

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.


No reviews yet
Cottars Private House

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.


No reviews yet
Basecamp Mara Houses

Basecamp Mara Houses

Basecamp Mara Houses consists of three private houses located in the northernmost part of the Mara North Conservancy.


No reviews yet
Entumoto

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.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.
Africa