🌍 Overview
Richard’s River Camp is a small, exclusive luxury safari camp set in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy, one of the most wildlife-rich private reserves bordering the famed Masai Mara National Reserve. Designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment, this camp offers high-end personalized service, serene seclusion, and front-row access to Kenya’s most iconic wildlife.
Built and operated by the Roberts family, a name synonymous with conservation and safari heritage in Kenya, the camp embodies a family-run warmth, sophisticated style, and unwavering commitment to sustainability. With only seven tents, Richard’s River Camp offers a truly intimate and tailor-made experience, often frequented by returning guests who value its comfort, wildlife, and connection to nature.
📍 Location & How to Get There
Setting
Richard’s River Camp is nestled along the seasonal Ntiakatek River, surrounded by lush riverine forest and golden savannahs. Elephants and giraffes often wander through camp, and the area is known for frequent sightings of lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Getting There
- By Air: Guests typically fly into Mara North Airstrip, which is serviced by daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. From the airstrip, the drive to camp takes approximately 45–60 minutes, offering wildlife sightings along the way.
- By Road: The drive from Nairobi takes approximately 5 to 6 hours depending on road conditions. A 4×4 vehicle is strongly recommended. While it’s a longer journey, it’s scenic and gives travelers a view of rural Kenya, passing through the Great Rift Valley and Maasai towns.
Transfers to and from the airstrip are included for fly-in guests.
🛏️ Accommodation
Richard’s River Camp features just seven luxurious tents, each set apart for privacy and designed with a warm, elegant bush-lodge aesthetic. Natural woods, handwoven fabrics, and fine linens offer both comfort and character.
Tent Types
- 5 Luxury Safari Tents
Each tent is spacious, with king or twin beds, large windows that open to the bush, and en-suite bathrooms with hot-water safari showers, flush toilets, and twin vanities. Private verandas offer shaded areas to relax and spot wildlife. - 1 Family Suite Tent
A two-bedroom tent with a shared lounge area, ideal for families or groups of up to five. It includes all the luxury features of the regular tents but with added space and privacy. - 1 Honeymoon/Exclusive Tent
Designed with couples in mind, this tent features extra space, stunning views, and secluded positioning.
Amenities
- Solar-powered electricity
- Daily laundry service
- En-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets
- Natural light and ventilation with mosquito netting
- Writing desks and cozy reading corners
- Private verandas with river or savannah views
💵 2025 Rates (Per Person, Per Night – Fully Inclusive)
Below are the rates for Richard’s River Camp courtesey of MasaiMara.com
| Season | Rate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Jan 9 | $1,550 |
| Jan 10 – May 31 | $990 |
| Jun 1 – Jun 30 | $1,394 |
| Jul 1 – Aug 31 | $1,550 |
| Sep 1 – Oct 31 | $1,394 |
| Nov 1 – Nov 30 | $990 |
| Dec 1 – Dec 17 | $1,394 |
| Dec 18 – Dec 31 | $1,550 |
Rates include full-board accommodation, safari activities, drinks, and transfers. Mara North Conservancy fees are charged separately.
✅ What’s Included
- Accommodation in luxurious tents
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Selected wines, spirits, beers, and soft drinks
- Morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 vehicles
- Night game drives within the conservancy
- Walking safaris (with advance notice)
- Cultural village visit
- Bush breakfasts, picnics, and sundowners
- Transfers to and from Mara North Airstrip
- Laundry service
❌ What’s Not Included
- Conservancy fees (charged per adult/child per night)
- Hot air balloon safaris (available at additional cost)
- Spa or massage treatments (not offered on-site)
- Premium imported alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities, souvenirs, and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
🦁 Wildlife & Activities
Richard’s River Camp sits within one of the most rewarding wildlife habitats in the Masai Mara ecosystem. The camp’s team of expert guides offers personalized safaris based on guests’ interests and timing.
Game Drives
- Conducted in custom-built open safari vehicles
- Twice daily or full-day drives across Mara North and, optionally, Masai Mara National Reserve
- Spot the Big Five, big cats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, and more
- Flexible, non-rushed, and private game-viewing experiences
Night Drives
- Allowed in the private conservancy
- Use red-filter spotlights to observe nocturnal animals such as genets, servals, aardvarks, owls, and hyenas
Walking Safaris
- Explore on foot with trained naturalists and Maasai guides
- Learn about tracks, medicinal plants, birds, and small mammals
Bush Dining
- Meals and sundowners set up in scenic spots
- Bush breakfasts during morning game drives
- Candle-lit dinners under the stars on request
Cultural Experiences
- Visit local Maasai communities
- Learn about traditional customs, beadwork, and pastoralist lifestyle
- Visits are conducted respectfully and support local livelihoods
🍽️ Food & Dining
The camp prides itself on fresh, farm-to-table cuisine, creatively prepared and customized for guest preferences.
- Breakfast: Bush picnics or camp-served full breakfast
- Lunch: Light and healthy – salads, grilled meats, vegetarian options
- Dinner: Three-course plated meals with wine pairing
- Special Diets: Vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-sensitive options available with advance notice
Guests can choose to dine privately or communally. A well-stocked bar is available throughout the day.
👨👩👧 Family-Friendly Features
While Richard’s River Camp is an exclusive, quiet retreat, it’s also family-friendly, particularly for older children.
- Family tent available
- Flexible dining schedules for children
- Private game drives recommended for families with younger kids
- Guides are trained to engage children in wildlife education
- Children aged 6 and above are welcome
🧘 Sustainability & Conservation
Richard’s River Camp is a pioneer in eco-luxury safari operations:
- 100% solar-powered
- Locally sourced materials and community employment
- Water conservation and waste management systems
- Supports Mara Elephant Project and local schools
- Game drives are limited and eco-conscious to protect wildlife and landscapes
💬 Guest Reviews & Testimonials
What Guests Love:
- “The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and made each game drive feel special.”
- “The camp is luxurious but still feels wild—elephants walked past our tent!”
- “Everything from food to service was five-star.”
Pros:
- Intimate and exclusive atmosphere
- Flexible and personal guiding
- Beautifully appointed tents with great views
- Excellent food and personalized service
Minor Cons:
- No pool or spa (focus is on the wildlife)
- Limited Wi-Fi (only available in the lounge)
- Remote location—best suited to those who want to disconnect
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Experience |
|---|---|
| Jan – Mar | Calving season, great predator sightings |
| Apr – May | Low season, fewer visitors, green landscapes |
| Jul – Oct | Peak wildlife viewing, Great Migration nearby |
| Nov – Dec | Good light for photography, resident game |
📌 Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Mara North Conservancy |
| No. of Tents | 7 (includes family and honeymoon tent) |
| 2025 Rates | $990 – $1,550 pppn |
| Family Friendly | Yes (ages 6+) |
| Activities | Game drives, walks, night drives |
| Dining | Fine-dining, bush meals, flexible |
| Best Time to Visit | July–October or January–March |
| Conservation Focus | Strong eco-practices and community work |