info@wildearth.travel
Trip Overview
Duration
10 Days | 9 Nights
Guide
Steve Faulconbridge
Date
9 - 18 June 2026
Location
Kenya
Get ready for an extraordinary journey to Kenya in search of one of Africa’s rarest and most beautiful creatures, the black melanistic leopard.
Your adventure begins in the world-renowned Masai Mara, where you’ll spend three nights at Offbeat Mara Camp, an authentic bush camp full of charm and character, set in one of the Mara’s most wildlife-rich areas. During your stay, you’ll enjoy first class safari experiences and breathtaking scenery, all guided by Steve Faulconbridge—a highly respected private guide and WildEarth presenter with over 20 years of experience exploring Kenya’s diverse regions.
From the Mara, you’ll fly north to Laikipia, where your base will be the stunning Laikipia Wilderness Camp. This remote and wild region is home to the incredibly rare black leopards, whose territory lies in the surrounding hills. With a bit of luck and expert tracking, you may be among the very few to witness these elusive cats in their natural habitat. Alongside the leopards, you’ll also encounter Africa’s Big Five, and enjoy unforgettable days of exploration in one of Kenya’s most untamed landscapes.
Your Private Guides
Steve Faulconbridge
Private Safari Guide
With over 15 years of experience in the field and a master’s degree in nature conservation, Steve brings a thoughtful, quietly profound approach to guiding. A certified Level 2 Lead Trails Guide, he specialises in botany, animal behaviour, birding and tracking, interpreting the bush with the precision of a scientist and the intuition of someone deeply in tune with the land.
Since joining WildEarth in 2018, Steve has become known for his gentle way of guiding, where curiosity is welcomed and every question is a door to deeper understanding. His favourite part of being with WildEarth is the freedom to explore any subject, from the structure of a termite mound to the quiet clarity found in stillness.
What sets Steve apart is not just his ecological insight, but his gift for creating space, space for reflection, connection, and often a sense of calm awe. Guests often speak of ‘Oh my word’ moments and quiet pauses spent in nature that feel a little like meditation.
His favourite animal? The honey badger, fierce, fearless, and full of character. Much like Steve himself, there’s more to them than first meets the eye. Away from the vehicle or the trails, you’ll find him playing drums, dancing, or simply soaking in the rhythm of the wild.
The Lodges
Offbeat Mara Camp
One of the smaller camps in the Mara, Offbeat Mara Camp has just seven tents offering a truly private, traditional safari experience within the Mara North Conservancy (MNC). The MNC founded in January 2009, is an area of about 74,000 acres and is incredibly rich in wildlife and has one of the lowest densities of tourist visitors in the greater Mara ecosystem, enabling guests to enjoy game viewing in privacy. Offbeat Mara Camp is one of the founding members of the Conservancy. Tucked away in this prime wildlife area, Offbeat Mara Camp provides guests with superb game viewing – lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are all seen regularly in the stunning valley that surrounds the camp. Most importantly, the camp is far away from other lodges and camps. We aim to provide guests with great game viewing ‘away from the masses’.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Private Vehicle (Available), Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Laikipia Wilderness River Camp
The River Camp, located on the banks of the Ewaso Narok, shares the same ethos as the main camp. By this, we mean the same staff, guides, catering style, activities, and general ambience.
The River Camp is made up of four cottages with a large central mess and dining area. There are two family cottages and two flexible double, twin or triple rooms, all with en suite open-air bathrooms. The thatched buildings offer a cool resting place during siesta time, while the sounds of the river set a
peaceful backdrop for your stay. This space is perfect for bigger groups who would like to use it exclusively.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Malaria Free, Private Vehicle (Available)
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport • Nairobi
You will be met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and transferred by private vehicle to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The drive typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Included: breakfast
Day 2 – 4: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 to Friday, 12 June 2026
Offbeat Mara Camp • Mara North Conservancy
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred by private car to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. From there, you will board a light aircraft flight to the Mara North Conservancy, where you’ll be met and driven to your next camp: Offbeat Mara.
You’ll stay at Offbeat Mara for three nights, hosted by Steven Faulconbridge, who will personally guide you through the Masai Mara. Together, you’ll search for Africa’s most iconic wildlife—and much more—across this spectacular landscape.
Included
All meals, drinks and safari activities.
Steven Faulconbridge as your personal host.
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred by private car to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. From there, you will board a light aircraft flight to the Mara North Conservancy, where you’ll be met and driven to your next camp: Offbeat Mara.
You’ll stay at Offbeat Mara for three nights, hosted by Steven Faulconbridge, who will personally guide you through the Masai Mara. Together, you’ll search for Africa’s most iconic wildlife—and much more—across this spectacular landscape.
Included
All meals, drinks and safari activities.
Steven Faulconbridge as your personal host.
Day 5 – 9: Saturday, 13 June 2026 to Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Laikipia Wilderness River Camp • Laikipia
Today, you will board a light aircraft flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, before connecting to your next flight to Nanyuki Airstrip in Laikipia. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your lodge: Laikipia Wilderness Camp.
Over the next 5 nights and 6 days, you’ll explore this extraordinary region, which is teeming with wildlife. One of the highlights will be hopefully finding the black leopards that inhabit this area, along with encounters with many of the other iconic species that call Laikipia home.
Included
All meals, drinks and Safari activities.
Steven Faulconbridge as your personal host.
Day 10: Thursday, 18 June 2026
Laikipia Wilderness River Camp • Laikipia
Today, you will board a light aircraft flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative who will transfer you by private vehicle to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you will connect with your international flight home.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Pricing
Included
- All internal road and flight transfers
- All food and drinks at Offbeat Mara and Laikipia Wilderness.
- All safari activities.
- Steve Faulconbridge as your private host throughout.
Excluded
- International Flights
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
Pricing
Sharing
Per person sharing
Single
Per person for single occupancy
