Ilkeliani Camp

This small, intimate camp is essentially a private oasis overlooking wildlife-rich plains from stylish, newly redesigned tents. As such it is an excellent accommodation choice for your Masai Mara safari holiday in Kenya.

Overlooking the Talek River, Ilkeliani Camp is well-placed just outside the National Reserve for a wildlife- viewing adventures and is approximately a one-hour drive to the nearest Great Migration river crossing site. The camp's safari vehicles park on the reserve side, which is a convenient location for game drives, i.e. approximately a 20-minute drive to the higher densities of wildlife. There’s also a private suspension footbridge over the Talek River for easy access to the Mara National Reserve.

Wildlife that can be seen from camp include elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hippo, warthog, gazelle, bushbuck, crocodiles and occasionally, lion and leopard.

The area is a favourite for elephants coming to drink from the Talek River.

Accommodation & Facilities

• The Luxury Wing (East) consists of:
  • Five Tented Rooms (Double)
  • One Tented Room (Triple)
  • One Family Suite (One Double Room plus one Triple Room, with a living area).
• The Premium Wing (West) is comprised of:
  • Four Tented Rooms (Double/Twin)
  • One Family Suite (One Double Room plus one Twin Room, with a living area).
• The property has a wildlife viewing deck; a swimming pool and there are spa treatment facilities.
• There are sockets in rooms for charging appliances.
  • A 24-hour, solar-powered generator is used for backup.
• Plumbed showers (there are solar heat pumps providing hot water 24/7).
• Rooms are equipped with standing fan.
• There is Wi-Fi in the main central area.
• Laundry and house drinks are included in the rates.
• Hot water bottles are placed inside the beds.
• The camp is unfenced so guests are escorted after dark.

Activities

• Morning afternoonand full-day, shared game drives are operated in the Mara National Reserve (six guests maximum, window seats, depending on availability. Either: ‘open-sided vehicles’ or ‘closed-sided vehicles’ are used.
• Nature walks are offered along the river and in the camp grounds.
• Birding walks are arranged within the camp grounds
• Masai Village visits can be arranged at extra charge.

Craig’s Experience & Review

Our East Africa Travel Specialist, Craig Kaufman, visited Ilkeliani Camp in late 2024.

“Ilkeliani Camp is a smart, elegant camp nestled in a riverine forest overlooking the Talek River just outside the Masai Mara National Reserve.“It’s part of the Wilder Group, which – from my personal point of view – is a group of camps at the forefront of camp design in the Kenya safari industry. They strike a great balance between simple comfort and natural elegance.“The spacious tented rooms/suites have been thoughtfully designed to provide all the little luxuries that enhance a safari. Not only that, but the staff are welcoming and friendly, too.“Overall, it’s a lovely, new and well-designed camp – featuring light, airy, neutral colours.”