Sala’s Camp

Sala’s Camp is a small, seasonal tented camp in a lovely, wooded site at the confluence of the Keekerok and Sand rivers in the south of the Masai Mara. 

Location

Sala’s is about two or three kilometres north of the Northern Corridor, one of the major arteries for the annual Great Migration. There are few camps in this corner of the Mara - only one within half an hour’s drive – so you will have the pleasure of exploring the Mara in solitude. Set along the Sand River, it has an unusually lovely setting with views across the river to the grasslands and the hills beyond.

Accommodation

Sala’s Camp has seven tents, each with double or twin beds (as desired), bedside tables with reading lamps, and bathroom with flush loo and shower, double safari basins and a shaded verandah area with deck chairs. Tents can accommodate an extra bed. The honeymoon tent is larger, with a separate sitting room, and can also be used to accommodate a family in separate, interconnected rooms. Electricity is provided at night, by batteries charged during the day, so the sounds of the bush are not drowned by the noise of a generator. 

Activities

Sala’s Camp is in the Masai Mara National Reserve, so game viewing is on morning and afternoon/early evening game drives with a guide and tracker. Vehicles are Land Cruisers with all-window bucket seats and large roof hatches to optimise sightings and photography. You can be out game-viewing all day, if you wish, and balloon safaris and village visits can be arranged. Sala’s is adjacent to a designated rhino conservation area, which the camp supports, and there is a regular exchange of information between the camp guides and trackers and the rhino rangers. Water levels permitting, a volleyball net can be put up in the Sand River for people who enjoy physical activity.

Facilities

The main tent comprises a comfortable lounge area and a large dining area with views over the Sand River towards the Serengeti. Guests tend to congregate around the campfire beside the river for a pre-dinner drink and to exchange the day’s stories. The small shop stocks safari wear and gift items. Hammocks are slung from trees along the river bank so you can read, rest or watch the plains.

Food

Lunch is a three-course affair - I had a vegetable terrine followed by fish cakes, salads and coconut banana fritters in caramel sauce – but you can take a packed lunch if you want to spend the whole day out game viewing. A typical dinner menu consists of spring rolls, beef stroganoff with rice and vegetables, and chocolate tart. The brownies and shortbread served at tea were irresistible.

Children

Children are welcome at Sala’s. If they weary of game drives, they can be looked after at camp: there is a trampoline and the Sand River is a good place for a kick-about or to learn about animal tracks and other aspects of bushcraft.