Naboisho Camp
Kenya
Naboisho Camp
Naboisho Conservancy,
Naboisho Conservancy Simba, Kenya
www.asiliaafrica.com/camps-lodges/naboisho-camp/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Asilia Africa
Shareholders
Investment fund
Date of Creation
N/A
Hotel General Manager
Gerard Beaton – Head of Operations: Conservation Advocate | Sustainable Tourism Leader
Third-generation Kenyan with a deep family legacy in conservation—my grandfather, Ken Beaton, was Nairobi National Park’s first game warden in 1946, and my father, Ron Beaton, pioneered the Mara conservancy model and founded Koiyaki Guide School.
After graduating from Newcastle University in 1995 (Geography, Sociology & Anthropology) and completing a 17,000km overland journey through Africa, I returned to Kenya to co-lead my family’s safari business, Rekero, with Jackson Looseyia. In 2009, we partnered with Asilia Africa, growing from a single camp and 35 staff to five properties and over 180 staff by 2016.
Now Head of Operations at Asilia, I oversee 18 camps and 6 offices across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, supporting over 750 staff. I’m also a founding director of Naboisho Conservancy, Mara North Conservancy, Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, and the Wildlife Tourism College, and a former board member of the Kenya Wildlife Trust. Passionate about conservation, community empowerment, and responsible tourism.
Hotel Positioning
5 stay luxury
Development Strategy
Naboisho Camp was created to support the formation of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, a pioneering model of community-owned conservation. The camp follows a low-impact, high-value approach, with limited guest numbers and a light environmental footprint. Designed to protect critical wildlife corridors while generating income for over 500 local landowners, it prioritises local employment, guiding mentorship, and community engagement. Rather than expanding physically, Naboisho focuses on deepening impact through exceptional guest experiences, wildlife protection, and long-term partnerships that support both people and planet.
Naboisho Camp
History & Story
Naboisho Camp was established in 2010, alongside the creation of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy in Kenya’s Greater Mara region. The conservancy was formed through a partnership with over 500 local Maasai landowners who agreed to lease their land for conservation, creating a protected area that supports both wildlife and livelihoods. Asilia Africa played a founding role, working closely with the community to establish a tourism model that would deliver consistent income while preserving vital wildlife corridors between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and surrounding areas.
From the outset, the camp’s mission has been clear: offer exceptional, low-impact safaris that directly benefit local people and support long-term conservation. Built with a light environmental footprint, Naboisho Camp blends into the landscape with its elegant canvas tents, open-plan lounge, and intimate feel. It was never designed to be flashy — instead, the focus is on space, connection, and the power of nature.
The camp quickly earned a reputation for outstanding guiding, warm hospitality, and meaningful community involvement. Many of its team members are drawn from neighbouring villages and have risen through Asilia’s training and mentorship programmes.
Today, Naboisho Camp is a trusted base for travellers seeking a more thoughtful safari experience. It continues to embody the values on which it was founded: collaboration, conservation, and a deep respect for people and place.
Date Renewal
Since opening in 2010, Naboisho Camp has been thoughtfully upgraded through a series of soft refurbishments in line with Asilia’s commitment to continuous improvement. These include refreshed interiors, updated furnishings, and enhanced guest amenities, all designed to elevate comfort while preserving the camp’s light environmental footprint. Upgrades have been carried out with care to maintain the camp’s intimate atmosphere, natural aesthetic, and strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Date added extensions
2023
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Naboisho Camp offers a deeply personal safari experience rooted in meaningful conservation and community impact. Located in the heart of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, the camp gives guests access to a landscape rich in wildlife while avoiding the crowds of the main reserve. Sightings of lion, cheetah, giraffe and elephant are common, often with no other vehicles nearby.
The camp’s intimate size and outstanding guiding team are key strengths. With just nine tents and expert Maasai guides, every experience is personal, flexible and quietly powerful. The atmosphere is warm, natural and designed for connection to nature, people and place.
Guests are often moved by the genuine hospitality of the team, many of whom come from surrounding communities. Whether it is fireside storytelling or a spontaneous bush breakfast, Naboisho’s special touch lies in the authenticity, kindness and care offered at every stage of the journey.
Location
Naboisho Camp is located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, part of Kenya’s Greater Mara Ecosystem, just north of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This privately managed conservancy is known for its rich biodiversity, wide open landscapes, and low vehicle density. The area serves as a vital corridor for wildlife movement and supports large populations of lion, cheetah, elephant and giraffe.
The nearest airstrip is Mara Ol Seki, approximately 45 minutes from camp. Scheduled flights connect easily from Nairobi and other key safari hubs.
Key sites/activities in the area
Naboisho Camp offers a wide range of activities designed to deepen connection to the land and its people. Guests can enjoy day and night game drives, guided walking safaris, and fly camping for a true sense of wilderness immersion. The conservancy is home to large lion prides, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and abundant plains game, with sightings often enjoyed in peaceful, vehicle-free surroundings.
Other experiences include cultural visits to neighbouring Maasai communities, photographic safaris using a specially equipped vehicle, and hot-air balloon safaris for a bird’s-eye view of the Mara at sunrise. The variety of activities allows each day to unfold in a way that feels personal, flexible and connected to nature.
Fun Facts
The word “Naboisho” means “coming together” in Maa, the language of the Maasai. It reflects the spirit of collaboration that led to the creation of the conservancy, with over 500 local landowners leasing their land to protect wildlife while supporting community livelihoods. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy has one of the highest lion densities in Africa, and it is not uncommon to see big cats within minutes of setting out from camp.
Children’s Corner
Naboisho Camp welcomes children aged 5 and above, making it a great choice for families with older children who are ready to engage with the bush in a meaningful way. While there is no formal children’s programme or play area, guides and staff enjoy tailoring activities such as walking safaris (minimum age 12 years), storytelling, and animal tracking to suit younger guests. The camp’s quiet setting and flexible pace allow families to spend quality time together, both on safari and back at camp. For families wanting added privacy and space, exclusive-use options are also available through Asilia’s nearby properties.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Naboisho Camp offers just nine tented suites, providing an intimate, safari experience with uninterrupted views across the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. The accommodation is designed to balance comfort, simplicity and a deep connection to nature, making the most of the camp’s wild setting without unnecessary distractions.
Room Types and Layout
The camp includes seven luxury guest tents and two family tents, all set well apart to ensure privacy and a sense of space. Each tent is positioned to take in the vast open plains, with frequent wildlife sightings possible from your verandah or even your bed.
The family tents are spacious and well suited to those travelling with children or friends. They feature two separate sleeping areas with en-suite bathrooms, allowing for both connection and privacy.
Size and Style
Each guest tent is generously sized, featuring a large bedroom area, writing desk, lounge corner, and en-suite bathroom with a hot-water safari bucket shower and flushing toilet. The canvas walls and mesh windows invite the breeze and sounds of the bush, while heavy curtains offer comfort and security when needed.
The interiors reflect a natural, understated aesthetic, using local textures, soft linens and handcrafted furniture. The design is warm and welcoming, allowing the outside world to remain the focus.
Views and Setting
Every tent looks out over the surrounding savannah and seasonal streams, with no fences separating the camp from the wildlife. Guests often wake to the sound of lions in the distance or watch giraffe and zebra wander past while enjoying morning coffee on the verandah.
Room Amenities
Each tent includes:
• Comfortable king or twin beds
• Private shaded verandah with seating
• En-suite bathroom with flushing toilet and safari bucket shower
• Solar lighting and charging station for small devices
• Robes, slippers and eco-friendly toiletries
• Drinking water and thermos with hot water
• In-room safe
Restaurants & Bars
Naboisho Camp offers a relaxed and all-inclusive dining experience, with all meals and house drinks included in the stay. There is no formal restaurant name, in keeping with the camp’s unpretentious, home-like atmosphere. Meals are served communally in the open-sided mess tent or under the stars, with private dining arranged on request.
The chef-led kitchen focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients, blending international dishes with East African flavours. Menus change daily and are tailored to guest preferences where possible.
The bar area is part of the main lounge, offering a selection of wines, beers, spirits and classic cocktails. Sundowners are a much-loved ritual, often served on a scenic ridge or by the campfire with views across the savannah.
From sunrise coffee to lantern-lit dinners, the food and drink experience at Naboisho is designed to be generous, comforting and quietly memorable.
Wellness
Wellness at Naboisho is found in the stillness of the landscape and the gentle rhythm of safari life. Guests can enjoy guided walking safaris for active exploration or find calm in quiet moments on their private verandah, watching wildlife pass by. The camp’s natural setting, fresh air, and sense of space support rest and reconnection. For those seeking a digital detox, Naboisho offers the rare chance to fully unplug and tune in to nature.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Naboisho Camp is perfectly suited for small-scale celebrations, private gatherings, and intimate corporate retreats. With nine tented suites and the option to book the camp on an exclusive-use basis, it offers a warm, personalised setting in the heart of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
The open-sided lounge and dining area can be tailored for group meals, fireside talks, or casual team sessions, with beautiful views and complete privacy. Activities such as guided safaris, walking adventures, and sundowners create unforgettable shared experiences, ideal for incentive groups or milestone occasions. Naboisho is a place where connection comes naturally, and meaningful moments unfold with ease.
Extra Notable Features
Naboisho Camp offers a safari experience centred around quiet luxury and natural connection rather than built-up facilities. Its most notable feature is the opportunity to explore the bush on foot or by vehicle with expert Maasai guides, many of whom grew up in the area. These deeply personal safaris are enriched by storytelling, tracking, and local knowledge.
Guests can also enjoy fly camping for a night under the stars, creating a rare and unforgettable wilderness experience. With no formal distractions like Wi-Fi or entertainment systems, the camp invites guests to slow down, disconnect, and fully immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the wild.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2023
Naboisho Camp was honoured with recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2023, reflecting consistently high guest satisfaction and exceptional service.
2022-2021
In 2022, Naboisho Camp received a Travellers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor, placing it among the topranked properties globally and reflecting outstanding guest satisfaction.
Number of employees
28