About Mara Hilltop
We're a family-run safari camp at the edge of the Maasai Mara. Five minutes from the main Sekenani Gate. Three tiers, one ownership, one set of standards.
Where we are
On a hilltop overlooking the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The main Sekenani Gate is a five-minute drive from camp — many travel guides incorrectly say thirty-five minutes; they are out of date. The drive from Nairobi is five to six hours by road or 45 minutes by air to Keekorok or Ol Kiombo.
Three tiers, one camp
Most camps on the edge of the Mara pick a price point and stick to it. We run three tiers on one site: luxury tents, standard tents, and a hostel. Same kitchen, same staff, same access to game drives. Different beds and different price.
Why we built it this way
Because the people who come to the Mara are not all the same. Honeymooners and backpackers and Indian families and solo women travellers all want the same access to the wildlife and the same kindness from the staff. The bed is the thing that differs.
What we promise
- Direct booking at the best rate, always
- Real food, including Indian and vegan diets
- A clear answer to any question before you arrive
- No upselling on the safari side — you pay for what you actually do
Who runs Mara Hilltop
A single-family operation. NJ leads strategy, marketing, and tech. His brother Nikhil runs day-to-day on-site management. Anupam handles operations. Their father is an advisor and spends stretches at the lodge. Operated under Kumsai LTD, a Kenyan-registered company. Direct contact with the owners during your stay is the norm, not the exception.
The land
Twenty-two acres on a hilltop on the edge of the Maasai Mara, five minutes from the main Sekenani Gate, with panoramic views across the plains. Bought, built, and operated by the family — not a chain, not a franchise, not a developer flip.
What we're investing in next
Two more luxury tents are scheduled to open July 2026 — tents 9 and 10 — bringing the luxury count to ten. The neighbouring Semadep property is under renovation and opens late 2026 with additional family-tent capacity. The goal is more capacity for the migration season without changing the feel of the place: same kitchen, same staff, same shared infinity pool, same view.