Central to the Mara Plains Jahazi Suite is an indoor dining area leading out to a prominent private outdoor verandah and flanked by two large bedrooms with en-suite facilities consisting of a flush loo, double basins, indoor showers and luxurious baths. Ceiling fans in the guest’s bedroom and careful tented suite design maintain a comfortable climate for rest and relaxation. A short walkway leads off the main area to a private swimming pool.

The private Olare Motorogi Conservancy is reputed to have the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region while also having the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa. There is only one guest bed per 141 hectares, leaving the land unadulterated for the wildlife to roam and thrive, as nature intended. The camp is a sanctuary for resident species by day and night, including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark, larger mammals frequent the camp, and Maasai warriors escort guests to and from their rooms.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism to a standstill, protected areas and camps were left empty, with national parks facing a severe drop in tourism revenue. Ranger’s salaries were uncertain and lacked the tools and resources needed to protect wildlife. This “perfect storm” of conditions leaves many endangered animals highly vulnerable to wildlife crime. Our Great Plains Foundation’s Project Ranger sprang into action in 2020 as an emergency response to the effects of COVID on conservation funding in Africa and is committed to keeping front-line conservation personnel in the field.