The Ritz-Carlton to launch its first safari retreat in Masai Mara

This August, The Ritz-Carlton is set to make its entry into the safari space with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp. The property marks a significant milestone for the brand as it introduces its signature hospitality to one of Africa’s most celebrated conservation areas—Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.

Image: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp

Positioned along the Sand River, just steps from the border with Tanzania, the camp places guests in the heart of a landscape known for its unmatched biodiversity and dramatic wildlife activity. Between July and October, the reserve becomes a front-row seat to the Great Migration, when over a million wildebeest and zebra move through the region in search of fertile grazing land. Beyond migration season, the Mara is home to year-round wildlife viewing, including the Big Five and over 500 species of birds.

Image: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp

The property will offer just 20 luxury tented suites, each designed to offer a sense of seclusion and direct connection to the surrounding wilderness. Accommodations will be elevated among the trees and offer sweeping views across the savannah and Sand River. Each suite will include private decks, open-air showers, infinity plunge pools, and sunken lounge areas.

Image: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp

For groups or families, the four-bedroom Presidential Suite will include an expansive indoor-outdoor layout, its own dining space, a kitchenette, and added privacy. Each suite is also assigned a personal butler known as an Encholiek—a Maasai term meaning “one who walks with you.”

Sustainability has shaped both the design and daily operation of the camp. The property will incorporate solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and waste reduction systems to help minimize its environmental footprint. In addition to these initiatives, much of the camp’s furnishings have been crafted by local artisans, reinforcing its commitment to supporting nearby communities.

Image: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp

Ritz-Carlton has also collaborated with Maasai builders, guides, and cultural storytellers, ensuring that the guest experience is rooted not only in nature but also in the heritage of the region.

Dining at the camp will be both immersive and flexible. Guests may enjoy open-air meals on the elevated sky deck or take part in expert-led wine tastings in the on-site cellar. At the camp’s boma, traditional Maasai-inspired cooking—slow-grilled meats, hearty stews, and local vegetables—will be paired with storytelling sessions by community leaders and guides.

Image: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp

The camp’s main restaurant will reimagine fine dining in the bush, while bush breakfasts and picnic lunches provide more intimate ways to enjoy the landscape.

Whether exploring on the ground or from above, the camp is designed for meaningful encounters with the land and its people. Guests can set out on open-air game drives with seasoned guides, take nature walks, or see the plains from above on hot air balloon rides. There are also curated opportunities for deeper cultural understanding through village visits and in-camp experiences with the local Maasai community.

Beyond adventure, the camp offers an on-site spa and wellness center, with therapies inspired by indigenous healing practices, and a fitness center and pool overlooking the landscape. Guests will also have access to a photography studio equipped with Canon gear and expert guidance for capturing wildlife images.

The property is conveniently reachable by a 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Serena Airstrip, or a five-hour scenic drive for those seeking a more grounded arrival.

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