AllWays Traveller Features
Singita’s Mara River Tented Camp, Tanzania
Featuring beautiful, eye-catching designs inspired by the vibrant colours and patterns of local Maasai craft, Singita's Mara River Tented Camp has a brand-new look that sets the tone for a stay that is warm and welcoming.
Bold yet relaxed and unfussy, locally made furniture and accessories add comfort, an element of surprise and a light-hearted spirit that perfectly reflects Mara's character.
Long cherished by those who enjoy a small and intimate tented experience in one of the continent's most spectacular wilderness settings, the location of Singita Mara River Tented Camp on a dramatic bend in the river is one of its main drawcards.
A wildlife bonanza
Comprising 40, 000 hectares (98,000 acres) of remote and untouched wilderness in the north of Tanzania's Serengeti, the camp affords guests exclusive access to some of the world's most prized and private game-viewing opportunities – including one of the famed crossing routes of the annual Great Migration of wildebeest, accompanied by zebra and gazelle.
And it is the wildebeest that most people associate with the Serengeti. They dominate the area and you can see any number of them even outside the main migration period of November to June. It is a constantly moving circular migration of more than two million animals across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
Upgrade sympathetic to the camp's environment
Mara's new grounding palette of olive green and earthy browns emphasises the camp's immersion in nature – and creates a feeling of it almost being hidden in the wilderness by providing a visual foundation for the surrounding riverbeds and canopies of trees.
As the culmination of a significant rethink of the camp's six tented suites and main guest area, Mara's new look gives a nod to the colourful shapes of the Kura tribe in particular – as well as intricate beadwork and patterns in saturated tones of blood red, ochre and indigo blue on furniture, art and accessories.
The simple design of the Mara's nomadic-style tents features utilitarian, lightweight and modular elements as well as clean, curved lines on tables, chairs and vanities. As a result, each tented suite is a sanctuary that is luxurious, functional, fresh – and fits seamlessly into its natural surrounds.
African flavours from the kitchen
In the main lodge area, a brand-new pool sala invites al fresco dining, while a signature bar-deli offers fresh and healthy snacks for guests to help themselves whenever they want. And in step with the camp's new look, Mara's food journey is a fresh take on new African flavours.
With culturally relevant food, the emphasis is on dishes that not only contain locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, but give guests a taste of East African culinary traditions too. There is a focus on refreshing and light food – as well as everything from mezze boards poolside, fireside snacks, and tapas.
Off-the-grid power
True to its sustainable tourism ethos, Mara operates entirely off the grid and relies on a custom-designed solar system for its power. LED lights throughout result in a lower load. More indigenous trees have been planted around camp to create more shade and eliminate the need for air conditioners.
Appliances, such as the bar-deli fridges, and the energy-efficient fans in tents (instead of air conditioning) are all AAA rated. Local art has been introduced throughout, including an oversized, beaded piece by Sidai Designs of Arusha, which took four months to complete. Sidai Designs is a social enterprise with a focus on redefining traditional artistry in collaboration with local Maasai women. Only local construction workers and artisans from the area were used on the project.
Singita is at the high end of the market and adult rates at Mara River start at around US$2,000 per night but include accommodation, all meals and beverages including premium wines, spirits and liqueurs, twice-daily game drives in open game-viewing vehicles, return road transfers between the Serengeti Lamai airstrip and the camp, and a limited laundry service. Children 10 years and older are welcome at the camp.
Singita is a conservation and ecotourism brand that has been helping to preserve Africa's wildlife and wilderness for the past 30 years, offering guests exceptional safari experiences at 15 luxury, award-winning lodges, and camps across four countries.
In partnership with non-profit funds and trusts that implement strategic conservation projects in each region, Singita's stated 100-year purpose is to preserve and protect large parts of African wilderness for future generations.
Camp photos courtesy of Singita
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