Little Governors' Camp
Governors has been pioneering immersive and transformational safaris in the Mara since 1972. We were the first operators to be permanently based inside the Mara, our site was chosen for its prime location and was the designated “getaway” for the Governors of Kenya. Unfenced and right in the heart of the action. Our camps are Located in some of the best and most precious Wildlife Locations in the world. We are a family with a colourful cast of characters that embodies the spirit of safari, while placing the care of the environment, community & conservation at the heart of everything we do.
Little Governors’ is intimate in character, with just 17 luxury en-suite tents tucked around a large watering hole that teems with both birds and wildlife. The camp is approached by a boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through the riverine forest. Vehicles are left on the far river bank, and the camp is therefore quiet and undisturbed. The guest tents at Little Governors’ have recently been renovated and now have great wooden decks with large verandahs for guests to enjoy the constant game activity that takes place around the watering hole at the camp. All Governors’ properties are unfenced, and at Little Governors’ there is a resident family of warthogs that wander freely through the camp. Guests may need to make way for elephants which sometimes visit the camp at lunch time.
Little Governors Camp has just been awarded a Gold Eco-Rating from Eco Tourism Kenya due to our sustainable practices in place in camp which include a comprehensive solar energy system which runs all the camps energy supply. We have also eliminated all plastic bottles from camp replacing them with stainless steel water bottles and a reverse osmosis water filtration system. We have also replaced all plastic guest toiletry bottles with stainless steel re-fillable bottles.
Tent (16 rooms)
The guest tents at Little Governors' are all tucked into the forest overlooking a waterhole frequented by a myriad of animals. Each one is spacious with an en-suite bathroom, with polished wooden decks and large verandas to enable guests to relax and enjoy the panorama of animals visiting the watering hole in front.
Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident family of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors' properties are unfenced and in the heart of the Reserve, elephants may also stroll past. In the evening a warming log fire burns in front of the Bar Tent, and dinner is served in the nearby Dining Tent.
Honeymoon suite (1 room)
Tent 17 or the Honeymoon suite is located at the edge of the camp with wonderful wide views over the waterhole and plains. It has a wild and private feeling. The tent is spacious with an en-suite bathroom, polished wooden deck with large veranda to enable guests to relax and enjoy the panorama of animals visiting the watering hole in front.
Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident family of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors' properties are unfenced and in the heart of the Reserve, elephants may also stroll past. In the evening a warming log fire burns in front of the Bar Tent, and dinner is served in the nearby Dining Tent.
Game Drives
Governors’ Camp properties combine the best locations in the Masai Mara with the best-designed vehicles and exceptionally highly trained and experienced guides to give our clients un-matched game-viewing and photographic opportunities in the world’s prime wildlife area. We are in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara Our vehicles are custom built 4 wheel drive landrovers. We take you out twice a day into the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve and surrounding areas. Our driver-guides are hand-picked and nurtured by us. They undergo a continuous guide training scheme mentored by experts in the field. Having operated in the Masai Mara for 40 years our driver-guides have an un-paralleled knowledge of the reserve combined with a deep understanding and respect for the importance of this wilderness area, its flora and its fauna.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
The adventure begins just before dawn. Departure is from a perfect natural launch site behind Little Governors’ Camp, and flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. The first, pink tongues of sunlight flicker across the skies as the hot air balloon fills, then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a game-viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective. What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness: the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara. Even if you’ve flown elsewhere, this is a unique experience. The flight lasts an hour or so, drifting wherever the air currents take you, and with ample opportunities for photography and video filming. Then your Kenyan Hot Air Balloon Safari finishes with a flourish. In the time honoured tradition of balloon flights the world over, you toast your return to earth with a champagne breakfast, cooked wherever you land. The Balloon Safari ends with some leisurely game viewing on the way back to Camp.
Walking Safari
Leave your vehicle behind and take a walking safari with one of our experienced and qualified naturalists for the true thrill of the bush. Down on the same level as the animals you will experience the untamed beauty of the Mara. Our walking safaris take place in the morning in a private concession area adjacent to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The scenery here very much differs from the Masai Mara. Picturesque acacia trees characterise the hilly landscape. The walk takes approximately 21⁄2 to 3 hours but can be tailored to any needs.
Ask for a 5.30am wake up call. Depart from your camp by vehicle at 6.00am and a 45 minute drive will take you to the walking area. Hot beverages and biscuits will be available during which time the guide will brief you. Most walks commence at 7.00am, with the walk will take you through differing habitats from open grassland plains to acacia thickets and riverside forests. You will track game, unsure what waits round the next corner - giraffe, buffalo, hyena, zebra or even lion. You will catch the scents and sounds of the wild Africa.
The walk ends approximately at 9.30 – 10.00am in the Lemek group ranch under the shade of African Olive trees. A classic Governors Camp champagne breakfast is served after which a game drive will take you back to your camp in time for lunch. Your drive back to the camp again is a game drive through the Masai Mara. Afternoon walking safaris are finished with sundowner drinks and canapés.
Participants in a walking safari should be in good health and be reasonably fit and active. There is no path as such and some parts of the walk lead through hilly and rocky areas. Children under 12 years are, for safety reasons, not allowed to participate in walking safaris. Walking safaris can either be booked in advance or in camp subject to availability.
Cultural Visit
The Masai people of East Africa are a striking image, synonymous with safari. A proud people with many traditional practices still very much alive in their culture. Visit a local Masai village and learn about who they are in their own words.
Visit Community Projects
Visits to our responsible tourism projects can be organised from camp. Mara Rianda Primary School and Mara Rianda Medical Centre are two inspirational projects supported by Governors’ Camps.
Find more information about the projects here:
https://www.governorscamp.com/discover/community-conservation/new-health-centre-at-mara-rianda/
https://www.governorscamp.com/discover/community-conservation/mararianda-school-program/
Mara-Meru Cheetah Project
Since the beginning of the 20th Century the cheetah population has fallen dramatically from 100'000 individuals to 7'500 individuals with human activity a major cause.
It is therefore important to understand the cheetah-human interface, which is one of the key works of the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project, led by Dr. Elena Chelyseva. Our Governors' Guides play a critical role in the data collection for Dr. Elena and her team, reporting through sightings and behaviour observations of cheetah spotted. Dr Elena enjoys sharing her expertise on the cheetahs in the area with our guests through talks or by accompanying guests game drives.
Please let us know if you would like to pre-book a talk or a guided game drive with Elena when booking your safari for advice on costs.
Photographic Safaris
For 2020, Governors’ Camp is hosting a professional photographer in the Mara - available to be booked by our guests for accompanied photo safaris and in-depth tutorials on all elements of photography, including editing.
Will Fortescue comes to us with a first class degree in Marine and Natural History Photography and experience with photo-safaris in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Namibia and Ethiopia.
Since January 2019, he has lead private and group photo safaris for our guests as well as creating high quality digital content for our social media and marketing purposes. He will be based at Governors’ Camp but is able to travel between any of our Mara camps. The major benefit of having Will as a resident photographer is that these safaris can be tailored exactly to your needs and adapted to your style and level of photography; it doesn’t matter if it’s the first, or the thousandth time you’ve picked up a camera.
Governors' also has 3 photo safari vehicles. Listening to the specific needs and recommendations of the photographers we've hosted, we've modified three Landrover vehicles, to include same level seating throughout, cut out side panels in the middle row to get those much desired low angle shots, high roofs, fully folding windscreens and wide side panelling to offer the perfect place for resting a beanbag and long lens.
The cars are available on an exclusive use basis and can be requested for and reserved while making your Governors' booking. They are available at all our camps in the Masai Mara.
To find out more about Little Governors' Camp click HERE
For a video on Little Governors' Camp click HERE
