What is Wilderness Mara?

Wilderness Mara is Wilderness's newest camp in Kenya, positioned in the Masai Mara ecosystem – East Africa's most celebrated safari destination. Set in the Mara Triangle, managed by the Mara Conservancy, the camp offers access to prime migration territory and year-round big cat sightings, with the conservation and community Impact model Wilderness applies across its entire portfolio.

Is Wilderness Mara on the Mara River?

Wilderness Mara is positioned on a marsh ecosystem, with access to the Masai Mara's prime game viewing zones including the Mara River – the site of the Great Migration's most dramatic crossing events (peaking between August and September). Guests can join dedicated river crossing excursions during peak season to witness wildebeest plunging into crocodile-filled waters – one of Africa's most electrifying natural spectacles.

What makes Wilderness Mara different from other Mara camps?

Wilderness brings its conservation-first model to the Masai Mara. Wilderness guides are trained to the company’s high standards, which prioritise wildlife interpretation and ecological support. The camp's community partnership model directly benefits local communities, creating an authentic and responsible connection to the landscape.

When is the best time to visit Wilderness Mara?

The Great Migration wildebeest crossings at the Mara River peak between August and September – this is the most sought-after time. However, the Mara is excellent year-round: resident lion prides, leopard, cheetah, elephant, and hippo are constant. Green season (November to June) offers lower rates and fewer vehicles.

How do I get to Wilderness Mara?

The closest air access to the camp is via Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, served daily by Governors’ Aviation, Air Kenya, and Safarilink, with flight times of approximately 45 minutes from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. From the airstrip, it’s a short 15-minute transfer to camp by safari vehicle.

Are children able to stay at Wilderness Mara?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome.

Do you cater for special dietary requirements?

Yes. The menus are adapted into dedicated vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and nut-free versions, with dairy-free and gluten-free guests supported through suitable substitutions on the main menus.

Do the rooms have ramp access?

Five rooms at Wilderness Mara have ramp access: the family room and four rooms along the forest side of the camp.

Kenya

Wilderness Mara

Within the Mara Triangle, where sweeping plains meet a dramatic escarpment in a wildlife-rich corner of the greater Masai Mara National Reserve, you will find Wilderness Mara.

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Wilderness Mara

Rich wildlife encounters

The Mara Triangle, a section of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, is celebrated for its wildlife density, particularly during the Great Migration. Here, vast open grassland, riverine forest, and a seasonal marsh converge, creating a richly varied ecosystem that supports an exceptional concentration of predators and plains game year-round. At the edge of the thriving marsh, a new camp has come to life, offering guests access to both sides of the Mara River.

Plan your trip

Serval seen sitting in the grasslands of Wilderness Mara, Kenya

Maasai warriors performing a traditional dance at Wilderness Mara, Kenya

Let us introduce you to Wilderness Mara

Concession

A slice of land within or bordering a national park where a smaller number of safari operators are permitted to host guests.

Unique wildlife

Experience exceptional game viewing – including the annual Great Migration and prolific birdlife.

Luxury camp

Each tent is positioned to maximise privacy and views, with elevated private decks, and indoor and outdoor showers.

Environment

We work with researchers from partner conservation organisations in the area

Accommodation

This classic property offers an intimate, lower-impact experience, with just 12 tented suites set along the edge of a thriving marsh ecosystem. We’ve kept the camp true to its East African roots; elegant, grounded, and deeply connected to place, while adding just the right touches of comfort: a spa to unwind, a gym for the energetic, and a pool with a lounge.

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Cuisine

Wilderness Mara’s menus celebrate Kenyan produce and regional inspiration – featuring elements like Maasai honey, coastal spices and traditional dishes – while incorporating a refined Taste of Africa dish each evening. Signature experiences include an atmospheric Manyatta dinner under the stars, where fire cooking and Maasai culture come alive.

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Life at Wilderness Mara

Elegant, grounded and deeply connected to place. Camp facilities include a spa to unwind & a gym for the energetic. In addition, the Study is a quiet space for the curious to browse & learn about our Impact work, or process photographic mementos. At times, we host researchers working in the area, who are available in camp for guests wishing to learn more about Wilderness’ Impact in the Masai Mara.

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Wildlife in the Mara

Experience the best of Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara National Reserve in the Mara Triangle, which affords an exclusive safari experience, thanks to its lower visitor density, well-maintained roads, effective anti-poaching patrols, and strict conservation management by the Mara Conservancy. Here you can experience exceptional game viewing – including the annual Great Migration that sees millions of wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and countless gazelles brave waiting crocodiles as they surge across the roiling waters of the Mara River. On game drives you’ll likely pass large elephant, zebra and antelope herds, resident black rhino, rarer species like serval and bat-eared fox, and your fair share of predator-prey face-offs.

River pride female seen on safari near Wilderness Mara in Kenya

Giraffe seen on safari with hot air balloons in flight in the background, Wilderness Mara Kenya

Antelope seen on safari with hot air balloons in the background in the Mara, Kenya

Black rhino seen on safari in the wilderness at the Mara Reserve in Kenya

Elephant near luxury safari villas in Masai Mara Kenya

Wilderness Kenya Migration blue wildebeest in vast numbers

African Buffalo closeup full frontal display of horns Wilderness Mara Kenya

A pod of hippos in the water with one mouth open in full display

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Wilderness Mara camp rates

Wilderness Mara is set in the Mara Triangle – a productive and wildlife-rich section of the greater Masai Mara National Reserve, and quick, direct access to both sides of the Mara River via a private footbridge. That means more territory, more wildlife, and fewer vehicles at sightings. Twelve tented suites sit along the edge of a thriving marsh ecosystem – elegant, grounded, and true to East African roots, with just the right touches of comfort: a spa, gym, pool, and photographic studio to process the day's moments.Rates vary seasonally. The fully inclusive rate covers accommodation, all meals, local drinks, laundry, and all camp experiences including game drives, guided activities, and community engagement. Conservation levy and government taxes are included. Here is a breakdown of nightly rates per person, based on travel dates across 2026 and into early 2027.

Wilderness Mara Rates 2026

(per person per night)

Travel dates	Rates
1 June to 31 October 2026	USD2,028
1 November to 15 December 2026	USD1,324
16 December 2026 to 1 January 2027	USD2,028
2 January to 28 February 2027	USD1,324

Talk to your travel designer for more information

The details

Wilderness Mara

Formerly Little Governors’ Camp, this classic property was completely rebuilt to offer an intimate experience in a place that has become synonymous with authenticity, warmth and adventure. Wilderness is honoured to continue the extraordinary legacy of this legendary property, built on decades of passion and purpose.

Our purpose

Facilities

Activities

Area

Travelling to Mara

Planning

Maasai warriors displaying their colourful clothing and cultural song and dance near Wilderness Mara

Our purpose

The Mara Triangle, managed by the Mara Conservancy, is celebrated for its effective conservation model. The important conservation and community work long championed by Governors’ continues here, now aligned with Wilderness’ Impact framework under the pillars of Educate, Empower, and Protect.

Gym

A well-equipped gym and in-room yoga mats

Pool

Follow a dip with a sundowner in the lounge

Solar

Take a back-of-house tour to see our solar farm

Spa

Rest and relax after a day out on the plains

Unique area

The Mara Triangle is one of Africa’s premier destinations for wildlife encounters. The Mara River, which cuts through the Triangle, provides the stage for some of the most dramatic scenes of the Great Migration, when wildebeest and zebra attempt perilous river crossings.

Travelling to Mara

Discover the ultimate East African safari by combining some of our most sublime camps across Rwanda and Tanzania. Pair gorilla trekking with a Serengeti migration safari or the tranquillity of Akagera’s shimmering waterways, for an adventure as varied as it is unforgettable.

Private Safari in Rwanda

A safari for every traveller

Every Wilderness journey is different — and so is every traveller. Whether you’re chasing your first leopard sighting, travelling as a family or planning an adventurous honeymoon, our safari guide shows you how to match the destination and style of travel to your personal safari story.

Plan your safari

Our purpose

The Mara Triangle, managed by the Mara Conservancy, is celebrated for its effective conservation model. The important conservation and community work long championed by Governors’ continues here, now aligned with Wilderness’ Impact framework under the pillars of Educate, Empower, and Protect.

Facilities

Gym

A well-equipped gym and in-room yoga mats

Pool

Follow a dip with a sundowner in the lounge

Solar

Take a back-of-house tour to see our solar farm

Spa

Rest and relax after a day out on the plains

Activities

Area

Unique area

The Mara Triangle is one of Africa’s premier destinations for wildlife encounters. The Mara River, which cuts through the Triangle, provides the stage for some of the most dramatic scenes of the Great Migration, when wildebeest and zebra attempt perilous river crossings.

Travelling to Mara

Discover the ultimate East African safari by combining some of our most sublime camps across Rwanda and Tanzania. Pair gorilla trekking with a Serengeti migration safari or the tranquillity of Akagera’s shimmering waterways, for an adventure as varied as it is unforgettable.

Private Safari in Rwanda

Planning

A safari for every traveller

Every Wilderness journey is different — and so is every traveller. Whether you’re chasing your first leopard sighting, travelling as a family or planning an adventurous honeymoon, our safari guide shows you how to match the destination and style of travel to your personal safari story.

Plan your safari

Safari experiences & activities

Take morning and afternoon game drives to witness the Great Migration on both sides of the Mara River. Enjoy a hot air balloon safari for a bird's eye view of the action. Tick off some of the 470+ bird species. Visit the nearby Maasai community manyattas (homesteads). Or simply relax at the pool or spa.

Discover more experiences

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Game drives

Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives.

Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Explore the desert from the skies in a hot air balloon

Hot air ballooning

Be a bird for an hour or so. Fly high in a hot-air balloon for an unparalleled perspective on the wildlife and landscape below.

Hot Air Ballooning

Namibia, Kenya & Tanzania

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Luxury guided walking safaris in Africa

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Guests trekking free-roaming black rhino at Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp in Namibia

Conservation experiences

Wilderness combines unforgettable wildlife encounters with positive impact experiences.

Conservation Experiences

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya

Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

Wilderness Impact

The Mara Triangle, managed by the Mara Conservancy, is celebrated for its effective conservation model. The important conservation and community work long championed by Governors’ continues here, now aligned with Wilderness’ Impact framework under the pillars of Educate, Empower, and Protect.

Wilderness Impact

Educate

Supporting Enkereri Primary School Tree Nursery Project through our Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme.

Learn more

Empower

Supporting livelihoods that reduce pressure on forests and create viable income beyond charcoal production.

Learn more

Scales of a pangolin coiled in a ball Wilderness

Protect

Supporting projects to halt deforestation and protect the Mara’s forests.

Learn more

Community development

In the Mara region we collaborate with Maasai elders to enhance local education and vocational training, addressing challenges that hinder school attendance. We also focus on upgrading schools, supporting long-term enrolment, and empowering Maasai women and youth through skills development and career guidance initiatives.

Community empowerment in Tanzania with TANAPA

Impact experiences

Children planning trees from the nursery Enkereri Primary School Kids Wilderness Kenya

Visit the school where a CITW Eco-Club operates, as well as Mara Rianda Clinic that provides accessible and affordable quality healthcare to the Maasai community in the Mara Rianda area. We also invite guests to visit our kitchen garden and the Wilderness Trust-funded tree nursery, from which 15,000 saplings, when mature, will be donated towards Nyekweri Forest restoration.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE WILDERNESS TRUST

TRAVEL WITH US

A journey to the Mara, and beyond

The ultimate East African safari. Trek mountain gorillas in their rainforest home in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains or marvel at the big game and birdlife of ultra-scenic Akagera National Park. Surrender to a luxury mobile safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti. No matter where you decide to combine with Wilderness Mara, you’re guaranteed a lifetime of memories.

Kenya and Masai Mara safari tours

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FAQs

What you need to know

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General

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Journal

Featured Stories

Kenya's Wilderness Mara has many stories to share. And it’s no surprise, with an abundance of wildlife, adventure at every turn, and community and culture at its core. We would love to share our tales from the African bush with you, and hope that one day you too will have your own stories to share.

See all stories

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