Luxury & VIP Masai Mara Safaris | Private Conservancies | Select Safaris

Masai Mara — 01°29′S · 35°08′E

The Masai Mara, privately.

Kenya’s most storied wilderness — the theatre of the Great Migration, the highest density of big cats in Africa, and the private conservancies where all of it is yours to witness without another vehicle in sight.

Plan a Mara safari → Explore the conservancies
Best for
The Great Migration & big catsLion, leopard, cheetah — year-round
Migration & crossings
July – OctoberMara River crossings at their peak
Where to stay
Private conservanciesOff-road, night drives, exclusive-use
Getting there
≈ 45-min flightPrivate charter from Wilson, Nairobi
Ideal length
3 – 4 nightsLonger to pair with the reserve
Pairs well with
Laikipia & the coastThe classic 7-night journey

Why the Mara, privately

The famous name — without the famous crowds.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is the heart of a far larger wilderness — the Greater Mara ecosystem — which includes the pristine Mara Triangle to the west and, ringing the reserve, a constellation of private conservancies. This is the single most important thing to understand about a VIP Mara safari.

In the reserve, you share the great sightings with every vehicle that can reach them. In the conservancies, vehicle numbers are strictly capped — often it is only your own — and you may drive off-road to follow a leopard, head out after dark, walk with an armed guide, and dine alone under the stars. The wildlife moves freely between the two; you simply watch it from the quieter, more private side.

Our approach: base you in a conservancy for freedom and seclusion, and take you into the reserve for the set-piece moments — the river crossings, the big-cat plains — timed to arrive before the crowds do.

The great spectacle

The Great Migration & the river crossings

From roughly July to October, more than a million wildebeest and zebra pour into the Mara from the Serengeti, and the Mara River becomes the stage for the most dramatic wildlife event on earth. We position you in the right place at the right hour for private viewing — and, when the moment comes, at a crossing point away from the convoy of minibuses.

Crossings cannot be scheduled — they answer to instinct and rain, not timetables — so we build in the time and the local knowledge to be there when one happens. Outside the migration months, the resident wildlife and big cats make the Mara extraordinary year-round.

Read the Great Migration guide →

The private conservancies

Five ways to have the Mara to yourself.

Each conservancy has its own character, wildlife and camps. Select one to explore where we might place you.

Bordering the reserve

Olare Motorogi

Arguably the finest big-cat territory in the Greater Mara, with some of the lowest guest-to-land ratios anywhere in Africa. It shares an unfenced border with the reserve, so the wildlife — and the migration — flows straight through, but you watch it in near-solitude.

Known for
Exceptional lion & leopard, very low vehicle density
Best for
Discerning first-timers & photographers
Stay
Intimate luxury tented camps, some exclusive-use

In brief

  • Prime predator country
  • Direct reserve access for the migration
  • Off-road & night drives
  • Whole-camp buyouts available
The lion heartland

Naboisho

Home to one of the highest lion densities in Africa and a model of community conservation. Naboisho is a walker’s and night-driver’s Mara — long, quiet game drives, guided bush walks, and star-lit dinners, all far from the reserve traffic.

Known for
Big lion prides, walking safaris, community model
Best for
Active travellers & repeat visitors
Stay
Boutique tented camps & a private house or two

In brief

  • Among the highest lion densities anywhere
  • Superb walking & night safaris
  • Strong community partnership
  • Quiet, uncrowded plains
Big & varied

Mara North

One of the largest conservancies, with the greatest variety of landscapes — the famous Leopard Gorge, rolling plains and riverine forest. Its scale means diverse wildlife and a choice of characterful camps, while still holding to strict low-density rules.

Known for
Leopard Gorge, varied terrain, classic camps
Best for
A rich all-round first Mara stay
Stay
A range from classic to contemporary luxury

In brief

  • Iconic Leopard Gorge
  • Diverse habitats & wildlife
  • Wide choice of camps
  • Excellent guiding tradition
Pristine & remote

Ol Kinyei

A small, pristine and fiercely protected conservancy with a genuine wilderness feel and some of the lowest visitor numbers in the ecosystem. For those who want the Mara at its quietest and most exclusive, this is it.

Known for
Untouched wilderness, minimal vehicles
Best for
Seclusion-seekers & honeymooners
Stay
A handful of small, low-impact camps

In brief

  • Among the quietest corners of the Mara
  • Genuine wilderness feel
  • Superb for walking & privacy
  • Ideal for a romantic escape
The far south-east

Olderkesi

Tucked between the reserve and the Tanzanian border, Olderkesi is remote, wild and exclusive — a single luxury camp on a vast tract of land, bordering the Serengeti ecosystem. The definition of getting away from everyone.

Known for
Total exclusivity, Serengeti-border wilderness
Best for
Families & groups wanting sole use
Stay
A single exclusive-use luxury camp

In brief

  • One camp, vast private land
  • Naturally exclusive-use
  • Deep wilderness & culture
  • Superb for a private group

Why this matters: choosing the right conservancy is the difference between a good Mara safari and a peerless one. We match you to the camp and conservancy that fit your party, season and priorities — more in Kenya’s best conservancies and conservancy vs reserve.

Where you stay

Camps chosen, never listed.

We place you in properties we know intimately, matched to your party and the experience you’re after — and hold entire camps for you when you wish.

Intimate luxury tented campsClassic Mara canvas, reimagined — space, service and a private guide.
Exclusive-use camps & housesAn entire property for your family or group, staff and vehicle included.
Private villas & homesteadsStandalone homes with a chef, butler and dedicated Land Cruiser.
Mobile & fly campsA private camp that follows the wildlife, for a night under the stars.

On exclusive use: most of our favourite Mara camps can be taken over entirely — the surest route to complete privacy. See Exclusive-Use & Buyouts and how we choose where you stay.

Signature experiences

What a private Mara day can hold.

Private game drives, dawn to darkYour own vehicle and guide — off-road in the conservancies, and into the reserve for the crossings.
Dawn hot-air balloon safariFloat over the plains at sunrise, then a champagne bush breakfast on landing.
Guided walking safarisThe Mara on foot with an armed Maasai guide — a different, quieter thrill.
Night game drivesLeopard, serval and the nocturnal Mara, possible only in the conservancies.
Private bush dining & sundownersA table set for you alone on the plains, under a sky full of stars.
Maasai cultural encountersRespectful, genuine time with the communities who own and protect this land.

When to go

The Mara, season by season.

Jul – OctThe Great Migration
The headline season: the herds are in the Mara and the river crossings are at their peak. Sightings are extraordinary and the weather is dry and fine. It is also the busiest and priciest time and the best camps sell out a year ahead — which is precisely why we base you in the conservancies and time your reserve visits carefully.
Nov – MarGreen season & big cats
The short rains bring lush plains, newborns and dramatic skies, with far fewer guests and lower rates. The resident big cats are superb, predator action is high, and the photographic light is the best of the year. January and February are a warm, clear, quiet sweet spot.
Apr – MayThe long rains
The quietest, greenest and most private months, with occasional afternoon downpours. Some camps close, but those open offer the Mara almost to yourself at the year’s best value. Wonderful for photographers who don’t mind a little weather.
Any monthThe resident wildlife
A crucial point: the Mara is a year-round destination. Its lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and plains game are resident and abundant whether or not the migration is present. Come for the crossings if you can — but the Mara is never less than magnificent.

Plan around your dates: tell us when you can travel and we’ll tell you honestly what to expect — see best time to go and seasons month by month.

Getting there & a sample journey

Wheels-up in Nairobi, on the plains by lunch.

The Mara is a short private flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport — roughly 45 minutes to a conservancy airstrip, where your guide meets the aircraft. No long drives; the safari begins the moment you land.

Fly in & first drive

Private charter from Wilson to your conservancy airstrip; met by your guide for an afternoon game drive and sundowners.

The conservancy, in full

A full day off-road after big cats, a bush breakfast in the open, and an evening game drive as the light turns gold.

Balloon & the reserve

A dawn balloon over the plains, then into the reserve for the migration and river crossings (in season), with a private bush lunch.

On foot & under the stars

A guided walking safari or Maasai visit by day; a private bush dinner, or a night drive for leopard, after dark.

This is illustrative, not fixed — every journey is designed around you. Most guests give the Mara three to four nights and pair it with Laikipia or the coast. See private flying safaris.

Ways to travel here

Journeys that suit the Mara.

By air

Private Flying Safaris

The natural way to reach the Mara and pair it with other regions.

Explore → Sole use

Exclusive-Use & Buyouts

Take over an entire Mara camp for your family or group.

Explore → For two

Honeymoons

Star beds, balloons and private dinners on the plains.

Explore → Together

Family Safaris

Space, safety and guides who enthral every generation.

Explore → Through the lens

Photographic Safaris

Private vehicles and the Mara’s incomparable light.

Explore → Pair with

Laikipia

Add rhino and wide horizons for the classic seven nights.

Explore →

Questions, answered

Planning your Mara safari.

When is the Great Migration in the Masai Mara?
The herds are typically in the Mara from July to October, when the Mara River crossings are at their peak. Crossings depend on rainfall and instinct and cannot be scheduled, so we build in the time and local knowledge to be there when one happens. Outside these months the resident wildlife keeps the Mara superb year-round.
Should I stay in the reserve or a private conservancy?
For a VIP safari, a private conservancy — nearly always. Conservancies cap vehicle numbers, allow off-road driving, night drives and walking, and offer exclusive-use camps, while the wildlife still moves freely to and from the reserve. We base you in a conservancy and visit the reserve for the set-piece migration moments. See conservancy vs reserve.
How do I avoid the crowds at the crossings?
Timing and knowledge. We base you in a low-density conservancy, enter the reserve early or late when the minibuses thin out, and rely on guides who know where the herds are massing. You’ll witness the drama from the quiet side.
How do I get to the Masai Mara, and how long does it take?
By private charter from Wilson Airport in Nairobi — roughly a 45-minute flight to a conservancy airstrip, where your guide meets the aircraft. It avoids a long road journey entirely; the safari begins as you land. See private flying safaris.
How many nights should I spend in the Mara?
Three to four nights is ideal — enough to explore a conservancy in depth and visit the reserve, without rushing. Many guests then fly on to Laikipia or the coast for a classic seven-to-ten-night journey.
Can I do a hot-air balloon safari, and is the Mara good for families?
Yes to both. A dawn balloon over the plains is one of the Mara’s signature experiences, and the conservancies are excellent for families — space, private guides, flexible pacing and, at Olderkesi or an exclusive-use camp, total privacy for a group.

Begin

Your Mara, quietly arranged.

Tell us your dates and how you like to travel, and a travel designer will craft a private Mara journey — in confidence.

Plan a Mara safari → Explore other destinations

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