Mara Toto Tree Camp is the newest treetop safari camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the latest opening from Great Plains, the iconic eco-tourism company founded by National Geographic explorer-filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Offering guests a choice of four airy and spacious canvas tree canopy tented suites in Kenya’s Masai Mara, this exclusive camp affords guests access to wildlife viewing areas including the Maasai Mara and private Mara North Conservancy. As one of nine properties in the company’s exclusive Réserve-Collection safari camps and Great Plains 15th camp, the Camp is set along the Ntiakitiak River’s edge and tucked into the canopy of some of the most spectacular ebony trees in the region.

Not only is Mara Toto Tree Camp within the 150,000-hectare Maasai Mara National Reserve, guests will also have private access to the 26,000-hectare Mara North Conservancy, the romantic safari era-inspired camp provides the ultimate base for those looking to discover this region and its bountiful pristine wildlife in style. “It is a delight to share the new Mara Toto Tree Camp – one of the most ambitious and unique camps in our portfolio – with our fellow explorers. Tarzan meets Robinson Crusoe in this treetop camp that ensures the safari experience doesn’t end when our guests return to camp,” said Great Plains’ CEO and Founder Dereck Joubert. The stunning and secluded location provides the ultimate base for those looking to discover this region and its bountiful pristine wildlife in style.

The romantic safari era-inspired camp is, “based on an original 19th-century styled camp with light canvas and high apex tents, supported by huge gum-poles,” said Joubert. While each tented suite offers luxurious amenities with their en-suite bathrooms complete with double vanity basins, copper baths and huge brass safari showers, the design was done to create a space that reflects, compliments and respects the beauty of its environs. The camp’s stunning interior design and interiors were done by Dereck and Beverly Joubert themselves, presenting a soft scheme of airy greys and touches of teal as well as natural light wood and locally sourced fabrics and statement sculptures. From the woodpecker door knobs for those early morning wake up calls and lightbulb-grasping monkey statement lamps, to the hanging weaver nest chairs on each suite deck, touches of the surrounding life are seen in every detail throughout the camp.

“I wanted to design a camp that sits in the treetops to catch the cool breezes and off the ground, a kind of Tarzan meets Robinson Crusoe rustic designed and decorated hideaway in the Mara. It feels like a movie set from each of those references, with rare melanistic bushbabies living at the same elevation and in total acceptance of us being at their level,” said Joubert. “Right along the river’s edge and tucked into the canopy of some of the most spectacular ebony trees, its position creates a hidden haven to retire to between exciting safari drives. Leopards are often seen, and lions are heard almost every night. It is ideal for families, or small parties, explorers, adventurers and photographers who want to experience Africa the way we have for many years, just better – and now at treetop level!”

As with all Great Plains camps, sustainability is front-and-center when it comes to its design. Mara Toto Tree Camp uses recycled wood from old sailing dhows off the Kenyan coast and bathrooms built around ebony trees – providing totally unique guest accommodations – and a main decking area that wraps around the branches of another. Near the main decking area, the central lounge and dining room offers ample space to unwind and elevated walkways between the main areas and suites wind between tree trunks. Guests can also gather around an outdoor seated fire area that is just the spot for enjoying a sundowner and swapping stories from the day’s adventure.

Located firmly in East Africa’s big cat territory, guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to wildlife spotting opportunities. All safari drives seat up to four guests in a vehicle with a private guide and guests have the ultimate vantage point for two breathtaking migrations. First is the famous annual southern migration of over one million animals from the Serengeti which takes place typically in July and August. Second is the green season migration from Loita Plains, where over 100,000 zebras and wildebeest arrive from the northwest from May-July.

In one of their three specially designed Land Cruisers, the open-sided vehicles provide a 300-degree view, perfect to photograph the mesmerising surroundings. And instead of lugging around your camera or those worried to lose their phones out in the bush, guests can find high-quality binoculars and a full professional Canon camera set in their suite, with all photos taken during their adventure downloaded onto a keepsake memory stick upon departure at no additional cost. For those in search of a true bucket-list-in-the-bush experience, there is even the chance to book a hot air balloon ride over the Mara, where you can get a birds-eye view of the animals alongside an unforgettable sunrise.

Those in search of some post-adventure rest and relaxation will be delighted with the range of spa treatments which can be enjoyed in room, but excluded from the nightly accommodation rate. With the sounds of the bush all around, guests will quickly sink into relaxation choosing from a treatment list which includes offerings such as Great Plains Renewal and an African Head Massage. All food and beverage is included in your stay where guests can choose group meals and/or individual tables with a la carte menu options, as well as private dining on guest’s private verandah on request.

Picnic breakfasts or lunch (or both) are the norm due to very active safari drives, often delivered to the bush, while dinners with views of The Ntiakitak River below and the treetops in which stars can be glimpsed through, will not be forgotten. Their menu is centred on a well-balanced nutrient-rich selection of offerings and is completed by a selection of wines from their premium wine list which consists of 65% of South African wines and 35% of wines from the rest of the world.

The Camp is also proud to be built on the premise of having a lasting impact on the surrounding nature and this is seen through its Big Cats Initiative. Started in 2006 Dereck and Beverly Joubert have created this foundation to support and secure habitats outside national parks for big cats across Africa. To date, Big Cats Initiative has funded 150 projects in 27 countries and continues to push forward to reverse the decline of big cats.

Visitors can book flights to the Ol Kiombo Airstrip, usually connecting through Nairobi’s domestic Wilson Airport, or book private charters to land at the nearby Weavers Airstrip. Open year round, nightly rates at Great Plains’ Mara Toto Tree Camp start from $1,445 to $3,133 per person per night on an all-inclusive basis. Just a few kilometres from Great Plains sister camps are Mara Plains Camp and Mara Expedition Camp, for those seeking a complete Kenyan safari experience with Great Plains.