The Tembo by Jackson Collection – Spirit Luxury Camp, Kenya

About This Property

Tembo by Jackson Collection Spirit Camp is the more exclusive and luxurious of the two Tembo by Jackson properties. It is located in the 17,350-acre Lemek Conservancy, north-east of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, in a private wilderness area owned by Maasai landowners.

The camp is very small and intimate, with just four accommodation units. The current website describes three Luxury Tents and one Luxury Room, while another section refers to four traditional tented rooms. The accommodation is designed to feel more like a private bush retreat than a conventional safari camp.

The Luxury Tents are approximately 80 square metres, with king-size beds, spacious bathrooms, hot and cold water, a bath and shower, private terraces and indoor lounge areas. The rooms also have mini fridges, personal safes and fans.

The setting is one of the camp's biggest advantages. Because Spirit Camp is in the private Lemek Conservancy, guests can enjoy off-road driving, night game drives and guided walking safaris, which gives the experience a very different character from staying inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Wildlife includes lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hyena and seasonal cheetah.

There is also a swimming pool and spa, making Spirit Camp considerably more resort-like than the Tembo Bush Camp. The main area includes a lounge, bar and adjoining dining room, while an observation tower provides elevated views over the conservancy and opportunities for wildlife watching.

Safari activities are particularly strong. Guests can do day and night game drives, walking safaris, full-day safaris, bird watching, sun downers and bush breakfasts and dinners. The private conservancy also allows guides more flexibility to go off-road in pursuit of wildlife.

The camp has a strong Maasai ownership and conservation ethos. Lemek Conservancy provides income to Maasai landowners and supports wildlife conservation, while Tembo by Jackson also supports local community projects through its Masai Mara Solidarity initiative.

Of the two Tembo properties, Spirit Camp is the one I'd choose for luxury. It is much smaller, more private and more polished, and the combination of a private conservancy, swimming pool, spa, beautiful tented suites, walking safaris and night drives makes it a very complete safari experience.

The Tembo Bush Camp is better if your priority is being right in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and maximising classic daytime game viewing. Spirit Camp is better if you want a more exclusive, relaxed experience with greater freedom and a wider range of activities.

For a Kenya itinerary, the two can actually work very well together: Tembo Bush Camp for the National Reserve, followed by Spirit Camp for a quieter private-conservancy experience. The camps are roughly an hour apart by road.