Where to Stay in Maasai Mara: Top 11 Luxury Safari Camps & Lodges
Published on: December 20th, 2018
Last updated: October 28th, 2024
The Maasai Mara is one of the best destinations in Africa for an unforgettable safari. Located on the southwest side of Kenya, it’s the setting of the legendary Great Migration and an ideal place to spot the Big Five. Although July to October is the peak season to witness the famous river crossings, it’s also full of spectacular wildlife all year round.
The Maasai Mara has a wide range of excellent accommodation, from luxury lodges to tented safari camps. Whether you’re planning a romantic honeymoon or a fun family trip, there’s something here for everyone. Each place offers exclusive activities like game drives, walking safaris, hot air balloon rides and cultural excursions – just to name a few.
Which Part of the Maasai Mara Is Best?
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, known for its expansive plains and the Maasai people who inhabit them. You can choose to stay within the reserve itself to be at the centre of all the action, or in one of the surrounding Mara Conservancies for a more exclusive experience.
The southwestern region of the reserve, known as the Mara Triangle, is the first place that animals arrive during the Great Migration. It’s a less-crowded and quieter area that still provides privileged access to wildlife, making it a top choice amongst our travel designers.
How Many Days Do You Need in the Maasai Mara?
If you’re only staying at one safari camp, four nights is usually enough time to enjoy the area. However, we highly recommend visiting a couple of different camps for the full experience. If you want to stay at two or more places, we suggest spending at least three nights at each.
The Best Luxury Safari Camps and Lodges in the Maasai Mara
To help you get inspired and plan your perfect trip, we’ve asked our team of expert travel designers to share their favourite places to stay in the Maasai Mara. Here are our top picks, including details about who they’re best for and the reasons why we love them.
1. Sala’s Camp
Set on the banks of the Sand River, Sala’s Camp provides the perfect balance between privacy and proximity to wildlife. This tranquil corner of the Maasai Mara reserve is a short drive away from the iconic river crossings. The camp offers exceptional views and luxurious tents designed for both couples and families, plus plenty of activities for kids.
Need to know: Sala’s camp offers a range of different tented suites including double tents, honeymoon tents in the forest and family tents – all come with luxurious private pools.
2. Angama Mara
For unparalleled views of the plains, Angama Mara is the place to be. Perched atop an escarpment overlooking the reserve, it provides direct access to the Mara Triangle. Honeymooners and families alike will enjoy the minimalist suites and panoramic views from private viewing decks and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Need to know: There are 30 tented suites here, all built facing the sunrise with enormous 11 metre windows that welcome the first rays of the day. There’s an interconnected family tent and Patty’s Tent, designed to work for restricted mobility.
3. Angama Safari Camp
There’s something incredibly special about staying right in the heart of the Maasai Mara, with nothing but canvas walls separating you from the wilderness. That’s what you’ll experience at Angama Safari Camp, a sole-use space that’s best for small groups or couples. It operates seasonally from July to late September, which is the best time for the great wildebeest migration in Kenya.
Need to know: An intimate camp with just 4 tents and one large guest tent for dining and relaxing. Guests have the opportunity to visit the luxurious sister camp, Angama Mara to make use of the swimming pool, fitness room and the private dining options.
4. Mara Plains Camp
For a truly exclusive safari experience, consider a stay at Mara Plains Camp in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Its opulent elevated suites offer breathtaking views of the surroundings, and the food and service are top-notch. Our travel designers recommend it for couples and photographers, although it also has a wonderful family suite.
Need to know: There are five luxurious and spacious tented suites at Mara Plains, all with a large terrace. Day and night game drives take place in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, with full days of safari often taking in the Maasai Mara National Reserve too.
5. Mahali Mzuri
With 12 comfortable tents scattered across a scenic hillside, Mahali Mzuri is a modern oasis in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Two of its tents are designed specifically for travellers age 6–15, making it one of the best luxury family safari lodges in Kenya. We highly suggest a tour of a nearby Maasai village to meet the residents and learn about their culture.
Need to know: The dining options here range from bush bbqs, lunches served on the large open deck, champagne breakfasts and safari sundowners. There’s also a luxurious spa that uses ethical products that use natural African ingredients.
6. Little Governors’ Camp
This was one of the first camps established in the Maasai Mara, lending it a classic feel to complement its cosy atmosphere. Little Governors’ Camp boasts a prime location for observing wildlife and the Great Migration. The best time for Great Migration in Maasai Mara are the months of July and August, during the river the crossings. Plus, the camp has its own launch site for hot air balloon safaris – an experience you’ll remember forever.
Need to know: There are 17 rooms at Little Governors’, all classic tented suites, beautifully appointed and immersed in nature. Activities include game drives, hot air balloon safaris, bush dinners, cultural visits and visits to the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project.
7. andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Located just outside of the reserve in a private concession, andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp offers incredible views of the Maasai Mara and up-close access to the Great Migration. It’s an especially good choice during the early part of the migration season in July and August. It’s also one of our travel designers’ favourite spots for a family vacation.
Need to know: This is a larger camp with 40 luxurious rooms, a swimming pool, spacious restaurant, and baby sitting services available.
8. Naboisho Camp
If you’re after an exhilarating adventure, Naboisho Camp will be a dream come true. This classic tented camp is off the beaten track in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and offers thrilling activities like off-road drives and fly camping. After an exciting day, you can relax in a sumptuous suite with outstanding personalised service.
Need to know: There are nine tents in total at Naboisho, included a large family tent with two rooms. The family room has a large verenda. All safari vehicles are fitted with fridges, for fresh snacks and drinks while on excursions.
9. Richard's River Camp
With just six tents – each outfitted with modern comforts and antique touches – Richard’s River Camp is an optimal choice for couples or friends travelling together. It provides an incredibly intimate experience in the remote Olare Orok Conservancy, where you’ll be surrounded by lions, hippos and many other majestic species.
Need to know: Richard’s River Camp offers luxury double tents and two additional family tents which consists of two tents that are connected. The Private Family Tent is situated in a secluded corner, away from the main camp and with an extended social area.
10. Serian ‘The Original’
At Serian ‘The Original’ it’s all about the details. This renowned safari camp in the Mara North Conservancy provides a private vehicle and guide for every group of guests, and is known for its exceptional walking safaris. Its five tents are spacious, simple and elegant. According to our travel designers, this is an especially great spot for photography enthusiasts.
Need to know: The tented rooms at Serian ‘The Original’ are known as marquees, due to their large size. When it comes to activities the camp stands out by offering each group their own private open-top safari jeep – great for personalised experiences.
11. Rekero Camp
It’s hard to imagine a better place to experience the Great Migration than Rekero Camp, which is located right in the middle of the Maasai Mara. Even outside of the peak season it’s still a prime destination for wildlife viewing. This camp is particularly well known for its highly trained expert guides, who will happily share their extensive knowledge of the land and the wildlife.
Need to know: There are nine tented suites at Rekero, including a family tent. The family accommodation and expert guides means this camp works well for famillies with children who over five years old.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
Sustainable safari practices in Kenya’s Maasai Mara focus on minimising environmental impact while supporting local communities and wildlife conservation. Jacada selects environmentally conscious camps and lodges as part of their Positive Impact Collection, that use sustainable practices such as renewable energy, reducing water consumption and managing waste responsibly.
Activities should be sustainable too. Low-impact game drives should avoid delicate ecosystems and vehicles should be limited around wildlife, electric vehicles are also becoming an option in many camps. Walking and hot air balloon safaris also leave a lighter impact on the land. Meeting with Maasai communities, responsibly, ensures economically responsible tourism that can facilitate the preservation of wildlife and traditional culture.
Maasai Mara FAQs
How long you spend in the Maasai Mara will depend on where else you’re going on your safari. We recommend two to three nights at a camp in the Maasai Mara in combination with a further 3 nights in another location (such as Lewa or Samburu) or another camp in the Mara Conservancies. Having said that, it’s also possible to spend between four or five nights in one camp, to truly immerse yourself in that particular part of the park.
The Maasai Mara is one of the smaller national parks in Africa. It’s size is approximately 1510 square kilometres (583 square miles), making it easier to explore in a shorter amount of time.
Yes, it’s possible to stay within the Maasai Mara, right in the thick of the action. There are several luxury camps within the reserve itself, with more stunning lodges and camps in the surrounding Mara Conservancies.
Trip Inspiration
Ready to start planning?
Whatever you want from your Maasai Mara safari, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
