Where to stay in Masai Mara Reserve
The Masai Mara Reserve is what most people conjure in their minds when they dream of an African safari. It earns its title as Africa’s most famous park due to its abundance of wildlife (including an extremely high predator concentration) and endless acacia-dotted plains that stretch far onto the horizon. The sunsets are magnificent almost every day and there is no shortage of luxury in the lodges where your every need will be catered for. The drawback, however, is the number of visitors the park receives.
There is a wide selection of accommodations to stay in and around the Maasai Mara and the conservancies surrounding it, most are luxurious, and range from permanent lodges to tented and mobile camps. The conservancies surrounding the Maasai Mara has a restricted number of vehicles allowing a more private game viewing of wildlife. Before choosing which property to stay at, decide which area of the reserve you want to be based in. The central and eastern regions of the main reserve tend to see the most visitors because of their proximity to Nairobi.
There are loads of camps to choose from in the Mara, but below we have hand-picked our favorites for you to consider:
Enkewa Camp
Enkewa Camp is a small, exclusive, a luxury tented camp in the heart of the least explored area of the Masai Mara. Owner-run camp based on an eco-sustainable concept with a knowledgeable, experienced, and professional team formed by local Masai.
The Camp has a capacity of 5 tents, one Mess tent and a Lounge area. The tents are comfortable and spacious with en suite toilet and shower with views over the savanna.
They are privileged location inside the National Reserve together with our philosophy of tracking and searching for our own wildlife sightings far from the transited areas, makes the Enkewa safari experience amongst the best in the Masai Mara.
Mara Bush Camp
Mara Bush Camp Special Offers pay for 3 stays for 4. We offer you everything desired in an “authentic safari experience”! Discreetly ‘tucked away’ in a riverine forest on the banks of the seasonal Olare Orok River with an excellent location close to Ol kiombo airstrip, it is situated in heart of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. All 12 riverfront tents have been placed far enough apart to guarantee complete tranquility and privacy. All tents are furnished with a comfortable 4 poster bed (double/ twin available on request) mosquito net, en-suite bathrooms, and safari-style shower, clothes rack & storage chest, writing desk & private veranda. Additional features are a comfortable Lounge and Bar Tent as well as a private Dining Tent where a selection of freshly prepared meals, mostly buffet style, is served by our in-house chef, who caters to all dietary requests happily.
Entumoto Camp
Entumoto Camp is a private tented safari camp elevated in the hills of the Rift Valley, commanding breath-taking views and sunsets over the Mara plains. The camp has a private conservancy to give you a more intimate and exclusive safari experience as well as direct access into the Masai Mara reserve. Entumoto means meeting point in the local language Maa, which fits well as the camp is situated where the plains meet the hills and where two valleys come together.
With no fences surrounding the camp and a watering hole in view, you get an incredible sensation of being a part of the great African wilderness. You are constantly surrounded by the sounds and smells of the bush whilst always
Sala’s Camp
Overlooking the confluence of the Sand and Keekorok rivers, Sala’s Camp is situated right in the heart of the game-rich Masai Mara. Not only is the camp brilliantly located but each of the pristine tents has its own private plunge pool, a real luxury that sets this camp apart from the rest.
Mara Bush Camp – Private Wing
Private Wing is located on the banks of the seasonal Olare Orok River, overlooking a large hippo pool with a population of over 40 hippos at any given time. The Camp consists of 12 luxury tents on wooden platforms, Mara Bush Camp – Private Wing offers the desired exclusivity for guests who are looking for maximum privacy.
All 12 Guest Tents (2 are family tents) are designed with great attention to detail. Mahogany furniture and luxurious soft furnishings give it the desired comfort of a luxury Camp with a bush feel.
Matira Camp
Matira Bush Camp is the ultimate safari destination in the heart of the Maasai Mara. The idyllic camp, which was styled in harmony with nature, is set on dense forest vegetation over the Savannah and surrounded by a small river. The ideal starting point for a variety of adventurous excursions. Matira prides itself on a romantic natural bridge that connects the Main Camp with the Adventure Camp. We are the whole year on-site, watching and documenting wildlife for years and our guests benefit from the experience of our professional guides, wildlife experts, and the wide range of people who meet here.
Captivating adventures on a game drive, enchanting voices of the savannah in the night: Enjoy a unique experience – your 24h Safari in the heart of the Maasai Mara.
Naibor Camps
Naibor Camps are located in southern Kenya in the heart of the Maasai Mara Reserve and twenty minutes’ drive from the nearest wildebeest river crossing.
The Camp is a striking combination of contemporary style and comfort and muted bush colors. Spacious pale-canvas tents accommodate king-size beds of fig-wood with soft quilts, wide sofas furnished with bolster cushions and wool rugs, each position for the maximum enjoyment of the surrounding views and complete privacy.
Sentinel Mara Camp
Sentinel Mara Camp is an owner-run luxury seasonal camp along the banks of the Mara River within the Masai Mara National Reserve. It is well hidden within the riverine forest so that you don’t know that you are approaching until you are actually in this gorgeous little camp.
Governors’ Camp
Governors’ Camp is situated on the banks of the Mara River in the west of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Created in 1972, it set new standards in luxury as a tented camp, putting particular emphasis on comfort and service, complemented by excellent food, which would have been impossible in the bygone days. Maintaining these unique qualities as a tradition, the camp has been refined and improved through the years. The camp consists of 37 tents consisting of 24 twins and 12 double spacious and luxurious safari tents entirely under canvas, each with private verandah, en-suite bathrooms with shower, basin, flush toilet, bidet, and hot and cold running water
The Governors’ Private Camp
The Governors’ Private Camp is situated in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, in a wooded section of the park on the Mara River that attracts lots of wildlife and birds. From Governors’ you can see the wild animals come to drink from the river, in short, a prime location.
There is no electricity available in the safari camp so in the evening the whole atmosphere and romantically lit by gas lamps and candles. This breathes the atmosphere of an old hunting camp, where elephants and hippos walking through at night, grazing. Governors’ Private Camp consists of 8 luxurious, spacious tents, all with an ensuite bathroom with a bucket shower, and a private verandah with authentic furniture.
Mara House
Located in one of the most sought-after conservancies, Mara House suits couples, small groups, and families alike. All the main living areas lead onto the verandah, so all guests can enjoy stunning views over the game-rich waterhole. Guests can relax hassle-free in this well-equipped safari camp that caters to every need. An onsite chef prepares all meals – catering for bush picnics or lunches under acacia trees – and a wildlife guide is on hand to ensure a seamlessly run safari experience.
Sala’s Camp
Nestled in a remote corner of the Maasai Mara National Park, Sala’s Camp is defined by its incredible location. This secluded camp is a great option for families, with two of the eleven tents here specifically designed for multiple generations. Sala goes above and beyond for families; all children receive a welcome pack containing games, paint sets, and quizzes about the area’s wildlife. Kids can spend time here playing in the shallow Sand River under the watchful eye of a Maasai askari.
Keekorok lodge
Located in the very heart of Kenya’s fabled Maasai Mara National Reserve, Keekorok, meaning motley abundance in the local Maasai language was constructed in 1962 on a choice eighty-acre site in an area of permanent springs and lush grassland.
Accommodation is on a full board basis that includes morning tea or coffee, breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea and dinner. Luncheon boxes are available by prior request for guests taking all-day game drives. The Lodge consists of 89 double rooms, 8 superior rooms and 4 suites. Accommodation comprises stone-built bungalows with private balconies, all with en-suite bathrooms
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is a popular safari lodge, situated on the spur of the Oloololo escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, with spectacular views across the open plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve with its many wild animals.
Kichwa Tembo has 40 “Hemingway-style” safari tents with private shower, toilet, and private terrace overlooking the savannah. All safari tents overlook the park. The tents are tastefully furnished with African furniture and art objects.
Pan-African cuisine is served with flair. After dinner, enjoy a glass of port in front of the fire.
Richard’s River Camp
Richard’s River Camp, located in one of the wonderfully remote Mara Conservancies, offers one of the most intimate safari experiences in Kenya. Five incredibly inviting tents sit here, and the camp can be hired out in its entirety, making it a favorable option for families or large groups of friends traveling together. For an extra touch of VIP treatment, this camp can even be personally hosted by Richard Roberts (co-founder of the camp and incredible Mara Elephant Project) on request
Serian Nkorombo
Once an ever moving mobile camp, Nkorombo found such an amazing spot on the Mara River in the Masai Mara reserve that it has taken up permanent residence. It has maintained the intimate and luxurious feel of a mobile camp but boasts year-round amazing numbers of black rhino, leopard, and lion as well as being perfectly placed for the river crossings of the great migration.
Mara Plains Camp
In the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, the Relais & Châteaux Mara Plains Camp offers outstanding game experiences combined with exceptional privacy. There are just seven luxury tents here, two of which share a commonly raised deck which is perfect for families. Wildlife takes center stage, with canvas tents open on three out of four sides adding to the authentic bush experience.