Kenya. Masai Mara & Laikipia

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.

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.

With the whole of the eastern half of the Conservancy to itself, and with strict limits on tourism numbers with the Conservancy, guests can enjoy an almost private game viewing experience. Although a vast area, the Conservancy is fenced, (fencing of wildlife areas is very unusual in Kenya), specifically to protect the rhino. The game driving is outstanding with plentiful rhino, elephant, buffalo, the rare Grevy's zebra and resident predators, to a backdrop of beautiful views of snow-capped Mt. Kenya.

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp’s walking guides are trained wildlife rangers from the Conservancy. Apart from their knowledge on rhino conservation, they are also knowledgeable about the tracks and botany. Most walks leave from camp.

Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, micro-ecosystems.

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp offers horse rides – you can get very close to plains game as they see you as one of their own! Horse riding is for experienced riders only, as although it is a gentle walk on very well behaved horses, you are in the wild, and need to be able to bring a situation under control when horses are spooked. Horse riding is subject to availability and there is an additional charge. Riders will be requested to fill out a questionnaire to ascertain their competency.

Elewana Lewa Safari Camp also offers camel rides – less elegant than horseriding, but suitable for those without riding skills, the camels are led by Samburu handlers and it is picturesque experience. Camel riding is subject to availability and there is an additional charge. There are only three riding camels available.

Take a moment to sit back, enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colours, and the gentle breeze.

Bush breakfasts are a chance to enjoy a full breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plains, surrounded by wildlife.

“Sundowners” are a safari tradition after a day of safari: stop and watch the spectacular sunset with, traditionally, a gin and tonic in hand!

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy borders the Samburu community conservancies of Tassia and Il Ngwesi in the arid lowlands of the north, and many of the staff at Elewana Lewa Safari Camp come from this area. Elewana Lewa Safari Camp offers visits to neighbouring local Samburu homesteads. The Samburu live in semi-permanent huts known as Manyattas and it is the role of the wife to construct the hut from cattle dung and grass. The families will show you round their home for a fee (payable separately, ask reception for details), and will want to take the opportunity to sell their traditional handicrafts.

A visit to the local school is also possible and you may choose to help support it by buying books or other needed items.

The lush Ngare Ndare forest borders the Lewa Consevancy, and is wonderful for a day trip of exploring. Swim in crystal clear mountain springs, walk along a canopy bridge above high above the forest floor, and enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch in the shade of a dense and beautiful forest.

Enjoy the cool waters in the heat of the day!

Within the lush green gardens, the giraffe design pool has bar service and board games as well as table tennis.

There are sunbeds and a shaded lounge area, perfect for reading and relaxing during the day.