Little Governors Camp

Little Governors’ Camp is situated at the heart of one of the most game rich areas of the Masai Mara National Reserve. It is set on the Musiara Marshlands, which are watered by the Mara River, the area having traditionally been reserved for Kenya’s colonial Governors. The area surrounding Little Governors’ Camp is home to substantial herds of elephants, hippos and buffalos whilst also providing home for the herds of migrating zebra and wildebeest. The nearby plains are the classical image of savannah Africa, dotted with acacia trees and fringed by the inspiring Siria escarpment.  Hardly surprising that Little Governors’ was the setting for the filming of Out of Africa.
 
Little Governors’ Camp consists of 17 tents spread around the shores of the Musiara waterhole, which acts as the focal point for the site.  From the shade of your tent veranda you can relax and enjoy the views as giraffe, elephant, zebra and warthog pass by.  During the evening hippos and elephants graze in the grounds of the camp making the Masai askari (warden) guiding you back to the tent especially comforting.  The gas-lit tents are particularly comfortable and spacious with the shower room being especially well-equipped. Candlelit evening meals are of a high standard from a buffet bar and generally are eaten alfresco with views of the nearby Siara escarpment.
 
Little Governors’ is one of the few camps within the Masai Mara that provide three game drives every day and being a stones throw away from the Mara River ensures that the action during the migration season (July-October) is a short game drive away.  The start of your game drive is an adventure in itself, walking beneath the canopy of indigenous forest trees, two fairly steep sets of steps and a river crossing of your own, by hand-pulled ferry.  Not only are grazing animals particularly common in this area but big cat sightings are also particularly prevalent – it’s not for nothing that the BBC’s Big Cat Diary is filmed here.  The bushlands around Rhino Ridge are also good areas for spotting one of the Masai Mara’s 20 or so black rhinos.
 
In addition Little Governors’ Camp can provide alternative means of wildlife viewing - by foot outside the National Park or with a complementary bird walk around the camp to admire the 82 species of bird.  Sunrise balloon safaris also begin from the camp offering a spectacular way of witnessing the diversity present within the Mara. It is also possible to combine a stay at Little Governors with a relaxing break on the shores of Lake Victoria at Mfangano Island Camp, the 40 minute air transfer being available from the camp’s airstrip.
 
Fair Trade / Responsible Travel:
It is possible to visit the nearby Mararianta School, which has been completely rebuilt and developed with funds generated by Governors’ Camp and the BBC.  This establishment provides education for students who walk up to 10km through the bush each day.