Kandili Camps

We can’t say enough good things about Kandili Camp. This glamping experience was affordable (by Masai Mara standards) and exceeded our expectations. The “tents” are fixed, with full amenities of electricity, wifi, en suite hot water and shower. All tents are fully screened, with another mosquito net around the bed, though we did not experience many bugs in February. Meals were fresh, nutritious and delicious, prepared with care by one of three chefs, and served in the open air with a view of the escarpment (with a dining tent option in case of rain). All the tents face due west for beautiful sunsets, but don’t miss an optional “sundowner” walk (or ride) to another viewpoint, with drinks and nibblies served on a camp table. We happened to be the only guests during low season, so the guest to staff ratio was 1:15. Everyone was very attentive, almost to the point of excess. Had there been other guests, we would have appreciated the visual barriers located between each of the tents. Kandili sits in a 20-hectare private conservancy, set within communal conservancies adjacent to Masai Mara National Reserve. We were glad to be far from the larger towns where many lodges are located, and the drive to the government reserve revealed wildlife of its own. Our guide Dickson, along with his younger assistant Moses, are very knowledgeable, and soon realized we wanted to learn about birds and plants, not just “the Big Five.” We saw a lot, and took thousands of photographs, though with wild animals no sighting is every confirmed. We were glad to be there in low season, with fewer vehicles. Dickson took us to see a leopard, only to find at least 30 vehicles surrounding it. Apparently, it can get even more crowded in summer. Be prepared to bounce along rough roads, and remember that it might be even more crowded if the trip were easier. We regretted going to one of the more established tourist Masai villages near Talek instead of the more local option offered by Kandili. Probably it would have provided a more authentic experience. At points we could watch giraffes and elephants moving in front of the Camp tents. A team of nightwatchmen ensure everyone’s safety, insisting that they escort each guest to their tents after dark. . This glamping experience was affordable (by Masai Mara standards) and exceeded our expectations. The “tents” are fixed, with full amenities of electricity, wifi, en suite hot water and shower. All tents are fully screened, with another mosquito net around the bed, though we did not experience many bugs in February. Meals were fresh, nutritious and delicious, prepared with care by one of three chefs, and served in the open air with a view of the escarpment (with a dining tent option in case of rain). All the tents face due west for beautiful sunsets, but don’t miss an optional “sundowner” walk (or ride) to another viewpoint, with drinks and nibblies served on a camp table. We happened to be the only guests during low season, so the guest to staff ratio was 1:15. Everyone was very attentive, almost to the point of excess. Had there been other guests, we would have appreciated the visual barriers located between each of the tents. Kandili sits in a 20-hectare private conservancy, set within communal conservancies adjacent to Masai Mara National Reserve. We were glad to be far from the larger towns where many lodges are located, and the drive to the government reserve revealed wildlife of its own. Our guide Dickson, along with his younger assistant Moses, are very knowledgeable, and soon realized we wanted to learn about birds and plants, not just “the Big Five.” We saw a lot, and took thousands of photographs, though with wild animals no sighting is every confirmed. We were glad to be there in low season, with fewer vehicles. Dickson took us to see a leopard, only to find at least 30 vehicles surrounding it. Apparently, it can get even more crowded in summer. Be prepared to bounce along rough roads, and remember that it might be even more crowded if the trip were easier. We regretted going to one of the more established tourist Masai villages near Talek instead of the more local option offered by Kandili. Probably it would have provided a more authentic experience. At points we could watch giraffes and elephants moving in front of the Camp tents. A team of nightwatchmen ensure everyone’s safety, insisting that they escort each guest to their tents after dark.