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Nestled in the forest by the Mara River banks, Governors' Camp's stunning setting was once reserved exclusively for Kenya's colonial governors. Today, it is the largest and most popular of the three Governors’ Mara camps – yet still has only 31 tents to ensure a welcoming atmosphere. This traditional camp is unfenced so grazing animals often pass through. Guides will be on hand to escort you to and from your tent after dark! There's an open-sided bar tent with views over the Mara River and a restaurant tent for candlelit dinners. Breakfast and lunch buffets are served al fresco and the campfire is lit at sunset. You’ll be allocated an expert driver/guide who you’ll get to know during your game drives and who will know the very best places to spot wildlife, seeking out the likes of lion and leopard. They even know all the local lion by name. Governors’ also has an eco-friendly ethos that includes a 'zero waste' policy and a 40-year long commitment to local communities. You’ll spend some memorable nights under canvas here. On going to bed you’ll find a hot water bottle waiting for you, and each morning before your first game drive there’ll be a welcome hot drink brought to your tent to ease you into the day. The classic safari tents all have double or twin beds and an en-suite bathroom area divided by a canvas wall, complete with a hot shower. Each tent also has electric lamps, charge points for cameras and phones, and a deck for wildlife viewing. Some lie secluded along the riverbank, while others sit out in the open with views of the rolling plains. For families, there are family tents sleeping two adults and two children.
With a location so incredible it attracts the makers of wildlife documentaries and programmes including the BBC's Big Cat Diary and Planet Earth Live, Governors' Il Moran is the smallest and most luxurious of the three Governors’ tented camps that occupy a wildlife-rich corner of the Maasai Mara. So close to the action are you that, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot an elephant or giraffe wandering through camp, and hear the hippos at night. Three extended 4x4 game drives with superb rangers are included each day, when you’ll venture out into the Maasai Mara National Reserve. You won’t have to travel far to see the Mara’s best wildlife, so can enjoy game drives at leisure, spotting wildlife from the off. Cooked breakfasts and lunch buffets are served under giant trees by the river, and waiter-served dinner is by candlelight in the dining tent. A beautiful new mess tent has been created at the edge of the Mara River with an open fire pit and large sofas to sink into while watching the wildlife below. The Lodge Package here has extra inclusions, with complimentary selected wines, beers and soft drinks. As a small luxury camp, the service is attentive and personalised, and only children over 8 are permitted. There are just ten huge tents, each recently refurbished, with a hand-carved king-sized olive wood bed, twin basins, shower and roll-top bath. Electric lamps, charge points for cameras and mobile phones and colonial artefacts complete a top-of-the-range safari atmosphere.
Echoing the explorer safari days of the 1920s, the Karen Blixen Camp boasts a wonderful setting on a wide sandy bend of the Mara River, and you could well spot many of the Mara’s biggest attractions without even leaving the camp. Pods of hippo inhabit the river, while elephants, giraffes, zebra and impala can be seen coming to drink throughout the day. There are plenty of interesting activities on offer here. The camp’s private concession location – protecting more than 900 hectares via lease agreements with local Maasai landowners – means that night drives and guided game walks are possible. In the Mara North conservancy you’ll also find Leopard Gorge, a popular birthing ground and nursery area for big cats, and the Lemek Hills – an important area for a pack of endangered African wild dogs. Game drives are taken inside the conservancy, led by a highly knowledgeable driver/guide in vehicles with a maximum of six passengers. ‘Out of Africa’ author Karen Blixen was passionate about food, and there’s a focus here on fresh local produce. Meals are served in the restaurant or in the bush garden if you don’t want to miss any action down at the Mara River. For drinks, there’s an open-plan mess area on a raised wooden deck overlooking a well-known hippo area. Spacious tents front the Mara River, set on wooden platforms with decks offering wonderful wildlife viewing. Each has double or twin beds, a comfortable daybed, armchair and en suite bathroom with his and hers sinks and an outdoor shower. There’s 24-hour electricity courtesy of solar panels and a battery storing bank. Family tents consist of two tents with a shared deck.
While some camps simply serve as a base to explore the incredible surrounds, Mara Bushtops is a destination in itself. This award-winning camp borders the Maasai Mara reserve and is surrounded by a private conservancy, which allows for off-road and night game drives. All dining is à la carte and there's even an underground wine cellar with a fine selection of wines from all over the world. And with a salt lick at the waterhole, animals visit the camp day and night. The 12 lavish tents are among the biggest in East Africa. All have 24-hour butler service and 24-hour power, an expansive deck with wildlife-watching telescope and a romantic outdoor sunken bathtub providing the perfect spot to relax. For families, there's a family tent with two bedrooms. Younger guests can also enjoy the camp's latest addition: the Bushcraft Challenge, with a range of activities based around survival skills, local culture, conservation and flora and fauna. Game drives are included in the cost, in open 4x4s accompanied by experienced rangers and local Maasai spotters. Daily itineraries are flexible, so one day you might opt for a morning game drive, returning to the camp for lunch before a night drive in the conservancy, while the next you could embark on a full-day drive into the heart of the reserve and to the Mara River. One of Mara Bushtops' most impressive features is its award-winning Amani Spa. In a tranquil area 500 metres away from camp, you'll find a heated pool (complete with in-water beds), sauna, steamroom, Jacuzzi, two treatment tents and even a gym. There's no better way to end a day on safari than soaking in the spa’s star pool after dark, when the twinkling in-water lights reflect the star-lit sky.
Mara Intrepids enjoys a spectacular wildlife-rich location, close to the famous Mara River that’s crossed during the great migration, and in a well-known leopard spotting area. Stalk amazing wildlife on game drives in open-sided Land Rover vehicles, with the option of three game drives a day or an extended full-day drive with a packed picnic breakfast and/or lunch. The camp is run sustainably – composting, wastewater recycling and self-generated heat all help minimise its effect on the stunning natural surroundings. The central area houses a dining terrace, swimming pool and raised platforms with river views. International and local dishes are prepared largely with home-grown produce. Breakfast and lunch are taken outdoors under the trees overlooking the river, while dinner is served in the classic dining tent. Bush babies and genet visit most evenings, and guests can enjoy Maasai dancing from skilled local artists. At sunset, watch as Maasai warriors bid goodbye to another day and welcome the evening. 3-11 year olds can enjoy the recommended Adventurers’ Club, run by Maasai naturalists who will teach children all about the wild in a fun and interesting way. Beautifully furnished tents are spread across the riverside area to allow guests their own haven of tranquillity. Each tent is privately screened, sitting on a shady raised platform and furnished in classic African safari style, with four-poster bed, intricate furniture, modern en-suite bathroom and sweeping views across the riverbank.
Perched high on the saddle of a central Mara hill, the Mara Serena has some of the best views in the reserve, reaching all the way down to the Mara River, and is superbly situated for migration watching in particular (typically from July to October). Created to echo the feel of a traditional Maasai manyatta – a cluster of domed huts encircled by a boma of brushwood – this is a unique lodge, with twin rows of individual rooms and a rock-surround swimming pool. The relaxed Maasai-inspired dining room serves international dishes with an emphasis on regional specialities, and is linked to a vibrant bar. Soak up the views by day, and in the evening take a seat around the campfire for post-dinner drinks. There's also a small spa, gym, gift shop and free Wi-Fi. The lodge’s ‘modular’ style rooms blend seamlessly into the landscape and offer uninterrupted views across the Mara from their private terraces. Inside, you’ll find earthy tones and swirling patterns, to echo the colours and shapes of the bush, as well as a marble bathroom with walk-in shower. Outside your room you might spot mongoose, warthogs and baboons, with bigger wildlife in the distance.
Set in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Porini Lion Camp was set up in co-operation with 150 Maasai landowners and borders the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The camp is situated along a seasonal river and gives a real ‘in the bush’ experience. Game drives are with a guide (some of the best guides in the country work with Porini) and a tracker to give you the best chance of spotting wildlife. As the camp sits in a conservancy, there's also the opportunity for activities that aren't permitted inside the Maasai Mara reserve – like night drives and guided bush walks with Maasai warriors. The food at the camp is excellent, with fresh bread and high quality meals prepared by the camp chef. Each of the ten tents has a private terrace and en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and hot shower. Each tent has a single and a double bed. Porini Lion Camp combines well with Porini Amboseli Camp to create a diverse safari itinerary.
With splendid views across the Mara plains, this camp of 75 tents gives you the classic safari experience with the comfort of a hotel-style residence. Club Tents in particular offer a more glamorous style of camping with four-poster king-size beds and a private deck. Tuck yourself into the plush bed, warmed by the hot water bottle left with the turndown service. For larger parties, there are two Family Tents with a shared common lounge, and the Ozone Rangers Club provides plenty of activities for children for their own exploration into the wild. Meals are served in the buffet restaurant, Isokon, where the cuisine encompasses an expansive range from European food to local Kenyan dishes. Spend some well-deserved hours lazing by the pool with a drink from its bar, or book in at the Tulia wellness tent for a massage to unwind further. Add an extra special element to your safari with a hot-air balloon ride across the plains and catch a bird’s eye view of the epic scenery as the sun rises, followed by a Champagne breakfast (at extra cost).
Governors' Camp
Governors' Il Moran
Karen Blixen Camp
Mara Bushtops
Mara Intrepids
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Porini Lion Camp
Sarova Mara Game Camp
