Leopard Trails Wilpattu

Sala’s Camp offers an exceptional and personalized safari experience with space, comfort and stunning views. Accommodating up to 22 guests in seven luxury tents dotted along the Sand River, guests are treated to the casual elegance of safari days-gone-by whilst being surrounded by contemporary touches like private plunge pools and glass-fronted tents. The camp’s interiors are elegant and comfortable and all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with bathtub and shower, running water and flushing toilets. Electricity is solar-powered (with a standby generator for refrigeration and charging) and a focus on sustainable practices includes tree-planting and water saving initiatives and a large organic veggie garden. Typically, after an exciting game drive and exceptional wildlife sightings, return to relax in your hammock, lounge by your private plunge pool or indulge in a massage from the expert therapist. Head out in the late afternoon for a special sundowner experience with the vintage mobile bar Eleanor, before enjoying dinner served under the stars.

Sala’s Camp prides itself on its hospitality and all arrangements are made with meticulous care. Guests enjoy full-board during their stay, which includes all meals and drinks (excluding champagne and specially imported wines and spirits). There are activities on offer for children of all ages and a 'baby listening' service is available. The camp is suitable for guests with limited disabilities and special meals can be catered for by prior arrangement.

Keekorok Honeymoon Tent with pool (Tent 1)

The honeymoon tent has a private plunge pool, veranda and spectacular views. The interior of the room is soft in colour, embracing the natural hues of the surrounding grasslands and river sand. The bathroom is elegantly accented with rich copper and brass fittings reflecting Africa’s warmth and includes a large copper bathtub and spacious shower. Floors are made from bamboo and covered with natural reed carpets, whilst striking black and white images hang on the canvas walls, enriching the space.

Keekorok Family Tent with pool (Tents 2a and 2b)

Sala’s newest Family Tent is made up of two spacious rooms inter-connected by a central communal lounge area leading out onto a beautiful and expansive wooden deck with sun beds, private dining area and plunge pool.

The Keekorok Family Tent can sleep up to six guests in a variety of layouts, depending on requirements. Both rooms can be doubles, twins or triples. Alternatively, the central lounge area contains a double sofa bed and can be separated by sliding doors to become a third bedroom. The two spacious en-suites each contain rain showers and free-standing copper bathtubs with fabulous views out into the wilderness. Exclusive use of vehicle is included for all guests staying in the Keekorok Family Tent.

Forest Family Tent with pool (Tent 3)

The Forest Family Tent consists of one enormous open-plan room with a bedroom at either end. The two sleeping areas are divided by an open-plan lounge area in the middle with a small wooden screen for separating each end if desired. Both bedroom areas have their own ensuite bathrooms with rain showers and flushing loo and one also has a bathtub. A small grassy area shaded by trees makes a great space for little ones to play in front of the tent.

The Forest Family Tent can sleep up to five guests, each end of the open-plan room able to be configured as a twin or double, with an additional fifth bed upon request. A large veranda spans the length of the tent and a private deck is located a stone’s throw away beside the Sand River with views looking south into Tanzania. Here there is a private plunge pool and day bed, plus a sunken seating area and fire pit. Exclusive use of game drive vehicle is included for all guests staying in the Forest Family Tent.

Double Tent with pools (Tents 4-6)

Sala's Double Tents all embrace the charm of a traditional under-canvas style safari while incorporating contemporary touches like glass doors and private plunge pools overlooking the river.

While they are all subtly different in design, they each have the same amenities and tranquil natural surroundings with views across the Sand River and into the Serengeti. The seclusion, sumptuous nature and incredible outlook of all the double tents make them the perfect choice for a honeymoon safari. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead out to a private garden area with space for private star-lit dining if desired. Private plunge pools and wooden decks allow for total relaxation in the soothing green surroundings of nature.Tent 6 is a few minute's stroll along a winding gravel pathway from the main mess tent.

Forest Honeymoon Tent with pool (Tent 7)

The Forest Honeymoon Tent is located furthest away from the main mess tent, at the end of the pathway, and is therefore the most secluded. Like our other double tents, it has floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading out onto a private garden area with a riverside deck and private plunge pool. A built in bath tub, spacious shower and seclusion in nature allow for total relaxation.

WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

Sala’s is the first camp in the Mara to witness the phenomenal movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and other antelope, which move year round on a circular migratory route in the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Guests staying between July and October might be lucky enough to catch the animals thundering by. Watching a river crossing is a tense and thrilling spectacle and will bring you face to face with the brutal reality of mother nature. Do check dates before traveling if you don’t want to miss this, as timings vary each year depending on when the rains begin.

GAME DRIVES

The anticipation and excitement of setting off in a 4 x 4 to explore the African bush is what being on safari is all about. The area around Sala’s Camp is teeming with diverse wildlife and Sala's fleet of professional guides are eager to tell guests about the plants and animals they come across. Guests staying longer might wish to venture further into the Mara and head out for the day with a picnic lunch. Each game drive vehicle is specially designed to ensure maximum game viewing and comfort. Kitted out with Maasai blankets and ponchos to keep warm, sunscreen, fridges filled with cold drinks, hot drinks, books and sweets, there's everything to keep you happy during a game drive.

RIVERBED GAMES: BOULES & VOLLEY BALL

During the dry months, the sandy riverbed in front of Sala’s Camp turns into a perfect volleyball pitch as well as the ideal place for a game of boules. Sala’s Camp has everything you need for both games. There are no hippos or crocodiles to worry about in the area, so enjoy unleashing your competitive side.

BUSH GYM

Sala’s Camp has a small, but well-equipped gym for guests to use at their leisure and really work up an appetite for the scrumptious cuisine! Each tent also has a ‘gym-in-a-bag’ for guests to use during their stay, containing a yoga mat, skipping rope and post safari stretch card with some simple exercises to relax the body.

GET ARTY ON SAFARI

Each tent has a paint set and sketch pad for guests to use during their stay. Get creative in the camp’s idyllic, artistic surroundings and paint the unique scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna.

SUNDOWNERS

Sundowners are an essential part of any safari experience and there really is nothing better than watching the African sun sink low on the horizon over the vast animal filled plains of the Masai Mara. The fabulous vintage mobile bar at Sala's (named Eleanor) adds a special touch to the sundowner experience here. Fully stocked with everything needed to make cocktails, mocktails or whatever the drink of choice, plus delicious canapes to nibble on, it makes for an unforgettable evening spent in nature.

SPA TREATMENTS

From a secluded shady corner of camp, or from the comfort of your own room, indulge in one of our therapeutic treatments. We use spa products by Healing Earth, a premium organic brand inspired by ancient African healing traditions.

SUNRISE BALLOON SAFARI

Soaring high over the savannah on a sunrise balloon safari is a truly unforgettable and magical experience. Glide silently above the plains and spot wildlife as you experience 360 degree views as far as the eye can see. Balloon rides are particularly magnificent during the migration, when you will witness millions of animals grazing on a green carpet below you.

NATURE AND BIRDING WALKS

Join your Masai Guide for an exploratory amble around the camp environment. This gentle stroll is a great way for both adults and children alike to stretch their legs in-between game drives. You’ll be surprised by just how many smaller creatures and birds there are to spot around camp. It’s also fascinating to learn about the traditional uses of some of the plants and trees you’ll come across. Children might like looking for wildlife tracks, finding feathers and learning to identify different types of animal dung! If you are staying with us for several days and would like to go on a longer walk outside of camp, there is an area in the reserve approximately an hour away where you can amble along a small gorge of the Sand River.

FOR CHILDREN

The guides and spotters love taking younger guests under their wing, helping them become enthralled by the wild. They might enjoy spotting the ‘little five’ and the ‘ugly five’ on game drives or finding animal tracks with their guide on a nature walk around camp. The shallow sandy riverbed in front of camp is ideal for little ones to splash about in during the wet season or dig around and spot animal spoor when it’s dry. Budding warriors can learn how to make a Maasai bow and arrow or how to make a fire using traditional techniques. Evening activities might include roasting marshmallows and making popcorn around the fire or searching for glow worms and frogs by torchlight. The camp is well-stocked with a selection of board games, including Scrabble, Kumiliki (African Monopoly), Chess, Liar Dice, Backgammon, cards and Mancala.

For more information on Sala's, click HERE