Governors Camp Mara
Governors’ camp nestles in the forest along the winding banks of the Mara river in the heart of Maasai Mara national reserve. Created in 1972, Governors’ camp set new standards in luxury for a tented camp. Governors’ camp was the 1st permanent tented camp in Mara and it occupies the best wildlife location in the reserve. Today the camp enjoys the same prime location. The entire camp is under canvas. Some of the 37 tents line the riverbank, tucked into the forest and they enjoy uninterrupted views over the Mara river. All tents are classic safari style each with en-suite bathrooms and a private verandah. There is a bar tent with deck overlooking the Mara river and dinning tent with views over the plains.
About the camp
There is a lovely spa tent at Governors’ camp offering a range of treatments such as massage, facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures. Picnics and packed meals can be provided for those who would like to head out on game drives. We offer 3 game drives per full day, departing from camp at sunrise, late morning and in the afternoon. Alternatively, guests can go for extended game drives with picnic meals. Game drives are inside the Maasai Mara national reserve. Spacious luxurious safari tents entirely under canvas, each with private verandah. En-suite bathrooms with shower, basin, flush toilet and hot and cold running water. We also have family tents available for close groups or those with those traveling with young children.
Maasai manyatta
Just outside Maasai Mara national reserve is a Maasai community called Mara Rianda. There is a traditional Maasai homestead or Manyatta which consists of 48 traditional houses. The Maasai community welcomes guests who would like to visit the manyatta and see a tribal way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. Visitors are always struck by the grace and beauty of the Maasai people and the colourful lifestyle they lead. There is also a bustling curio market where guests can buy traditional Maasai beadwork. In order to visit the Manyatta guests must pay for an entrance ticket. The money from the ticket entry also helps the community members to buy food, pay for secondary school for their children and pay for cows the mainstay of the Masai economy.
Walking safaris
Governors’ camp collection offers guided walking safaris in a private concession area adjacent to the Maasai Mara game reserve. The guided walking safaris enable you to leave your vehicle behind and take a walking safari with a naturalist for the true thrill of the bush. Down on the same level as the animals you will experience the untamed beauty of the Mara. Here the scenery differs from inside the reserve and picturesque acacia trees dot the hilly landscape. You will also be accompanied by one of our Masai Scouts, who provide a wealth of information on the traditional medicinal uses of plants and Masai folklore. You will track game, unsure what waits round the next corner: giraffe, buffalo, hyena, zebra or even lion. At the end of it all waits a sumptuous bush barbecue breakfast complete with champagne. Walks take around 1½ to 2 hours.
Game drives
We are in the heart of what is widely considered to be the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara and we offer our guests two to three game drives per day in custom-built 4 wheel drive land cruisers. Governors’ camp properties combine superb locations in the Maasai Mara with custom designed vehicles and exceptionally highly trained and experienced guides to give our clients unmatched game viewing and photographic opportunities in the world’s prime wildlife area. Our driver-guides are highly trained individuals who undergo a continuous guide training scheme mentored by experts in the field. Having operated in the Masai Mara for 40 years, our driver-guides have an un-paralleled knowledge of the reserve combined with a deep understanding and respect for this precious wilderness area, its flora and its fauna.
