As the rains of Africa move across the continent so do the plains animals on their endless move to survive. They follow the rains which replenish the parched land allowing the new growth og grass to appear. As the grass is devoured, the plains animals move on to the next green pastures in a continuous loop from north to south and back again. They encroach into their predators territory. It appears that the predators are following them on their search for fodder but the reality is that each predator has a territory that it defends from others. Anything entering that territory though is fair game. Visiting the Masai Mara anytime of the year you can see the big cats, hyenas and antelope as there is always resident game in good numbers.
Behold the Great Migration. The wildebeest and zebra migrations is a spectacle to behold with the sheer mass of numbers moving through the plains but the downside of this, is also the sheer number of tourists wanting to share the same spectacle. Some of the Masai Mara camps are mobile and so move with the migration to ensure that they are in the perfect area for the en masse movement of the herds. The majority of the camps are permanent and their guides know the area intimately to show their guests a feast of wildlife. In the long rainy season some camps are closed between April and May. Here is a list of some of the recommended lodges in Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.
The Masai Mara is a romantic safari destination with some truly luxurious intimate camps and Masai Mara safari lodges to cater and pamper you on a safari. There are also family- friendly Masai Mara safari lodges and camps that offer family rooms and child- friendly activities so that the whole family can experience and enjoy the beauty of the bush. One of the most serene ways to experience the vastness of this landscape is by floating above the Masai Mara in hot air balloon. The following are some of the accommodation facilities in the Masai Mara.
- The Angama Mara
Angama Mara stands on the edge of the Great Rift Valley overlooking the rolling Maasai Mara plains.
With its exceptional location in the south-western Mara Triangle, Angama Mara quarantees sublime comfort paired with unparalleled game viewing. The acacia-dotted plains promise sightings of mega herds of wildebeest and of course the Big Five that is; lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Embark on guided game drives, glide across the sky on a hot air ballon, dabble in a pampering massage. No two days are ever the same here.
Angama consists of just 2 intimate camps consisting of 15 glass-fronted tented suites each offering a front row seat to the greatest show on earth; the Great Migration.
Enjoy that heartwarming Kenyan hospitality with a dedicated private butler to cater to everyone.
An amazing experience
Angama Mara is easily considered one of the most spectacular game reserves on the African continent. Being situated above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, it offers a long list of features that would keep even the most die-hard safari – goers start to froth. The views are utterly breathtaking and you will have the lion’s share of game viewings and gorgeous sunsets.
Angama is the type of place where you can decide how you want to spend your time. From mega–herds of wildebeest to prides of lions, the game is varied and abundant. And since the camp remains unfenced, you can even expect to see a few up close from rock hyraxes joining you for breakfast to gorgeous little dik-diks skirting right past your tent.
Being so far from everything, the dining experience is pretty remarkable. A stay here feels intimate and magical and you will even have a private butler to attend to your needs for the duration of your stay.
- Basecamp Mara Houses (Mara North Conservancy)
Experience endless adventures and private luxury family friendly accommodation at Basecamp Mara Houses on a Masai Mara safari in Kenya.
This camp has family friendly private bush houses in the peaceful Mara North Conservancy. It is characterized with 3 en-suite bedrooms perfect for families, Acacia House accommodation in 1 en-suite bedroom, 1 double room and 1 attic room for kids. Cool off in your private pool or relax on the deck overlooking a waterhole as you get prepared to explore more on a guided day and night game drives, family safaris and bush walks.
A memorable experience
In the heart of the Mara North Conservancy, enjoy a private and very personal wildlife Masai Mara safari in Kenya. Basecamp Mara houses are three separate houses, each providing a private sanctuary that can accommodate up to 6 people, ideal for a group or family safari in Masai Mara. Exclusive, private and pampered with a chef, private game guide, a tracker and a house manager enjoy the freedom to design your own safari itinerary.
Basecamp Mara Houses, tucked away in the Mara North Conservancy, south western Kenya are far away from all modern distractions. They are strategically located and very isolated thus avoiding noisy crowds but still enjoy spectacular game viewing experiences in Kenya. Enjoy the sunrise over a morning cup of coffee before setting off to track any predators as they return from their hunt in the early morning light.
Perfect for families on holiday together, game drives can be altered to suit the needs of the young ones. A private chief will cater to your dietary requirements and satisfy even the most discerning palate. Specialized game safaris will ensure that the kids are always entertained and have the chance to witness wildlife in abundance.
- Cottars 1920s Safari Camp
Romantic and colonial Cottars 1920s Safari Camp in the Masai Mara is straight out of the pages of “Out of Africa” and a superb setting for a Kenya luxury safari.
At this luxury Masai Mara safari camp you will step back in time to a different era. The antique furnishings and silver service enhance your safari experience in an unforgettable way. Alternately, for families and groups who want an exclusive fully staffed home, Cottar’s Bush Villa is a contemporary retreat close to the main camp.
Cottages 1920s Safari Camp is situated in a premier location where the Serengeti, Masai Mara and Loliondo reserves meet. At Cottars, you are in the perfect spot for witnessing the Great Migration on land away from the river crossings which are a magnet for mass tourism. The annual migration occurs between July and October.
Cottars Conservancy offers an undulating wilderness where you can enjoy wonderfully private safari activities and not lay eyes on another Masai Mara safari camp or balloon. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the game rich landscape and the undivided attention of an impressive team of guides including the owner of the camp.
- Encounter Mara
Encounter Mara has an exclusive location in Mara Naboisho Conservancy for a wild Kenya safari in the Masai Mara.
Encounter Mara is located in the exclusive Mara Naboisho conservancy shared by thick acacia forest and brings guest a Kenya safari like no other. The salt licks attract a diversity of wildlife that can be seen on game viewing activities.
Comfort and a traditional classic safari is offered at the Masai Mara safari camp. Find accommodation in one of the well- appointed, cosy tents that feature en-suite bathrooms, Pared with traditional cuisine and wonderful scenery on your doorstep. Encounter Mara strives to give you an authentic taste of Africa.
A traditional African safari experience at Encounter Mara entails daily game drives and guided walking safaris. Witness an abundance of wildlife while flying over beautiful landscapes and spot wildlife while on a hot-air balloon safari. Children aged 5 years and older are welcome to stay at Encounter Mara.
- Entim Mara
Entim Mara is a luxurious tented Masai Mara safari camp in Kenya with a front row seat to the annual Great Migration. Entim Mara is a Masai Mara Safari camp in Kenya that is situated between two of the major crossing points on the Great Migration Route in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Lodge is discreetly positioned in the forests overlooking the Mara River. The Masai Mara lodge offers accommodation in comfortably appointed safari tents. The central areas of Entim Mara are all open-sided allowing guests to relax in a comfortable chair and watch the wildlife come to drink at the Mara River.
This Masai Mara safari camp is in the heart of one of the iconic game viewing destinations of East Africa and no matter the season excellent wildlife sightings are guaranteed. Explore the savannahs under the guidance of skilled local Maasai guides who know the area intimately. They will help guests plan their activities each day based on where the best wildlife sightings are likely to be heard. They are also willing to give insights into their culture and way of life. Guests can arrange to visit a traditional homestead called a Manyatta outside the Masi Mara National Reserve.
- Elephant Pepper Camp
Little luxuries and superb game viewing are just some of the delights at Elephant Pepper Camp in the Masai Mara, where your Kenya camping safari unfolds in a private African wilderness.
This traditional Kenyan safari camp is very comfortable but also unobtrusive and kind to the environment. No noisy generators to scare the resident lion pride or disturb you in your blissful safari experience. Elephant Pepper Camp enjoys a scheduled setting within a grove of trees overlooking the Mara plains. This Kenya camp is situated next to a waterhole and the surrounding grass is rich in salt which attracts many Elephants.
Your days will be filled with exciting safari activities that take place in a protected and private conservancy close to the Mara River. Picnic baskets are popular for breakfast on morning game drives and also for lunch during the migration season on extended all day game drives. The Mara plains are alive with game and even more so July through to October.
- Governors Camp
Round up your friends and family for a Kenya wildlife safari at Governors Private Camp in the Masai Mara. A bend in the Mara River is where you will be located, which is perfect for game viewing. This camp is a gem in the Governors Camp Collection. Private Camp is well suited to small groups but it accommodates individual bookings as well. With luxury tents on a grassy stretch overlooking the river, you will enjoy a wonderful sense of privacy and exclusivity. In between exciting game drives and walking safaris led by professional and experienced guides, you can return to the shady tranquility of Governors Private Camp. The river is a magnet for wildlife and birdlife including Trogfons, Turacos and Hornbills as abundant in the surrounding trees.
Personal attention and service is what this camp is known for. You certainly wont go hungry or thirsty as the camp cuisine is truly delicious and all drinks are included with the exception of champagne
Facilities and services include;
- Meals served with crystal glassware and fine bone china
- Tailor-made menus by the executive chef
- Spa tent offering massages, facials, manicures
- Oopen bar and dining area overlooking the Mara River
- Meals in the bush are on a request basis
- Children of all ages are welcome
- 220 volt plugs at Reception
- Governors IL Moran Camp
One of a group of prestigious Kenya safari camps, Governors IL Moran in the Masai Mara is a tranquil retreat for those who love luxury in the bush. Enjoy an intimate and exclusive Kenya African safari at Governors IL Moran. The shady banks of the Mara River provide an idyllic setting in a prime game viewing area. You will have a ringside seat for watching animals at the water and in the Masai Mara Reserve. Highly trained and experienced guides ensure you have the best game viewing and photographic opportunities.
Game viewing in the Masai Mara is exceptional experience at any time but you won’t believe your eyes if you visit during the annual Great Migration. More than a million Wildebeest and Zebra cross the plains in order to reach nutritious grasses on the other side of the Mara River.
Facilities and services include;
- The camp accepts children of 8 years and older
- All guest areas have superb views over the Mara River
- Plugs and adaptors at reception for charging cameras and equipment
- Curio shop at the camp
- Sunken fire pit
- Private dining on request
- Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp allows guests to step back into a bygone era while on a safari holiday in the Masai Mara in Kenya. Delight in exceptional game viewing, dinner under the stars, hot air balloon safaris and wellness treatments.
Karen Blixen Camp is a luxurious camp that has a colonial ambiance reminiscent of the 1920’s when Karen Blixen went on safari on the savannahs canvas tents situated on raised wooden platforms overlooking a scenic stretch of the Mara River.
The camp is perfectly positioned for optional game viewing during the Great Wildebeest Migration, as one of the most dramatic points in the annual cycle is when thousands of these antelopes have to cross the Mara which is home to some of the largest Crocodiles in Africa. The BBC’s Big Cat Diary is always good while on a game drive with Karen Blixen Camp.
Explore this vibrant region under the guidance of an experienced Maasai tracker while on game drives during your Masai Mara safari. Experience the vastness of the African plains while on a bush walk or gain a bird’s eye view of the wildlife while floating above the Acacias during an early morning hot air balloon safari.
Cool off in the afternoon with a dip in the swimming pool and be left refreshed with a soothing massage. In the eveings delight in discovering the regions nocturnal active animals during a night drive before returning to camp and delighting in a feast under the star studded sky.
- Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri is Richard Branson’s Kenyan luxury safari camp located within the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy within the greater Masai Mara. It occupies a stellar location within the world-famous Maasai Mara right along the path of the Great Migration.
Along with scores of wildebeest, other iconic animal sightings include lions, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs. The tented suites are so luxurious offering a front row seat to unrivalled views of those fiery Kenyan sunsets and sunrises.
The unique experience
Mahali Mzuri stands as Sir Richard Branson’s latest safari camp tucked way within the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy in the wider Masai Mara. The property promises a fine blend of luxury pared with exceptional game viewing not to mention a VIP ticket to the annual migration where scores of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle come thundering through the region between July and October
Aside from twice daily game drives led by the team of knowledgeable tracker-guides, you can also visit the nearby Maasi village. The selling point for a Masai Mara safari at Mahali Mzyuri is that you can decide how you want to spend your time especially those quiet moments in between game viewing. At the heart of the camp is the main lounge where you can strike up a conversation with other guests. In the evening, settle down for dinner around the communal table or somewhere a little private.
- Basecamp Mara Houses
This is also a family-friendly private house in the peaceful Mara North conservancy. Basecamp Mara House accommodation has 3 en-suite bedrooms perfect for families.
Unique experience
In the heart of the Mara North Conservancy, enjoy a private and very personal wildlife Masai Mara safari in Kenya. Basecamp Mara Houses are 3 separate houses each providing a private sanctuary that can accommodate up to 6 people, ideal for a group or family safari in Masai Mara.
Exclusive, private and pampered, with a chef, private game guide, a tracker and a house manager enjoy the freedom to design your own safari itinerary.
Basecamp Mara Houses, tucked away in the Mara North Conservancy, southern Western Kenya, are far away from all modern distractions. They are perfectly located and very isolated, avoiding noisy crowds, but still enjoy spectacular game viewing experiences in Kenya. Enjoy the sunrise over an aromatic cup of coffee before settling out to track any predators as they return from their hunt in the early morning light.
Perfect for families on holiday together, game drives can be altered to suit the needs of the little ones. A private chef will cater to your dietary requirements and satisfy even the most discerning palate. Specialized game safaris will ensure that the kids are always entertained and have the chance to witness an abundance of wildlife.
- Mara Explore
The Mara Explorer Tented Camp offers a classic Maasai Mara safari experience. It is situated in a rich game viewing area and is ideally situated to make the most of the Wildebeest Migration. On the banks of the Talek River in the heart of the Masai Mara lies the Mara Explorer Tented Camp. One of the best Kenya safari camps, it has a prime position at the confluence of the best game viewing areas in the Mara. The experienced Maasai guides will take guests out on game drives in search of giraffe, elephants to mention but a few.
This Masai Mara camp lies in the path that the wildebeest take during the Great Migration between July and September, ensuring great game viewing from the lodge itself. The rest of the year there is still plenty of animals to be seen especially predators such as lion. One of the most thrilling experiences is going on an early morning Hot Air Balloon safari. Watch as the sun changes the landscape from monochrome to colour and spot thousands of animals dotted on the plains.
Extend an early morning or evening game drive with a tasty breakfast out on the savannahs. Go on a nature walk with the Maasai guide and learn about their culture and how to behave around wild animals. The lodge can even arrange for guests to visit a traditional Maasai home called a Manyatta.
- Mara Rianta Camp
Mara Rianta Camp is one of the Mara tented camps that offers an all-inclusive safari in one of the greatest safari destinations on Earth. Discover the regions incredible wildlife through game drives and hot air balloon safaris.
Mara Rianta Camp is the perfect base for an inclusive luxury safari in Kenya. It is situated in the north of the Masai Mara Reserve on the banks of the Mara River. The area is teeming with wildlife and the famed Great Migration of Wildebeest pass through between October and November yearly. This lodge offers accommodation in elegant tented suites that have tranquil views over the river.
Experience the thrill of encountering wildlife on foot. After an exciting morning of memorable wildlife encounters, relax at the lodge and be pampered with an invigorating wellness treatment. While staying at the Camp, you can also enjoy seeing the Mara from the air during a hot air balloon safari. These start just before dawn and you float over the plains as they get flooded with light, spotting wildlife such as Wildebeest and herds of Elephant below. Go on a cultural excursion and learn about the Maasai tribe who have live in the region for centuries.
- Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is an exclusive luxury tented camp that is located on a private conservancy in the wildlife paradise of the Masai Mara, Kenya.
Uniqe experience
Mara Bushtops offers accommodation in an elegant luxury tented camp in the heart of the private Bushtops Conservancy in the Masai Mara. The camp is a sophisticated retreat in the heart of the savannah. Stay in spacious comfortably furnished suites and fall asleep in the tranquility of the wild. Dine on delicious bush dinner on the deck under the stars. Facilities include; infinity swimming pool, curio shop, library and digital library, complimentary laundry service, 24 hour dining on request, wine cellar, Amani African Spa Village, Gym, Wi-fi.
- Mara Plains Camp
Mara Plains Camp shares the home of the Big Five in its location in the private Olare Motorgori Conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Get a closer look at wildlife wonders as you escapade through the bush on game drives and wildlife walks.
Stay in luxury tented suites with canvas ceilings each unique decorated.
Thrilling activities include game drives, wildlife walks, balloon safaris and cultural visits.
Enjoy the remoteness of the camp and the visits from the free-roaming wildlife
Located in a prime position to witness the Great Migration of the Masai Mara
Experience
Be amazed by the wide mouthed hippos that laze around in the waters of the nearby river. Find refuge in one of the luxury tented suites at this Masai Mara safari lodge. Spend your nights listening to the majestic roar of the lion or the flapping of elephant ears as you lay in a bed surrounded by authentic African furniture and decorations.
All the structures are built on elevated decks and the use of cement has been avoided to ensure that no trace will be left should the camp be removed. This eco-friendly act is reflected in the lodge’s social responsibility outlook as they are actively involved in supporting the local communities. Mara Plains Camp makes contributions towards the natural conservation of the conservancy as well as to the local Maasai people.
- Mara Intrepids
Mara Interpids Camp is a luxury tented safari lodge located in the heart of the Masai Mara. The region is known for its Big Cats and is perfectly positioned for the Wildebeest and Zebra migration. The Mara Intrepids Camp is situated on the bountiful plains of the Masai Mara Kenya, one of the great destinations for safaris in Africa. The classic tented camp is in Africa. This classic tented camp is in the heart of a game rich region and has good sightings of the Big Cats; infact much of the BBC’s Big Cat Diary was filmed in the area. The camp overlooks the Talek River and is in the middle of the best game viewing region.
The lodge is very family friendly and has one of the best kids’ adventure activity programs in thr region where they will delight in the challenge of the obstacle course, learn about tracking, animals and bush survival from the resident Maasai naturalist.