ELEPHANT PEPPER CAMP
A LOVELY CHARACTER OFFERING A CLASSIC SAFARI
Situated within the protected Mara North Conservancy, in the heart of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, named after the “Elephant Pepper” tree, that grows throughout camp; warburgia ugandensis. This small tented camp retains a lovely character and an authentic feel that is classic safari.
In order to preserve this special area, the camp is seasonal and closes for two months of the year.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Nine canvas tents, spaced out to ensure privacy, are comfortably furnished featuring en–suite bathrooms. From each tents verandah one can watch wildlife roam on the savannah plains.
Dining
Delicious Northern Italian cuisine and fresh baking complete the rustic luxury sensation. Using original Italian recipes passed down from the owner’s mother, Elephant Pepper Camp’s cuisine includes combination of homemade pastas and traditional Italian recipes. One of the joys of being on safari is to eat together and share daily adventures with other guests. Communal dining is the normal practice at Elephant Pepper Camp, although private romantic dinners can also be arranged on request.
MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY
The Mara North Conservancy is a non-profit organization established in 2009. The conservancy is a partnership between twelve member camps and Maasai landowners to professionally manage and protect the northwestern border of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, which represents the heart of one of the most important wildlife habitats in the world. The conservancy consists of over 30,000 hectares, 70,000 acres, effectively increasing the size of the Maasai Mara by 20%. This area is the key dispersal zone for the annual Great Migration and supports an extensive variety of species.
CONSERVATION
The owner, a passionate conservationist, created and continues to chair and manage the Mara North Conservancy – a working balance of equitable income from tourism for the local community landowners, and sustainable conservation management. The conservancy, established in 2009, provides some of the Maasai Mara ecosystem’s prime game viewing, whilst guaranteeing over 800 Maasai landowner’s stable revenue, transparent financial management and the preservation of the ancient balance between wildlife and traditional pastoralism.
Elephant Pepper Camp is one of only six camps in Kenya to have been awarded “Gold Level” Eco Rating by the internationally recognized civil society organization Eco Tourism Kenya. The camp achieves environmental best practice by leaving a minimal footprint. Almost invisible under the Elephant Pepper trees with completely removable tent structures, the camp relies entirely on solar power.
ACTIVITIES
Mara North Conservancy, is a privately managed conservancy in the core of the Maasai Mara, game driving in Mara North is restricted to those vehicles belonging to lodges within the conservancy. Elephant Pepper guests have this outstanding part of the Maasai Mara almost to themselves. Game drives or bush walks across the conservancy in the company of highly experienced local guides and wildlife rangers are on offer. Being private, yet central to the vast Maasai Mara eco-system, the Elephant Pepper guides have easy access to the reserve, zebra and wildebeest crossings, and outstanding game viewing within the conservancy.
WILDLIFE
Mare North Conservancy is one of the most densely populated wildlife areas within the Maasai Mara Ecosystem. Throughout the year great numbers of herbivores as elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles and impalas seek the area for water and gracing. Always closely followed by the big cat predators. At the foot of the Oloololo Escarpment the Mara River flows through the conservancy area with families of huge hippos and crocodiles resting lazily in the waters. In the northern corridor the scenic Lemek Hills make an important wildlife refuge, particularly to a pack of highly threatened African wild dog. There are a resident prides of lions, cheetahs, hyenas and leopard; and the famous zebra and wildebeest migration surrounding camp in the months of July to October. The vast, fertile plains boast a plethora of wildlife and over 450 bird species.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Elephant Pepper Camp has open game drive vehicles, the current fleet are new, specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – open sided with three rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Mara North is a vital birthing and maternity ground for the big cats as well as the scenic Lemek Hills, an important refuge to highly threatened African wild dogs. Professional wildlife and tourism management ensures photographers of a truly exclusive and private safari experience with a very low vehicle density. Being in a private concession means no gate times to adhere to and the possibility of going off-road if the photo opportunity requires it. This is something that cannot be done in the public areas of Maasai Mara.
