Ilkeliani Camp, Masai Mara Kenya

Ilkeliani Masai Mara Camp is found along the banks of the Talek River offering standard luxury accommodation facilities to tourists visiting the Masai Mara Nature Reserve. The camp has clear views of the River crossings of the wildebeest migration and is found near the Talek gate. It is the perfect place for tourists looking at affordable but comfortable accommodations with great views of the vast open plains of Masai Mara, animals roaming around the camp, and the River. It is an affordable camp that can easily be reached by either use of road or air transport. The nearest airstrip is the Olkiombo which is an hour away from Nairobi and from here, a safari vehicle will be waiting to drive you to the camp which takes about 25 minutes. By road, Ilkeliani camp takes 5 to 6 hours from Nairobi at 250 km. Driving will take a long but rest assured it is a scenic view and worth it.

Accommodation in Ilkeliani Mara Camp

The camp consists of 17 spacious en-suite tents that are found near the Talek River. All the tents at the camp are set up on a wooden raised platform and they come in form of singles, double rooms, and family rooms with facilities like an en-suite bathroom with solar heated water, private flush toilets, cold showers, complimentary drinking water, a private balcony where you can watch the wildlife, free toiletries, pillows and duvets, mosquito nets, wooden tables and chairs, and comfortable mattresses.

The cost of the rooms at the camp differs depending on the type of room you have chosen and the season. It can go as low as $200 during the low season and can double or triple during the peak season. The tents are almost similar to any other standard tent in a luxurious camp and its unique location ensures that there is a minimal interruption from the wildlife in the camp.

Ilkeliani camp does not have any family tents and a swimming pool but it is a great option for all types of tourists including families due to its secluded location in the central part of Masai Mara surrounded by the bush and the accommodation tents that are spacious enough to hold large families. Unlike other camps where you have to drive through the village to access the Masai Mara Reserve, Ilkeliani camp has a footbridge suspended across the Talek River which guests can use to cross into the Masai Mara where they will find safari vehicle waiting to take you around the national reserve.

Facilities at Ilkeliani Camp

Ilkeliani Mara Camp offers numerous services and facilities which include:

A bar: there is a well-stocked bar at the camp that serves different types of drinks both local and international drinks including beers, cocktails, wines, spirits, and whiskeys. Sundowners are also offered at the camp with great views of the surrounding areas.

Dining at Ilkeliani: The restaurant at the camp prepares several dishes including international (Italian and French) and African cuisines and meets all the dietary needs of all guests if communicated in advance like vegetarians and non-vegetarians among others. Three meals are served per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and can be served in the dining area or anywhere of your choice around the camp, especially on the veranda where you can view the wildlife as you enjoy your meals. There is a special bush breakfast served for those that want it and a well-trained staff is always present to make sure that you are comfortable and all your needs are made.

Services at Ilkeliani Camp: Some of the services offered at the camp include daily housekeeping, Massage services, solar energy, airport pickup and drop-offs, backup generator, comfortable clean bedding, free parking, WIFI, and laundry services.

Campfire at Ilkeliani Camp: a campfire is lit every day from 1800 hours till late in the night where guests get to enjoy drinks as they share safari stories. There is also a lounge bar that has a view deck where guests have views of the surrounding areas and the wildlife in Masai Mara.

Activities at Ilkeliani Camp

Guided nature walks
Game drives
Bird watching
Board games
Hot air balloon rides

Points to note

Late checkouts after midday will be charged $100 and $50 per adult and child respectively. In case you are planning a late checkout, we advise you to inform the management on time.

Children under the age of 5 years do not pay.

The accommodation rates at the camp do not include personal shopping, children in a tent without adults is at 75%, extra activities like hot air balloon rides at $490 per person, Bush dinners at $40, a guide at $30, cultural visits at $30 per person, all drinks, Airport transfers at $50 (this is one way) and travel insurance.

The camp offers guests an authentic African safari with the best facilities in Masai Mara. The includes in costs at the camp include guided nature walks around the camp, three meals per day, Airport transfers, accommodation, cultural visits, and two game drives per day throughout your stay.

Get up early in the morning and enjoy a game drive or guided nature walk around the camp before coming back to the camp for breakfast. Go for a game drive around the National reserve before returning to the camp for lunch or dinner. If you are planning on spending the whole day driving around the Reserve, picnic breakfast and lunch can be packed for you and your team.

Enjoy a relaxing stay in one of the comfortable tents found at the Ilkeliani camp and enjoy a luxurious experience in the national reserve. If you book from June to September, you will get to see the wildebeest migration that takes place annually. This is where millions of wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras cross the Grumeti and Mara Rivers from Serengeti into Masai Mara in Kenya following a pattern in the change in the rain patterns.

The Ilkeliani Mara Camp is open all year round although we advise that during the peak season, you book in advance to get the best services due to the high number of tourists visiting the National Reserve to witness the wildebeest migration.