Governor's Camp Maasai Mara

Governors’ Camp is a canvas camp on the Mara River beside Musiara Marsh, within the Masai Mara National Reserve and part of the Governors’ Camp Collection. Established in 1972, it is considered Africa’s first permanent luxury tented camp and remains on its original riverside site.

The unfenced camp allows wildlife to move freely in and around the area. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, elephants, Maasai giraffes, buffalo, zebras, hippos and Nile crocodiles are commonly seen, along with topi, impala, warthogs and waterbuck. The river, marsh and forest support diverse birdlife. Sightings are not guaranteed.

You may choose between river-facing luxury tents and plains-facing family tents, with morning and afternoon game drives daily. The camp suits first-time safari travelers, families, couples, and photographers. River crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Governors’ Camp, Moran and Little Governors’

Some travelers search for Governors’ Main Camp, but the property is marketed as Governors’ Camp. It is distinct from Moran Camp, Little Governors’ Camp and Loldia House.

Little Governors’ Camp is often confused with Governors’ Camp because it is also in the Musiara area and uses Musiara Airstrip. However, it is accessed by a short boat crossing and guided walk through riverine forest, while Governors’ Camp has direct road access from the airstrip. Park and community fees apply to all safaris.

Getting there

Musiara Airstrip serves the camp, a short road transfer away. Flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport are available, subject to current schedules, and the camp’s quoted rate includes local airstrip transfers.

Mara flights have a strict 15 kg soft-bag luggage allowance per person, including hand luggage. Road travel from Nairobi is an alternative, with timing depending on traffic and road conditions. We include flights, transfers, park and community fees, and onward travel in a single itinerary quotation.

River-facing tents or a family tent facing the plains

The camp has 24 canvas tents: 19 river-facing luxury tents and five family tents overlooking the plains. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, private verandah, and morning tea or coffee with the wake-up call. Wi-Fi is available; the camp operates on solar power, and daily laundry is included in the rate.

River-Facing Luxury Tent

Main features: Canvas tent on the Mara River side of camp, with river views from the veranda, electric lights and UK-style 220-volt sockets for charging devices. The tent accommodates two guests in a double or twin arrangement.

Suits: Couples or friends who want the river as part of their accommodation experience.

Why it matters: The veranda offers a space to watch the river and enjoy the camp’s surroundings between drives. We confirm your preferred bed arrangement when booking.

Plains-Facing Family Tent

Main features: Each of the five family tents is shaded by riverine forest, with open-plains views and a wide veranda with outdoor furniture. Each tent includes a fixed double bed and a twin bed that converts into a double. A third single bed can be added, and cots are available for infants on request. Two family tents are wheelchair-friendly, with ramp access and grab rails.

Suits: Families, two couples sharing, or friends wanting a larger tent.

Why it matters: Separate sleeping areas and a central living space let your group share one tent without sharing the same bedroom.

Family Tent Layout and Bedding

Main features: Five family tents. Each accommodates up to five guests, with a fixed double bed, a twin bed that converts to a double, and an optional third single bed.

Suits: Parents with young children or families with children of different ages.

Why it matters: We tailor the arrangement to your children’s ages and group size, confirming bedding requests with the camp so the third bed or cot is ready before arrival.

Meals, drinks and the Safari Spa Tent

Breakfast includes a continental and full English buffet, with eggs cooked to order. Lunch is a plated three-course meal on the lawn when weather allows. Dinner combines buffets with plated service. The dining tent overlooks the plains and the bar tent features a deck over the Mara River. Special diets are accommodated with advance notice.

The Safari Spa Tent offers massages using 100% natural products from The Wild Herb Company. Treatments are tailored to each guest and help you relax after a game drive or before dinner. Spa treatments are not included in the camp rate and should be requested in advance.

The quoted rate includes accommodation, meals, local airstrip transfers, soft drinks, beers, house wines, non-premium spirits, up to three shared game drives daily and daily laundry. Champagne, selected fine wines, premium spirits, liqueurs, bush meals, park fees, community fees and personal extras are additional.

Game drives in the Musiara area

The camp offers up to three shared game drives per full day in open-sided 4x4 vehicles, typically early morning and late afternoon. Guides adjust routes based on wildlife movement rather than a fixed plan. The camp can provide packed breakfasts and lunches for full- or half-day drives upon request. Predator sightings and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Many families prefer to book a private vehicle in advance. If your safari already includes a private vehicle and guide, we compare the camp’s rate, which includes up to three shared game drives daily, with a stay arranged around your own guide. This ensures your quotation matches your arrangements. We can tailor our Maasai Mara safari package to include these, subject to availability.

Our team can arrange a Maasai cultural visit or a bush dinner, subject to availability and any applicable supplement. A cultural visit offers time with Maasai hosts away from the vehicle-based safari, while a bush dinner is served outdoors in camp and requires planning.

Balloon safari over the Mara

A balloon safari begins before dawn with an early transfer to the launch site and a safety briefing. The flight lasts about an hour and offers a different perspective over the Mara’s plains, forests and rivers. After landing, guests enjoy a bush breakfast with sparkling wine before returning to camp by game drive.

Balloon flights require a supplement and must be booked in advance. We coordinate availability, timing, age or health requirements, and how the flight fits into your safari day. An aerial river crossing is possible but not guaranteed.

Families, safety and time at camp

Children of all ages are welcome. Family tents accommodate up to five, with cots available on request. Early mealtimes and children’s meals can be arranged. High chairs and babysitting are available on request.

The Governors’ Cub Club offers age-appropriate activities for children beyond game drives, such as Maasai beadwork, bow-and-arrow practice and animal track identification. Families planning longer Kenya trips can see how we incorporate child-friendly pacing, camps and activities into our family holidays.

The camp is unfenced, so wildlife may move through the area. Trained security staff escort guests at night, and children need active supervision.

Sustainability and community

The camp operates entirely on solar power and holds a Gold Eco-Rating from Ecotourism Kenya. The rating applies to the property, not flights, transfers, or the safari as a whole. The camp refills toiletries into reusable metal canisters, and reverse-osmosis water filtration eliminates the need for plastic water bottles.

Through the collection, the camp supports conservation programs such as the Mara Elephant Project, Mara Predator Conservation Program, Mara Raptor Project and Pangolin Project. It also partners with neighboring Maasai communities in education, healthcare, employment and conservation.

Seasons, stay length and onward travel

The camp is open year-round. July to October is suitable for migration and river crossings, while wildlife is present year-round. April and May are the green season, with lush landscapes and fewer visitors. Three nights provide a balanced Mara stay; allow four if adding a balloon flight.

Many travelers combine the Mara with Lake Nakuru, the Rift Valley, Amboseli or the coast. Our 10-Day Kenya Safari Package: Bush and Beach Adventure demonstrates how the Mara connects with other destinations and ends at Diani Beach. We tailor routing, camps, nights and beach extensions to your dates and interests.

Practical arrangements before departure

• Confirm bedding preferences, children’s ages and whether you need a cot or third bed.
• Inform us of any mobility requirements so we can request a wheelchair-friendly family tent, subject to availability.
• Share dietary needs, private vehicle preferences and whether you wish to add a balloon flight.
• Confirm park and community fees, flights, transfers, and the 15 kg soft-bag luggage allowance.
• Arrange comprehensive travel and medical insurance before departure.
• Discuss malaria prevention with a travel health professional before departure.
• The camp accepts Visa and Mastercard.