Masai Mara

Sanctuary Olonana is an exceptional luxury safari lodge set on a private stretch of the Mara River in the heart of Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara.

Featuring 14 glass-sided suites, Sanctuary Olonana is inspired by the Masai Mara’s breath-taking natural wonders, an abundance of wildlife, and a dramatic river which runs right past its forest setting. Game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, scenic flights and balloon rides, Olonana makes for a wonderful African safari.

The  Geoffrey  Kent  Suite,  launched  in  2019,  allows  travellers  to  immerse  themselves  in  secluded  ultra-luxury  in  this sophisticated  free-flowing  space.  Guests  will  enjoy  two  ensuite  bedrooms,  an  additional  family  room,  wraparound private decking and infinity pool,  lounge  and dining area,  and private  vehicle and safari guide.

Maasai Trails is all about your guides, local Maasai from the Loita area, who are eager to share their customs and culture, whilst teaching you the lore of the bush. The Loita Maasai who lead you on these trails are reputed to be the most conservative of this tribe, dedicated to their traditions, ceremonies and rites of passage. As a people, the Maasai have struggled over the years to maintain their culture and have shied away from large scale developments and lodges that comprise other parts of Eastern Africa… thus is the beauty of Maasai Trails. This small low impact camp and mobile camp are a sustainable method to bring income to the local people whilst protecting the natural surroundings of the Loita Hills and sacred Forest, as well as their culture!

The Trails can vary in number of days and any number of people can join from one up to 14, but the trails stay the same and all begin from a base Camp where the donkeys who carry the camp are weighed and packed. Whether one wants to walk into the sacred Loita forest to a hidden waterfall, to the edge of the Great Rift Valley, or find a way of combining all the trails … the beauty of Maasai Trails is the flexibility, and they are happy to accommodate any experience in this beautiful wilderness.

Saruni Eagle View is located on a panoramic escarpment in Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Masai Mara, with sweeping views over the open savannah in what is one of the most beautiful and protected areas of the Mara ecosystem. Its natural salt lick and watering hole provide both a busy hunting site for predators and unique game viewing perspectives for our guests. In fact, Mara Naboisho Conservancy is one of Africa’s prime game viewing destinations. It is home to all year abundant wildlife and amazing rich Maasai heritage. 

Offbeat Mara is a small, traditional safari camp, situated within the 74,000 acre Mara North Conservancy (MNC). The area is full of wildlife yet far from any other camp or lodge.  MNC is only open to member camps and has a strict policy on game viewing etiquette.  For these reasons our guests get a wholly exclusive experience that is otherwise becoming hard to find.

Serian was the first of Alex’s camps, and it perfectly captures the essence of its name: meaning ‘peaceful, calm, serene’ in the Masai 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 we have in spades.

Sarova Mara Game Camp is ideally located in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya and offers a unique African safari experience for game viewing. The luxury safari camps include 20 Club Tents, 30 Deluxe Tents, 19 Standard Tents, 3 Family Tents, the main restaurant, bar and a free form swimming pool that has its own pool bar. All our tents include an en-suite bathroom. The Club Tents offer a spectacular view of the rolling plains of the Savannah. The cuisine is exceptional with organic garden and bush dining options available. In addition, the camp has its own fleet of well-equipped safari vehicles with excellent safari guides.

Set amongst the forest at the foot of the scenic Oloololo escarpment (the rim of the Great Rift Valley) in Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara National Reserve, is the classic and elegant Bateleur Camp.

Here, amidst the reserve’s astounding year-round concentration of animals, including the seasonal Great Wildebeest Migration, guests can have an unsurpassed wildlife experience. Guests can almost exclusively explore this area on a game drive or on foot, enjoying access to pristine outdoor dining locations.

Comprised of just two intimate camps of nine tented suites each and a family tent; each elegant tent, with its own private butler and housekeeper reflects the ambiance and glamour of Kenyan explorers of old. Slip into a world of hardwood floors, polished silver and copper bathtubs juxtaposed against the romance of the open Mara plains, with their abundant herds of wildlife. Beautifully handcrafted artefacts, fine antiques, leather buttoned Chesterfield sofas, books, and crystal and candlelight adorn the comfortable sitting and dining areas.

Refreshing lap pools in each camp provide cool comfort in between captivating game drives. Delectable cuisine is served in a memorable setting beneath the stars and bush breakfasts and romantic sundowners offer an unforgettable African experience. Adventures at Bateleur Camp include twice-daily game drives, including spot-lit night drives. The camp also offers a range of additional activities such as bush walks, hot air balloon safaris, community excursions, a well- equipped gym and wellness treatments in our massage sala.

“Mara Expedition Camp, offering affordable Kenyan safari experiences, is positioned on high ground in a grove of typical East African acacia trees overlooking a valley in the Maasai Mara Reserve. It is on private land, offering exclusivity with access to some of the region’s best wildlife. Wildlife drives are in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve and the private Mara North Conservancy. The camp tells the story of early explorers to Africa with campaign furniture and open air space under light canvas. It is an ideal camp to start your safari looking for big cats such as cheetah and lion. Most days, you don’t even have to go very far!” – Dereck Joubert, CEO

Mara Expedition Camp is a magical revisiting of the past, drawing from Africa’s original explorers’ designs and designed for those who search for East Africa’s romantic safari era. Here, you will experience the best of both worlds: the intense action of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, as well as the more private 70,000-acre Mara North Conservancy. Mara Expedition Camp is a stylish experience and adventure camp unique to the industry and fits the service levels, specialised guiding and design associated with Great Plains Conservation.

It is safari chic with six light and airy, spacious canvas tents, each with en-suite bathrooms where you enjoy piping hot water from huge brass safari showers. The affordable Kenyan safari camp itself is tucked away below the tree line, hidden from the lights and noise from neighbouring camps or any other sign of humanity. Under the grove of Africa ebony trees, its humble main area is lit by lantern and candlelit, simple in design, but just enough for all the comforts. This camp’s ambience and ‘back to the classics’ safari design will be a sure hit with private groups and safari enthusiasts.

Whilst offering affordable Kenyan safari opportunities, Mara Expedition Camp is the perfect place for the ardent safari-goer. The camp is locally famous for its leopard residents wandering nearby. Mara Expedition Camp offers guests the best advantage of two migrations – the famous annual Serengeti migration and the green season migration from Loita Plains, an additional 50,000 wildebeest and over 100,000 zebras vying for grazing rights. With picnic breakfast (and often lunch, too), guests can enjoy full day safaris across some of Africa’s most prosperous game country, which is renowned for extraordinary predator density and frequent hunts. Access to both the Masai Mara Reserve and Mara North Conservancy give guests options of more privacy.

Mara Expedition Camp is a member of our Explorer Collection of safari camps located in the greater Maasai Mara. Mara Toto Camp is a fellow Explorer Collection safari camp only a short drive away and tucked discreetly into a forested grove. Mara Plains Camp and the Mara Plains Jahazi Suite are situated across the river in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Mara Nyika Camp is in the private Naboisho Conservancy to the northeast. Mara Plains and Mara Nyika are Réserve-Collection safari camps as well as Relais & Chateaux members. Combining a stay with ol Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills ensures a perfect safari combination for any visitor looking to experience an ideal Kenyan safari.

Basecamp Wilderness is a nostalgic tribute to the safaris of the early explorers and safari pioneers. Free from artificial luxury and modern disturbances and providing the perfect escape close to nature with optimal tranquillity and stunning sunrise views, Basecamp Wilderness is how safaris and safari camps were meant to be.

Tucked away deep inside the “Saddle Valley” in the heart of Naibosho Conservancy, the 8 tents allow for complete privacy and ultimate views of the savannah. The dining tent offers a romantic sitting area with comfortable leather chairs, carefully selected reading materials and a vintage gramophone.

It is just you, the Maasai, the wildlife and the stars.

Mara Nyika Camp, meaning “Large Plains or Great Plains,” is an intimate tented camp set in a valley and. a perfect location for your safari in Kenya. The camp tucked away under the treetop canopy straddles a small stream on the western side of the Naboisho Conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara.

Mara Nyika Camp and its light-coloured canvas suites are designed to sit under the canopy of umbrella thorn trees. All the suites offer guests unforgettable views out over the plains. Walkways from the guest suites to the main area evoke the feeling of a treehouse under canvas. The camp’s ethics and inspiration are one of exploration and adventure. Privacy is the key to Mara Nyika Camp. Privacy to live, think, explore, be romantic and be pampered – all the while with one of the most spectacular backdrops Africa can provide.

Mara Nyika Camp offers guests three luxury guest suites in addition to 2 x 2 bedroom family suites.

Guests staying at Mara Nyika Camp explore the private and exclusive 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy, the second largest conservancy in the greater Maasai Mara region. “Naboisho” means “coming together” in the Maasai’s Maa language and represents the 500 local landowners who established the conservancy. The conservancy model strives to conserve natural and cultural heritage, tourism, and livelihoods for the local communities. Each guest’s stay supports over 500 Maasai families with a sustainable livelihood and helps to ensure the conservation of this vital corner of the Maasai Mara eco-system.

Many guests opt to spend a few days at Mara Nyika Camp combined with a stay at our Mara Expedition Camp, Mara Toto Camp, Mara Plains Camp or the Mara Plains Jahazi Suite. This perfect safari in Kenya combination allows one to experience all three wildlife areas: the private Olare Motorogi and Naboisho Conservancies and the Maasai Mara Reserve. Each wildlife experience from our camps is unique and offers a different face to the incredible Maasai Mara ecosystem.

Located high on the slopes of the Oloolaimutia Hills, Masai Mara Sopa Lodge was one of the first safari lodges to be built in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, a reason why its gardens and trees are so lush and mature. All the buildings follow the design of traditional African round houses with conical roofs, and these stretch along the line of the hills with the impressively large public area buildings and the swimming pool at their centre.

Saruni Mara is a deluxe and intimate lodge set in a private conservation area close to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Saruni Mara is the only small, boutique lodge in the Mara, with five elegant cottages, one family villa and one private villa. The lodge is nestled in a secluded valley in the heart of the most exciting wilderness in Africa:Mara North Conservancy – an exclusive, private wildlife concession bordering the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. Maasai warriors guide you throughout, sharing their ancient wisdom of the area and animals and their fascinating way of life.

The perfect base for your exclusive Safari adventure is the Neptune Mara Rianta Luxury Tented Camp.

Nestled in the heart of the exclusive Masai Mara North Conservancy. Immersed in the original bush among indigenous plantations and trees, the 20 luxury tents are directly overlooking the Mara River, which winds itself around the camp with gently flowing waters surrounded with wild life and teeming with large groups of Hippos.

Sooth your body and mind with a relaxing and invigorating massage at the Earth & Rain Spa or enjoy an al fresco lunch or an evening BBQs around the pool complemented by activities of Masai dancing and talks on the Masai culture.

There are 20 luxury en suite tents built on elevated wooden platforms, each with its own private viewing deck, as well as a butler on call.

Early morning tea/coffee/hot chocolate with a wake-up call every morning is provided, including room service and in-tent dining.

In the general guest area are a lounge, library, wireless Internet access, laundry and pressing services, safari reservation desk, mini boutique, Mvua Spa, and swimming pool.

Around the pool, al fresco lunches and evening BBQs complemented by activities of Masai dancing, presentations and talks on the Maras ecosystem and Masai culture present a truly unique safari  experience.

Private bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners add an extra dimension to your African safari.

There are daily morning and late afternoon game drives, or you can choose a whole day game drive which includes a picnic lunch.   Night game drives are provided upon request.   These safaris are conducted in 4x4 vehicles by highly qualified guides and drivers.

Guided nature walks are a thrilling adventure that will take you into the heart of the Kenyan bush to discover Masai Mara’s wildlife from up-close.  Your ranger will show you how to track animals and will brief you on how to approach the animals, always keeping a safe distance.

There is excellent birdwatching in this region, with the park being inhabited by over 470 species of birds from vultures to marabou storks, ostriches, African pygmy falcons and the lilac breasted roller amongst many others.

Additional activities offered are hot air ballooning and a Masai cultural visit.

Porini Cheetah Camp opened in June 2017 and like all the other Porini camps, the camp is a small-tented camp designed to maximize your wildlife experience. It is hosted by Jui and Nirmalya Banerjee who are avid wildlife enthusiasts themselves. The Porini Cheetah Camp is unfenced and located inside a private conservancy far from the usual safari crowds. It has just six spacious guest tents. The camp offers Wifi Internet in the public areas . The camp is entirely solar-powered and the comfortable tents have fans and charging points for use in the day. Also ensuite bathrooms with hot shower, flush toilet and water on tap. The chef uses fresh ingredients to prepare high quality meals and even home-baked bread. Indian cuisine is available on request.

For guests staying at Porini Cheetah Camp, we can arrange to book return flights from Nairobi to the nearby Naboisho Ol Seki airstrip using the daily scheduled services of Safarilink, one of Kenya’s leading safari airlines, at the applicable air fares.

Light Footprint, Low Density Tourism

Featuring a complete escape from urban distractions, our permanent tented camp is set along a Fig Tree ridge that follows the course of a small stream along the border of the Mara North Conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Set on 60 acres of privately owned land, Enkusero Mara is configured to offer its guests maximum privacy and exclusivity while being able to fully immerse themselves in the wild landscape that surrounds the camp. Completely unfenced from the neighbouring savannah, it is our priviledge to coexist harmoniously with the wildlife that abound this area of the reserve.

Sekenani Camp offers an authentic bush experience for visitors wishing to get close to nature. Set at the source of Sekenani River, the camp offers a serene environment in which to relax, unwind and enjoy all the Mara has to offer. It comprises fifteen exceptionally well-designed tents set well apart to ensure maximum privacy. Each tent has a wooden floor and en-suite bathroom complete with a full-length bathtub. A combination of luxury and adventure, Sekenani Camp invites you to experience the Mara.

Naboisho Camp is an incredible safari destination in a private conservancy adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Here, you can experience an all-encompassing safari, where resident wildlife thrives year-round. Our fully refurbished guest tents provide luxurious and spacious interiors, revealing stunning views of the Naboisho plains. Elephant and buffalo roam the open valley opposite the camp, and lion can be heard roaring most nights. Naboisho provides the ideal combination of a stylish camp in a game-rich area where tourism, conservation, and community blend harmoniously. Enjoy the conservancy’s thriving wildlife on walking and night safaris and create unforgettable memories by fly camping in the bush overnight. Our specially adapted and designed photo safari vehicles assure avid enthusiasts of the best opportunities on dedicated photo safari adventures.

Our brand new Mara Toto Tree Camp, scheduled to open on July 1, 2024, will be nestled into the forest canopy of ebony trees in one of the very few hidden places in Kenyas Maasai Mara.

It will offer privacy and tranquillity, serving as a haven for just 8 guests at a time, making it ideal for entire families or groups of friends.

Constructed from canvas and wood, set on elevated decks, and boasting spacious living areas, it will exude an aura of exploration in its style, featuring lightweight canvas and campaign appointments. The presence of baths, showers, desks, and lounges will create a feeling that one could easily settle in and stay for days.

Saruni Leopard Hill offers a unique location in the heart of Mara Naboisho Conservancy for you to experience the magic of the Kenyan Savannah. What makes  Saruni Leopard Hill accommodation truly special is the adjustable motorized roof in the tents, which provides an unhindered view of the African night sky. Dubbed the Star Bed, the tent roof can be opened to present a stunning view of the African night sky for you to marvel before falling asleep.

Mara Bushtops is set within our own private wildlife reserve. Alongside the Masai, access to the Conservancy is exclusive to our Bushtops guests, who benefit from private night and off-road game drives, walking safaris direct from the Camp, sundowners, sunrises on the Sekenani hill and visits to the nearby Kakiya cave.

Whether you want a boost of rejuvenation or simply escape for the weekend to unwind, check into Mara Simba lodge to achieve your wellness goals. 

Indulge in exceptional culinary experiences and entertain yourself at the bar, revive yourself as you surrender to the pleasures of life at this truly alluring destination.

The luxurious accommodation afford supreme privacy and luxury with 3 types of accommodations to choose from that make the most of the bush environs.Incredible and personalised game drives bring you extremely close to the fascinating Big Five. Enjoy the watch of the great migration across the Mara River between July and September every year.

The small and intimate Porini Bush Camp is a genuine mobile camp located within the award-winning Ol Kinyei Conservancy, offering an authentic high quality, low tourism density safari experience working on the model that we pioneered of 700 acres of wilderness for every tent.

This exclusive game-rich 18700 acre wildlife conservancy has a diverse terrain of plains, forests and rivers, and is home to a broad range of species including the big cats. Guests will also have access to the Mara Reserve and the adjacent 50000 acre Naboisho conservancy.

Porini Bush Camp has 8 guest tents and offers a personal and authentic experience for a safari in the Maasai Mara, providing a great alternative to the large mass-market tourist lodges.

The camp provides guests with the opportunity to stay at a truly eco-friendly bush camp where there are no permanent structures and there is minimal impact on the environment. When the camp is taken down, the site reverts back to nature.

The camp operates seasonally, when the Wildebeest Migration is in the Mara eco-system usually from 15th July to 15th October each year. For guests staying at Porini Bush Camp, we can arrange to book return flights from Nairobi to the nearby Naboisho Ol Seki airstrip using the daily scheduled services of Safarilink, one of Kenya’s leading safari airlines, at the applicable air fares.

Whether you like the magnificence of our pristine wilderness, the vibrancy of African traditions, the golden glow on the Equator or simply want to feel alive again - we have it all in store for you.

Positioned in a prime location within the Masai Mara National Reserve, Nigel Archer Safaris' Seasonal Camp is just minutes from the site of the iconic mass migration in summer months as well as in the perfect position to view big cats early in the year. Throughout the camps' short seasons guests can enjoy and exceptional wildlife experience while also enjoying luxury tents, delicious food and impeccable service.

The Royal Mara is located in the Mara North Conservancy which is the richest and most varied wildlife section of the Masai Mara wildlife ecosystem. Join us and play witness to the spectacle of the annual Great Migration, One of the New Seven Wonders of the world, a vision beyond belief. Watch over two million wildebeest and zebra brave the waters of the Mara River – and her gauntlet of crocodiles. but with one unflinching resolve: to reach the lush plains of the Masai Mara and the Mara North Conservancy. Here, eagerly awaiting, are the big cat predators

This is a land of high drama, of epic struggle and perpetual rebirth. To see the Mara is to stare life head on and be humbled by its savage beauty. We hope the one day you will join us and share in the splendor of this majestic paradise.

Overlooking the Talek River, at the very confluence of the Mara’s four game-viewing areas, Mara Intrepids Camp enjoys one of the most spectacular locations in the world’s best-known wilderness.

The latest addition to the Offbeat Portfolio, Offbeat Ndoto opened in September 2021. With just four tents in the exclusive Mara North Conservancy this camp is the ultimate in game viewing, privacy and our customary Offbeat hospitality.

Offering stunning views across the Offbeat Valley each well-appointed luxury double safari tent has a veranda, sitting room, bedroom and shower room with fully plumbed hot and cold running water. Our beautifully designed Mess Tent offers delicious homemade delights, plenty of ice-cold drinks and a campfire for many a safari tale. Down on our secret island lunches can be enjoyed under the shade of ancient Sycamore Fig trees whilst the Olare Orok River bubbles past. The traditional top-class Offbeat Service will make for your dream safari.

Over 700 square miles of lush, sun-drenched plains encircle Keekorok Lodge, the first property in the Masai Mara Game Reserve in southwest Kenya. The lodge was opened in 1962 and is ideally situated in the direct path of the spectacular animal migration that occurs every year from July to October. Guests can experience unparalleled safari adventures, morning and evening game drives are a must for anyone visiting the reserve.

Saruni Wild is a tented camp elegantly and comfortably furnished with all the necessary luxuries of a wild yet classic safari. The camp is located in the heart of the Masai Mara plains, on the border between Lemek Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy. Surrounded by tens of thousands acres of pristine, untouched wilderness, the camp has the most classic Masai Mara setting. The wildlife thrive right next to its tents. Enjoy endless views, fire-lit meals under the vast African sky, guided game drives led by Maasai warriors.

The award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp has its own 7608-acre private conservancy and is situated one kilometre from the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Tanzania Serengeti game reserve. Owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa it extends an era of luxury and quality and returns to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’.

Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp provides the romance of safari under cream canvas tents, the style of the bygone era of the twenties, while at the same time supplying the amenities required by today’s modern world travellers and professional guides whose qualifications are the highest in Africa. Offering an abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy, and the highest standards of professional guiding in a luxurious and authentic camping environment.

Sweeping pale canvas tents, with en-suite bathrooms, king-sized beds made from local fig-wood, wide sofas furnished with bolster cushions, and wool rugs – all bring “camping” into a new dimension, and form an outstanding base from which to embark on unforgettable explorations of the famed Masai Mara.

Ashnil Mara Camp, with 50 luxury tents, is located in the Masai Mara National Reserve and close to the Mara River, famous for the wildebeest migration.

Our luxury Masai Mara Camp is arguably in one of the very best positions in the Masai Mara for game viewing and also provides the perfect setting to sit and relax at the end of a exciting day of game drives. The Ashnil Mara Camp is a 4 – 5 hour drive from Nairobi or there are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to the Masai Mara which take just 45 mins. You may also fly from the Mombasa Coast to our luxury tented camp in just 2 hrs.

The intimate and exquisite Mara Plains Jahazi Suite is perfectly suited to experience a private Kenya safari of the wildlife spectacle on offer in the Masai Mara Reserve and the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy. The 2-bedroomed suite is on raised, recycled railway sleeper decking and offers guests incredible views of the steady stream of wildlife parading past whilst discreetly tucked away under the tree canopy.

Central to the Jahazi Suite offers an indoor dining area leading out to a prominent private outdoor verandah and flanked by two large bedrooms with en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double basins, indoor and outdoor showers, and luxurious baths. Ceiling fans over the guest’s bed and careful tent design maintain a comfortable climate for relaxation.

When residing at the Mara Plains Jahazi Suite, guests automatically enjoy the services of a host, private Kenya safari game drive vehicle with a guide. 

The Mara Plains Jahazi Suite is part of Mara Plains Camp and a member of the Great Plains Conservation Réserve Collection of safari camps. It is also proud to be one of only three Relais & Châteaux private Kenya safari camps, the others being our Mara Nyika Camp and our ol Donyo Lodge.

In the main camp area (an easy walk away), guests have the opportunity of visiting the bush boutique for retail therapy.

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is reputed to have the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region while also having the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa. There is only one guest bed per 350 acres, leaving the land unadulterated for the wildlife to roam and thrive, as nature intended. The camp is a sanctuary for resident species by day and night, including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark, larger mammals frequent the camp, and Maasai warriors escort guests to and from their rooms. Regularly hippo’s snorting and leopard’s barking provide the night’s chorus.

But most of all, Mara Plains is a showcase for one of the world’s most magnificent wildlife havens. We believe in keeping the safari experience intimate and personal, so there is no set camp schedule or set mealtimes. The guest’s preferences wildlife opportunities of the moment tailor the day’s activities and dining arrangements. Each guest tent offers a professional camera and range of lenses available for guests to use on a complimentary basis. Add a pair of high-quality binoculars, and it is impossible not to see and capture the region’s incredible wildlife scenes.

Located on the banks of a river from which it has taken its name, Sand River Masai Mara is located within the Masai Mara National Reserve, close to the Tanzanian border.

Situated on a secluded and picturesque site, Sand River Masai Mara replicates the heyday of exclusive permanent tented camps of the late 1920’s.

The interior fixtures and furnishings mirror this period perfectly, reminding all who visit of those countless Hollywood movies that have paid homage to a classic era of African adventure.

Sand River Masai Mara is an ideal destination, at any time of the year, for those wishing to enjoy exceptional game-viewing. The National Reserve is best known for its large concentrations of big cats, such as leopard, cheetah and, of course, lion. Even the dramatic arrival of the Annual Migration merely adds to an already abundant resident wildlife that awaits discovery.

Sand River Masai Mara comprises of 16-tented accommodations - including 1 family tent - each divided into two separate but adjoining campsites, with each area possessing its own designated dining and public areas, thereby creating an increased sense of exclusivity and privacy.

Sand River Masai Mara will continue to demonstrate all the qualities that have made the Elewana Collection the premier choice in East Africa. With carefully crafted interior designs, exceptional standards of service, and a sublime and carefully chosen location providing optimal access to the wildlife, Sand River Masai Mara will surely become the standard to surpass.

Nkorombo is Serian’s tented mobile camp, set on a private riverside site in the Masai Mara Reserve. This snug little setup is chock-full of character with a view over the rushing Mara River, bursting with laughing hippo and languorous crocodile. Much like at Serian and Ngare Serian, life at Nkorombo is low-key and tranquil. Nestled among a stand of wild olive and orange croton, the camp is right next to a lively salt lick that regularly features black rhino, and lion and leopard on the lookout for kill… There is an abundance of prey in this area, and it’s the perfect spot for spectacular game viewing.

Soroi Private Wing is located in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve, only an 8-minute drive from the Olkiombo Airstrip.

The boutique camp has 12 luxury tents (8 river tents and 4 forest tents). All tents have been placed far apart from each other to offer maximum tranquillity and privacy.

The luxury tents are spacious and can accommodate up to 4 guests. They include an en suite bathroom with hot and cold permanent showers, a flushing toilet, and a large veranda.

The family tent can accommodate up to 4 guests and also includes an en suite bathroom and a large veranda.

All tents are raised off the ground on wooden stilts and are on a wooden platform.

The perfect hideaway in the outstanding wilderness of Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Kicheche Bush camp has attracted scores of professional photographers who trust the Kicheche approach to a day on safari.

That has created an exciting environment where any amateur photographer can raise their game and capture the sorts of images that inspired them in the first place.

Mara Explorer is situated on a broad, thickly forested bend of the Talek River in the very heart of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
This luxurious tented camp lies at the confluence of the Masai Mara’s four main game-viewing areas, and enjoys prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration between July and September.
During the remainder of the year, herds of watering elephant, hippos and other animals can often be seen from your private veranda. Come and enjoy our marvellous camp!

Porini Mara Camp is a non-seasonal safari camp set in Ol Kinyei Conservancy – an 18700 acre wilderness set aside as a wildlife sanctuary with a wide variety of species including big cats. The area has open plains, forests, rivers and stunning views.

This setting provides the ultimate African safari holiday adventure in an unspoilt area, away from the crowds.

Safari game drives can also be taken in the nearby Maasai Mara National Reserve and the adjacent Naboisho Conservancy.

The award-winning Porini Mara Camp is located in a unique and beautiful setting under yellow-barked Acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli. The Mara camp contains just five spacious guest tents and one family unit. Porini Mara Camp has an exclusive yet friendly feel, with each tent containing comfortable furnishings and ensuite facilities (with hot shower and flush toilet). The camp Chef uses fresh ingredients to prepare high quality meals and even home-baked bread. Porini Mara Camp is fully-inclusive of meals, drinks (vodka, gin & tonics, wine, beer, sodas and mineral water) and all activities (including day and night game drives, sundowners and escorted walks). There is also the opportunity to book a Hot Air Balloon Safari. Game drives (shared) are in 4×4 safari vehicles with expert safari guides and you will experience the wilderness without the presence of other tourist vehicles.

The family unit at Porini Mara Camp is a H shaped tent located about 20 metres from the main areas. The unit is made of high quality canvas, is spacious, each wing measuring 64 square metres and the lounge is 16 square metres. It consists of two rooms with a lounge in between. Each of the two rooms has a king size bed and a single bed, The high-quality, spacious tent is tastefully furnished and has solar-powered lighting, ensuite facilities (with hot shower and flush toilet) and a private veranda. The unit is ideal for families or group of friends traveling together and is at the same price per person as our other tents.

For guests staying at Porini Mara Camp for their African safari holiday, we can arrange to book return flights from Nairobi to the nearby Naboisho Ol Seki airstrip using the daily scheduled services of Safarilink, one of Kenya’s leading safari airlines.

Sala’s Camp first hosted guests in 2004 and has become renowned for delivering an authentic Masai Mara safari experience with exceptional personalised service and fine dining. Seamlessly combining a traditional ‘under canvas’ safari experience with contemporary comfort, including private plunge pools and glass fronted tents, Sala’s Camp offers an unforgettable and magical Mara retreat. Owned and operated by The Safari Collection, it can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made safari. The magic of a Kenya safari doesn’t end with Sala’s Camp. The Safari Collection is the proud owner of four distinct lodges in some of Kenya’s most spectacular locations, including Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Solio Lodge in Laikipia, Sasaab in Samburu and Sala’s Camp in the Masai Mara.

Sentrim Mara is located in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, 3 km after Sekenani gate.  The entire 31 tents are spread out in serene surroundings amongst Acacia trees that surround the camp.  The main guest area consists of the reception, lounge area, restaurant and bar. Each of the spacious tents has a modern ensuite bathroom, hot and cold showers, writing desk and an elevated private balcony for spectacular views of the sunsets and the hills, which have abundant wildlife. The tents have personal closets, flush toilets and sockets for battery charging for cameras.

Speke’s Camp is situated on the boundary of the famous Maasai Mara Reserve, surrounded by fabulous indigenous trees overhanging the Olare Orok River. Speke’s Camp is a traditional styled safari camp offering a high level of service and cuisine. 24 hours solar power, flushing toilets, bucket showers, and a lounge tent. Speke’s is perfect as a base for exploring the Maasai Mara Reserve, each booking has sole use of private vehicle, guide and spotter, so offering maximum flexibility for game viewing and organising the day to suit you best.

Aside from, arguably some of the best game viewing in the world , Speke’s camp offers a comfortable and pleasant base for exploring the Mara and wonderful sundowners, picnics and bush breakfasts whilst on game drives in this fabulous wildlife location.

Kicheche Valley, located in acacia woodlands in a secluded valley of the Naboisho Conservancy, is an intimate luxury tented camp. The six luxurious tents, built in a unique style incorporating high eco-standards, are set on platforms and provide the perfect base to see the stunning wildlife and wilderness.

The personal touch of our hosts and limited numbers of guests will ensure a memorable stay at this special location.

This is the camp for those who want that extra bit of luxury. We’ve kept Governors’ Il Moran small and intimate, with added touches that place this camp at the top of the safari accommodation range. You’ll be the personal guest of our manager who will look after all your needs.

Hidden under ancient trees deep in the forest, are just ten tents which line the winding banks of the Mara River. Dark chunky wooden tables contrast with oversized blue couches and a central, colourfully beaded chandelier, while tribal portraits and African artefacts are dotted around. Meals are served on the raised wooden decking of the main mess and dining tent which offers a birds eye view of the snorting hippos below. The main feature is a sunken fire pit which is lit in the evenings – the perfect spot to sit back with a cocktail of your choice.

We do offer a range of spa treatments which can be done from the privacy and comfort of your tent.   Il Moran is small and peaceful – the ideal camp for honeymooners and couples who are looking for a very special safari experience, or even families with older children. This camp has been awarded a Silver Eco Rating by Eco-Tourism Kenya for our sustainable tourism practices in place.

Located on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, the camp is accessed by a very short boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through the riverine forest. Vehicles are left on the far river bank and the camp is therefore quiet and undisturbed. The guest tents at Little Governors’ have wooden decks with large verandahs for guests to enjoy the constant game activity that takes place around the marsh in front of camp.

Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident families of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors’ properties are unfenced, all kinds of wildlife visit the camp and guests may need to make way for elephants which often visit during lunch time! In the evening, a warming log fire burns in front of the bar tent, and a candlelit dinner is served in the nearby dining tent.

Sprawled along the Saparingo River on the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, where riverine forest meets the sweeping plains in the seasonal path of the awe-inspiring Great Migration, the camp provides an authentic dose of African wildlife, delivered with legendary Kenyan hospitality.

Set on a private concession, with abundant iconic wildlife and panoramic Masai Mara views, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp dazzles with its contemporary safari feel.

With timeless interiors that are simple yet sophisticated and stylish, the Camp enhances guests’ sense of privacy and enjoyment. 12 Classic tents, 20 Superior tents and eight Superior View tents, are laid out in immaculate grounds, with leisurely groups of warthog feeding right outside the tent doors. Maasai-inspired interiors firmly entrench &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp as the unrivalled luxury tented camp of its size in the greater Mara.

Massive windows in the spacious guest areas invite the Mara inside and incorporate split-level spaces where guests can relax and unwind. Pick and choose delicious ingredients from the organic garden and enjoy convivial conversations in the inviting interactive kitchen. Treat yourself to holistic healing in the massage tent, indulge in a rejuvenating treatment or browse the Safari Shop, offering the finest Kenyan handicrafts. The rim-flow swimming pool, literally on the edge of the Mara, boasts one of the world’s most extraordinary views.

In a spectacular location in the  heart of the Masai Mara, lies this small, intimate, luxurious and elegant Camp. Well hidden in the beautiful panaroma of riverine forest, Mara Ngenche Safari Camp offers Superb views over the confluence of the Mara and Talek Rivers Overlooking a hippo pool that is always busy with these beautiful Large animals with crocodiles always in close proximity. 

The 12 Spacious well appointed tents are en-suite and decorated with an amazing fusion of modern African decor with old world charm. Each tent is partially enclosed in it's own "Boma", has a large four poster king size bed or two queen size beds, offers wonderful view on the River and is equipped with a large bath tub and outside shower. Mara Ngenche Safari Camp is unfenced and is designed to allow the exciting movement of animals through the grounds offering an elegant yet relaxed  atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the African bush. In addition each tent has its own private plunge pool.

Governors’ Camp is Africa’s first permanent tented camp, remaining in its original site since 1972. It occupies the best wildlife viewing location in the Reserve, nestled in the riverine forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, it’s waters teeming with bird-life, hippo and crocodile. It is perfect for couples, families and friends wanting to experience the best of what a safari in the Masai Mara has to offer.

The entire camp is under canvas with all of the comforts of a luxury hotel. Some of the 30 tents line the riverbank, tucked into the forest they enjoy uninterrupted views over the Mara River, others have views across the sweeping plains of the Masai Mara.  The tents are big, bright and allow in lots of natural light. All tents are classic safari style each with en-suite bathrooms and a private verandah.  There is a bar tent with deck overlooking the Mara River and dinning tent with views over the plains. Please also be sure to enquire about our Spa tent which offers a range of treatments including facials, massages, manicures and pedicures.

Governors’ Camp has been awarded a Silver Eco Rating from Eco – Tourism Kenya due to our sustainable tourism practices in place in camp.

Located in the Mara North Conservancy, the heart of the Masai Mara ecosystem, Elephant Pepper Camp is the perfect base from which to explore the wonders of the Mara.

The vast, fertile plains of the Maasai Mara boasts a plethora of wildlife; with over 450 bird species and both resident and transient populations of lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, to name a few, the plains are dense with game. Elephant Pepper Camp is perfect for those wanting to observe the spectacle of the migration, classified amoung the “Seven Wonders of the World”, when, from July to November, over 1.3 million wildebeest and zebra cross from the Serengeti in search of greener pastures.

The camp’s remote location allows the stars to shine bright at night, undimmed by harsh lighting; guests enjoy the unique experience of listening to the sounds of lion, leopard and hyena foraging and hunting, whilst being cosseted with traditional and modern comforts such as a campfire and cosy duvets.

Upon waking, tea and freshly-baked biscuits ease guests into a morning of game drives or bush walks across the conservancy in the company of highly experienced local guides and wildlife rangers. Blankets warm the guests on night game drives back to camp after sundowners in the bush. Delicious Northern Italian cuisine, fresh baking and sensational salads complete the rustic luxury sensation.

Welcome to Angama, inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. Located high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara is a remarkable owner-run safari lodge overlooking Kenya’s Maasai Mara, considered by many as the loveliest game reserve on the continent.   Here guests will find a lodge where everything is as it ought to be: two intimate camps of just fifteen tented suites each, a private airfield and access to the Mara below, tailor-made safari days and a famously warm Kenyan welcome.

The lodge is perfectly complemented by Angama Safari Camp, an exclusive-use mobile tented camp sited deep in the Mara Triangle, and amidst the mega herds during the Great Migration.

Our tree house, ‘The Nest’, is perched out on a limb in a lone Warburgia tree overlooking the Mara River. A mere meander away from Serian, it’s the perfect picnic spot after a trek through the bushes, and doubles as a romantic overnight tryst for two: think soup under the stars to the sounds of harrumphing hippo…

Situated on the edge of the savannah under the shade of acacia trees, Encounter Mara is a 10-tent camp within the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, bordering the famed Masai Mara reserve in southwest Kenya.

The conservancy is known for its prolific wildlife and award-winning sustainability model that balances the needs of local communities, wildlife and tourism. It has an even higher density of animals than the neighbouring Masai Mara National Reserve and one of the world’s most concentrated lion populations. 

From the camp’s outdoor viewing deck, guests can watch zebra amble to the nearby saltlick, see giraffe strut right past camp, glimpse a mongoose running down the path right in front of you or even spot cheetah prowling the plains. Over sundowners around the campfire, listen for lion calling to each other as they start their night of hunting. From Encounter Mara, guests can soar across the plains in a hot-air balloon.

Kicheche Mara Camp is a classic tented camp hidden in a beautiful valley in a prime wildlife area of the Mara North Conservancy. The luxury tents are laid out alongside a seasonal stream from where you can observe the resident birdlife and plains game beyond.

The location is ideal as game viewing frequently starts in the camp itself and there is prime wildlife habitat on all sides providing an ideal base for your safari in the Masai Mara.

The family suite is a perfect new addition with two separate bedrooms (double & twin/triple) with ensuite  bathrooms. The bedrooms are connected by a lounge furnished with a sofa and small table enabling private dining.

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara is located in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy which borders the Maasai Mara Reserve. The conservancy limits entry to clients actually staying inside the area and offers an incredibly private safari experience.  We have a choice of ten exclusive tents in which to host you accompanied by some breathtaking views and the warmest Kenyan hospitality you could wish for. There is no typical day at Ol Seki Hemingways Mara. We’re small and aim to personally tailor every day to suit what you want making your time in the Mara an unparalleled adventure in the realms of safari.

Soroi Luxury Migration Camp meanders along the seasonal Olare Orok River in the Masai Mara.

Soroi Luxury Migration Camp has 10 river-facing luxury tents and two river-facing family units, complemented by the photographic lounge, al-fresco dining area and hippo pool.

The oversized luxury tents are elevated from the ground and have floor-to-ceiling glass that invites the natural light in. Each meticulously designed tent has a cosy four-poster bed, en-suite bathrooms, an array of comfort amenities and a private veranda. The luxury family units have two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. A private lounge separates the bedrooms and forms an ideal space where everyone can unwind and reconnect.

Whether it’s from the comfort of your luxury tent, the comfortable lounge, or simply indulging in the ambience of the campfire, come and unwind at Soroi Luxury Migration Camp, and experience the sounds and sights of wildlife.

Between  June and October the Maasai Mara plays host to one of the most spectacular wildlife shows on earth the great annual  migration of over a million wildebeest and zebra as they enter the Mara ecosystem from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. Tipilikwanis 20 tents enjoy river frontage and are decorated with warm, rich Maasai colours. The family tents have a stand alone bath tub in addition to showers. Excellent food, personalized service and traditional Kenyan hospitality further compliment the prime location.

Game drives offer the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the diversity of animals and birds living permanently in the Masai Mara, as well as many migratory species. Guests can also learn more about the Masai people, proud pastoralists and warriors, many of whom still retain their traditional nomadic lifestyle.

Enhancing and completing the Governors’ Camp Collection of properties in the Masai Mara, Private Camp is located on a picturesque bend of the Mara River where a variety of animals come to drink, hippo laze in the shallows and elephant bring their calves for a playful dip. The forest around the camp is home to many beautiful birds from rare Trogons and Turacos to nesting Hornbills.

Governors’ Private Camp can be booked by individual clients, or by one family or small party, who want the exclusivity of a private safari camp without the daunting costs normally associated with this degree of luxury. Backed by the vast resources of the Governors’ family of camps and with all the assets of an individually tailored mobile safari, this is the ultimate safari.

‘Ngare’ translates to ‘by the river’ in the Masai language, and the idea behind this snug little camp was to transport the serenity of the original Serian camp to the water’s edge. Hugging the banks of the Mara, Ngare Serian is cosy and intimate. It can only be reached on foot, over a narrow rope bridge – and in a way the crossover is symbolic: a call to step out of touch and out of time, and give yourself over to the natural charm of the place. There’s something special about being on the water’s edge – the water slipping and sloshing over the stones sets a soothing soundtrack, but at the same time its energy and movement lends lightness and life – green shoots, verdant growth and glossy rocks that metamorphose into hippos.

Discreetly ‘tucked away’ in a riverine forest on the banks of the seasonal Olare Orok River, Soroi Mara Bush Camp is in an excellent location in the heart of the Game Reserve close to Ol Kiombo airstrip.

All 12 luxury tents have been placed far enough apart to ensure maximum privacy. All tents are furnished with a comfortable King-size bed and an additional single bed, mosquito net, en-suite bathrooms and permanent hot and cold showers, clothes rack & storage chest, writing desk & private veranda.

Public areas include; a comfortable Lounge and Bar Tent, a private Dining Tent, a Photographers' Lounge, and a little boutique safari shop.

Meals are offered in a Buffet style and the set up is Al Fresco, weather permitting, and alcoholic drinks can be bought from the camp. Mineral water is provided in the tents, during meals, and during game drives.

When it comes to witnessing the world-famous Great Migration, Rekero is in prime position. Overlooking the Talek River in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, the camp sits next to a main crossing point used by the wildebeest on their epic annual journey.

Guests can watch the herd make this perilous crossing without even leaving the camp. Enjoy this and other wildlife sightings from the comfort of your riverside tent or from one of the two communal decks.  

Mara Eden Safari Camp is a small boutique camp on the banks of the great Mara river that offers you an untamed wilderness experience.

Hidden deep in the Maasai Mara game reserve, along the great Mara River, lies a magical, untouched and untamed valley with crocodiles basking on the banks of the river and hippos fighting for dominance against a backdrop of absolute wilderness, for centuries the great wildebeest migration has thundered through this hidden valley and crossed the Mara River.

Nestled in the midst of this valley is our little boutique tented camp, sit out on the veranda and watch the magic of the African wilderness unfold before you.

Discover the Kenya safari of your dreams, a vast, gently rolling landscape of acacia-specked grasslands darkened by migrating wildebeest herds. Mara Serena Safari Lodge invites you to a world where dramatic sights and experiences are enhanced by gracious service and five-star amenities. As the only safari lodge in the famed Mara Triangle, we offer a setting matched by few other hotels in the world: perched high on a bush-cloaked hill with sweeping views of the savannah and the meandering shoreline of the Mara River.

Our Masai Mara hotel lodge is designed in the style of a traditional Maasai Manyatta while offering every modern comfort. Neatly arranged rows of rooms and suites are positioned to offer uninterrupted river views from private balconies. Equally breathtaking sightlines can be enjoyed from the restaurant and bar and rock-enclosed swimming pool. After a day in the bush, a steam shower and an Oringa Massage at the Maisha Spa & Gym offer an exquisite welcome back to civilisation.

Enjoy exhilarating excursions deep into the Masai Mara Game Reserve with activities and adventures as intrepid as you choose to be during your stay. Savour superb chef-prepared cuisine in our onsite restaurant and with unforgettable “Bush Dining” and “Sundowner” experiences. Rediscover how special family time can be with game drives, breakfasts by the hippo pool and visits to an authentic Maasai village.

From savannah to spa, experience Africa in all its wild grandeur at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

Wake up to the magic of natural Africa at Mahali Mzuri, a tented safari camp in the northern region of Kenyas famous Maasai Mara ecosystem. This boutique camp features 12 luxury tents, an infinity pool and a ringside view to some of the most awe-inspiring wildlife viewing you are ever likely to witness. The camp is open year-round and is perfectly positioned for the world-famous Great Migration.

The camp is sited in a shady setting in a grove of Acacia trees within the Ol Kinyei Conservancy, in Masai Mara, an exclusive 17500 acre wilderness set aside as a wildlife sanctuary with a wide variety of species including all the big cats.The area has open plains, forests, rivers and stunning views.

The Gamewatchers Adventure Camp offers the same high quality wildlife safari experience provided by the top-end safari camps, with game viewing in 4×4 safari vehicles escorted by top class Maasai guides and spotters in an exclusive wildlife conservancy in the Mara far away from the tourist minibuses. This is at a hugely reduced price, achieved by staying in a more basic adventure camp, which is more like “real camping” instead of the luxury accommodation of the expensive up-market tented lodges.

The camp can be reached from Nairobi by daily scheduled light aircraft flights from Wilson Airport Nairobi to the nearby Naboisho Ol Seki airstrip. While at camp all safari transport for game drives is in shared 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle with expert guide.

Escape from the tourist trail and opt for a more authentic safari holiday when choosing your Maasai Mara Accommodation. The award-winning, eco-friendly Porini Lion Camp offers a unique opportunity to take guided walks with Maasai Warriors and experience day and night safari game drives within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy – a pristine and exclusive 33000-acre wilderness set aside for wildlife conservation and low-impact tourism.

Porini Lion Camp is located in unique and stunning setting on the banks of the seasonal Ntiakatiak River within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. This large area borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve and is home to an abundance of animals including the Mara’s renowned Big Cats. There is unsurpassed game-viewing within the conservancy due to its unspoiled natural state and the Porini Lion Camp – with just nine tents and one family unit – ensures guests have a genuine “away from it all” experience deep in the African bush.

The family unit at Porini Lion Camp is an I shaped tent located 20 metres from the main areas. The unit is made of high quality canvas, is spacious, measuring 144 square metres. It consists of two rooms with a lounge in between. Each of the two rooms has a king size bed and a single bed, The high-quality, spacious tent is tastefully furnished and has solar-powered lighting, ensuite facilities (with hot shower and flush toilet) and a private veranda. The unit is ideal for families or group of friends traveling together and is at the same price per person as our other tents.

The high-quality, spacious tents are tastefully furnished and each has solar-powered lighting, ensuite facilities (with hot shower and flush toilet) and a private veranda. Limited laundry is available at no charge. Laundry is done by hand and dried outdoors, therefore turnaround time is dependent on the weather. Out of respect to local culture and customs, we do not wash underwear. Washing powder is provided in all of our guest rooms should guests wish to wash their own.

If you are looking for an African safari package, the Porini Lion Camp accommodation is fully inclusive of all meals, drinks (beer, wine, sodas, vodka, gin & tonics and mineral water) as well as all activities (including day and night game drives, escorted walks and sundowners). Game safari drives (shared) are in specially-designed off-road (4×4) safari vehicles with expert / qualified safari guides to ensure the best possible game-viewing. Guests particularly enjoy the safari drives within the Conservancy where they experience the African wilderness without being surrounded by other tourist vehicles.

Porini Lion Camp is an ideal base from which to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, and there is also the opportunity to enjoy a Hot Air Balloon Safari.

For guests staying at Porini Lion Camp, we can arrange to book return flights from Nairobi to the nearby Olare Motorogi airstrip using the daily scheduled services of Safarilink, one of Kenya’s leading safari airlines, at the applicable air fares.

Ilkeliani is an elegant oasis in the centre of the world famous Maasai Mara. The redesigned camp overlooking game-filled plains has stylish new tented suites, a selection of viewing decks, and a wealth of enticing activities. Dedicated to privacy and personal service, the team offers a sophisticated safari experience. The camp is small and intimate with a maximum of twelve ensuite guest tents.

“When we first considered Kenya’s Maasai Mara as a Great Plains destination, I actually verbalised “Agh…all those people” but then looked at the map more carefully and the location for Mara Plains Camp became apparent.

And then I saw it, the importance of the conservancies to the north of the Masai Mara Reserve. These are three private conservancy areas that embody the privacy of just a few camps and that contribute extensively to communities. More than anything, these are conservancies that perform a vitally important role in protecting the famous wildebeest migration.

We have selected an exciting combination of areas for you. The key to the Maasai Mara experience is not in the wildebeest crossing but in the hidden gems along the way. Lions wait under the acacias, cheetahs run the plains, and we watched a single male leopard in an insignificant gully pick of 14 wildebeest in one day. When others look one way, I like to see what is going on behind us!

Mara Plains Camp hides in the thick forest on a bend in the Ntiakitiak River. A perfect luxury Kenya safari camp. It is inside the 35,000-acre private Olare Motorogi Conservancy and borders Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve. Mara Plains Camp is a captivating and intimate experience of its own in one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on the planet.’ – Dereck Joubert, Great Plains Conservation CEO.

As you arrive at Mara Plains Camp, you cross a bridge and climb a few giant steps; an endless horizon greets you with a single, flat-topped acacia, the quintessential shape of East Africa. “When I laid out the camp and its design, I incorporated the arrival, bridge, camp’s main area and one single distant tree in the plains that stretch out in front of Mara Plains Camp as a central line. I tasked the tentmakers with the job of building a 25-metre tent (the biggest they had ever tried) with an arrival opening that was an exact proportion of the 35mm photographic frame. At National Geographic, we often speak of these proportions as “the golden rectangle.” The Fibonacci formula strongly influenced Mara Plains Camp’s design. I love details like that.” continues Dereck. 

The design and decor of this luxury Kenya safari Relais & Châteaux property pay homage to the essence of East Africa. These elements reflect the Swahili heritage of large wooden doors from the island of Lamu and accents of red to honour the great Maasai chiefs and warriors. With the rich leathers, copper and brass used in campaign-style furniture, you have an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere that complements rather

 than overwhelms the surrounding wilderness. This camp speaks to the intersection of cultures and a meeting place to talk, share ideas, and share experiences that you will have each day.

One of only five camps in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains Camp, has unrivalled access to more than 100,000 acres of exclusive land. This area is prime habitat for a vast number of wildlife species, and this is in addition to offering unfettered access to the 375,000 hectare Masai Mara Reserve. “As someone who has studied predators my whole life, Mara Plains Camp has to be the finest luxury Kenya safari camp available. I often go out and struggle to decide between viewing lions, cheetahs, hyenas and leopards within an hour or two. Mara Plains Camp is a proud member of our Great Plains Conservation Réserve Collection of safari camps.”

If you understand Great Plains Conservation and share our sensitivities, please do us one favour; even if we are full, please don’t stay in the middle of the Reserve! There are ways to see this ecosystem without the traffic! Consider your safari stay at our Mara Nyika Camp (a fellow Relais & Châteaux camp) in the neighbouring Naibosho Conservancy or our Mara Expeditions Camp and Mara Toto Camp. Consider, too in extending your luxury Kenya safari with us by staying at the impressive ol Donyo Lodge, set under the watchful gaze of Mount Kilimanjaro.