From
$2,809
Tented Camp · Maasai Mara, Kenya
Governors’ Camp
Africa's first permanent tented camp, on the Mara River since 1972 and still the benchmark for classic safari in the Maasai Mara.
In 1972, the name Governors’ Camp referred to a site on the Mara River in the northwest corner of the Maasai Mara National Reserve that had long been favoured by Kenya’s colonial governors for its wildlife and its setting. The permanent tented camp that was established here that year was the first of its kind anywhere in Africa — the proof-of-concept that canvas and comfort were not contradictions, and that a permanent structure in a wildlife area could be both luxurious and unobtrusive. More than fifty years later, the camp remains in its original location, the Musiara sector of the Reserve, on a winding reach of the Mara River whose waters carry hippo and crocodile, whose forest margins hold leopard and elephant, and whose proximity to the great crossing points used by the wildebeest migration made Governors’ Camp the address against which every subsequent Mara camp has been measured.
The 37 tents are distributed across the camp’s riverine forest position in two orientations: tents facing the Mara River, tucked into the trees for shade and privacy with uninterrupted views of the water and its resident wildlife; and family tents facing across the open plains, positioned on the camp’s outer edge for sweeping views of the Mara grassland. The classic safari style is deliberate and maintained — canvas walls on steel frames, en-suite bathrooms, private verandahs, and a social camp rhythm of shared mealtimes, bar tent, and dining tent that produces the particular kind of convivial atmosphere that large-format camps do best. It is a camp designed for the experience of being in the Maasai Mara rather than the experience of a private property, and its scale and social energy reflect that intention.
The camp’s location is its most significant asset. Musiara Marsh — one of the Mara’s most productive permanent game-viewing areas for lion, cheetah, and elephant — is immediately accessible. The Mara River crossing points used by the wildebeest and zebra migration between July and October are within short driving distance; the guides’ knowledge of this landscape, built over decades of operation from the same site, translates directly into the quality of sightings. Governors’ Camp operates on 100% solar power and holds a Gold Eco-Rating from Ecotourism Kenya — the sustainability credentials of an institution that has had fifty years to get its relationship with the landscape right.
Africa's first permanent tented camp, Governors' Camp has operated on the Mara River in the Musiara sector since 1972. Thirty-seven tents sit in unfenced riverine forest adjacent to the Great Migration crossing points. Gold Eco-Rated and 100% solar-powered.
Why Stay Here
- World Travel Awards — Kenya's Leading Tented Safari Camp Brand 2025
- 100% solar-powered and Gold Eco-Rated by Ecotourism Kenya.
- Bar tent with deck overlooking the Mara River, the classic sundowner position in the Mara.
- Daily Governors' Aviation flights from Wilson Airport, with onward connections to Loldia House and Mugie.
- Great Migration crossing points within short driving distance, July to October.
- Musiara Marsh on the doorstep, one of the Mara's most productive areas for lion, cheetah, elephant, and crocodile.
- 37 tents with river-facing and plains-facing positions, the most varied tent selection in the Governors' collection.
- Africa's first permanent tented camp, on the Mara River since 1972, with over 50 years of guiding knowledge.
Our Commitment to Conservation
Governors' Camp runs on 100% solar power, earning a Gold Eco-Rating from Ecotourism Kenya. The original riverine forest has remained unfenced and unchanged since 1972. Community investment includes a biogas project, school sponsorships, and healthcare contributions across the Musiara area. Recognised as Kenya's Leading Tented Safari Camp Brand at the 2025 World Travel Awards.
Rooms & Accommodation
Governors’ Camp’s 37 tents are canvas structures on steel frames, furnished in classic safari style and divided between river-facing positions within the forest and plains-facing positions on the camp’s outer edge. All tents have en-suite bathrooms with shower, flush toilet, and hot and cold running water, plus a private verandah. Family tents are five spacious units offering spectacular open plains views and interconnecting options for children; one suite tent provides the most generous accommodation in the camp. Furnishings are traditional safari throughout: four-poster beds with mosquito nets, dark wood furniture, and a consistent character that connects the current camp with its 1972 origins. The camp is unfenced, and wildlife — elephant, hippo, and various plains game — moves through the grounds routinely; guides and night watchmen are always present.
Standard Tent — River View
River-facing tents sit within riverine forest, with verandahs overlooking the Mara River and its hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. Classic safari furnishings include a four-poster bed with mosquito net, dark wood furniture, and armchairs. En-suite bathroom with shower, flush toilet, and hot and cold running water. The most requested tents in camp.
Four-poster king or twin beds · Mosquito net · Private river-facing verandah · En-suite bathroom with shower · Flush toilet · Hot and cold water · Classic safari furnishings · Wi-Fi
Family Tent
Five family tents face the open Maasai Mara plains from the camp's outer edge, with sweeping grassland views that make game-watching from the verandah viable. Larger than standard tents with an additional bed arrangement for families. En-suite bathroom with shower and flush toilet. Morning views typically include giraffe, zebra, and elephants on the ridge.
King or twin beds + additional bed option · Mosquito net · Private plains-facing verandah · En-suite bathroom · Shower and flush toilet · Hot and cold water · Family-suitable layout · Wi-Fi
Suite Tent
The single suite tent offers the most generous space in camp, with an expanded living area, enhanced bathroom, and priority position for views and privacy. Suited to couples or guests wanting classic safari character at a higher finish. All standard camp amenities apply.
King bed · Expanded living area · Enhanced bathroom · Private verandah · Shower and bathtub · Hot and cold water · Classic safari furnishings · Wi-Fi
Experiences & Activities
Every moment at Governors’ Camp is crafted to immerse you deeper in the wild.
Game Drives, Musiara and Sekenani Sectors
Open 4x4 drives with experienced KPSGA-qualified guides. Morning drives before dawn; afternoons into evening. Bush breakfasts on request. Musiara delivers Big Five, resident cheetah families, large elephant herds, and one of Africa's highest lion concentrations.
Great Migration River Crossings
Between July and October, 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra produce the Mara River crossings that define East African wildlife. Governors' Musiara position and guides' decades of knowledge maximise the probability of witnessing a crossing.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Dawn flights over the Mara, ending with a champagne bush breakfast. Available year-round; particularly sought after July to October. Additional cost; pre-booking advised in peak season.
Walking Safaris
Guided walks through Musiara's riverine forest and open grassland cover plant identification, animal tracks, and smaller species invisible from a vehicle. All walks accompanied by armed guides.
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Dining
Dining at Governors’ Camp operates on the rhythm that large classic safari camps do best — breakfast as a generous Continental and full English buffet before or after the morning drive; lunch al fresco on the lawn with fresh salads and shared dishes; dinner à la carte in the dining tent with the Mara evening as backdrop. The bar tent’s deck overlooks the Mara River directly, and sundowners here — the hippos audible below, the light changing over the plains — is the daily ritual that guests return to describing in their reviews more than any other single moment. Bush breakfasts in the field can be arranged for extended morning drives. Dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice.
Gallery
Best Time to Visit
Governors’ Camp is open year-round and the Musiara sector’s wildlife is resident and consistent across all twelve months — but the choice of season has a material effect on what a stay delivers.
The Great Migration window of July to October is the period most associated with Governors’ Camp, and for good reason. The camp’s proximity to the Mara River crossing points, and the guiding team’s experience with migration patterns in this specific part of the river, give guests the most realistic chance of witnessing a crossing available anywhere in the Mara. Rates and demand peak sharply during August and September; advance booking of six to twelve months is advisable for these months.
Outside migration season, the January to March period is the Mara’s prime predator window — the grass is short after the short rains, visibility is excellent, and the lion, cheetah, and leopard populations are at their most active and observable. The calving season of January and February, when wildebeest calves are born on the Serengeti, brings large numbers of predators to the southern Mara as prey weakened by calving becomes available. June is the dry season’s onset — clear, cool, and excellent for photography. The green season of April and May offers lush landscapes, dramatically low rates, and an uncrowded Mara; the game-viewing is more demanding but the camp experience is exceptional value.
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Location & Getting Here
Destination
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Conservation Area
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Nearest Airstrip
Musiara Airstrip
Transfer Time
Approx. 45-min Governors' Aviation scheduled flight from Wilson Airport, Nairobi
Getting Here
Governors' Camp sits inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve on the Mara River in the Musiara sector. Daily Governors' Aviation flights from Wilson Airport reach Musiara Airstrip in around 45 minutes. Within the collection, the camp connects naturally with Governors' Il Moran 1 km north, Loldia House at Lake Naivasha, and Mugie in Laikipia for multi-destination itineraries.
Safaris That Include This Lodge
Explore handcrafted itineraries where Governors’ Camp forms part of the journey.
