Description
Acacia House is one of three houses owned and run by Normadic Encounters. It is a relaxed, private house, situated in a remote Ol Chorro Losoit valley within the Lemek hills, far from the tourist trail and within the Mara Conservation area. It is surrounded by exceptional wildlife and stunning views.
Acacia House works fantastically for a family or group. The living spaces dominate Acacia House beginning with a large, open-air verandah looking out over the famous Ol Chorro waterhole. This leads into an open-plan dining and seating area complete with log fire for those cooler nights in the bush. Beyond are two spacious double en-suite bedrooms and a third attic room, created specifically for younger guests. Acacia House comes with a full complement of well-trained and experienced staff at guests’ disposal. To the side of the house, raised above the waterhole, there is a pool and a barbecue area which provide a place to relax, dine and socialise between safari expeditions, particularly around sunset. This pool is shared with nearby Mara House.
Activities include game drives, either by daylight or by spotlight to catch a glimpse of those elusive nocturnal species. Walking safaris with an armed scout are also available as well as visits the Maasai villages.
Nomadic Encounters actively challenges the historical way of delivering cultural tourism. All the guides are exclusively Masai or Il Dorobo and all employees are encouraged to retain and practice the traditional Masai values such as traditional dress. In line with this the Nomadic Encounters team have helped build up and continue to support the Koiyaki guiding school.
Accommodation
Acacia House is taken on an exclusive use basis and has three bedrooms - downstairs two are spacious double en-suite bedrooms and a third attic room which suits children very well. The interior of the rooms are furnished with inviting warm colours giving them a very homely feel. However, the local artefacts are a reminder of the fabulous country you are staying in.
| Exclusive use house | There are two spacious double rooms both with en-suite bathrooms |
| Exclusive Use House | There is one twin room in the attic ideally suited to children. |
Childcare
Acacia House welcomes children of all ages. The shared swimming pool with Mara House (and a baby pool) provide plenty of safe space for children to play. Just nearby is a small school room where the hosts children are taught daily by the in house teacher Lydia. Guests are welcome to join them for as little or as much as they want allowing them some fun while the parents take a break before game driving, swimming and relaxing as a family later in the day.
Facilities
To the side of Acacia House, raised above the waterhole, there is a pool and a barbecue area which is an ideal place to take some time out in between safaris, whether you want to curl up with a book, chat with some friends or have something to eat.
Activities
From Acacia House a fully qualified safari guide and vehicle will be on hand to assist with a wide range of activities which include walking, day or night game drives and visits to local villages and trading centres. Game viewing is done both in the game reserve and in the conservancy. Guests interested in community conservation are very welcome to participate in projects, including the computer training for local villagers at the nearby Trust classroom.
When to travel
The only time to avoid Kenya is during the long rainy season in April and May. November is considered the short rainy season, however, these are less predictable and are much lighter. The best time of year to visit the Maasai Mara is during the Great Wildebeest Migration which tends to pass through the Mara between mid July to late October.
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Location and directions
Maasai Mara and Southern Kenya, Kenya
Acacia House sits in the Ol Chorro Losoit valley within the Lemek hills, far from the tourist trail and within the 70,000 acre Mara North Conservancy area, to the north od the Maasai Mara Game reserve.
How to get there
8-hour 30-minute flight from London to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. From the International Airport it's a 30-minute drive across Nairobi to Wilson Airport, where you will catch a 1-hour internal flight to the Ngerende airstrip. Guests are met on arrival and it's then a 45-minute game drive to the house.
