Governors' Camp

Governors' Camp holds a special place in safari history as the original luxury tented camp in the Masai Mara, established in 1972 on the site where Kenya's colonial governors once pitched their camps during hunting expeditions. Nestled in a natural forest along the winding Mara River, the camp occupies a privileged position on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve with direct, gate-free access to the reserve's prime game-viewing areas. The camp's 37 tents are set beneath a canopy of ancient fig and warburgia trees along the riverbank, each featuring elegant interiors with brass fittings, Persian-style rugs, writing desks, and en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. The traditional safari aesthetic is deliberate — this is a camp that honours the golden age of East African exploration while providing genuine luxury. Hippos can be heard grunting from the river just metres away, and it is not uncommon for elephants to wander through the camp itself. Governors' Camp is ideally positioned for the Great Migration, with the Mara River crossings occurring within a short drive of the camp between July and October. The camp's team of highly trained naturalist guides are among the most experienced in Kenya, many having guided in the Mara for over two decades. Beyond the migration, the surrounding area supports a remarkable density of predators — the famous Marsh Pride of lions, featured in the BBC's Big Cat Diary, resides in the camp's backyard.