Masai Mara National Reserve safari camps, Kenya
• The main Governors' Camp
• Little Governors' Camp
• Governors' Private Camp
The first tented camp to be established in the Masai Mara, Governors' Camp stands on the banks of the famous Mara River. First opened in 1972, it stands on the site of Teddy Roosevelt's camp, where he entertained aristocracy, stars and royalty. Popular with American visitors, the camp now offers two additional camps, ‘Little Governors' and ‘Private Governors'. Specialists in providing both luxury and comfort whilst retaining the authentic flavour of true safari life, Governors' is not fenced, thus the animals are free to wander close or even into the camp.
Word renowned for the breathtaking spectacle of ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth' , the awe inspiring annual migration of the wildebeest, the Mara is Kenya's most visited protected area. Technically an extension of Tanzania's renowned Serengeti National Park, the Mara constitutes only 4% of the entire Serengeti ecosystem but its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers and towering escarpments offer one of the world's most rewarding and evocative wildlife arenas.
Kenya hotels and accommodation
Amongst the wide range of Kenya hotels, some make the ideal Kenya safari destination. Choose a safari lodge, safari hotel, bush camp, luxury lodge, safari camp, tented camp or bush lodge. National park accommodation usually takes the form of a traditional safari lodge or tented camp, but numerous other options exist on the park boundaries. Luxury lodges and luxury camp options are also offered in the private wildlife conservancies.
Location
The Masai Mara is 270 miles from Nairobi (five hours by road). All weather air strip - less than an hour from Nairobi by plane.
The Background
The Masai Mara National Reserve
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five' in one morning.
As to scenery, the 1,800 sq kilometres of this veteran reserve offer the classic mix of African imagery; miles of lion-gold grasslands, shoals of lilac-misted hills, a meandering river, acres of thorn-bush and mile upon mile of undulating wilderness.
The Miracle of the Migration of the Wildebeest
All the time, when on the move, the wildebeest emit harsh grunts, something like the sound of frogs, something like that of old men clearing their throats. People have called them ungainly because of their high shoulders and sloping hindquarters and also clowns because of their long pale faces and white beards, but in fact they move with grace and sometimes playfulness, leaping and cavorting with apparent joie de vivre.
Last Days in Eden
Elspeth Huxley and Hugo van Lawick
Between the end of July and November, over one and a half million wildebeest accompanied by half again as many zebras and gazelles, migrate from the short-grass plains of the Serengeti to fresh pasture in the grasslands of the Mara; thus creating one of nature's grandest spectacles. Moving in groups of up to 20,000 at a time they thunder across the plateau hesitating only briefly to cross the Mara River, where many fall prey to the waiting crocodiles. Towards the end of October they begin crossing back into Tanzania. The actual timing of the migration, however, is dictated by the weather and does not always ‘run to schedule'.
Accommodation
Each tent has a covered outdoor veranda with two safari chairs and a small table. Simple tent furnishings include twin beds, a wardrobe rack a desk and safari chairs. None of the camps uses electricity to light the tents, candles and lanterns are provided. All the tents have private tented bathrooms (with flush WC and hot showers), some have bidets.
The main Governors' Camp offers 30 twin bedded tents and 8 double tents each with private verandah and shower room. There is also a private and secluded honeymoon tent.
Little Governors' Camp is reached via boat across the Mara River. Standing in a glade it offers 17 tents curved around the edge of a wetlands area which attracts many birds and animals.
Governors' Private Camp accommodates four guests in absolute luxury and privacy.
Dining and bars
Governors' prides itself on the high quality of its cuisine and retains a French Chef. The Private Camp has its own executive chef and meals are planned exactly to the specifications of the clients. Meals are served on a timbered deck overlooking the river. At night the area is lit by lanterns in true safari style. There is a comfortable and well-stocked bar.
Conference and event facilities
The camps make the ideal alternative conference venue and offer a superlative wedding venue. Exclusive catering and themed wedding events can be planned in cooperation with the management team and executive chef. Secluded Honeymoon tent available.
Wildlife highlights
Offering an abundance of herbivores, the Mara makes the ideal hunting ground for Kenya's famous ‘big cats' and hosts her largest population of lions. It also offers the best chance of spotting a leopard in the wild. Other predators include cheetah and spotted hyena. Historically teaming with wildlife, the Mara is famous for the large herds of elephant and buffalo that meander its plains; also for the fat pods of hippo that wallow in its mud-brown rivers. Other stars include the distinctive Masai giraffe, plum-coloured topi, Coke's hartebeest, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, zebra, impala, Kirk's dik-dik, bushbuck, waterbuck and red duiker. The Reserve also boasts plentiful Nile crocodile, monitor lizard, baboon, vervet, blue and red-tailed monkeys, nocturnal bush babies, and tree hyrax. There are over 550 resident and migratory species of birds.
Child-friendly
The camp welcomes children.
What to see and do
Activities include:
• Game drives
• Walking safaris
• Fishing - Lake Victoria and Governors' Mfangano Island Camp is 40 min plane ride - you may fish for Nile Perch - the birding is also very good
• Picnic lunches
• Balloon safaris, with champagne breakfast cooked over balloon burners in the bush, available
• Art Gallery displaying works of local artists
• Special bush dinners and sunset cocktail parties provided on request
• Shop
Governors' Group of Camps - Masai Mara • Exclusive Safari Camp • Kenya Hotels, Lodges & Tented Camps
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