Little Governors' Camp | Masai Mara National Reserve
The award-winning Little Governors’ Camp is intimate in character, with just 17 luxury ensuite tents dotted around a large watering hole that teems with both birds and wildlife. The camp is approached by a boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through the riverine forest. Vehicles are left on the far river bank, and the camp is therefore quiet and undisturbed. The guest tents at Little Governors’ have wooden decks with large verandahs for guests to enjoy the constant game activity that takes place around the camp’s watering hole. Guests may need to make way for elephants which often visit the camp.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, French, Swahili
No. Rooms: 17
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
The guest tents at Little Governors' are all tucked into the forest overlooking a waterhole frequented by a myriad of animals. Each one is spacious with an en-suite bathroom, with polished wooden decks and large verandas to enable guests to relax and enjoy the panorama of animals visiting the watering hole in front.
Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident family of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors' properties are unfenced and in the heart of the Reserve, elephants may also stroll past. In the evening a warming log fire burns in front of the Bar Tent, and dinner is served in the nearby Dining Tent.
Tent 17 or the Honeymoon suite is located at the edge of the camp with wonderful wide views over the waterhole and plains. It has a wild and private feeling. The tent is spacious with an en-suite bathroom, polished wooden deck with large veranda to enable guests to relax and enjoy the panorama of animals visiting the watering hole in front.
Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident family of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors' properties are unfenced and in the heart of the Reserve, elephants may also stroll past. In the evening a warming log fire burns in front of the Bar Tent, and dinner is served in the nearby Dining Tent.
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Massages, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Rhino Tracking, Safaris
Governors’ Camp Collection properties combine the best locations in the Masai Mara with the best-designed vehicles and exceptionally highly trained and experienced guides to give our clients un-matched game-viewing and photographic opportunities in the world’s prime wildlife area.
Little Governors' Camp is located in the Mara Triangle and guests have the option of game drives in either the Masai Mara Game Reserve or in the Mara Triangle. We offer up to three game drives per full day on safari.
Our driver-guides have an un-paralleled knowledge of the reserve combined with a deep understanding and respect for the importance of this wilderness area, its flora and its fauna.
Game drives are included in the accommodation rate.
For those looking for an adventure of a different kind, we suggest a magical hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara.
The adventure begins just before dawn. Departure is from a launch site just 15 minutes drive away. Guests assemble at the launch site for a briefing as the flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. As the dawn breaks, the hot air balloon fills and then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a wildlife viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective.
What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness – the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara.
After about an hour or so, your balloon safari finishes with a flourish. In the time-honoured tradition of balloon flights the world over, toast your return to earth with sparkling wine and enjoy a delicious breakfast that is set up and served at a very special spot. The experience ends with a game drive back to your camp.
There is an extra cost for a hot air balloon safari and the price depends on the time of year.
For a very unique experience, enjoy the excitement of a bush dinner in the wild.
You will arrive at a special secluded location on the banks of the Mara river. A welcoming drink awaits by the warming campfire, followed by a delicious meal prepared by our Bush chefs, served under the stars, with the soft lights of safari lanterns and accompanied by the sounds of the African night and the grunting Mara river hippos.
Bush breakfasts and bush lunches are also available. Please try to book bush meals in advance. Costs: bush breakfasts and lunches USD $75 per person, bush dinners USD $92 per person
The Masai people of East Africa are a striking image, synonymous with safari. A proud people with many traditional practices still very much alive in their culture. Visit a local Masai village and learn about who they are in their own words.
Entry to the Maasai village is currently USD $40 per person and is paid directly to the community.
Visits to our responsible tourism projects can be organised from camp. Mara Rianda Primary School and Mara Rianda Medical Centre are two inspirational projects supported by Governors’ Camps.
There is no extra charge for this activity but donations to any of the projects are welcome.
Since the beginning of the 20th Century the cheetah population has fallen dramatically from 100'000 individuals to 7'500 individuals with human activity a major cause. It is therefore important to understand the cheetah-human interface, which is one of the key works of the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project, led by Dr. Elena Chelyseva.
Our Governors' Guides play a critical role in the data collection for Dr. Elena and her team, reporting through sightings and behaviour observations of cheetah spotted. Dr Elena enjoys sharing her expertise on the cheetahs in the area with our guests through talks or by accompanying guests game drives.
Please let us know if you would like to pre-book a talk or a guided game drive with Elena when booking your safari. There is a minimum donation requirement of USD $500 for a presentation in camp.
Governors’ hosts a wildlife photographer in the Mara who is available to be booked by our guests for accompanied photo safaris and in-depth tutorials on all elements of photography, including editing. Do let us know if you would like to guarantee a full day with them capturing the very best of this incredible wildlife reserve. Please note that guests will need to secure an exclusive use vehicle at a daily rate, on top of the photographer's daily fee.
Governors' also has 3 'photo safari' vehicles. Listening to the specific needs and recommendations of the photographers we've hosted over the years, we've modified three Landrover vehicles to include same level seating throughout, cut-out side panels in the middle row to get those much desired low angle shots, high roofs, fully folding windscreens and wide side panelling to offer the perfect place for resting a beanbag and long lens. The cars are available on an exclusive use basis and can be requested for and reserved while making your Governors' booking. They are available at all our camps in the Masai Mara.
Please see https://www.governorscamp.com/travel-planning/resident-photographers/ for full details and costs.
After your late afternoon game drive, end the day with a 'sundowner' at our very special spot on the banks of the Mara River. Our team will have set up a traditional 'safari bar' ahead of your arrival. Sundowners are included in the nightly rate but premium drinks are extra.
Sundowners are included in the nightly rate but premium drinks are extra.
Hemingways Nairobi | Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the world, is an elegant boutique hotel situated in Nairobi's Karen residential area with magnificent views of the nearby Ngong hills. Sensitively designed for the discerning business and leisure traveller, Hemingways Nairobi offers the full facilities expected in a modern day luxury boutique hotel. The hotel offers forty-five luxury suites which include the Hemingways suite, The Blixen suite, 19 Executive rooms and 24 deluxe rooms. The Hemingways Nairobi Brasserie serves classic dishes and the very best of local and international cuisine and is open everyday for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Your Stay
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
5 Star
Hotel
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 45
Special Interests: Gourmet, Leisure, Relaxation, Shopping, Wine
These spacious rooms are 80m² and are located on the ground floor of each wing. Each Deluxe Suite features a seating area and private terrace. Large en-suite marble bathrooms feature walk-in closets, double vanity units and separate bath, shower and WC.
Located on the upper floor of each wing, these 80m² suites are luxuriously furnished and feature high vaulted ceilings, a separate seating area and a private terrace. Large en-suite marble bathrooms feature walk-in closets, double vanity units and separate bath, shower and WC.
At 160m² this is a large one bedroom suite which includes an elegant living room with dining area, guest WC and kitchen with butler access. The master bedroom has a spacious en-suite bathroom featuring a walk-in closet, standalone bath, shower and WC, and a separate terrace with exquisite views of the surroundings.Free WiFi is available in all rooms.
This generous suite is 240m² and includes a beautifully appointed living room, study, dining room, guest WC and private kitchen with butler access. The living room and dining room open to a large connected terrace. The master bedroom has a very spacious en-suite bathroom featuring a walk-in closet, standalone bath, shower and WC, and a separate terrace looking out over the rolling lawns and Ngong Hills.
Free WiFi is available in all rooms.
Property Facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Business Centre, Conference Centre, Internet Access (Complimentary), Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Clothes Press, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Cooking Facilities, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fridge, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Television, Wheelchair Friendly
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Disability, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Room Service
Activities on Site
Fine Dining, High Tea, Massages, Safaris
Activities Nearby
Garden Tours, General Sightseeing, Golf, Hiking, Museums, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.
Spend a few hours in the company of young orphan elephants and learn about incredible rescue efforts and the world famous rehabilitation programme. You may also find yourself adopting one of the herd.
Karen Blixen Museum is a national museum in Kenya situated about 19 kilometres from Nairobi City centre. It was built in 1912, and was home to the iconic Danish author of ‘Out of Africa’ (won an Oscar Award)-Karen Blixen. This famous author, artist and poet lived here while setting up her coffee farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills.
In case you missed out, Out of Africa is a book which Karen Blixen wrote about her stay in Kenya and of her beloved farm, and was later made into a great movie. It shows her struggles she underwent to keep her estate and how her understanding and love grew for the culture and the people around her.
During your stay at Hemingways Nairobi Hotel, take some few hours of your time and visit Karen Blixen Museum. This will give you a chance to travel back in time where you can re-live your memories of Out of Africa. If you are a lover of history, then this is the place for you.
You can pick up a copy of the famous film at the museum shop or browse for handicrafts, posters and postcards, books and other Kenyan souvenirs.
A short drive from Hemingways Hotel, Nairobi National Park offers either an immediate safari experience on landing in Kenya or a final last look prior to departing home. It is the oldest national park in Kenya, established in 1946, and is the only national park in the world located within a capital city.
With wide-open grass plains and the backdrop of the city, scattered acacia bushes play host to a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalos, cheetahs, hyenas and giraffes among others. Visitors can enjoy Nairobi National Park game drives to view all these wild animals. For the bird lovers, the park also has over 400 bird species for your watching.
Some of the other fun activities to engage in the park include camping, picnics and hiking. The park also has various facilities for corporate events, team building sessions, weddings and video and film production.
Other attractions to explore within and around Nairobi National Park include the Nairobi Safari Walk, the Ivory Burning Site Monument and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Whether you’re visiting Nairobi for work or leisure, a game of golf at the nearby Karen Country Club is not to be missed for golf enthusiasts. Guests at Hemingways Nairobi enjoy preferential rates at this golf club. This golf club was opened in the 1930’s, a large part of the 18-hole course was built on the former coffee estate of the Danish pioneer Karen Blixen. Indeed the shade trees from her coffee plantation still dominate parts of the course, eighty years after they were planted.
The course is superbly maintained with greens built to PGA standards and has played host to the Kenya Open in recent years. Karen’s golf course is as pretty as a picture, its flourishing wildlife (both flora and fauna) encouraged by an active policy of nature and wetlands conservation and promotion. Everywhere there is colour and beauty.
The Giraffe Centre is a non-profitable organization whose main objective is to provide conservation education for school children and the youth of Kenya.
Visit the feeding platform to get up close and personal with a giraffe and take a stroll through the nature sanctuary for a tranquil getaway with serene views and sounds of nature.
Hemingways Nairobi Brasserie
With its warm and inviting ambiance, the Brasserie serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers a wide choice of international dishes with modern European and South Asian flavours.
There is an option for indoor and outdoor dining at the terrace.
Wilderness Toka Leya | Victoria Falls (Zambia)
On the banks of the Zambezi River, Wilderness Toka Leya is far enough from Livingstone to ensure a tranquil, authentic bush experience, yet close enough for guests to enjoy all the many activities in the greater Victoria Falls area. Wilderness Toka Leya can be all about adrenaline, or an opportunity to relax and unwind before or after a safari.
Wilderness Toka Leya has twelve luxurious tents (of which three are family tents). Each has a sumptuous outdoor bath, while the wellness centre with yoga and meditation options complements the serene surroundings. Boating and catch-and-release fishing excursions bring the Zambezi experience to life.
INSIDER'S TIP: Reconnect with nature by enjoying a massage treatment on the banks of the Zambezi River!
Your Stay
2 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 12
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Hiking, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
Nine spacious, en-suite safari-style tents all have expansive decks for wildlife spotting. Elevated wooden walkways weave between the guest tents and further limit our footprint in this pristine area.
This peaceful sanctuary showcases quintessentially Zambian style and charm, as well as makes the most of the beautiful, natural spaces around the camp. The views overlooking the Zambezi are mesmerising.
Fitted with canvas walls in muted tones, the tents offer a spacious interior, with the beds adorned with flowing, drawback mosquito nets. Locally designed light fittings enhance the ambience, while block-out curtains guarantee peaceful rest.
Contemporary furnishings add a modern touch, interspersed with nostalgic printed fabric artworks of Victoria Falls. The artworks – originally painted by artist Thomas Baines, who accompanied David Livingstone to the Zambezi in 1858 – bring the drama of the majestic Falls indoors. A pod swing floats above each private deck, allowing guests time out to immerse themselves in the surrounding wilderness.
There are three en-suite family rooms which accommodate four people in each.
Property Facilities
Bar, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Pool, Private Vehicle (Available), Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Credit Card Facilities
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Boating, Catch-and-release Fishing, Game Drives, Massages, Night Drives, Rhino Tracking, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Canoeing, Cultural Tours, General Sightseeing, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Historical Tours, Quad Biking
Game drives into Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offer sightings of general game species namely elephant, buffalo, giraffe and white rhino. Rich birdlife, including sought-after species such as half-collared kingfisher and Schalow’s turaco may be spotted as well.
Exploring the area on foot is a remarkable way to enjoy the small wonders within close proximity to the camp – the experience enables an understanding about the medicinal properties of plants and trees, the ecology, birds and insects; as well as interpreting the signs of the wild including animal tracks.
* Seasonal and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide.
Whether a relaxing sunset cruise or a game viewing cruise, there are stunning scenic views and exciting wildlife to be enjoyed from the comfort of a spacious boat. There is always an abundance of hippo and crocodile; with the mighty Zambezi revealing other surprising sightings along the way.
Tracking rhino at Wilderness Toka Leya is an exhilarating way of getting up close and personal with these endangered animals. Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) scouts monitor these rhino 24 hours a day and therefore the animals’ whereabouts are always known. Travel to the location by vehicle, and then track the rhino on foot, accompanied by the scout.
* Please note that a nominal park fee is applicable.
The Zambezi River hosts several varieties of bream (Tilapia) which are a good catch. Tiger fishing is an unforgettable challenge for keen fishermen, particularly during the warmer months (October through to December).
* Fishing is on a catch and release basis, with a nominal park fee applicable.
An opportunity for guests to gain an understanding of the camp’s eco-friendly initiatives. Energy saving is explained, including how waste water is reused in the camp nursery which was established to rehabilitate the area. The camp’s worm farm not only assists in the degradation of organic waste, it is the perfect fertiliser for the indigenous trees in the nursery – which are then planted in areas where they once grew. Guests have the chance to participate in our rehabilitation efforts as well by planting their very own tree.
The camp's uniquely situated riverside spa allows guests to relax and be pampered with its variety of wellness treatments.
A World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is the most expansive curtain of water in the world. Behold the "Smoke that Thunders", Victoria Falls, is known to locals as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" for valid reasons. View its dramatic roaring waters and a mini rainforest that clings to the Falls’ edge, with a variety of mammals and birds. Plummeting some hundred metres into a basalt gorge, the spectacular spray, seen from kilometres away, is beguiling.
* A guided tour on the Zambian side is included in your stay; while the view from the Zimbabwean side is at extra cost.
Cultural visits to one of the nearby villages are respectful and insightful ways of learning about and interacting with the people and culture in this part of Zambia. The visit includes seeing one of the schools, and a homestead. Guest donations have assisted with projects that focus on schooling and income-generating activities, ensuring that the community benefits from tourism in the area.
Visit the local museum, and neighbourhood markets, to catch a glimpse of historic and modern Livingstone town.
Wilderness Toka Leya is a tranquil safari base from which to easily access and explore the Victoria Falls and the adrenaline-filled adventure hub of Livingstone.
The mighty Zambezi’s many experiences include thrilling activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating, and helicopter rides to name a few.
* These activities are at extra cost.
Wilderness Linkwasha | Eastern Hwange National Park
Wilderness Linkwasha is a luxurious camp that lies in a private concession in the enormously productive south-eastern corner of Hwange National Park. Situated on the edge of the famed Ngamo Plains, which offers fantastic summer game viewing, the camp looks over a magnificent plain and a pan that is a magnet for game year round, especially in the dry winter months.
The fresh, open and airy design of Wilderness Linkwasha is complemented by an eclectic mix of contemporary interiors. Nine luxurious en-suite tents (eight twins and one family unit) offer incredible views, while the main area – including multi-level decks, a pool area and a winter lounge complete with library – overlooks the prolific waterhole.
INSIDER'S TIP: Enjoy the thrill of getting your feet on the ground on a walking safari in the company of Wilderness Linkwasha’s knowledgeable and highly experienced safari guides.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Birding, Nature, Wildlife
Wilderness Linkwasha's expansive canvas tented accommodations each look out onto the camp's waterhole, and beyond onto a vast plain. Elegant tents, featuring contemporary but timeless décor, nestle under leadwood trees, fronting a waterhole where the wildlife spectacle perpetually amazes and entertains.
One family canvas unit consisting of two rooms (a main bedroom and a living room that can be converted into a second bedroom) each with its own bathroom. On request the main bedroom, with two three quarter beds (can be converted to a king-size bed on request) while the living room/second bedroom can accommodate two beds for children. The main bathroom has a shower and bathtub, while the second bathroom has a shower and single vanity basin.
Property Facilities
Bar, Library, Pool, Private Vehicle (Available)
Room Facilities
Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Night Drives, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided)
With access to two of the best private concessions in Hwange, game drives in open 4x4 vehicles at Wilderness Linkwasha are particularly exciting – taking in herds of plains game, as well as the carnivores that call the area home.
Evening drives can yield many less-frequently-seen species, such as lesser bushbaby, spotted hyaena, pangolin, caracal, porcupine, springhare, scrub hare, Selous mongoose and even honey badger.
Hwange was proclaimed some 80 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. There is no better way to experience this park than on foot with one of our highly experienced safari guides. There is something remarkable about being so very close to nature … and one couldn’t get much closer than this!
Hide Out In The Wild – There is something incredibly thrilling about being hidden out of sight while animals like elephant go about their day, splashing in the waters and drinking, completely oblivious to your presence. The sunken hide in front of camp, is the ideal place to set up for an afternoon, a secret spot to watch the comings and goings of wildlife. Have your bird books, camera and binoculars ready …
Sleep out on a romantically-lit platform under the crystal clear African skies – an evening of enchantment as you lie safely tucked up in your raised sleep out, covered in a blanket of a billion of stars, dreaming in the ‘middle-of-nowhere’ ...
* Weather permitting and operated subject to the discretion of the Camp Manager.
An authentic village experience takes place in a manner that is respectful to all parties. It is led by one of the local villagers or a Wilderness guide, and often includes a guided tour of the school, meeting the headman or headwoman, as well sharing cultural exchanges with the community.
* The school is closed over the weekend and during school holidays.