Overview

Hemingways Ol Seki is a luxury tented safari camp operating within the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy, positioned northeast of the main Maasai Mara National Reserve. The name "Ol Seki" derives from the sandpaper tree, symbolizing peace and harmony in Maasai culture—a philosophy reflected throughout the property's design and guest experience. Built in 2005 and acquired by the Hemingways Collection in 2011, the camp underwent comprehensive refurbishment in May 2023, modernizing facilities while maintaining its intimate, retreat-style character.

Known for: Panoramic escarpment positioning offering 270-degree views, small guest capacity (10 tents) ensuring exclusivity, and prime wildlife viewing within a private conservancy setting away from the main national reserve crowds.

Best for: Discerning travelers seeking refined safari experiences with abundant wildlife viewing, families traveling with children of all ages (accommodated in private villa suites), and guests prioritizing peaceful, scenic settings over high-volume tourist facilities.

Accommodation & Rooms

Guest accommodation consists of eight individual luxury tents plus two family villa units (Simba Suites) comprising two connected tents with shared private lounge, dining area, and kitchen. All units are 12-sided canvas structures elevated on platforms along the hillside, connected to main facilities via polished wooden walkways.

Standard Nina Tents: Spacious double-occupancy units featuring king or twin beds, en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and generously proportioned wash basins, bedside tables with lamps, clothes chests, comfortable seating areas, and private verandas with tables and chairs. Ample fly sheets protect against insects while substantial rugs provide floor warmth. Rates from USD $650 per person per night (based on two people sharing), exclusive of Conservancy Fees charged separately.

Simba Suite (Family Villa): Purpose-designed private villa accommodating families with complete separation of younger guests from other camp visitors, enabling no age restrictions for children. Includes dedicated private lounge, dining space, and kitchen facilities alongside two connected tent bedrooms, ensuring family privacy and security.

Dining & Cuisine

All-inclusive meal service features early morning tea and coffee, full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea service, and multi-course dinner. Dining areas feature paraffin lanterns and candlelight ambiance overlooking the private watering hole where plains game congregate for evening water access. Alcoholic and soft beverages are included (excluding premium drinks and champagne).

Special dining experiences include shared bush breakfast (weather permitting, typically following early morning game drives) and campfire-side storytelling by Maasai warriors. The camp accommodates dietary requirements with advance notice. Meals are served in intimate guest areas designed around panoramic views of the Koyaki plains and wildlife activity.

Wildlife & Activities

Located within Naboisho Conservancy, the camp provides access to diverse plains game including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and giraffes, though specific Big Five encounter rates depend on seasonal migration patterns. The conservancy is particularly known for cheetah sightings and abundant herbivore populations.

Included Activities: Two shared day game drives daily in Naboisho Conservancy (typically 6am-10am and 4pm-7pm), one shared night game drive per stay, guided bush walks with Maasai guides, and one bush breakfast per stay (weather dependent). Optional activities include full-day excursions into the main Maasai Mara National Reserve (with separate park fees and picnic lunch arranged in advance), and early morning hot air balloon safaris from designated launch areas (approximately 1 hour duration, followed by bush breakfast with sparkling wine).

Family Activities: Specialized young guest programming includes Maasai warrior spear throwing instruction, traditional bow and arrow making, traditional fire lighting techniques, and campfire storytelling sessions narrated by Maasai warriors.

Location & How to Get There

Hemingways Ol Seki is situated in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, approximately 10 minutes by road transfer from Ol Seki Naboisho Airstrip. The camp sits on an arrow-shaped escarpment end, providing the elevated panoramic positioning characteristic of the property.

Access Options: Daily scheduled flights serve Ol Seki Airstrip, Siana Springs, or Keekorok Airstrip from Nairobi. Private charter flights to Ol Seki Airstrip are available. Road transfer from Nairobi requires approximately 4.5 hours of driving. Return transfers to Ol Seki Naboisho airstrip are included in all rates; transfers from Keekorok/Olkiombo or within the Mara Reserve incur additional Mara Reserve Park fees and transfer charges.

Nearest Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi (approximately 250km, 4.5-hour drive or 1-hour flight to Ol Seki Naboisho Airstrip).

Best Time to Visit

The camp operates year-round except during mid-April through end of May when it closes for maintenance and facility refurbishment. Peak wildlife viewing in Naboisho Conservancy typically aligns with the broader Mara ecosystem patterns: July-October during the Great Migration (when massive wildebeest and zebra herds cross from Tanzania's Serengeti), and December-March during the dry season when wildlife concentrates around water sources.

Shoulder seasons (June and November) offer excellent game viewing with fewer visitors. The rainy season (March-May and November) transforms the landscape into lush green but may reduce game drive frequency due to road conditions. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are most productive year-round, with wildlife activity highest during cooler hours.

Conservation & Community

As a member of the Hemingways Collection portfolio, Ol Seki operates within the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy framework, which prioritizes wildlife conservation and community benefit through conservancy fee structures that support local Maasai communities and habitat protection. The property features solar-powered facilities, reducing reliance on diesel generators and minimizing environmental impact.

Community engagement includes employment of Maasai guides and warriors, cultural activity programming led by community members, and conservancy fee contributions that fund community development initiatives. The camp's location within a private conservancy (rather than the main national reserve) reflects a conservation model emphasizing habitat protection and reduced tourism pressure on sensitive ecosystems.

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