Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is a luxury tented camp located within the private Bushtops Conservancy, bordering the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The camp sits on a hillside overlooking a broad valley where wildlife frequently gathers at a natural salt lick and waterhole below the lodge. From this elevated position, guests enjoy wide views across the surrounding savannah landscapes.
Because the conservancy is privately managed, safari activities here often feel quieter and more exclusive than in the main reserve.
Landscape & Setting
The landscape surrounding Mara Bushtops consists of open savannah plains dotted with acacia trees and seasonal watercourses typical of the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem.
The camp’s elevated position provides sweeping views across the valley below, where animals often gather throughout the day. Meanwhile, the conservancy forms part of a larger wildlife corridor linking the Maasai Mara National Reserve with surrounding grazing lands.
As a result, wildlife sightings are frequent both within the conservancy and during excursions into the national reserve.
Accommodation
Mara Bushtops offers spacious luxury tents designed to combine classic safari style with modern comfort.
Accommodation includes:
- Large canvas suites with private decks
- Personal plunge pools overlooking the plains
- Freestanding bathtubs with panoramic views
- Personal butler service
- Indoor and outdoor lounge areas
Each tent is positioned to provide privacy while maintaining uninterrupted views across the savannah.
Safari Experience / Activities
Staying within a private conservancy allows a varied safari programme.
Activities may include:
• Game drives within Bushtops Conservancy
• Wildlife safaris into the Maasai Mara National Reserve
• Guided nature walks
• Cultural visits to Maasai communities
• Hot air balloon safaris over the Mara
Because conservancy rules limit the number of vehicles at wildlife sightings, the experience often feels more exclusive than in the national reserve.
Wildlife
The greater Maasai Mara ecosystem supports one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
Wildlife sightings may include:
• Lion and leopard
• Cheetah
• Elephant and buffalo
• Zebra and wildebeest
• Numerous plains antelope
During the Great Migration season, large herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the surrounding Mara landscapes.
When to Visit
Mara Bushtops can be visited throughout the year.
July – October
The Great Migration passes through the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
December – March
Warm and generally dry conditions with excellent predator sightings.
April – May / November
Greener landscapes and fewer visitors, although occasional rain may occur.
Wildlife viewing remains strong year-round.
Insider Tips
Early morning game drives often provide the best predator sightings.
Because the camp overlooks a natural salt lick, wildlife is sometimes visible directly from the lodge.
The private plunge pools also create a memorable safari experience, allowing guests to watch animals from their own deck.
Oloi Shorua Must-Do
Take a sunrise game drive across the Maasai Mara plains, when predators are still active and the early light creates exceptional wildlife photography conditions.
Oloi Shorua Recommendation
We recommend combining a stay at Mara Bushtops with a hot air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara, which offers a remarkable aerial perspective of the ecosystem at first light.
Planning Your Safari
Many journeys include:
- Masai Mara Safari Lodges
- Samburu Safari Lodges
- Amboseli Safari Lodges
- Tsavo Safari Lodges
- Kenya Coast Lodges
- Masai Mara Conservancies
- Laikipia Safari Lodges
- Mathews Range Safari Lodges
- Central Highlands
You can also explore:
At Oloi Shorua we design bespoke safari journeys that combine the finest lodges across Africa’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes. Speak with us to begin planning your safari.