🌍 Introduction
Little Governors’ Camp offers a unique blend of intimacy, elegance, and wild immersion. Tucked away on the edge of a natural marsh in the Masai Mara National Reserve, this exclusively tented safari camp is well-known for its tranquil setting, excellent game viewing, and eco-conscious design. With only 17 luxury tents and access by riverboat and foot only, it promises a peaceful escape—one where the calls of hippos, elephants, and lions become part of your daily rhythm.
Perfect for honeymooners, nature lovers, photographers, and families seeking authentic connection with the wild, Little Governors’ Camp delivers a rich safari experience with minimal impact on the environment.
📍 Location & Access
- Region: Located in the northwestern corner of the Masai Mara, near the Mara River and Musiara Marsh, a renowned wildlife hotspot.
- Setting: Overlooks a seasonal marsh teeming with animals and is frequently visited by elephant, buffalo, and even lions right in front of the tents.
- Accessibility:
- By Air: Daily scheduled flights from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Musiara Airstrip (approx. 1 hour), followed by a game drive, a boat crossing of the Mara River, and a short guided walk through riverine forest to reach camp.
- By Road: About 5.5 to 6.5 hours’ drive from Nairobi. A rugged and scenic overland journey best done in a 4×4 vehicle.
🛏️ Accommodation
The camp offers 17 luxury en-suite tents, all carefully spaced around a marsh frequented by game. Each tent is raised on wooden decks and features canvas walls that bring the outside in—while still providing total privacy and comfort.
Tent Features:
- Large canvas tents with wood flooring and locally crafted furnishings
- King-size or twin beds draped in mosquito netting
- En-suite bathrooms with hot showers, flushing toilet, and basin
- Solar-powered lighting (no noisy generators)
- Spacious wooden verandas with chairs and loungers for wildlife viewing
- 24-hour security and attentive tent stewards
💵 2025 Rates (Per Person Per Night, Full Board)
| Season | Per Person Sharing | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| January – March | $700 | $840 |
| April – May (Green Season) | $507 | $623 |
| June | $700 | $840 |
| July – October | $1,091 | $1,310 |
| November – Dec 15 | $700 | $840 |
| Dec 16 – Jan 5 | $1,091 | $1,310 |
Children under 5 stay free. Children aged 5–15 sharing with adults pay 50%.
✅ What’s Included
- Full board accommodation (3 meals per day)
- Local drinks including soft drinks, house wines, beer, and non-premium spirits
- Shared daily game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles
- Return transfers from Musiara airstrip
- Laundry service
- All taxes and VAT
❌ What’s Not Included
- Masai Mara National Reserve park entry fees (approx. $80–$100 per adult/day)
- Hot air balloon safari (optional, approx. $500–$600 per person)
- Premium/imported alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance, gratuities, and personal purchases
- Private vehicle for game drives (available on request at additional cost)
🍽️ Dining & Culinary Experience
Dining at Little Governors’ is both elegant and relaxed. Meals are taken al fresco whenever possible, and the views from the deck overlook the marsh—often accompanied by elephants, giraffes, or warthogs grazing nearby.
Meal Highlights:
- Breakfast: Full English or continental buffet with eggs cooked to order
- Lunch: Plated three-course meals with fresh, locally inspired ingredients
- Dinner: A candlelit affair, sometimes buffet, sometimes a la carte
- Special Occasions: Private bush breakfasts, sundowner cocktails, or romantic dinners can be arranged
Menus cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other special diets on request.
🌿 Facilities & Amenities
- Bar & Lounge Tent: Overlooks a waterhole and serves as the perfect sundowner spot
- Curio/Gift Shop: Offers handcrafted Maasai souvenirs, safari gear, and gifts
- Massage Services: In-tent treatments including foot and back massages using local oils (available on request)
- Solar Power: Eco-friendly energy powering all tents and facilities
- Wi-Fi: Available in common areas (signal strength varies)
- Security: 24-hour watch with Maasai guards and natural barriers
🚙 Safari Activities
- Morning and Afternoon Game Drives: Shared or private, led by experienced guides who are skilled in tracking and storytelling
- Full-Day Game Drives: Available on request with packed meals
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Fly over the Mara plains at sunrise and land for a champagne breakfast in the bush (optional, pre-booking required)
- Walking Safaris: Not offered at Little Governors’ directly, but available at sister properties
- Maasai Cultural Visits: Optional visit to a nearby manyatta (Maasai homestead) for cultural exchange and community support
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendliness
While Little Governors’ Camp is smaller and more secluded than others, it is still very welcoming to families. The camp offers:
- Tents that can be configured with additional beds
- Early meal options and simplified kid-friendly dishes
- Board games, wildlife education from guides, and gentle walking along the river path
- Babysitting can be arranged with advance notice
- Families of 4+ are encouraged to book a private safari vehicle
💬 What Guests Say – Reviews Snapshot
⭐ Pros (What People Love):
- “The elephant that visited our deck was the highlight of my life!”
- “So peaceful—just birds, animals, and the occasional hippo sound.”
- “Staff remembered our names and preferences every day—true luxury.”
- “Small size of the camp means personal attention and top-level guiding.”
- “Crossing the river to reach the camp feels like entering another world.”
⚠️ Cons (Minor Observations):
- “Wi-Fi is limited to the main area and can be spotty.”
- “No swimming pool, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it.”
- “You’re really immersed in nature—animals walk right past your tent, which is magical, but not for those nervous about wildlife.”
📅 Best Time to Visit
- July to October: Peak migration season, abundant wildlife, but higher prices
- December to March: Warm weather, calving season, great for big cats
- April–June: Green season, quieter, lower rates, lush landscapes
- November: Short rains, fantastic photography light, fewer tourists
🕐 Check-In & Check-Out
- Check-in: From 12:00 PM
- Check-out: By 10:00 AM
- Early or late check-in may be available with prior arrangement
🌟 Why Choose Little Governors’ Camp?
✔️ Intimate, eco-conscious luxury camp
✔️ Wildlife viewing directly from your veranda
✔️ Secluded access via river crossing
✔️ Personalized service and top-tier guides
✔️ Ideal for photographers, honeymooners, and nature lovers
✔️ A truly immersive experience in the Masai Mara