Speke’s Camp
Speke’s Camp has a shaded location in a stretch of riverine forest beside the Olare Orok River in Kenya’s renowned Masai Mara. The camp has good views of the river and the open plains beyond. Children of all ages are welcome.
Accommodation & Facilities
Speke’s Camp has eight Meru style tents, furnished in traditional East African style, with en-suite bathrooms and large comfortable beds. The camp has a spacious mess tent, although meals are often eaten outside, and drinks enjoyed by the camp fire.
For those travelling with younger children, the two family tents are a good choice. Slightly larger than the other tents, these accommodate two adults and up to three children (with the addition of an extra bed). The ‘family pod’ is ideal for those travelling with older children. This comprises two tents, one for parents with a double bed and another tent for kids that has a double and single bed. They are close together (within talking distance) and each has an en-suite bathroom.
Eating & Sleeping
As the camp is small, meal times are not set and there is flexibility for children to have separate meals. The chef is happy to discuss the children’s preference on your arrival and provide accordingly. Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior warning.
Room stewards or Askaris (night watchmen) can provide a listening service should parents wish to eat separately. There is no formal babysitting service although with a little notice, local Masai women are available to babysit – payable at a cost of around US$10 a day.
Wildlife & Activities
Activities at Speke’s Camp revolve around the prolific wildlife viewing opportunities that the Masai Mara offers, and game drives in well designed 4×4 vehicles are a highlight of a stay. The camp also arranges sundowners and picnics to add variety and fun to each day.
Specifically for children …
Each safari vehicle goes out with a guide and a Masai spotter and although there is no specific children’s programme, it tends to be the spotter who would organise activities for children. These can be visiting a village, face painting Masai style, making bow and arrows, and learning the skills required to be a Masai morani (warrior). The Masai ladies can also be invited in to show guests how to bead.