Introduction
The Masai Mara Conservancies are a network of community-owned and managed lands that border the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. These conservancies—including Mara North, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi, Ol Kinyei, Lemek, Siana, Enonkishu, Ol Chorro, Pardamat, and Nashulai—offer some of Africa’s best wildlife experiences, with lower vehicle densities, exceptional guiding, exclusive access, and meaningful partnerships with the Maasai communities. They’re ideal for travelers who value privacy, sustainability, culture, and ethical safaris.
1. Ultra-Luxury & Five-Star Safari Camps
Exquisite settings, personal service, gourmet cuisine, spa facilities, and superb guiding—perfect for honeymoons and once-in-a-lifetime safaris.
Mara North Conservancy
- Mara Plains Camp: Relais & Châteaux, opulent canvas suites with private decks, gourmet dining, private vehicles.
- Richard’s River Camp: Family-run, riverside luxury, custom experiences, renowned for exclusivity and attention to detail.
- Alex Walker’s Serian & Ngare Serian: Legendary guiding, private-use vehicles, riverside luxury tents, personal butler service.
- Saruni Mara: Boutique cottages and villas, wellness spa, Italian-Kenyan style.
- Offbeat Mara Camp: Intimate, classic tented camp, outstanding guides, wild setting.
- Kicheche Mara Camp: Highly rated for guiding and photography, classic-luxury tents.
Naboisho Conservancy
- Ol Seki Hemingways Mara: Hilltop luxury, panoramic views, personal butler, airstrip, family suites.
- Mara Nyikani Camp (formerly Naboisho Camp, Asilia): Elegant, intimate, superb guiding, family tent, pool.
- Leopard Hill: Modern design, retractable roof tents for stargazing, yoga, spa, eco-focus.
- Wilderness Naboisho (formerly Naboisho Camp, Wilderness Safaris): Luxury tents, secluded, pool, authentic safari.
- Encounter Mara: Intimate, eco-conscious, highly rated guiding.
Olare Motorogi Conservancy
- Mahali Mzuri (Virgin Limited Edition): Sir Richard Branson’s camp, futuristic tents, infinity pool, world-class cuisine.
- Mara Kempinski Camp: Five-star, luxury tents, fine dining, spa, pool.
- Olare Mara Kempinski: Expansive luxury, riverfront tents, pool.
Ol Kinyei Conservancy
- Porini Mara Camp: Award-winning eco-camp, spacious en-suite tents, excellent guiding.
- Porini Cheetah Camp: Boutique eco-camp, cheetah encounters, small and personal.
2. Classic Tented Camps & Boutique Eco-Lodges
Comfort, character, and immersion in the wild—ideal for couples, seasoned safari-goers, and small groups.
Mara North Conservancy
- Elephant Pepper Camp: Eco-leader, classic luxury tents, stargazing, conservation focus.
- Karen Blixen Camp: Riverside, sustainable, locally inspired, wildlife often seen from camp.
- Royal Mara Safari Lodge: Tented suites on raised decks, riverside location.
- Speke’s Camp: Small, flexible, great for bush walks and private use.
Naboisho Conservancy
- Kicheche Valley Camp: Elegant, secluded tents, top food and guiding.
- Basecamp Explorer Mara & Eagle View: Eco-camps, Maasai partnerships, beautiful views, tree planting projects.
- Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp: Affordable, authentic, dome tents, group use.
Ol Kinyei & Adjacent
- Porini Lion Camp (Olare Motorogi, accessed via Ol Kinyei): Renowned for guiding, all-inclusive, community partnership.
- Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp: Value, shared facilities, all-inclusive, private use possible.
Lemek, Ol Chorro & Others
- Mara River Lodge (Lemek): Riverside, affordable, comfortable.
- Mara Siria Camp (Mara Triangle/Ol Chorro): Hilltop views, tents and cottages, good food.
3. Family-Friendly & Group Accommodation
Flexible suites, child-friendly menus, private guides, pools, and activities for all ages.
- Mara Nyikani Camp (Naboisho/Asilia): Family tent, pool, child-friendly guides.
- Ol Seki Hemingways Mara: Family suites, private guides.
- Royal Mara Safari Lodge: Family suites, riverfront location.
- Karen Blixen Camp: Family tents, activities for kids.
- Porini Mara Camp & Porini Cheetah Camp: All ages welcome, private group bookings.
- Siana Springs Tented Camp (Siana): Family tents, pool, activities, lush grounds.
- Basecamp Explorer Mara: Family tents, bush school visits, local engagement.
4. Community-Run, Eco, & Cultural Stays
Green design, Maasai community ownership, local guides, and cultural immersion.
- Elephant Pepper Camp (Mara North): Gold eco-rated, Maasai staff, solar energy.
- Kicheche Mara & Valley Camps: Conservation partners, supports local schools.
- Basecamp Explorer Camps: Community involvement, Maasai-run, eco-initiatives.
- Porini Camps (All Conservancies): Community conservancy model, solar, all-inclusive.
- Maji Moto Eco Camp (Siana): Maasai-owned, cultural walks, hot springs.
5. Adventure, Budget-Friendly & Camping Options
More limited in the conservancies due to the low-density model, but available with select operators.
- Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp: Most affordable inside the conservancies, classic tented, all-inclusive rates.
- Speke’s Camp (Mara North): Modest rates, BYO or chef-cooked meals, great value.
- Oseki Maasai Mara Camp (Siana/Adjacent): Budget tents and bandas, local staff.
- Maji Moto Eco Camp (Siana): Rustic eco-camp, affordable, Maasai-run.
- Group/off-season rates: Ask about specials for groups, residents, or low season (April–June, November).
6. Exclusive-Use Villas & Private Camps
For families, friends, or special events desiring privacy and flexibility.
- Ngare Serian (Mara North): Exclusive-use, private river location.
- Richard’s River Camp (Mara North): Can be fully privatized for families/groups.
- Saruni Mara Family Villa: Ideal for groups and milestone celebrations.
- Ol Seki Hemingways (Simba/Chui Suites): Private villas with full butler service.
- Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp: Entire camp can be reserved privately.
- Speke’s Camp: Full camp hire available.
7. Conservancy by Conservancy – Sample Lodges & Camps
Mara North: Mara Plains Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Saruni Mara, Offbeat Mara Camp, Karen Blixen Camp, Kicheche Mara Camp, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Richard’s River Camp, Ngare Serian, Speke’s Camp
Naboisho: Mara Nyikani (Naboisho Camp), Encounter Mara, Ol Seki Hemingways Mara, Leopard Hill, Eagle View, Basecamp Explorer, Kicheche Valley Camp
Olare Motorogi: Mahali Mzuri, Olare Mara Kempinski, Porini Lion Camp, Mara Kempinski
Ol Kinyei: Porini Mara Camp, Porini Cheetah Camp, Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp, Porini Fly Camp
Lemek: Mara River Lodge, Enkewa Camp, Mara Legends Camp
Ol Chorro: Mara Siria Camp, Mara Enkewa Camp
Siana: Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Spirit of the Masai Mara, Siana Springs Camp, Maji Moto Eco Camp, Aruba Mara Camp, Oseki Maasai Mara Camp
Enonkishu, Nashulai, Pardamat, Others: House in the Wild (Enonkishu), Nashulai Camp, Mara Discovery Camp
Masai Mara Conservancy Accommodation Comparison Table
| Camp/Lodge | Conservancy | Type/Style | Price Range (pppn) | Key Features | Family Friendly | Eco/Ethical | Private/Exclusive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mara Plains Camp | Mara North | Ultra-Luxury | $1200–$2500 | Relais & Châteaux, private vehicle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Richard’s River Camp | Mara North | Luxury Tented | $900–$1600 | Family-run, riverside, exclusivity | Yes | Some | Yes |
| Saruni Mara | Mara North | Boutique Lodge | $600–$1100 | Spa, Italian design, family villa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offbeat Mara Camp | Mara North | Luxury Tented | $600–$900 | Private, classic, great guiding | Yes | Some | Yes |
| Ol Seki Hemingways Mara | Naboisho | Luxury Tented | $600–$1200 | Hilltop views, suites, airstrip | Yes | Some | Yes |
| Mara Nyikani Camp (Naboisho) | Naboisho | Luxury Tented | $500–$900 | Pool, family tent, superb guiding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leopard Hill | Naboisho | Eco-Luxury Tented | $450–$850 | Stargazing, eco, wellness | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Encounter Mara | Naboisho | Intimate Tented | $400–$850 | Top guiding, eco, private feel | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Porini Mara Camp | Ol Kinyei | Classic Tented | $500–$850 | Award-winning, all-inclusive | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Porini Cheetah Camp | Ol Kinyei | Classic Tented | $500–$850 | Boutique, eco-leader, small | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp | Ol Kinyei | Adventure Tented | $220–$350 | Dome tents, shared facilities | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Elewana Mahali Mzuri | Olare Motorogi | Ultra-Luxury | $1200–$2500 | Sir Richard Branson, futuristic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Porini Lion Camp | Olare Motorogi | Eco Tented | $500–$900 | Top guiding, community partnership | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Karen Blixen Camp | Mara North | Riverside Tented | $500–$900 | Wildlife from camp, sustainable | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Kicheche Valley Camp | Naboisho | Boutique Tented | $500–$900 | Elegant, food, secluded | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Siana Springs Tented Camp | Siana | Classic Tented | $180–$350 | Pool, family-friendly, gardens | Yes | Some | Some |
| Speke’s Camp | Mara North | Classic Tented | $350–$550 | Affordable, private-use possible | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Aruba Mara Camp | Siana/Adjacent | Adventure Tented | $50–$120 | Budget, lively, social | Yes | Some | Some |
| Maji Moto Eco Camp | Siana | Rustic Eco-Camp | $50–$110 | Maasai-run, walking, culture | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*pppn = per person per night. Rates are estimates and may vary by season, inclusions, and group size.
Conclusion
Masai Mara Conservancy accommodations offer something for everyone:
- Ultra-luxury and private camps for those seeking exclusivity and pampering.
- Classic tented camps and boutique eco-lodges for immersive and authentic safaris.
- Family/group options with kid-friendly activities, flexible suites, and private guides.
- Eco-conscious and community-run camps where your stay supports conservation and Maasai livelihoods.
- Budget and adventure camps (though limited, best to book early).