Comfortable tented camp inside Maasai Mara National Reserve offering excellent game viewing access. Spacious tents with en-suite bathrooms, traditional campfire dinners, and professional guides. Great value for authentic safari experience.
Sentrim Mara Camp is a tented safari camp positioned inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok County, Kenya, offering the significant advantage of round-the-clock reserve access without requiring daily gate passes. The camp is operated by Sentrim Hotels and Lodges, a Kenyan-owned hospitality group with properties across Kenya's major tourism destinations.
Accommodation consists of spacious canvas tents mounted on raised wooden platforms, each with en-suite bathroom facilities including hot-water showers. Tents are comfortably furnished with good-quality beds, writing desks, and private verandas from which guests can observe the surrounding bush. The camp's position inside the reserve means wildlife encounters can occur at any hour — elephants, hyenas, and lions have been reported in and around the camp perimeter at night.
The central dining area serves as the social hub of the camp. Meals are provided on a full-board or half-board basis, with buffet-style options covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring a mix of Kenyan and international dishes. Campfire gatherings in the evenings provide an atmospheric communal space where guides debrief on the day's wildlife sightings and share knowledge of the Mara ecosystem. A well-stocked bar serves soft drinks, beers, and spirits.
Sentrim operates twice-daily game drives led by experienced guides in open-sided 4WD vehicles. The camp's in-reserve location is particularly valuable during peak migration season, as vehicles can reach prime wildlife viewing zones and Mara River crossing points without queuing at the gates. Optional activities include hot air balloon safaris over the Mara plains, Maasai village visits, and guided bush walks in adjacent conservancy areas.
The property has no spa or swimming pool, keeping the focus firmly on wildlife and outdoor experiences. Sentrim Mara Camp suits mid-range travellers seeking a genuine Maasai Mara experience with better facilities than basic budget camps and a more authentic atmosphere than large resort-style properties outside the reserve boundary.
Amenities
- restaurant
- bar
- game drives
- campfire
- inside park
- full board
Location
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Narok County
-1.4900, 35.1200 View on map
Highlights
- Located inside Maasai Mara National Reserve for 24-hour wildlife access without daily gate entry fees
- Spacious canvas tents with en-suite hot-water bathrooms on raised wooden platforms with bush-facing verandas
- Twice-daily professional game drives in open 4WD vehicles with experienced Kenyan guides
- Evening campfire gatherings with guide briefings in an authentic bush setting inside the reserve
- Operated by Sentrim Hotels, a Kenyan-owned group with an established presence in the Maasai Mara
Tips for visiting
- The in-reserve location is a key advantage during migration — vehicles reach river crossings faster than camps outside the gate
- Book accommodation that includes full board as food variety and quality is significantly better with the full package
- Bring warm layers for early morning drives; temperatures inside the Mara can fall below 15°C at dawn
- The camp uses minimal bush lighting at night to avoid disturbing wildlife; bring a torch for walks between tents and the dining area
- Confirm game drive schedules on arrival — dawn departures around 6am offer the best big-cat sighting opportunities
Accessibility
The camp is set on natural bush terrain with sandy paths and raised tent platforms accessed via wooden steps. This environment presents significant challenges for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility. No formal accessibility facilities are in place.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sentrim Mara Camp inside or outside the national reserve?
The camp is located inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, giving guests direct access to all game-viewing zones within the reserve without additional gate passes during their stay.
Does the camp offer hot air balloon safaris?
Hot air balloon safaris over the Maasai Mara can be arranged through the camp at an additional cost. These typically depart at dawn and include a champagne bush breakfast on landing. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
What is the best time of year to visit?
July through October is considered peak season coinciding with the Great Wildebeest Migration. The Mara offers excellent wildlife year-round, however; February and March are good months for big cats and newborn calves with fewer visitor numbers.
How is the camp reached from Nairobi?
The camp is approximately 270 kilometres from Nairobi, a road journey of five to six hours. Charter flights from Wilson Airport to one of the Maasai Mara airstrips are also available for guests who prefer to fly.