One of the most trusted names in luxury travel is now in the safari business. The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is the first property in the region for The Ritz-Carlton, as well as for parent company Marriott International.
Located just steps from the Kenya–Tanzania border — and a 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport — the resort opened in August with the aim to deliver a memorable wilderness experience with the standards of service and hospitality associated with The Ritz-Carlton.
From Nairobi, travelers can opt for a short flight or a five-hour scenic drive.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp
Besides being an exciting sustainable luxury addition in the area, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is part of the brand’s strategic expansion plan, which includes other innovative new verticals such as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
"We are evolving from a portfolio of luxury hotels into a global curator of meaningful journeys across land, sea and wilderness,” said Jamie Kerr, vice president and global brand leader of The Ritz-Carlton.
We are evolving from a portfolio of luxury hotels into a global curator of meaningful journeys across land, sea and wilderness.
Kerr says that more Ritz-branded safari hotels are not out of the question, but that the company is focusing on first establishing The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp.
The property promises to tailor every experience to the client.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari CampWhat To Know About The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp
According to the camp’s group general manager, Barnabas Wamoto, travel advisors should position the property — where rates begin at $3,500 a night, per person — as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, ideal for exclusive milestone celebrations, honeymoons and solo or family adventures.
“There’s just 20 tented suites, each elevated with a private terrace and plunge pool overlooking the savannah and Sand River,” he said.
The camp’s 20 suites offer a plunge pool and stargazing decks.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari CampStarting at 1,755 square feet, suites are massive for the area and highlight local craftsmanship and the landscape. Ideal for ultra-luxe clients, they offer indoor-outdoor lounges, canopy-level stargazing decks and heated plunge pools. Plus, they are serviced by butlers — but with a local twist.
"An Encholiek, which means ‘one who walks with you,’ is a personal butler and cultural guide, assigned to provide attentive and personalized service,” Wamoto said. “From the moment guests arrive at the airstrip, their Encholiek accompanies them, curating every aspect of their experience.”
Guests also receive a private safari vehicle, which allows for personalized game drives. And families with kids ages six and up have access to a dedicated kids club, which emphasizes edutainment and connection to nature through storytelling sessions with Maasai elders and creative workshops inspired by Maasai crafts. The resort also offers The Young Warrior Programme, an educational journey led by Maasai guides that includes nature walks and a rite-of-passage certificate to mark their experience.
There are numerous opportunities to learn about Maasai culture.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari CampAdults can experience immersive rituals at the Discovery Hub, which features a dedicated Cultural Ambassador and celebrates the Maasai tradition of storytelling, sharing environmental knowledge and connections to the land. There are also a Photography Studio and a Map Room for travelers who want to dive deeper into photography and expeditions, respectively.
Wamoto also says that the camp stands out for its culinary and wellness offerings — which encompass multiple unique dining venues, locally inspired menus, spa rituals, yoga and cultural experiences.
In addition to breakfasts in the bush and in-suite dining, options include Nest, the camp’s signature restaurant, which offers global favorites with an East African twist. In the evening, Canopy bar and lounge serves small plates and bush-inspired cocktails — and guests can partake in a ritual where they can select their own blend of local spices to infuse in gin or cocktails.
Nest is the camp’s signature restaurant.
Credit: 2025 The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari CampThe elevated Upeo Sky Deck hosts dinners under the stars, complete with stargazing and mythic tales; the Wine Cellar offers sommelier-led tastings of rare vintages paired with a six-course menu of regional delicacies; and Boma specializes in grilled meats and indigenous flavors, accompanied by Maasai music and storytelling.
The fully solar-powered camp is among the most energy-efficient in East Africa, with enough battery storage to power the property for up to three days. More than 70% of the camp's team are from local communities, supported by a dedicated youth apprenticeship program in hospitality. And the camp is also developing an initiative to train and employ female wildlife rangers as conservation ambassadors.
Wamoto believes that luxury travel advisors in the U.S. will be a strong booking engine for the resort and assures advisors that the property can handle a wide range of luxury clients thanks to its flexibility and ability to create curated experiences.
“With private game drives, tailored itineraries and intuitive service, guests can enjoy adventure at their own pace,” he said.
