KENYA CAMPS & LODGES

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Operator: Serena Hotels & Resorts
Location: Amboseli National Park
Website: https://www.serenahotels.com/amboseli/

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is a dream destination for adventurers seeking the magic of Africa. Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and nestled in an acacia grove beside a mountain spring, the lodge combines Maasai-inspired design with modern comfort. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the savannah, a serene palm-shaded pool, and warm, culturally rich hospitality that reflects the spirit of the Maasai people.

Each day brings stirring scenes of Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peaks and thrilling opportunities to explore Amboseli’s abundant wildlife. Whether you’re tracking the Big Five on safari, taking part in a tree-planting initiative, or savoring a bush dinner under starlit skies, the lodge promises unforgettable moments in one of Kenya’s most iconic landscapes.

Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Operator: Sopa Lodges
Location: Amboseli National Park Region
Website: https://www.sopalodges.com/amboseli-sopa-lodge/the-lodge

Set on 200 acres of private land, the lodge exudes rustic charm and rests at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa’s tallest and most iconic snowcapped peak, rising nearly 6,000 meters. This breathtaking region of Kenya famously inspired Ernest Hemingway’s 1930s classics The Snows of Kilimanjaro and The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber, both later adapted into acclaimed films featuring legendary actors. The surrounding wilderness remains rich with wildlife and stretches seamlessly to Amboseli National Park, just a short 20-minute drive away.

Amboseli National Park is a haven for over 600 bird species and an array of rare and remarkable animals. It is also home to the Maasai, one of Africa’s most celebrated and culturally distinctive tribes, whose presence adds to the region’s unique character and enduring heritage.

Borana Lodge

Location: Borana Conservancy
Website: https://www.borana.co.ke/about-borana-lodge

Borana Lodge, established in 1993, sits on a hillside in the heart of Borana Conservancy, offering complete privacy and sweeping views from each cottage. Located on the Laikipia Plateau at the foot of Mt. Kenya, the Lodge was one of East Africa’s original eco-lodges and remains a key supporter of conservation. In 2007, the founding Dyer family pledged all profits from Borana’s commercial activities to fund core conservation efforts, especially for endangered species like Black and White Rhino. Spanning 32,000 acres, the Conservancy protects diverse wildlife and habitats while supporting local livelihoods through sustainable, regenerative practices.

Elewana Sand River Masai Mara

Operator: Elewana Collection
Location: Masai Mara National Reserve
Website: https://www.elewanacollection.com/sand-river-masai-mara/at-a-glance

Located on the banks of the Sand River near the Tanzanian border, Sand River Masai Mara is a secluded camp within the Masai Mara National Reserve. Designed to reflect the elegance of 1920s safari camps, it blends classic charm with modern comfort and has earned a Silver Eco-Rating for its commitment to sustainable tourism.

The camp offers exceptional year-round game viewing, with the reserve famed for its big cats and the spectacle of the Great Migration. It features 16 luxury tents—including a family unit—split between two private sections, each with its own dining and lounge areas, ensuring exclusivity and privacy.

As part of the Elewana Collection, Sand River Masai Mara upholds the highest standards of service, design, and access to wildlife, making it one of the Mara’s most distinguished safari destinations.

Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli

Operator: Elewana Collection
Location:  Amboseli
Website: https://www.elewanacollection.com/tortilis-camp-amboseli/at-a-glance

Set in a private conservancy on the edge of Amboseli National Park, Tortilis Camp offers unrivaled views of Mount Kilimanjaro and some of Africa’s largest elephants—part of a population of over 1,000 within the park’s ecosystem.

Named after the Acacia Tortilis tree, the camp is nestled in acacia woodland and offers game drives, guided walks, bush meals, and sundowners both in the conservancy and national park, with the added benefit of exclusivity.

Tortilis Camp features spacious tents with king or twin beds, elegant en suite bathrooms, and beautifully crafted main areas made from natural materials. The Private House and Family Tent, set slightly apart on a hill, share a private pool.

Praised by Food and Travel Magazine for its outstanding Italian cuisine and wildlife experiences, the camp also holds a Gold Eco-Rating and operates entirely on solar power—making it a pioneering model of sustainable luxury in Kenya.

Govenors’ Camp Masai Mara

Operator: Governors’ Camp Collection
Location: Masai Mara National Reserve
Website: https://governorscamp.com/safari-camps/governors-camp/

Set in a riverine forest along the banks of the Mara River, Governors’ Camp boasts one of the Masai Mara’s premier wildlife viewing locations—ideal for couples, families, and friends seeking a classic safari experience in the heart of the reserve.

The entire camp is under canvas, with traditional safari tents overlooking the river and five family tents offering sweeping views of the plains. Each tent features an en-suite bathroom and private verandah. The camp also includes a riverside bar tent, a dining tent with panoramic views, and a spa tent offering natural treatments by The Wild Herb Company.

Governors’ Camp holds a Gold Eco-Rating from Eco-Tourism Kenya, recognizing its commitment to sustainability and low-impact travel.

Karen Blixen Camp

Location: North Mara Conservancy
Website: https://karenblixencamp.com/

Set in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy, Karen Blixen Camp offers an intimate safari experience with front-row views of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and hippos along the river. Blending unspoiled wilderness with authentic African culture, the camp provides a peaceful retreat for both adventure and renewal.

Through its partnership with local Maasai communities, the camp helps protect over 30,000 hectares of wilderness, ensuring sustainable tourism and exclusive wildlife encounters with minimal vehicle impact.

Kicheche Bush Camp

Operator: Kicheche Camps
Location: Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Website: https://kicheche.com/kicheche-bush/

Nestled in a superb wildlife-rich area bordering the Masai Mara Reserve, Kicheche Bush Camp offers an exclusive safari experience within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. With low-density tourism and exceptional game viewing—right from camp—it promises a high-quality, immersive African safari and an unforgettable Kenya holiday. The camp is also ideally positioned to witness the annual wildebeest migration.

A favorite among professional wildlife photographers, Kicheche Bush Camp is known for its expert guiding and inspiring environment, making it the perfect place for photographers of all levels to hone their skills and capture unforgettable images.

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge

Operator: Sopa Lodges
Location: Lake Nakuru National Park
Website: https://www.sopalodges.com/lake-nakuru-sopa-lodge/the-lodge

Located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa.

The lodge also overlooks Lake Nakuru and its surrounding National Park, one that is a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife lovers alike. Lake Nakuru National Park is mainly a wooded and bushy grassland with a wide ecological diversity and characteristic habitats that range from the lake waters to the escarpment and ridges.

Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge

Operator: Sopa Lodges
Location: Masai Mara
Website:

Renowned for its abundant lion population, the Great Wildebeest Migration, and the vibrant Maasai culture, the Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

Perched on the slopes of the Oloolaimutia Hills, Masai Mara Sopa Lodge was among the first lodges established in the reserve—its mature gardens and towering trees a testament to its long-standing presence. The lodge’s architecture draws inspiration from traditional African roundhouses with conical roofs, stretching along the hillside. At the heart of the property lie the expansive public areas and a refreshing swimming pool, offering guests comfort and authenticity in the midst of wilderness.

Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

Location: Masai Mara
Website: https://www.majimotomaasaicamp.com/

Founded by Community Chief Salaton Ole Ntutu in 2006, Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp offers an authentic and immersive experience in the heart of Maasai land. Located near the Loita Hills, the camp is a self-sustaining community that supports local Maasai families through education, employment, and cultural preservation.

Guests are welcomed with traditional Maasai hospitality and invited to engage in daily life—learning about customs, ceremonies, and age-old survival skills. The camp provides unique opportunities to connect with the community, including school visits, guided nature walks, and storytelling by the fire.

With a strong focus on responsible tourism, the camp directly benefits widowed women and helps fund free primary and secondary education for Maasai children. Visitors leave not only with a deeper understanding of Maasai culture, but also with the sense of having become part of the extended Maasai family.

Mara Plains Camp – Olare Motorogi

Operator: Great Plains Conservation
Location: Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Website: https://greatplainsconservation.com/mara-plains-camp-luxury-kenya-safari/

Tucked into a riverine forest along the Ntiaktiak River, Mara Plains Camp is one of Kenya’s most exclusive safari camps, offering unrivaled access to over 40,000 hectares of private wilderness across the Olare Motorogi and Mara North Conservancies, as well as the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.

A proud member of both Relais & Châteaux and the Réserve-Collection by Great Plains, the camp blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, offering sweeping views of the plains and a refined, low-impact design. Guests can expect exceptional game viewing, including front-row access to the Great Migration, with minimal tourist density.

Each stay supports critical conservation efforts and contributes directly to the livelihoods of over 1,000 Maasai families, helping preserve this rich ecosystem for future generations.

Mara Plains Camp promises a luxurious, meaningful, and immersive safari experience in one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife regions.

Offbeat Mara

Operator: Offbeat Safaris
Location: North Mara Conservancy
Website: https://offbeatsafaris.com/property/offbeat-mara/

Offbeat Mara Camp is a boutique safari retreat tucked away in a quiet corner of the exclusive Mara North Conservancy, offering an authentic and intimate Masai Mara experience. With just seven ensuite tents, including two family units, the camp ensures privacy, comfort, and personalized service—with Wi-Fi, hot safari showers, and private verandas.

The mess tent is the heart of the camp, featuring a cozy lounge, dining area, bar, fireplace, and forest-view deck. Guests enjoy exceptional game viewing, including regular sightings of big cats and the resident Offbeat Pride of lions, all guided by expert trackers who know their stories well.

Activities include unlimited day and night game drives, guided bush walks, cultural visits, sundowners, bush meals, hot air balloon safaris, and even runs on the plains with the Masai. Set in a 74,000-acre conservancy open only to member camps, Offbeat Mara offers a truly exclusive safari that captures the spirit of classic Africa.

Ololo Safari Lodge

Location: Edge of Nairobi National Park
Website: https://olololodge.com/#

Ololo Safari Lodge is where your African story begins. Set on the edge of Nairobi National Park, Ololo was once an old homestead—transformed over five years into one of Kenya’s most beautiful and sustainable safari lodges. The name ‘Ololo’, of Maasai origin, fittingly means “place of movement”—reflecting both the nearby Mbagathi River and the spirit of this special place.

Staying at Ololo connects you to a powerful story of transformation and community. From farm-fresh food grown on the lodge’s regenerative farm to its deep commitment to conservation and education, your visit supports impactful initiatives—from ‘lion lights’ to school construction and mentorship programs in Kibera.

In 2023, Ololo launched its own foundation, doubling its positive reach. Guests like you are at the heart of this journey—helping create lasting change in Kenya through conscious travel.

Ol Tukai Lodge

Location: Amboseli National Park
Website: https://oltukailodge.com/

At Ol Tukai Lodge, you become part of the rich cultural tapestry of Amboseli—where the stories of the Maasai, early European explorers, and the colonial era come together to shape an authentic African safari experience. Opened in 1996 on the original site used for the 1948 filming of Snow at Kilimanjaro, the lodge sits at the heart of Amboseli National Park, with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and unrivaled access to elephant viewing.

Your stay is shaped by a legacy of hospitality, integrity, and inclusivity. Whether you’re here for leisure or a corporate retreat, Ol Tukai blends scenic beauty with flexible, high-quality service. The lodge is family-friendly, eco-conscious, and thoughtfully designed to be accessible to all guests—ensuring your safari is both memorable and meaningful.

Tawi Lodge

Location: Amboseli National Park
Website: https://www.tawilodge.com/

Tawi Lodge is set on a private 3,000-acre conservancy just five minutes from Kimana Gate, the eastern entrance to Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro—the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Here, you enjoy the best of both worlds: exclusive access to a private conservancy and easy entry into one of Kenya’s most iconic parks. The lodge features 13 ensuite cottages with stunning views of Kilimanjaro, fireplaces, secure storage, and spacious wardrobes. One cottage is wheelchair accessible. Meals are served in the main dining area or garden, with tea or coffee delivered to your cottage each morning. Picnic meals and special dietary options, including kosher, are available with advance notice.

On-site amenities include a swimming pool with a waterhole view, a spa, hot tub, gift shop, and several indoor and outdoor lounges, including a central fireplace and bar. A new private suite—ideal for families or groups—offers two bedrooms (double and twin), private verandahs with plunge pools, a shared lounge, dining space, and a kitchen. The suite can be booked in full, unlocking a third entrance with panoramic Kilimanjaro views. Tawi is powered primarily by solar with generator backup, offering 24-hour electricity for charging devices, CPAP use, and hot water. Free Wi-Fi is available in the main lounge, and the property features a solar-powered electric fence and its own reverse osmosis water filtration system to provide guests with clean, safe drinking water.