Maasai Mara, Kenya
Wilderness Mara
A place of epic river crossings and exciting wildlife sightings year-round
Set in the Mara Triangle, a remote area in Kenya‘s Maasai Mara, Wilderness Mara – formerly Little Governors’ Camp – unfolds along a serene bend of the Mara River. As a guest, you’re guaranteed unrivalled access to both banks, which ensures front-row sightings of exhilarating crossings as thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras bound across crocodile-infested waters during the Great Migration.
Beyond the riverbanks, the Mara Triangle’s red oat grasslands stretch towards the Oloololo Escarpment. Here, experience thrilling wildlife viewing opportunities year-round on game drives or bush walks, led by seasoned, world-class guides. You can witness powerful predators such as lions prowling the vast plains, as well as large herds of African buffalo and spotted hyenas. You might even glimpse rarer species, like black rhinos, servals and black-eared foxes, alongside a dazzling array of birdlife, that include martial eagles and blue swallows.
Another way of experiencing its wilderness is by taking to the skies in a hot air balloon. Watch Maasai giraffes emerge from lush riverine forests, and pods of hippos gather in the Mara River’s crooks. Within the region, you can also immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Maasai by visiting their community homesteads nearby, known as manyattas.
At Wilderness Mara, just 12 tented suites sit along the edge of a marsh roamed by elephants. Each suite extends to an elevated private deck, inviting you to spend hours captivated by the wildlife rambling ahead. Onsite, there’s also a spa to wind down from your safari’s adventures, and a dedicated photography studio to bring your images to life.
Highlights
Enjoy rare access to both sides of the Mara River
Experience the Great Migration with fewer crowds
Observe lions, spotted hyenas and enormous herds of African buffalo on game drives
Glimpse over 470 bird species in the area
Float over endless grassy plains during a hot air balloon ride
Gaze out to ambling elephants from your private deck
Perfect your day’s photograghs at the photography studio
Trip inspiration
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Places to combine Wilderness Mara with
Lewa
Family run and cared for, this lodge invites you to be a part of the lives of the Craig family who will host you during your stay here.
A beautiful retreat surrounded by trees and located within the 62,000 acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Lewa Wilderness has just nine individually decorated cottages with private sitting areas and verandas looking over the vast landscape. The fire places in each room add to the homely feel of the place and for those who want to be outdoors more often than in, the tennis court and swimming pool are ideal ways to get some energy out.
The reserve is home to some wonderful game, and helps the conservation efforts of black rhino that browse the region in larger numbers than elsewhere in East Africa. Lion, leopard and elephant can often be seen sipping from the small wooded valley river that flows past the lodge throughout the year and provides an excellent source for prime game viewing.
If you are feeling more adventurous than most, ‘Walking Wild’ is an activity that lets you explore the wild and remote Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in the safety of a team of expert guides. Sleeping a maximum of eight, you head off on a genuine mobile safari lead by camels and each tent has its own private toilet and shower ‘room’ that adds a ‘glamping’ element to this remarkably wild experience. Three to five night options are available.
