An FAQ on the Wild Eye Mara Camp

With "Mara Season" almost upon us, what better time to publish an FAQ on the Wild Eye Mara Camp, than now? And who better to write that blog post than our very own Mara Camp Co-ordinator, Candice Roberts?

This is the second year that Candice will be head up the co-ordination of our camp on the banks of the mighty Mara River in the southern reaches of Kenya's Mara Triangle, and our whole team just can't wait to see how magical this season will be!

In the words of Candice herself:

"The main contribution towards my passion for the travel industry is to witness guest’s dreams coming true, the best part is the fulfilment I bring to my guests in doing what I love.

My passion goes deep into the planning of every trip, to ensure my guests have an unforgettable time.

I am putting together this blog, to hopefully help all guests with their unanswered questions and to contribute to a stress-free safari."

Well, let's jump straight into the most common questions and concerns that Candice receives from our guests.

IS THERE MALARIA AND SHOULD I TAKE MEDICATION?

Kenya is considered a Malaria area, with different levels of risks in various regions. The less populated areas, such as the Masai Mara, carry less of a risk, but cannot be ruled out completely.

There are several types of preventive medication available, it would be best to consult with your local travel clinic to see which they would recommend as well as have in stock.  Bearing in mind that most of our Wild Eye guides choose not to take Malaria Medication, they practice other precaution methods instead.  For example, applying mosquito repellent often, wearing long sleeved shirts at night and so forth, spraying their tents before dinner at night, and so forth.

DO THE TENTS HAVE MOSQUITO REPELLENT?

Yes, the tents each have mosquito repellent. As well as the main tent, the bar, and the vehicles. Please ask for repellent from any of our guides or staff should you now have your own on you at the time.

Our guides have the habit of spraying their tents before dinner, this eliminates any straggler mosquitos that may have found a way into their tents during the day. It has proven to be effective.

WHERE OR HOW DO I GET A Eta (Electronic Travel Authorisation)?

On 12 December 2023 the President of Kenya announced that Kenya would be visa-free from January 2024.

Visitors to Kenya are now required to apply online for an electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel.

DO YOU HAVE A GUIDELINE FOR GRATUITIES?

Although gratuities are entirely at your own discretion, we would like to provide you with some guidelines for the tipping of the camp staff and local guides (drivers) for the duration of your stay with us.

It is Wild Eye’s Policy, and this has been agreed upon by all our staff, that tips will be collected and divided equally amongst the staff irrespective of their position or responsibility in camp and in the Nairobi office. The guideline for gratuities is USD 20 – 30 per guest, per day, for the entire team.  This can be handed over at the end of your safari if your expectations were met or hopefully exceeded.

Should you wish to tip your driver guide separately, this would be at a recommendation of USD 30-50 for the week.  Some guests feel this does not justify their experience and they exceed this amount as a sign of appreciation for the exceptional experience and service delivered, but this would be at the guests own discretion.

The Wild Eye photographic hosts do not expect any gratuities from their guests.  We focus on supporting the local drivers/guides and lodge staff of the safari so that this can feed back into the community. The greatest compliment and show of gratitude is to see you back on safari with us again, however, should you feel that your Wild Eye Photographic host exceeded your expectations, and you would like to leave them a gratuity, the guideline would be along the same value as the local guide.  Again, gratuities would be at your own discretion and are never compulsory.

CAN WILD EYE ASSIST WITH TRANSFERS IN NAIROBI?

Wild Eye can most definitely assist you with transfers within Nairobi and surrounds.

As part of your Masai Mara week with Wild Eye, we offer one complimentary transfer upon arrival in Nairobi. Wild Eye will also ensure that you are transferred either back to JKIA, or your respective hotel at the end of your Masai Mara week once you arrive back to Wilson Airport.

Any added transfers will be a surcharge and both bookable and payable prior to your arrival in Kenya.

PACKING FOR A PURPOSE?

We often get asked about this, our Wild Eye Camp staff are all local Masai and Kikuyu Kenyans.  They all come from villages with very little, and although we are not linked to the official Packed for a Purpose village, our staff would love to receive gifts of clothing, linen, shoes, sanitary items or stationery to send home to their children and family. All gifts would be shared amongst the staff equally. We ask you kindly to please not pack above your flight weights even for this great purpose.

DO I NEED A YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE?

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in parts of Kenya (see ‘some travellers’ section below).

Under International Health Regulations (2005), a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), from 11 July 2016 (for all countries), the yellow fever certificate will be valid for the duration of the life of the person vaccinated. As a consequence, a valid certificate, presented by arriving travellers, cannot be rejected on the grounds that more than ten years have passed since the date vaccination became effective as stated on the certificate; and that boosters or revaccination cannot be required.

DOES THE CAMP HAVE ELECTRICITY AND CHARGING STATIONS?

Yes, the Wild Eye Mara Camp does have electricity. Although Kenya is blessed with mostly sunny days and the camp is powered by solar energy, we do also have a backup generator for those ‘rainy days.’

The dedicated Media Tent has sufficient plug points for guests to charge their batteries, cell phones and other electronic devices.

Wi-Fi is set up in the camp in the Media tent, to allow our guests to contact family at home. As you can imagine being in a remote location Wi-Fi and signal can be sketchy should the wind blow the “wrong” way.

If you would like to increase your connectivity while on safari please do buy a Safaricom Sim card and airtime or data at the airport on arrival, these are easy to load and update while still in the Mara.

A reminder that the Media Tent is well covered and usually very tolerant of the weather conditions, however, any equipment, camera gear and devices are still the personal responsibility of everyone. Our staff will safeguard these to the best of their abilities in your absence whilst you are on drive, but they cannot be held accountable for any unforeseen natural element damage, including monkeys moving through camp.

WHAT TYPE OF PLUG DO I NEED FOR KENYA?

The plug type for Kenya is G, an electrical plug that has three rectangular blades in a triangular pattern.

If this is not the same plug type as your own country, we recommend you consider travelling with a plug adaptor for your own convenience.

DOES THE CAMP HAVE WIFI?

Wi-Fi is set up in the Media Tent to allow our guests to contact family and friends at home. As you can imagine being in a remote location the Wi-Fi and signal can be intermittent and slow. We encourage all our guests to use the Wi-Fi considerately and only for basic needs such as WhatsApp message and emails.

Should you wish to increase your connectivity, even while on safari, please do buy a Safaricom Sim card and airtime or data at the airport on arrival, these are easy to load and update.

DOES THE WILD EYE CAMP HAVE A CURIO OR SOUVENIR SHOP?

Unfortunately, we do not yet have a dedicated souvenir shop on site. However, we do have lovely Masai ladies that rotate through camp and have a vast choice of bead work and other crafts that they make themselves.

All sales of these items go directly to the ladies.  They also make personalized beaded bracelets, be sure to order these early in the week so that you may leave with your very own Masai Mara bracelet. Kindly ask any of our Wild Eye staff to help you when buying any souvenirs, English is not their first language and the process will be sped up with some help.

CAN THE CAMP CATER FOR MY DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?

Most certainly, the chefs will cater according to dietary requirements to the best of their ability.  It is particularly important to ensure that the office staff in Johannesburg receive these requirements PRIOR to your arrival in the Masai Mara.

The Wild Eye Camp is in a remote area and the orders are placed and delivered on scheduled days only.

WHAT ABLUTION FACILITIES CAN I EXPECT?

Each tent has an en suite facility with a wash basin and lavatory.  Once again, being in a remote location, we have done our utmost to ensure your comfort, however, should you feel the water pressure is not sufficient, please kindly bring this to your guide or managers attention so that the team can resolve the issue.

Next to each tent we have bucket showers set up in canvas cubicles. These can be prepared as hot, or cold, as you like. Simply request a hot shower and specify a time, the staff will prepare the hot water and fill your overhanging bucket for you.

This is one of the camp features that our return guests look forward to the most.

HOW MUCH WILL MY BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE BE?

Although Wild Eye has no influence or control over your International Flight Carriers’ baggage allowance, we do try to ease the burden by always adding additional baggage allowance onto your internal flights in and out of the Masai Mara.

Each week will differ according to the number of guests and the size of the plane that you will fly in, but typically we work on 27 – 35 kilograms in total per person, Including hand luggage. Some weeks may be more, but never less than 27 kg per person.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Wild Eye does not offer travel insurance for International clients, but here are a few suggestions, their process is quick and easy and all online:

• Generali Travel Insurance
• Allianz
• World Nomads
• Squaremouth

Typically your travel insurance should cover the below main points:

• Repatriation
• Trip Cancellation
• Medical Evacuation

For South African Citizen we recommend the below travel insurance companies:

• Bryte
• TIC
• Hollard
• Allianz

HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI

If you have ever even thought about doing a hot air balloon safari, then the Masai Mara is the place to do it!

The Hot Air Balloon Safaris launches from the Governors Camp, +/- 40min drive from our camp, and includes a champagne breakfast after the safari. Costs are in USD per person. Prepayment and pre-booking of this activity is advised as spots book up well in advance. Arrangements can be made in camp last minute if there is availability and can be paid in cash or card on the day of the flight. Please book your spot on this with our office if you have not done so already!

PRE & POST SAFARI ACCOMMODATION

It is recommended to arrive one day prior to your Mara Safari, the suggested hotel will be Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham Hotel, Wild Eye will be able to assist with booking this.

On the day of your departure, it is recommended that you depart on a late afternoon or early evening flight as your flight from Mara Serena Airstrip to Wilson Airport arrives @ 12h00. For those that would like to make use of a day room at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport Hotel, Wild Eye will able to book this for you.

LAUNDRY

Laundry is included there is no additional cost. Rest assured, that your laundry will be collected and washed daily (weather permitting).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (Copies of)

• Passport with at least 6 months validity from date of departure from Kenya & enough blank pages.
• Yellow Fever Certificate
• International Flight itinerary
• Travel Insurance (Stating the Policy number) Typically, your travel insurance should cover these main aspects: Repatriation, Trip Cancellation & Medical Evacuation – COMPULSORY PLEASE.
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (e-Visa now known as an ETA)