Oldarpoi Mara Camp

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Adlife Plaza, 2nd Floor, Nkoilale Kenya

Lol.travel

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About

4.5

Excellent

285 reviews

#1 of 1 lodge in Nkoilale

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Oldarpoi camp, is operated in partnership with the local Maasai community. The mission of the camp as a social enterprise is to support Education opportunities in the local community as this strengthens the Maasai to make informed decisions to communicate and survive in a fast changing world. The camp together with its guests have established several schools and libraries in the Mara. The camp has permanent tents with beds, bedding, complete solar Water heating and lighting system, flush toilets and hot showers - all the trappings of home! We are also an accomplished safaris outfitter with best trained Maasai guides! We offer safaris and tours to different destinations throughout East Africa.

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Property amenities

Free parking

Free internet

Bar / lounge

Bicycle rental

Game room

Kids club

Airport transportation

Meeting rooms

Secured parking

Public wifi

Restaurant

Breakfast available

Special diet menus

Wine / champagne

Hiking

Bicycle tours

Evening entertainment

Walking tours

Car hire

Baggage storage

Gift shop

Mosquito net

Non-smoking hotel

Outdoor fireplace

Outdoor furniture

Picnic area

Shared kitchen

Shared lounge / TV area

Sun terrace

24-hour front desk

Laundry service

Room features

Desk

Housekeeping

Seating area

Bottled water

Clothes rack

Bath / shower

Complimentary toiletries

Room types

Non-smoking rooms

Suites

Family rooms

Good to know

HOTEL CLASS

HOTEL STYLE

Quaint

Location

Adlife Plaza, 2nd Floor, Nkoilale Kenya

Getting there

Olkiombo Airstrip30 kmSee all flights

Olare Orok Airstrip37 kmSee all flights

Rental CarsSee all Nkoilale car hire

See all nearby hotels

Nearby restaurants

Isokon Restaurant

63 reviews

5 kmAfrican

See all nearby restaurants

Nearby attractions

The Beads Museum

8 reviews

2.5 kmArt Museums

See all nearby attractions

285Reviews8Q+A33Room tips

Reviews
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KFe wrote a review Sept 2023

6 contributions2 helpful votes

The Masai are so friendly and welcoming.

I admire the Masai people so much that it was great to be able to stay at a camp run by them and give them our support, they were so welcoming and eager to please. The food here was excellent, and our tent was very comfy and clean. The site is still being developed, plants were still going in, paths being created, etc. and although it was lovely with beautiful views it will be even better still as time goes on.

Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Pendeza Africa Safaris wrote a review Sept 2023

Nairobi, Kenya1 contribution

Great experience

Oldapoi Mara is conveniently located a few kilometers from the Sekenani main gate and a few meters from the main tarmac road making it easily accessible .The staff are great and always willing to help. The food is good. We enjoyed our stay there and can recommend it anytime.

Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled on business

Helpful

Prajwal S wrote a review Sept 2023

Bengaluru, India16 contributions15 helpful votes

Worst Owner - Nelson & Ryan, Check for your tickets cos they scam.

Before going there, I'd read the reviews stating the manager is rude and i thought to myself " Why would I get into a situation like that?" I have been to Kenya 6 times and this was probably my worst experience We went there welcomed by some amazing people ( Receptionists - Stella and Tom were great) and we were told a Guide named John would be our guide/driver for the next 4 days post dinner we went to confirm the same and we were told a driver named Ryan would be driving us. We told him 6'o clock and he said ok and we headed off to sleep. The next day we were at the dining area by 5:35 and Ryan wasn't seen until 7:30 a.m. when asked he straight up lies to us that the gate opens at 6:30 a.m., whereas it opens at 6 a.m. And then he says we leave at 7:00 a.m. after breakfast .. why wasn't this communicated to us? And this man Ryan is the owner's son he is arrogant and while on the drive he wanted to get us back at the lodge by 2:30 pm and when I told him gate closes at 6:30, can we drive around a bit on the other side This is what he said " I'm your guide. I showed you animals, I decide when to go back" i said ok, and i asked my agent to change the guide and now we asked Ryan to show us the tickets what he bought - we paid him 640 USD(320*2) for 4 days. he said i'll show you at the lodge when we asked after reaching he said i won't be your guide from tomorrow ( i was happy) but i asked for the tickets again and he said i'll get your money back. he came back 15 mins later with the same notes i'd given in the morning. so my question - did he really buy the tickets? did he scam the money we gave him? and did he think we were some ladies who were easy to fool receptionist came to us telling us we had to pay for everything left, so I paid. Later we were stopped by Nelson ( Owner/Manager) who said we disrespected the guide and called him Stu**d. Ryan eavesdropped on some conversation we were having and picked one word he heard and complained it to his dad. So his dad came to us telling us that he couldn't accommodate us anymore on drives and said we could leave if we wanted to. Nelson wasn't ready to listen to us, he just went on praising his son as though we made a mistake. While we made some calls to leave and asked for refund we were told everything is now sorted. and also being an Indian woman I sensed when I spoke Nelson never cared about what i was saying, either it was cause he never cared about women or never respected Indians and thought that they could show us 2 lions and we'd be happy. I told him Sir, this is not our first in kenya, we know the routes in Mara, we know the places and as we are going full day we would just like to go to the places we want and not to places where there are 100vehicles behind one lion. So people, Food is good, John the guide is good - ask for him if you're going, and whenever you go on a drive - go with them and get your ticket if not ask them to show and check properly. **** A guide makes or breaks your safari. Ryan - breaks them, John makes them. We had John for the next 3 days he was amazing, he came at 6:00 every day. Stay out of this place if you can, but if you are thinking like how I did, go ahead It's a good property, Food is good. but also try staying away from Ryan and His dear dad, They are arrogant and rude, I don't think you have to experience all this when you go for a vacation. I'm not even sure if Ryan is a certified guide he would just take you where all the vehicles are, can't spot animals, has basic knowledge, drives at 60km/hr inside Mara, always on a call not bothering about his guests. And I'm pretty sure the response I'm going to get is going to be another rude one.…

Date of stay: August 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with friends

4 Helpful votes

Helpful

Response from Nelson Ole Reiyia, Owner at Oldarpoi Mara Camp

Responded 9 Sept 2023

Dear Prajwal, Thank you for taking the time to review our property and the service you received or the one you felt lacking. We also wish to thank you for choosing our camp for your stay despite earlier misgivings you had after reading a few other poor reviews, There are less than eight over 15 years that we have been in operation. So, probably and rightfully, you got convinced by the hundreds of other positive reviews about our property. We appreciate all reviews even those that are negative and unjustifiable like the one you have shared here. We would not have replied to your review were it not for the need to disabuse your blatant lies and veiled attempts to malign our names. Firstly, before rebuking your lies, let me appreciate your honesty in mentioning the good reception welcome that was extended to you by our Front office team, Stella and Tom. You have also acknowledged that our food is good and the alternate guide you were allocated after your complaint was amazing and picked you up in time. Turning now to your issues, I explain them one by one : *You were told your guide was John for the next 4 days but it was changed to Ryan: True, your guide was to be John but as soon as he met you at the Hotel reception area for an introduction and briefing, you started an argument with him about the game park gate opening times and how to conduct a game drive and you ended up insulting him! He immediately reported the matter to the management and declined to be your guide based on your behavior! This happened within 10 minutes of the guide meeting with you! That is how Ryan ended up being your guide because John already sensed that your attitude was up to no good. The park opening and closing times ; You were briefed about the departure times for the safari though you had your demands which were impossible to meet and you were well informed about them. The park is open 6 AM-6.30 PM, but our safari tours usually begin by 7.30 am to enable guests to have their breakfast, and for the kitchen to have adequate time to prepare picnic lunches for the full-day game drives. The normal return time to the camp after a full-day safari is 5 pm or earlier depending on if the guests are tired or not. You paid for a normal full-day game drive and it works around the legally accepted work hours in Kenya ( 8 Hours a day ), and the law applies also to tour the driver guides! Your demand for a game drive from 6. am to 6.30 pm is exploitative to both the driver and even the delicate nature of the game park! *Park fees scam claim This is a baseless accusation. You paid park fees for 4 days ( $ 640) and as a routine, the guides would pay a daily entry park fee for the guests each day they enter the park since it is a 12-hour ticket. When you had a guide change, an already utilized ticket of $ 180 for the first day of your park entry was handed over to you together with the remaining $ 480 balance so that you could give to your new guide to pay the park entrance fees for the remaining 3 days. That was done and you are confirming it here but you are still claiming scams! *Disrespecting your guides : Your two guides, Ryan and his colleague worked so hard to show you the beauty of the Mara. You were lucky to spot the rare black rhino not once but three times in a single day! Our guides showed you lions and Cheetahs as well. Unfortunately, you continually harassed them throughout the game drive demanding to be taken to different routes in the park. You wanted to control the game drive and claimed you have been to Maasai Mara more than 6 times so you know where the animals are. The Mara wildlife is migratory as this is not a Zoo but a huge park which is more than 1500 square kilometers! You disrespected your guides and called them ‘stupid ‘because they advised you not to smoke in the car or throw away burning cigarette butts in the park! Your guides did their best to locate wildlife but even when a lion sighting was found, you refused to be taken there just because there were a few other vehicles. This is the high season at the migration time and it is impossible to conduct a private game drive in a place where more than 10,000 tourists enter per day! You disturbed your guides throughout the game drive, particularly without your chain-smoking which posed a health risk not only to them but to the park, especially at that time when the grass was too dry and any mistake would cause a fire breakout that would endanger the whole ecosystem . I met you to address this abnormal situation and decided to refund your money so that you can look for another vehicle and a guide. Unfortunately, your agent was unable to get you another vehicle or a guide so we decided to help and change your guide. We requested John to step in and he was unwilling to deal with you after having insulted him on the first day and also based on the bad experience his colleagues had with you. However, after much convincing he accepted to take over and I am glad that he did his job and completed it. While all guests are welcome to our hotel with open arms, we have no qualms in responding to any smear campaign so we were glad to say ‘ Goodbye ‘ to you and all the best!

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

piyush p wrote a review Aug 2023

1 contribution

"Sundowner at Oldarpoi Mara Camp"

"The camp is beautifully located on the hill and the view is spectacular” It all started with me searching the camps online & i was lucky to know about Oldarpoi Mara camp for our 2 nights 3days stay with my family, it is located just 2 KM outside from Sekenani Gate, Cynthia our booking manager of Oldarpoi Mara Camp was so specific of all the things she mentioned of the camp and gave us the tent at a perfect location. The tents are perfectly self-content & cozy, all the necessity things are taken care of. Food is good, All Staffs greeted with a warm gesture and were always around to take care of our needs. Swimming pool with a sunset view from wageni tents is totally mesmerizing. It has 24 hours electricity which you will not find in most of the other camps. I had an opportunity to have a brief conversation with the Mr Nelson the brain behind Oldarpoi Mara Camp, he has a vision and commitment towards to his Maasai communities by providing job opportunities and an educating them in the field of tourism through his owned training school in the Sekenani town. Hummm , ya that’s it , one would not ask for anything better than the “Oldarpoi Mara Camp” near Sekenani Gate. Piyush …

Date of stay: August 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with family

Helpful

Sally S wrote a review July 2023

Belfast, United Kingdom4 contributions5 helpful votes

The best camp in Maasai Mara!

Genuinely friendly staff. I don't know if you can request a driver but Ryan was brilliant with us. He is knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic about the animals, the area, and the Maasai culture. He showed us so many different animals, we seen all the big 5 in one day,with many of them walking past our jeep. We witnessed the aftermath of a pride of lions on a buffalo hunt. He had interesting anecdotes about all the animals, from the elephant to the moongooses (moongeese?) And he was happy to teach us some of the Maasai language. James and Joseph were brilliant too! The accommodation is good and spacious,clean and comfortable but the food was soo good, absolutely delicious,they were very accommodating to vegetarians, making sure there was still protein sources there too. Vegetables were cooked perfectly and the meat was good too according to the other guests. There is a nice pool at the camp,and when they say a genuine experience, we saw babboons walking past the pool, earlier in the morning a giraffe was at the top of the camp. After dinner one night the local Maasai men came in to show their culture, with songs and dance. They then invited the diners to join them. it was a very surreal experience to see almost all the guests get up and join in with the dancing. Ashe Oleng! …

Date of stay: July 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled as a couple

1 Helpful vote

Helpful

MaisMcN wrote a review Feb 2023

Dublin, Ireland15 contributions3 helpful votes

Inspirational model for future generations

I am full of love and admiration for everyone I have met during my stay. Oldarpoi Mara Camp is much more than a lodge, it is the heart of the Nashulai Conservancy. Owned and run by the Maasai, Oldarpoi is an inspirational model for future generations. The community has come together to form a harmonious wildlife conservancy. Spearheaded by co-founders Maggie and Nelson Ole Reiyia, this lodge has supported the development of the Maasia Nashulai conservancy. This in turn has offered the community autonomy and opened up the Great Migration corridor. Staying at Oldarpoi is a gift that keeps on giving. I have learned so much from the community who have shared their stories, giving us a deep insight into their Maasia culture. I highly recommend beginning your stay with a game drive in the conservancy which is teaming with wildlife. Learn the story of where it all began and see first hand this living example of coexistence. Go on a bush walk with Felix and get an in-depth introduction to the importance of plants and how they are in used within their culture. Dig in, ask questions, and be embraced by the family of Oldarpoi - you will not be disappointed. I am very much looking forward to coming back as we begin our creative journey together curating an Art & Science artist in residence, bringing visionary minds together to collaboratively work on creative solutions. Thank you everyone at Nashulai for leading example.…

Date of stay: January 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled on business

Helpful

Response from Nelson Ole Reiyia, Owner at Oldarpoi Mara Camp

Responded 9 Mar 2023

Dear Maisie , Thank you for your great review of the experience you had of your stay with us . We are glad that you a good time immersed in the warm hearted hospitality of your local Maasai hosts from The Oldarpoi Mara Camp , and Nashulai Maasai Conservancy. We are looking forward to our collaboration , the ‘ Yes to Possibility ‘, Artists in residence project that will see international Artists visiting the conservancy and to curate sustainable solutions to the community’s livelihoods as well as to strengthen nature and wildlife conservation . Thank you once again ,and we do look forward to seeing you again . Regards , Nelson

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Pepo P wrote a review Feb 2023

Tucson, Arizona1 contribution4 helpful votes

I don't recommend this camp to my enemy

You should already know that you are visiting a corrupted area, and this camp is not excluded. The manager/owner is very corrupt and he will try to steal anything he can from you. Although the park is beautiful but the cleanliness of the camp and the quality of food is very low. I would highly recommend staying in Nairobi instead of this camp. You can actually save money and insure better quality of service this way. I wish someone gave me this advice before I had to deal with these kind of people who lack basic communication skills and unprofessional. I don't recommend this camp to my enemy.

Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo

4 Helpful votes

Helpful

Response from Nelson Ole Reiyia, Owner at Oldarpoi Mara Camp

Responded 28 Feb 2023

Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with us. We do take honest reviews positively and we act on them to ensure that any lapses in our performance are corrected to ensure a better experience for our guests. Coming to your review, we had expected it in the manner you have shared here. When leaving the lodge, you angrily threatened to malign and destroy our reputation just simply because YOU DID NOT WANT TO PAY YOUR BILL! Let’s now come to your issues ; ENTERING A ‘CORRUPTED AREA’ CLAIM ; What did you mean to imply here? Are you referring to our country generally or the Maasai Mara park where we are located? You mention without providing any evidence that the manager/owner is corrupt and would try and steal anything he can. Why didn't you give a specific incident regarding an issue that involved corruption or stealing from you? The truth of the matter is this ; You visited in August 2022 and hired two safari guides from a neighboring village to show you around ( not our employees ). You then severally invited them to our restaurant where you instructed our waiters to serve meals to them. When our staff issued you with a bill for the extra meals you ordered, you ‘ went through the roof ‘, angry for being charged for an extra service your friends received on your request! You claimed that you have been told that the extra lunch for your friends was free. For heaven's sake, where in the world do you travel to hotels to get free lunches? BEAUTIFUL PARK BUT LOW SERVICE AT THE CAMP; We have noted your compliment about the Maasai Mara being a beautiful place and that is true, but you immediately contradict yourself by recommending Nairobi instead for a cheaper stay and better service quality. We would like to apologize if the service offered by our camp did not meet your expectations. We pride ourselves though in our high-quality service and consistently excellent reviews by hundreds of other guests here on Tripadvisor. The food served in our hotel is of high quality and the standards of cleanliness of our staff are above reproach, quite the opposite of what you are claiming. LACKING BASIC COMMUNICATION CLAIMS AND UNPROFESSIONALISM ; Our staff is professional and all our guests are well briefed on and before arrival including the fact that they fully informed you that inviting your tour guide to the restaurant and offering them meals will attract additional charges and as I explained earlier, that is what you did not want to pay and the real reason you vowed to give our facility a negative review! NOT RECOMMENDING US TO YOUR ENEMY ; This is yet another expression of bitterness and a selfish personality! You claim that you couldn't recommend our hotel to your enemy due to a claim of bad food and service. What made you then stay for 4 nights without demanding a refund and consequently changing hotels if ours was not meeting your expectations? You stayed on because everything was OK with our property, and the only reason why you decided to malign our name is that you did not want to pay for the meals you ordered for your friends who were not residing with us! How so strange!

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Maxime wrote a review Feb 2023

1 contribution

The Maasai are leading the way

The staff at Oldarpoi embody a deep love of their ancestral lands, wildlife, community and traditions. Being shown a luxurious window into the ways this culture is intertwined with and supports the entire ecology has been a powerful initiation for me. I hope many more will follow in the footsteps of Nashulai to serve their communities and places of belonging.

Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends

Helpful

Response from Nelson Ole Reiyia, Owner at Oldarpoi Mara Camp

Responded 22 Feb 2023

Dear Maxim, Thank you for such an amazing review. May I also add that it was an absolute pleasure hosting you recently on your visit to the Mara and Nashulai Maasai Conservancy. We thoroughly enjoyed the incredible conversations we held by the fire circle, particularly in the area of conservation and the importance of traditional and indigenous knowledge . We hope to work with you to achieve our dream vision of bringing artists to the conservancy and using their creative knowledge in a way that will enable our community to thrive and for the sustainability of our conservation efforts. Thank you once again. Kind regards, Nelson

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Samuel R wrote a review Feb 2023

Nairobi Region, Kenya2 contributions

a gem in the african wild

choosing this camp for the 3 day tour in mara was the best decision i ever made in my adventure life, perfect services, great african ambience ,great customer service, very friendly maasai locals. finally how about a bush dinner catching a glimpse of the fading sunset and the rising of the stars... would recommend it anytime.

Date of stay: April 2022

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with friends

Room Tip: carry swimming costumes there is an awesome african continet- shaped swimming pool

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Helpful

mbf48 wrote a review Feb 2023

Indiana3 contributions3 helpful votes

Delightful time at Oldarpoi Mara Camp

I and my driver/friend spent 8 days at Oldarpoi Mara Camp in January 2023 and then returned for an additional 2 days after spending time in other locations in the Mara. The camp is lovely and very well run iwth wonderful staff. If you are looking for a view of the Savannah and mountains in the distance, then I recommend spending more money and going up to the top of the hill where the pool, a bar and another dining area are located for your lodging. However, we stayed in the tented camps in the original area and were very happy with the service, food, access to the pool and view, etc. I even fed the tame Eland carrots. Everyone was very helpful since we had 2 vans of food and gifts to be distributed to families in various locations in the Mara. They gave us an office for storage and sorting the items we were taking to my 50 sponsored girls and their families. I highly recommend the camp! Nelson and Maggie are to be congratulated for offering this camp as a part of Nashulai Conservancy!…

Date of stay: January 2023

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