Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions

Emboo is located in the heart of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Maasai Mara National Reserve has a size of 1,510 square kilometers or 580 square miles is surrounded by privately owned conservancies offering lots of space for wildlife to thrive.

Feel one with nature, thanks to Emboo's central location in the wild. There is wildlife all around the lodge ... and even within the lodge .... and your wilderness drives start as soon as you jump into the electric safari vehicles. Ready, set, explore!

The closest to nature you'll ever get. Emboo is located in the wilderness of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and is not fenced... so we have lots of animals within the camp.

During the day, the presences of animals in the camp is rare, though you might spot mongoose, monkeys and small antelopes. Once darkness falls, common visitors include hippos, elephants, hyenas, leopards, lions, buffalos. Snakes are rarely seen, though are present in the camp.

Emboo's security team - including Maasai Warriors - operate day and night and ensures that there are no unexpected encounters between our guests and wild animals.

On arrival at Emboo you wil get a briefing about how to navigate the wild. One important rule is that the Emboo security team escorts you to your Suite and the main areas. Another safety instruction is that children must never be left unattended.

You're in luck! The Maasai Mara is amazing all year around.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is known for its abundance of wildlife and high density of animals, at any time of year.

The below seasons give an indication of what to expect during certain travel months. Heads up, weather is always unpredictable and climate change is affecting the usual seasons.
 

• Start the year in January and February with a warm and dry period and spot many newborn animals.

• The months of March until May bring splashes of rain. The rains are unpredictable, and do not hamper the fun. Instead, you'll enjoy a lush and vibrant Maasai Mara... plus there are fewer travellers, allowing you to be King of the Jungle.

• During the months of July till October you have the chance of witnessing the Great Migration that brings millions of wildebeest, zebra and antelope into Emboo's area. The wildebeest criss cross the grasslands in search of delicious red oat grass which are shimmering under the sun.

• The short downpours in November and December make the landscapes lush and green once again... bringing the savanna back to life! Wrap up the year in the wilderness surrounded by lots of wildlife.

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Emboo lies close to the equator at an elevation of around 1200 meters or 4000 feet. It is usually warm during the days and chilly during the morning and evenings. Temperatures vary between a maximum of 25°C / 77°F  and a minimum of 12°C/54°F.

Yum yum yum. Emboo's Chefs create the most delicious, happy, colourful feasts with ingredients straight from our vertical and hydroponic gardens. There are only 100 steps between you and the farm, bringing your farm-to-fork feasts to a next level. Our dishes mix Kenyan flavours with flavours from all over the world, taking you on a culinary journey!

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Inform us in advance of any dietary requests or allergies. Our Chefs create the most yummy vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten free, ... dishes, so no worries - or hakuna matata - a about any special needs.

Bottled drinking water is available all day every day. Tap water is fresh from our well, and not potable.

Prefer to sip on an Emboo Dawa cocktail or mocktail, Kenyan teas and coffees, or celebrate this trip with a bottle of bubbly? The Emboo team will quench your thirst.

Dress in whatever makes you happy! We recommend you to pack comfortable clothes and shoes... in colours that pop like the traditional red Maasai outfits, that blend in with the colours of the grasslands, or as bright as the birds around us. Temperatures change quickly as soon as the sun sets, so it might be chilly during your morning game drive and warm by lunch time. You are therefore advised to bring clothes that are easy to layer such as T-shirts, sweaters, jacket, long and short trousers, sneakers or hiking shoes, scarf and a sun hat or beanie.

Do not forget your swimwear and sunglasses to enjoy a dip in Emboo's pool.

You can pack a flashlight and binoculars, though Emboo River also provides these.

We want to protect the Maasai Mara for generations to come. Will you join us in the effort?

We request guests to be respectful of nature and to not litter. Single use plastic is prohibited in the Maasai Mara and other natural areas around Kenya. Therefore we recommend you to swap that plastic bag for your favourite tote. Leave your single use toiletries at home and instead enjoy the natural soaps and shampoos in your Suite.

In case you are bringing single use items such as nappies, wet wipes or candy wrappers, the Emboo team will help dispose of them in a safe way.

Let's help rangers and communities around this majestic space to protect rivers, forests, grasslands and animals. During your booking process, the Emboo team will check if you want park and community fees to be included in your invoice.

If it is included in your invoice, the Emboo team will arrange your park fees prior to your arrival to smoothen your entry into the Maasai Mara. If park fees are not included in your invoice, you can pay your park fees upon arrival into the Maasai Mara via credit card.
 

Here are the 2024-2025 park fees for the Maasai Mara National Reserve:
 

• Adults (18 years and over)

  • USD 100 / night (1 January - 30 June)

  • USD 200 / night (1 July - 31 December)

• Children (9 till 17 years): USD 50 / night (1 January - 31 December)
   

Here are the 2024-2025 Community Fees 

• Adults (18 years and over): USD 80 per adult per night ​

• Children (9 till 17 years): USD 40 per child per night 

Apply for your Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before you travel to Kenya. Apply for the visa online via this official website: www.etakenya.go.ke/en

Join us at Emboo via road and air. Sit back and relax, because we are happy to arrange transport for you. Click here to find out more on transport options.

Are you travelling from Nairobi? A one way drive in a comfy 4x4 vehicle takes around 5-6 hours, depending on how many zebra crossings you encounter along the way. A one way flight takes around 45 minutes and gives you a birds eye view of the Rift Valley.

Heads up: These short flights within Kenya allow you to take only 15 kgs of luggage (combining hand luggage and cargo luggage) in a soft bag. Check your tickets for more details and contact the airline in case you want to purchase extra weight prior to your flight.

Are you driving to Emboo? For easy navigation, use this customised map:

a) When travelling from from Narok to Emboo: click here for your map;

b) When travelling from Nairobi via Suswa to Emboo: click here

Heads up: Skip the standard Google Maps guidance, as you're in for an adventure off the beaten path.

Emboo is located in the wilderness, so in case of a medical emergency, doctors and hospitals are located at a few hours distance. Want to chat to a doctor? We offer guests 24/7 complementry access to doctors via call and whatsapp. 

Need more medical support? We advise guests to get medical insurance that works abroad and to sign up for a Medical Evacuation Service - allowing you to easily travel via helicopter or flight to the nearest hospital in case of emergency. For more info check out Rescue (click here) or AMREF (click here)​ There is a small prevalence of malaria in the Maasai Mara. Consult your doctor for malaria medication. Bring mosquito spray.

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If you are travelling to Kenya from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission, Kenya requires that you show a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.  Check with your doctor to see if your general vaccinations are still up to date

Fall in love with your River Suite hidden in the tree canopy. It's the perfect spot to wake up to the song of birds and catch glimpses of the river flowing by and animals roaming the savanna.

Feel one with nature... and relax, thanks to the spacious, luxurious and colourful vibes. The Suites have custom made furniture by local artisans (yay!) and reflect the colours of the birds around us (spot the Lilac Breasted Roller and King Fishers from your balcony).

The Suites have everything you might need, including power 24/7, international charging stations, a drinks and snack bar, ensuite bathroom with a rain shower and so much more.​

Emboo is located in a forest and while we do have natural pathways... we strive to be wheelchair-friendly and suitable for guests with special needs. Give us a heads up about your needs while booking your trip and we'll make sure you enjoy a comfortable and mind blowing experience. PS: Two of our River Suites do not have a staircase at the entrance. 

Can you visit Emboo with your kids? Absolutely! Emboo welcomes kids of all ages, and our youngest guest was just four weeks old! For our youngest VIPs we have special activities including arts and crafts, bush walks, Maasai Warrior training​ and more.

Have special requests for your kids such as meals or car seats? Let us know in advance.

Ready to disconnect from the daily life and instead connect to the nature around you and the story within you? In Emboo's main areas there is Wi-Fi powered by Starlink. Want to use your own mobile network for calls or data? There's a very good connection here in the bush.​

We love providing you with a safe and private space throughout your stay. Want to store something extra carefully? You can store them in the management's safe.

Want to get some souvenirs in our gift shop so you'll remember Emboo forever? Want to book yourself a balloon safari to glide over the savanna? 

For any extras, you can easily settle your bill at Emboo. Payments can be made via most credit cards (transaction fee to be added), in cash through USD and KES currencies or via Mpesa. 

Want to celebrate the Emboo team by leaving a tip? That's possible. Tipping of Emboo staff is entirely up to you, though it is customary in Kenya. Emboo's team consists of more than 50 people who work hard behind the scenes to make your stay fantastic and would be most grateful for tips.

Here is some guidance in line with Kenyan customs, to help you structure the tips

• For the camp staff (service, maintenance, housekeeping, chefs, mechanics, gardeners, security,...), we have a communal tipping system that is equally shared amongst them. A usual tip is USD 10 - 20 per traveller per day and this can be left as cash in our communal tipping box or paid via credit card at the reception.

• The guides can be tipped separately. A usual tip is between USD 10 - 20 per traveller per day. Tipping can be done in cash directly to the Guide or via credit card at the reception.

We love you taking snapshots of your wilderness adventure. 

Would you book a professional photographer to join you on safari for a wild wild photoshoot? Should we hide in the bushes to take pictures during a marriage proposal? Do you have any special photography requests? Let us know. 

Heads up regarding drone usage within Kenya: If you want to create content with a drone in Kenya, you will need to apply for a license and meet lots of requirements prior to your arrival in Kenya. Additionally, because the Maasai Mara is a protected area with wildlife - including up in the air -, special rules apply.
 

You can find more information on the application process, requirements and the fees on this KCAA website: click here. Need more info, you're welcome to connect with a specialised company such as Expert Drones Africa: click here