The best way to experience the Masai Mara is from one of the highly rated smaller boutique lodges or camps with a strong Maasai community connection and wildlife focus.
With the many safaris for the Masai Mara, it can be difficult to choose a lodge for your experience. The larger hotels and lower rated safaris can feel crowded on game drives and take away from this incredible environment.
A smaller Masai Mara lodge or camp keeps the experience intimate and provides a more personal tour of this incredible region. We highly recommend the Masai Mara conservancy camps and lodges, where carefully managed visitor numbers contribute to thriving wildlife and meaningful connection with the Maasai community, not to mention benefiting the communities themselves.
For this list, we will include both safari lodges and the higher-end permanent tented camps, which can offer a little more authenticity. These offer the same facilities, comfort and dining experiences as hotels and lodges, but keep the safari feel. With this in mind, camp and lodge will be used interchangeably.
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The Mara Bushtops Camp
One of the lodges that stands out on the Mara is the Mara Bushtops Camp. This is one of the most luxurious camps in the Masai Mara.
From your expansive deck in your choice of the family-focused Leopard Suites or intimate and luxurious Signature Tents, you have stunning Masai Mara views.
The camp itself is surrounded by a private conservancy spanning 6,500 acres, which offers you a rare and exclusive experience of the Masai Mara. Even from some of the more famous camps, this is a rarity. The reserve is one of the most important wildlife corridors in the Eastern Mara.
If that doesn't sound impressive enough, from your deck's hot tub, you will even enjoy spectacular views of giraffes or distant elephants. Another rarity for Masai Mara camps, Mara Bushtops even boasts its own salt lick, giving you fantastic wildlife views from the camp itself.
For a quick preview of the Mara Bushtops Salt Lick, click the video below.
View The Mara Bushtops Safari Camp video
Nairobi, Kenya
Your personal butler is then available should you want a refreshment or snack as you enjoy the wildlife and views. From the camp, you will head out on game drives to explore this famous and iconic ecosystem. See the famous predators on early morning game drives. Then head out in the afternoons to find a plethora of other Masai Mara animals.
You can even experience a full-day experience, including a bush lunch and sundowner on the conservancy. Walking safaris are also available for a closer connection to the region.
As another unique experience, you can visit the Kakiya cave, discovered by the Mau Mau in the 1950s. The cave features red ochre depictions of wild animals and warriors showing traces of our ancient ancestors.
Activities include:- Early Morning Game Drive
- Sunrise on the Mara
- Full Day Game Drive
- Private Sundowners
- Afternoon Game Drive
- Mara Village Visit
- Private Bush Breakfast
- Mara School Visit
- Kakiya Cave Visit
- Walking Safari
- Balloon Safari (add-on activity)
After enjoying all the Masai Mara has to offer, your will return for a sumptuous lunch or delicious dinner. Savor delicious cuisine then relax at the camp's celebrated and award-winning spa for a truly unforgettable experience.
4 days+The Mara Bushtops Safari Camp
Nairobi, KenyaThe Mara Bushtops Camp is where luxury meets the wild. Nestled in its own private paradise, the luxury camp offers you unrivaled views of the regi...
- Exclusive Luxury, Wildlife Salt Lick
From $ 3,360
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Cottar's 1920s Camp
Step back in time at Cottar's 1920s Camp, which offers vintage safari charm and modern comforts.
This camp is nestled in the private 7,608-acre Olderkesi Conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Cottar's award-winning camp is an exclusive and authentic safari experience.
Owned by Africa's longest-standing safari family, Cottar's offers exciting game drives, bush walks with Maasai warriors, and starlit storytelling by the fire.
Guests enjoy luxurious cream canvas tents, private bush baths, and expert-guided wildlife encounters. For those seeking deeper engagement, Cottar's introduces purpose-driven experiences: vulture rehabilitation, time with the Mara's only all-female ranger unit, medicinal plant exploration, and reforestation walks.
Benefiting nature and communities is of high importance, with the camp directly supporting local wildlife corridors and over 26,990 Maasai through education, healthcare, and sustainable employment.
Activities at Cottar's 1920s Camp:- Game drives in the Maasai Mara
- Walking safaris with Maasai warriors
- Balloon safaris
- Private bush breakfasts & sundowners
- Spa treatments with eco-conscious products
- Swimming & fishing at a secluded waterfall
- Coffee-tasting & cultural experiences
- Conservation-focused activities
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The Mara Plains Camp
For a safari that combines exclusivity, adventure, and luxury, the Mara Plains Camp provides a perfect safari experience.
Nestled within a riverine forest along the winding Ntiaktiak River, this intimate retreat offers unrivaled access to over 40,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. Guests here enjoy game drives across the Olare Motorogi and Mara North Conservancies, as well as the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve—home to Africa's Great Migration.
Mara Plains Camp was designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape. And the camp offers you breathtaking views of the plains while remaining a quiet refuge for those who seek both adventure and tranquility. Every visit directly supports conservation efforts, with fees ensuring the protection of this extraordinary ecosystem and benefiting over 1,000 Maasai families.
Each of the camp's stylish suites is raised on reclaimed railway sleeper decking. This offers fantastic views and an elegant yet authentic safari experience. The thick Lamu wood doors, deep copper bathtubs, and rich red and brass accents evoke the romance of East Africa's historical explorers.
Guests also enjoy the use of complimentary professional cameras, lenses, and high-quality binoculars, ensuring that every wildlife moment is captured in stunning detail. The Mara Plains safaris are designed to be personal and immersive.
The Olare Motorogi Conservancy boasts the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region while supporting one of Africa's highest concentrations of big cats. Game drives offer the chance to observe the Mara's legendary wildlife up close, while the camp's flexible schedule allows for spontaneous adventures.
Enjoy tracking a pride of lions at dawn, witnessing a cheetah hunt at dusk, or marveling at the Mara's nocturnal wildlife on a night drive.
Activities include:- Exclusive game drives across private conservancies and the Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Hot air ballooning over the sweeping Mara plains
- Night safaris to witness Africa's elusive nocturnal wildlife
- Flexible, guest-driven safari experiences with no set schedule
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The Angama Mara
The Angama Mara is perched 1,000 feet above the Maasai Mara on the Oloololo Escarpment. Offering breathtaking views and a fantastic safari experience. The camp was Inspired by the Swahili word for 'suspended in mid-air.' Angama Mara blends contemporary elegance with warm Kenyan hospitality and gives you a seamless connection to the Mara wilderness.
The Lodge & Suites:
Tented Suites – Floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcase uninterrupted views of the Mara, complemented by spacious decks for private dining and in-suite massages.
Family Suites – Interconnected tents offer privacy and comfort for families, with easy access between rooms. Exclusive Access – A private road leads directly into the Mara Triangle, ensuring quick and seamless game drives.
Activities at Angama Mara:- Game drives in the wildlife-rich Mara Triangle
- Hot-air balloon safaris at sunrise (extra activity)
- Bush breakfasts & sundowners overlooking the plains
- Cultural experiences with Maasai communities
With uninterrupted views, luxurious accommodations, and exclusive access to some of Africa's most spectacular wildlife encounters, Angama Mara offers a top the safari experience.
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Sala's Camp
Operated by the company famous for the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Sala's Camp is a good option to experience the Masai Mara's legendary wildlife.
The camp is located along the Sand River at the southern tip of the reserve. This intimate and luxurious retreat blends traditional safari charm with a modern twist, including private plunge pools and glass-fronted tents.
Owned and operated by The Safari Collection, Sala's Camp provides an exceptional Masai Mara experience with personalized service and fine dining. Game drives led by expert guides reveal the Big Five, prolific birdlife, and the ever-changing drama of the savannah.
You can also enjoy bush breakfasts, sundowners on the plains, and stargazing under vast African skies.
Activities at Sala's Camp:- Game drives in the Masai Mara
- Bush breakfasts & private sundowners
- Birdwatching & star-gazing
- Spa treatments & nature walks
- Photography experiences with expert guides
- Witnessing the Great Migration (June – September)
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The Kicheche Mara Camp
Hidden in the picturesque Acacia Valley within the Mara North Conservancy, Kicheche Mara Camp provides you with an intimate and authentic tented safari experience.
With only ten tents, including a spacious family suite, this eco-conscious camp blends comfort with prime wildlife viewing, often starting right from the camp itself.
You can find the camp in one of the Masai Mara's premier conservancies. Kicheche Mara ensures spectacular year-round game viewing while upholding sustainable tourism principles. The camp is a proud member of The Long Run, focusing on conservation, community, culture, and commerce to support local Maasai initiatives.
Kicheche's expert Silver-rated guides provide some of the Mara's top safari experiences. This means every sighting is memorable while respecting wildlife. Whether tracking big cats, enjoying bush sundowners, or learning about the local Maasai community, you will enjoy a seamless blend of adventure, conservation, and comfort in the heart of the Masai Mara.
Activities:- Game drives in customized 4WD safari vehicles
- Night game drives for unique nocturnal sightings
- Guided bush walks for an immersive experience
- One-night flycamping for an authentic under-the-stars adventure
- Community visits supporting local education and conservation efforts
- Wildlife photography with expert guides and specifically designed vehicles
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The Porini Lion Camp
Located in one of the best areas of the Masai Mara for lion sightings, the Porini Lion Camp offers a fantastic Mara safari.
Tucked deep within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Porini Lion Camp offers a fantastic base to some of Africa's most exhilarating wildlife encounters.
With the highest density of lions in the Mara spread across 33,000 exclusive acres, this is a safari camp designed for those who want to experience the Maasai Mara's more famous icons at a responsible camp.
The camp's nine tents and one family unit ensure a secluded retreat far from the crowds, where the only sounds at night are the distant animal calls and the rustle of acacia trees in the wind.
Each stay directly funds conservation, with every tent protecting 700 acres of pristine wilderness, keeping the conservancy wild and limiting vehicle numbers for an uncrowded safari experience.
By day, you will set out on game drives across the open Mara grasslands, an area teeming with big cats. Photographers will love the dedicated media tent, where the day's best shots can be edited in comfort.
For a deeper connection to the land, guided walks with Maasai warriors reveal the stories hidden in the tracks and trails of the savanna. And when the sun dips behind the escarpment, a night drive opens a portal into a different world—where nocturnal hunters emerge under a sky full with stars.
Beyond the game drives, the experience extends to bush breakfasts, sundowners, and star-gazing sessions that remind you just how far from civilization you are. If you're looking to add an extra iconic experience, an optional balloon safari lifts you above the plains for a breathtaking sunrise view, complete with a champagne breakfast upon landing.
As a Gold Eco-rated camp, Porini Lion Camp your safari directly helps conservation and the local communities. This is conservation tourism at its finest, where your stay directly supports the land, the wildlife, and the Maasai communities who have protected this wilderness for generations.
Activities include:- Game drives (day & night) – Exclusive access to a predator-rich landscape
- Guided nature walks – Led by expert Maasai warriors
- Sundowners & bush breakfasts – Sip cocktails as the sun sets over the savanna
- Star gazing – The night sky like you've never seen it before
- Balloon safari (optional) – A bird's-eye view of the Mara with a champagne breakfast
- Cultural visits – Meet the Maasai and experience their traditions firsthand
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The Sand River Masai Mara
The camp is positioned along the banks of the Sand River in a secluded corner of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Elewana Sand River Masai Mara transports you to the golden age of safari.
Inspired by the elegance of the 1920s, the camp blends vintage charm with contemporary luxury, offering an opulent retreat in the heart of big cat territory.
Perfectly positioned along the Great Migration route, the camp offers a fantastic viewing experience, often from the comfort of a private verandah. With just 16 tented suites, which includes a spacious family tent, Sand River ensures exclusivity and privacy. This is only enhanced by separate dining and lounge areas for its two adjoining campsites.
Activities at Sand River Masai Mara:- Game drives in custom 4x4 vehicles
- Bush breakfasts & sundowners
- Balloon safaris (pre-booking required)
- Swimming & relaxation at the pool
- Visits to local schools supported by the Land & Life Foundation
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The Naboisho Camp
Tucked away in the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Naboisho Camp offers you an immersive safari in one of Kenya's most wildlife-rich regions.
This exclusive retreat blends luxury with conservation, providing a fantastic experience of the African wilderness. With resident lion prides, herds of elephant and buffalo roaming the valley, and the calls of the wild echoing through the night, this is a safari destination where you can focus on untamed nature.
The camp's nine spacious tents—including two family suites—are designed for comfort and seclusion, with king-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms, and both indoor and outdoor showers that let you soak in the sweeping views of the Naboisho plains.
You can also enjoy your private veranda, which offers the perfect spot for a morning coffee or a romantic sundowner, while the main lounge and swimming pool provide a tranquil setting to unwind between game drives.
Beyond the camp, you will head out to explore the Masai Mara. Open-vehicle game drives offer intimate wildlife encounters, while night safaris reveal the Mara's elusive nocturnal creatures under a blanket of stars.
For a truly immersive experience, guided walking safaris with expert Maasai guides bring the bush to life in a way few experiences can. Dedicated photographers will appreciate the specially adapted safari vehicles, designed for capturing those once-in-a-lifetime wildlife shots.
For the ultimate adventure, fly camping beneath the vast African sky places you in the heart of the wild for a night like no other. Naboisho Camp also has a commitment to conservation and community. As part of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, each stay directly supports land protection, wildlife conservation, and the Maasai families who call this wilderness home.
Activities include:- Game drives (day & night) – Unrivaled predator sightings in an exclusive setting
- Walking safaris – Explore the bush on foot with expert Maasai guides
- Fly camping – Sleep under the stars in the heart of the wilderness
- Sundowners & bush breakfasts – Toast the day's adventures in spectacular settings
- Photographic safaris – Specially designed vehicles for capturing perfect shots
- Cultural visits – Meet the Maasai and discover their traditions firsthand
- Luxury & relaxation – Enjoy spa treatments, exceptional cuisine, and fine wines
Naboisho Camp is where world-class safari meets conservation-driven tourism. If you seek an intimate, unforgettable safari experience—one that leaves a lasting impact—this is definitely worth considering for your safari.
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The Encounter Mara Camp
Nestled in the private and wildlife-rich Mara Naboisho Conservancy, the Encounter Mara Camp provides an exclusive safari experience in one of Kenya's most wildlife-rich areas.
With just ten spacious tents, including two family units, the camp delivers a boutique atmosphere where guests can relax on private verandas overlooking the plains.
It was designed with sustainability in mind, and the camp ensures minimal environmental impact while offering you a seamless blend of comfort and adventure. You will enjoy warm hospitality, expert guiding, and an intimate safari setting with exclusive wildlife encounters.
Enjoy tracking big cats, exploring the savannah by night, and experiencing Maasai culture.
Activities at Encounter Mara Camp:- Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles
- Night game drives for nocturnal wildlife encounters
- Guided bush walks for an immersive safari experience
- Cultural visits to local Maasai communities
- Hot-air balloon safaris (pre-booking required)
Ash Card
Tour Advisor @TourTheTropicsAsh Card is a frequent visitor to the Tropics and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical locations. Ash is a contributor and tour advisor at TourTheTropics.com. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the tropics. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found traveling, on wildlife tours or salsa dancing. Ash has completed a BSc in Biology, a Master’s degree in Zoology, and has undertaken a research scholarship at a world-class university on animal behavior. He has published scientific research in the Australian Journal of Zoology and the Journal of Behavioral Ecology. His goal is to help a global society live in balance with the natural world.