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Ol Seki Hemingways Nina Tent Kenya

Ol Seki Hemingways

Masai safari tents spread across the hillside
Masai MaraKenya· 10 Rooms · $$$

a very pretty, innovative Masai safari camp

Explore from the Simba Tent - the perfect family penthouse in the bush and witness some of the rarest animals in Kenya such as Wild Dog.

Location: Ol Seki Hemingways is set on a private conservancy called Naboisho, which borders the world-famous Maasai Mara Reserve in south-west Kenya. This is a quieter, more exclusive corner of the Mara ecosystem, where visitor numbers are strictly limited and wildlife viewing is exceptional. The camp is perched on a rocky outcrop with far-reaching views across the rolling plains - perfect for sunrise game drives and sunset sundowners. It’s a brilliantly placed base for a classic big game safari, but with far fewer vehicles around and a stronger sense of space and stillness.

Rooms: The camp features ten large, octagonal canvas suites - six ‘Nina’ tents and two larger ‘Simba’ family suites, along with a stunning private villa known as ‘Chui House’. Each is beautifully designed, with floor-to-ceiling mesh windows offering uninterrupted views and plenty of light. Inside, there’s a balance of comfort and simplicity: big beds, writing desks, wooden floors, and ensuite bathrooms with hot showers. The Simba and Chui suites also come with private dining and lounge areas, ideal for families or couples after a more secluded, luxurious stay. It’s smart, spacious, and very well thought out.

Amenities: Ol Seki keeps its atmosphere relaxed but refined. The main tented lounge and dining area is stylish without being overdone, with open sides and natural materials throughout. There’s a well-stocked bar, cosy spots to read or chat by the fire, and superb views from almost every angle. Meals are freshly prepared, with a mix of Kenyan and international flavours, and the service is attentive without being intrusive. For those staying in the private house, there’s the option of in-room dining and personal hosting. Everything here is designed around comfort, flexibility, and friendly, thoughtful hospitality.

Activities: Guests can enjoy day and night game drives in both the private Naboisho Conservancy and the Maasai Mara Reserve itself, giving you access to a huge and varied landscape. Wildlife here is outstanding, with high concentrations of lions, elephants, and cheetahs, as well as the annual wildebeest migration from July to October. Walking safaris, cultural visits to local Maasai communities, and hot air balloon flights can all be arranged. One of the key advantages of being in Naboisho is the ability to do activities not permitted in the national reserve - like night drives and off-road tracking - so the experience feels deeper and more flexible.

Sustainability: Ol Seki is part of the Hemingways Collection, and takes its conservation responsibilities seriously. Its presence in the Naboisho Conservancy directly supports community landowners, creating a model where local families benefit financially from protecting wildlife. The camp runs on solar energy and maintains a light environmental footprint, with efforts to minimise waste and source supplies locally where possible. By staying here, you're supporting a conservation-first model that helps preserve Kenya’s wildlife and empowers the communities who share the land.

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When to go to Kenya

Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.

February

February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.

March

Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.

April

April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.

May

The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.

June

June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.

July

July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.

August

The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.

September

Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.

October

October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.

November

November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.

December

The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.

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