Alex Walker's Serian "The Original"

Serian was the first of Alex’s camps, and it perfectly captures the essence of its name: meaning ‘peaceful, calm, serene’ in the Maasai language, it was designed to be a retreat from the bustle of contemporary life, and a chance to experience untamed Africa in traditional tented splendour. 

It lies in the private Mara North Conservancy, and the beauty of this location is that only 10 other camps have access to it – so the feeling of having your own personal piece of Africa is a luxury that Serian Camp has in spades.

The thatched mess area has a stunning view over the Mara River and the Siria escarpment, and is the perfect spot to share a sundowner and stories of the dwindling day. 

Join Adrian and Roisin by the fireside, and watch as the stars take over the sky. Comfy furniture, smooth wooden decks and an indoor fireplace give a warm feeling of home away from home – and the idea is to treat it like one: so sit back, put up your feet and succumb to the chilled ambiance and good company that constitutes Serian’s nightlife.

Experience and Activities

The cornerstone of a safari experience at Serian is that each group has their own open-top safari vehicle, and their own dedicated guide and spotter. 

The freedom this grants you is key to getting the most out of your stay: go where the day takes you, without the limitations of fixed schedules, or fitting in with other peoples’ plans. 

Serian's guides and spotters are intimately familiar with these special places, so they know all its secrets and the ways the animals interact with it, from the subtle changes of the seasons, to the stages of an animals lifecycle, to the flora that sustains it all – they are the key that can unlock it all for you.

Walking safaris epitomise the golden chance to get away from the trails and beaten tracks, and immerse in the environment in a way that the noise and speed of vehicles don’t permit

Once you slow down, there’s a whole world that you never noticed before. The beauty of walking is that it engenders an appreciation of an ecosystem’s sheer perfection: every tiny element has its place, and plays its role 

At Serian, walking is done in a private conservation area – a strictly no-vehicle zone that no one else has access to. Here, you are likely to have close encounters with elephant, buffalo, hippo as well as more rare species.

Night drives, and hot air balloon safaris are also possible.