Muddy, honking hippos and dusty, growling crocodiles baked in the sun in the ravine near our Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) luxury camp as I scanned the morning vista — I had arrived at Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s richest wildlife regions named for the local residing tribe.
I was one of many travelers looking to add a safari to my upcoming adventures. Despite a substantial jump in cost, safari travel has continued to trend in 2024, with many companies citing an uptick in bookings this year.
Kenya, specifically, is likely to see an increase in visitation thanks to this year’s 30th anniversary celebration of Disney classic “The Lion King,” as well as the release of a spin-off film, “Mufasa: The Lion King." (Kenya was the main inspiration for the setting of the 1994 animated film; in fact, the original idea was inspired by a Kenyan safari that Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks and former chairman of Walt Disney Studios, took with Geoffrey Kent, founder of the luxury tour operator.)
A&K is ready to meet that demand, offering a new Exclusive Tented Camp experience in the Masai Mara as part of its new eight-day Kenya Safari in Style itinerary for 2024. The eco-friendly tents, each attended to by a personal butler, launched last year as an exclusive-use camp for private groups. This year, they’re available for mixed group trips.
Here’s what it’s like to stay in A&K’s new luxury tent camp.
A&K’s tents offer electricity, flushing toilets and comfortable furnishings, among other luxuries.
Credit: 2024 Abercrombie & KentAccommodations at A&K’s Exclusive Tented Camp
During my trip, my shelter was one of the 12 locally made tents set inside A&K’s Mobile Tented Camp inside the Masai Mara reserve. A&K was one of the first companies to lead luxury photography safaris in Kenya, and as such has significant practice in leaving no trace, and these tents are no exception. They are set up exclusively for each trip, and everything is broken down and packed up at the end. (In contrast, other mobile tent camp operators set up for the entire season.)
My safari tent, decorated in Kitenge fabrics, felt just as luxe as a hotel room: I had a king bed (clients can opt for two twin beds), 24-hour solar electricity, bedside charging ports, Wi-Fi, running water, an en suite flush toilet, a “safari shower” and even laundry service. Clients traveling with a larger crew can opt for the first-of-its-kind family tent, which is connected by a corridor so guests can visit one another without leaving their rooms.
Before leaving for our morning game runs, my butler would ask when I’d like to shower; later, my shower was ready as scheduled, with warm water dispensed from a canvas bag placed above the shower cubicle.
In the communal dining tent, international fare and Kenyan dishes are offered throughout the day.
Credit: 2024 Abercrombie & Kent
Dining at A&K’s Exclusive Tented Camp
Over the course of my three-day, two-night stay at the mobile tented camp, mornings had the same rhythm. My butler served as a wake-up call, offering a hot thermos of coffee to be enjoyed on the cushy chair of my private veranda before I headed to the central dining tent for breakfast. This meal consisted of a small buffet that included made-to-order eggs and omelets. Lunches and dinners, meanwhile, featured international comfort foods and Kenyan specialties like Kenyan fish stew, roast chicken, lamb kofta with yogurt sauce and chilled cucumber soup. There was also a fully stocked bar, including an excellent selection of Kenyan craft beers. (All meals are included.)
I especially enjoyed heading into the kitchen with the chef for a hands-on cooking class. We learned how to make local treats such as ugali (cornmeal), mukimo (a starchy side or main dish) and chapati (flatbread) before heading out for snacks around the crackling fire pit. Afterward, we had a traditional Kenyan barbecue dinner with meats served straight from the grill.
Lions are likely to be spotted on game drives in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
Credit: 2024 Abercrombie & KentExcursions From Camp
For game drives and outings, we jumped into A&K’s four-wheel drive vehicles, where all guests had comfy window seats, and the cooler was stocked with soft drinks, including Stoney Tangawizi, an extra-spicy African ginger beer. There were also plenty of charging ports for cameras and phones.
On one of our two daily game drives, we traversed savannas, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers. I saw herds of African elephants rumbling along the forest edge and giraffes snatching leaves from towering acacia trees. Another day, a lion was chased off her fresh buffalo kill by a pack of mischievous, yowling hyenas. Just around the corner, two male giraffes fought, twisting their necks like slinkies to hit their opponent with mighty horns. Within the first day of the trip, we had seen Africa’s “Big Five” game animals.
One afternoon, instead of returning to the dining camp, the staff set up an impromptu bush meal and full bar in the middle of the savannah. Lunch was served buffet-style, featuring a selection of curries, chutneys, chapatis and coconut banoffee pie for dessert. On a different day, we visited one of the local schools supported by A&K’s philanthropy arm. We watched with warm hearts as the children performed a traditional dance and held hands with us as we toured the campus.
It was the perfect end to a magical stay in the middle of the wilderness. I had all the luxury amenities I could need at A&K's tented camp, while still feeling immersed in the culture and nature of the Masai Mara.
