What to bring on your self-camping trip to the Masai Mara.

We built Tor’s camp because the Masai Mara offers visitors many opportunities for guests to stay in luxuriously organised (and priced) campsites but there are very few options that allow for the self-camping that a lot of us adventurous types look for.

So, Tor’s is our answer to that gap in the market. It is an affordable campsite that opens the Mara up to people that want to see the world’s wildest space on a budget. But we’ve also kept in mind what self-camping is all about. It’s about putting your own stamp on a space for a short amount of time, and living in that space exactly as you’d like whilst still being a part of, and respecting, an animal ecosystem.

We want our guests to enjoy the do-it-yourself element of self-camping. But we also know that there are some rough edges to any safari adventure that a lot of us wouldn’t mind smoothening down.

So, we’ve added some amenities to your do-it-yourself, affordable camping trip to the Masai Mara.

In our communal part of the camp, we’ve built a Maasai manyatta-style wood-weaved shower block from which you can get hot showers at any time of the day. We’ve also built a welcome tent, outfitted with sofas and charging points so you can charge your phones and cameras while your in the bush.

Despite that we’ve nestled our campsites deep in foresting bush (which keeps the area cool even in midday), you can get 4G connectivity from inside the Welcome tent.

Each campsite is outfitted with a BBQ, a pair of kerosene lamps and a low-lying coffee table that, if you haven’t brought your own, gives you a space for the un-awkward preparation of meals.

We hope that these amenities take a little out of what might be considered the inconveniences of self-camping. That said, you mustn’t forget to bring some of the other things essential for your camping trip to be enjoyable. Here are a few of the things that have been forgotten (and regretted) in the past:

• Drinking water

• Food

• Tents

• Sleeping bags

• Camping chairs

• Sleeping mattresses

• Flasks for the storage of hot water

• Tupperware

• A drinks cooler

• Something warm to wear in the evenings

• Matches or a lighter

• Sun cream

• Cooking and eating utensils

• Toilet roll (you'll really regret not having this one)

• Toiletries

• Towels

• Alcohol

• Binoculars

• Wildlife books

• Flipflops for use in the showers

If you're travelling here with your own vehicle, make sure you fill your car up with fuel in Narok and you may even benefit from bringing an extra jerrican in case you run out.

So, there you have it. If you use that checklist, you’ll be well outfitted for your camping trip in the Mara. Of course, if you bring anything above and beyond, you’ll definitely be adding to your time in the bush.

Good luck with your preparations and we hope to see you at Tor’s soon!