Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.
Countless accommodation options are available in Masai Mara National Reserve and Mara conservancies. From designer lodges suspended in the air to family-oriented tented camps and anything in between, you can rest assured to find the perfect Masai Mara safari lodge just for you.
Luxury facilities
Naibor Camp luxury tented camp
Located in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. On the banks of the Talek River, the camp has resident families of hippo that seem to love the camp and its location as much as we do! With simple furnishings, a candlelit communal dining area and very accommodating hosts, Naibor Camp has a very relaxing and classic safari feel to it. This makes it perfect for guests on their first safari or for those wanting to get a truly authentic Kenya safari experience.
Naibor Camp is inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, hidden in the riverine woodland of the Talek River. The great migration passes through this area between July and October, and Naibor prides itself as being the camp located close to all the major wildebeest crossing sites over the Mara River.
Governors’ Camp
The camp, which was once reserved exclusively for Kenya’s colonial governors, hence the name, is today still one of the favorites in the Masai Mara. In the past, renowned photographers, documentists, and the BBC have come to base themselves in the camp whilst documenting the exceptional wildlife.
Sat inside the Masai Mara Reserve, Governors is a traditional camp snug in the forest by the banks of the Mara River. There is an abundance of game all year round, but during the months of July to October, the game is heightened as the Great Wildebeest Migration pass through these plains and cross the infamous Mara River.
Naboisho Camp
Sat in a peaceful and game-abundant conservancy bordering the Masai Mara Reserve, Naboisho Camp offers an intimate and authentic safari experience. The conservancy benefits by its location, offering a wider range of activities such as horse riding, bush walks, off-road safaris and night drives. The camp is a great choice for those looking for a good quality game viewing in an untouched and pristine wilderness.
The camp is sat in the private Naboisho conservancy bordering the Masai Mara Reserve. The 200km2 conservancy boasts the wildlife it homes, and so it should! With over 100 lions living in the vicinity, the conservancy has one of the highest lion densities in the world.
Ol Seki is a luxury tented camp
The camp, which can accommodate only 12 guests, is magically peaceful and secluded perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds that the Mara Reserve can attract. Ol Seki also has a ‘bride stays free’ offer which, as you can imagine, makes it a very attractive honeymoon safari destination!
Ol Seki Camp is situated in the Naboisho conservancy, adjacent to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The Conservancy itself sits on 200 square kilometers of rolling savannah where elephants, buffaloes and plains game graze and prides of lion roam. Game drives into the reserve are also possible, which are particularly popular for those wanting to try and see a migration crossing or the sheer size of the herds.
Porini Lion Camp
Head out on thrice-daily game drives from this superb Masai Mara lodging situated in the private Olare Motogori Conservancy, renowned for its superb big cat sightings. Return to the authentic Porini Lion Camp in time for a refreshing cocktail while being entertained by the boisterous hippos in the adjacent Ntiakatiak River.
Mid-range facilities
Keekoroko lodge
Keekorok Lodge is the first property in the Masai Mara National Reserve in southwest Kenya. The lodge was opened in 1962 and is ideally situated in the direct path of the spectacular animal migration that occurs every year from July to October. Guests can experience unparalleled safari adventures, morning and evening game drives are a must for anyone visiting the reserve.
The offers traditional-style accommodation with a private patio. The property has an outdoor pool with a terrace and views of nature.
Mara Ngenche Camp
Mara Ngenche Tented Camp is mid-range accommodation, comfortable tented camp located at the meeting of the Mara and the Talek rivers in the Masai Mara. As well as great resident game, from July to October, the Great Migration storm through the reserve, and because of the camps exceptional position on the river banks, it really is the best place to be based for a couple of days if a famous river crossing is on the bucket list.
Richard’s Forest Camp
Richard’s Forest Camp is a mid-range accommodation set in the Ol Choro Conservancy in the Masai Mara, Richard’s Forest Camp is the original of the Richard’s camps, offering an intimate safari experience off the beaten track, with great game and resident big cats lurking close by! Like its sister property, Richard’s River Camp, the camp has a warm history behind it, with Richard and his family brought up in the Masai Mara, as well as playing an integral part of conservation projects in Kenya today.
Saruni Mara
Similar to its sister properties across Kenya, Saruni Mara is all about its exquisite views over the Mara plains! Sitting on top of a huge hilltop in the bushy thicket, watching the sunset each night around a warm campfire or your stunning private verandah, could not be more beautiful. Saruni Mara offers a peaceful haven in the Mara, as the conservancy ensures guests of a truly exclusive safari experience with a low vehicle density.
Budget facilities
Greenwood Safari Camp
Located in Talek, Greenwood Safari Camp is one of the best budget lodges visitors can consider for overnight stays on Maasai Mara safaris. This budget facility features comfortable tents fitted with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas.
Greenwood Safari Camp is set near the Talek River and is accessible about a 6-hour drive from the heart of Nairobi city. From Ol-Kiombo Airstrip, you can spend about an hour driving up to this safari camp. The Greenwood Safari Camp features about 8 comfortable tents set on an elevated wooden deck where guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the extensive Mara plains.
Talek Bush Camp
Talek Bush Camp falls on the list of budget accommodation categories in Maasai Mara Reserve. It is built in one of the strategic areas where guests can enjoy the best of guided game drives and also the great migration. Talek Bush Camp is found in Talek and has the best tents fitted with en suite bathrooms, private verandas, and many amenities including a restaurant. At Talek Bush Camp, there are several things that guests can engage in including bush walks, game drives, and cultural tours.
Maji Moti Eco Camp
Located right in Sekenani, Maji Moti Eco Camp is a comfortable budget property in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve in Kenya. It is one of the few eco-friendly facilities in Masai Mara and is known for its excellent savanna plain views below it. At Maji Moti Camp, guests can also enjoy the best views of the scenic Loita Hills and also experience the unique Maasai cultures.
The tents feature en suite bathrooms and private verandas. The available restaurant serves both local and international cuisines.
Crocodile Camp
The Crocodile Camp Masai Mara is a budget accommodation property set 200 meters off from the Talek River. It is accessible from the hippo pool within a few minutes and from the heart of Nairobi, about 260 km through the Narok-Sekenani-Talek-Koyaki route. This budget property features a fully stocked bar, restaurant, campgrounds, free parking, BBQ facilities, 24-hour front desk, free internet, mosquito net, laundry services, and more. The room facilities include a shower, clothes rack, complimentary toiletries, alarm clock, and others.
In conclusion
The Masai Mara has 5 primary areas where you can stay. The Northern expanse of Masai Mara only has private conservancies while the Eastern, Southern and Western Masai Mara comprises of the main reserve and a private conservancy. The heart of Masai Mara – Central consists of only the main reserve. Select your preferred region to view individual recommendations on where you can stay based on your travel preference.
