Reviews of Offbeat Mara
Wildlife sightings and reviews
44 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
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100% success
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79% success
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95% success
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24% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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100% success
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95% success
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25% success
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6% success
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6% success
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0% success
"Offbeat Mara review"
When the time came for me to leave, I was told that my vehicle was ready at 9 o'clock, although my flight was not until 11 o'clock and the airstrip was only a little under an hours drive away. When I got to the airstrip, it became apparent that the reason for my early departure was that the vehicle was meeting an incoming flight with incoming guests. But it meant that I had to wait around at the airstrip for a good 45 minutes.
Against all this, the wildlife viewing was outstanding. A multitude of giraffes and Topi were often to be seen close to the camp. Sightings of lions and lionesses, sometimes, twice a day, were frequent. Watching a serval cat with two kittens for several minutes, was very special as I was watching a leopard, take her kill straight up an acacia tree and eat it at her leisure.
Breakfast every morning at about 9.30 on the banks of the Moura river watching the hippos was also a treat." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
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Buffalo
10 sightings
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Eland
3 sightings
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Elephant
10 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Hippo
10 sightings
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Leopard
2 sightings
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Lion
4 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
10 sightings
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
All the tents are canvas with standard flushing toilets and bucket showers. The bed and furniture in the tent is very comfortable and nicely finished. You can charge the batteries in the tent and there is also wi-fi in all locations. The room steward brings you your morning tea with the wake-up call and also looks after all your needs including laundry services. As with all unfenced camps, after dark you need to be escorted by a guard.
Meals are in the main area and are simple yet delicious.
The guiding is excellent. In contrast to most other camps, there is a guide and a separate driver for the car, which actually makes it better since the attention of each person is focused on their role. Benson, my guide was really amazing in how he managed to spot lions on a distant hill.
All in all, a wonderful experience. Everyone is always ready and eager to help you with all your needs." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
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
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
1 sighting
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
1 sighting
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Lion
10 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
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
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
1 sighting
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Offbeat Mara Review"
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
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Buffalo
7 sightings
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Cheetah
1 sighting
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Eland
5 sightings
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Elephant
8 sightings
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Giraffe
5 sightings
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Hippo
4 sightings
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Lion
6 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
9 sightings
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Wildebeest
8 sightings
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Zebra
8 sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
Very good guiding and good food as well." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
"Offbeat Mara review"
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
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Aardvark
1 sighting
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Striped Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wild dog
1 sighting
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
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Buffalo
10 sightings
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Cheetah
3 sightings
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Eland
1 sighting
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Elephant
7 sightings
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Giraffe
6 sightings
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Hippo
3 sightings
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Leopard
2 sightings
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Lion
8 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
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Wildebeest
8 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
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
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Buffalo
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Hippo
Multiple sightings
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Leopard
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wild dog
1 sighting
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Offbeat Mara review"
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
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Buffalo
10 sightings
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Cheetah
6 sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
4 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Hippo
3 sightings
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Leopard
4 sightings
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Lion
10 sightings
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Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
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.