Overview
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.
Highlights
Quick Facts
Room Types
Food & Drink
Meals at Governors' Camp reflect the camp's heritage of gracious safari hospitality. Full English breakfast is served in the dining tent each morning, with bush breakfast options available during game drives. Lunch is a buffet of fresh salads, grills, and homemade soups. Dinner is a three-course candlelit affair, often served outdoors under the stars. The bar stocks an extensive selection of wines, spirits, and Kenyan beers. Picnic hampers and sundowner setups are arranged on request.
Things to Do
Dawn and dusk game drives in open 4x4 vehicles with expert Maasai naturalist guides, hot air balloon safaris over the Mara at sunrise, guided nature walks along the river, Maasai village cultural visits, birdwatching excursions, and dedicated migration river-crossing watches in season. Private vehicle hire is available for photography enthusiasts.
What You'll See
The area surrounding Governors' Camp is one of the most wildlife-rich in Africa. The famous Marsh Pride of lions and several resident leopards provide regular predator sightings. Cheetah, spotted hyena, elephant, buffalo, hippo, and crocodile are seen daily. During migration season, over 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra pass through the ecosystem. Over 500 bird species have been recorded, including martial eagle, bateleur, and Schalow's turaco in the forest canopy.
Best Time to Visit
July to October is peak season for the Great Migration river crossings, offering the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on earth. December to March is warm and relatively dry with excellent predator sightings and newborn animals. June is a superb shoulder month with fewer visitors and the early migration herds arriving. The long rains of April to May bring lush scenery but some roads can be muddy.
