Governors’ Camp Collection

A holiday to Kenya is more than ticking off bucket-list experiences. Yes, you can marvel at giraffes silhouetted against the sunset, see elephants from a hot air balloon and track big cats in the Mara. 

Yet it’s the unplanned moments that stay with you: gliding across a lake at dawn as waterbirds take flight, hiking through a prehistoric gorge that inspired The Lion King or feeling your senses heighten as you follow wildlife on foot.

It’s all of these extraordinary moments that Governors’ Camp Collection brings to life. With award-winning camps in three iconic Kenyan destinations – the Maasai Mara, Laikipia and the Great Rift Valley – they offer prime settings in some of the world’s most treasured wildlife reserves. Let’s dive into the Governors’ experience.

The Maasai Mara

Governors’ Camp has been a go-to retreat in the Mara for over 40 years. Opening in 1972 as the first permanent camp inside this world-famous reserve, it has become a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts and documentary makers. If you’ve seen the BBC’s Big Cat Diary or Dynasties, you might recognize the camp’s breathtaking surroundings.

From July to October, this area offers front-row seats to the Great Wildebeest Migration. Witnessing thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra crossing the Mara river under the watchful eyes of predators, is an awe-inspiring experience.

The Governors’ Camp Collection has four camps in the Mara: the original Governors’ Camp at the heart of the action; intimate Little Governors’, accessible by a short riverboat ride; the luxurious Il Moran; and the exclusive Private Camp with eight tents for groups.

Game drives here are all about the big cats. Lions, leopards and cheetahs are frequent stars, including the Marsh pride, Romi the leopard and the “Tano Bora” cheetah coalition. Back at camp, wildlife often pays a visit – from hippos grazing by your tent to Blossom the elephant wandering the grounds.

For a fresh perspective, take off on a thrilling bush walk in a private concession or visit a local Maasai village to experience their traditional way of life. And for the ultimate wow factor, soar above the Mara in a hot air balloon at sunrise, followed by a Champagne breakfast on the savannah.

Great Rift Valley

Governors' Loldia House, a beautifully converted farmhouse on the shores of Lake Naivasha, is perfect for winding down before or after a safari. Just a two-hour drive (or a short flight) from Nairobi, this peaceful retreat offers birdwatching, spa treatments and dreamy afternoons with tea on the terrace.

Included excursions add to the allure. Take a dawn boat trip on the lake to spot waterbirds or head to Lake Nakuru National Park for its rhino population and flamboyant flamingos. At Hell’s Gate National Park, hike through dramatic gorges that inspired the animators of The Lion King. For those seeking a challenge, the climb up Mount Longonot’s dormant volcano rewards with panoramic views at the top.

Don’t miss the chance to visit a local school to see how the Loldia School Fund is changing lives by providing education to local children.

Laikipia 

Perched on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, Governors’ Mugie House is a luxury house nestled in a 40,000-acre private conservancy. Beyond game drives, Mugie House immerses you in hands-on conservation. Join rangers to track lions, spend time with the anti-poaching unit or visit the working cattle ranch – a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable coexistence between wildlife and local communities.

Back at the house, there are more chances for close encounters of the wildlife kind. Put your feet up with a gin and tonic and keep an eye out for Mugie's tallest resident, Tala, the giraffe. This curious character has become somewhat of a celebrity at Mugie House. Relax by the infinity pool with a cocktail, kayak out onto the glistening waters of Mugie Dam or tee off on the nine-hole golf course.

Dinner is served by the roaring log fire. The focus is on local produce and farm-to-table dining – you can enjoy delicious meals prepared with ingredients sourced on-site, like home-produced beef and vegetables from the garden. End the day with a soak in the deep copper bathtub in your cosy stone cottage.

Conservation

Our partners at Governors' Camp Collection are extremely proud of their commitment to conservation and have run community support and sustainable projects for over 50 years. They have built primary school classrooms, helped to fund medical clinics and run a unique 'seedballing' programme – on a hot air balloon ride, you can buy bags of olive tree seeds and drop them over the side of the basket. These seeds are dispersed along the course of the Mara River and help regenerate the forests which once lined the winding watercourse.

This feature was updated on 14th January 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. Feature by Heather Flanagan.