GOVERNORS‘ PRIVATE CAMP Mara, Kenya

The Camp is located along the banks of the Mara River, Kenya (open throughout the year)

Camp description: Camp description: To enhance and complete the services of Governors’ Camp in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, we are pleased to offer Governors’ Private Camp. As the name suggests, this camp is available for the exclusive use of individual groups. It is their own “private camp”.

Governors’ Private Camp has all the assets of an individually tailored mobile safari, with the added bonus of the highly specialised experience and back-up of Governors’ Camp.

The professional and well-established infrastructure that operates behind the scenes makes it possible for us to offer the full services and facilities of Governors’ Camp to Governors’ Private Camp throughout the year.

Our Executive Chef is responsible for planning the menus at Private Camp and for ensuring that the food is of the highest possible quality.

We have gone to great lengths to maintain the traditional safari atmosphere and the comforts that have been incorporated do not in any way detract from this concept.

Governors’ Private Camp can be booked by individual clients, or by small parties, who want the exclusivity of a private safari camp without the daunting costs normally associated with this degree of luxury.

We cater for up to 16 people, in beautifully appointed and luxurious tents which we have developed through the years and now adapted, without any compromise, for our Governors’ Private Camp.

The Masai Mara is a unique area with a constant and unrivalled flow of wildlife throughout the year.

From July to October the Mara becomes a backdrop for one of the last great natural wonders of the world, when 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra surge up from the Serengeti plains in their annual search for the seasonal grasses that sustain them.

The spectacle as the vast herds cross rivers and sweep through the golden grasses, is punctuated by individual struggles with the predators, which are in turn drawn to take their part in this dramatic event.

Whilst the migration is spectacular, game viewing at all other times of the year remains almost unrivalled anywhere in Africa.

There are various activities on offer: game viewing excursions in open vehicles, game walks or balloon flights over the wide plains of the Masai Mara.

Day excursions to the Lake Victoria are also on offer. We recommend that clients book this excursion well in advance and combine the Lake Victoria trip with an overnight stay at Mfangano Island Camp.

All meals, drinks (except champagne), three game viewing excursions daily, game walks as well as laundry are included in our price.

Park entrance fees, as well as other activities (such as ballooning, the Lake Victoria excursion, a visit to a Masai village) are to be paid in addition to the rate.

Please announce special dietary requirements to us in advance.

Please note: luggage restriction of 15 kg on all domestic flights. Extra luggage can be left at your base hotel in Nairobi. Bookings through your local ground handling agent or directly with Governors’ Camp.

Information and Details

Location: On a private spot on the banks of the Mara River in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

Number of beds: 8 tents (maximum 16 beds)

Double & Twins: Twins and double tents as per requirement

Facilities: En-suite bathrooms with his and her safari showers, hot and cold water, basin and flush toilet

Tents: Spacious luxurious safari tents under canvas, each with private verandah

Electricity: Gas & Paraffin lamps in tents. (220 Volt plugs at the Governors’ Camp reception)

Bar/Restaurant: Open bar and dining tent with view over the Mara river

Room service: Room service on request. Tea and coffee is served in the tents with the morning wake up call

Bush meals: Bush breakfast, lunch & dinner can be organised on request at a supplementary cost

Laundry: Daily at no extra cost

Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard, American Express and Traveller Cheques are accepted

Communication: Telephone, Fax and Email at Governors’ Camp

Radio contact with other camps and the Nairobi office

Musiara Airstrip: Length 1.600 m, all weather gravel airstrip, Coordinates: S 0117.98 E 03503.92

Activities:

Game viewing excursions:

3 game viewing excursions per day, early and mid morning as well as in the afternoon with experienced driver guides in the Masai Mara Game Reserve (included in price) Balloon Safari: With professional balloon pilots daily, at dawn, in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, followed by a champagne bush breakfast and game viewing on return to camp (extra Cost)

Game walks: Daily with qualified guides in a private concession area adjacent to the Masai Mara Game Reserve; morning with a champagne bush breakfast and afternoon with sundowners and canapés (included in the price)

Culture: Visits to a nearby Masai village (manyatta) can be arranged (to be paid locally) or visits to the local school, one of the Governors’ Camps charity and community support initiatives

Mfangano Island Day excursions to Lake Victoria by light aircraft: Bird watching, boat rides, Camp on Lake walking and fishing are available on Lake Victoria. Excursion with overnight at Victoria: Mfangano Island Camp is highly recommended (booking prior to the trip advisable) (additional cost)

General Seasons: Open throughout the year. Peak season months August and September and 15th – 31st December. High season months January – March inclusive and June, July, October, November and 1st – 14th December. Green season – April and May

Children: Children of all ages are welcome and catered for

Rate includes: Airstrip transfers, accommodation, meals, 3 game viewing excursions daily, drinks (with the exception of Champagne) and laundry

Rate excludes: Flights, champagne, Park entrance fees

Health: Preventative Malaria medication is recommended

How to get there and transfers:

Flights: Air Kenya & Twice daily (10:00 hrs & 15:00 hrs) scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Safari Link: Musiara Airstrip (duration approx. 45 minutes).

Clients met on arrival and transferred with a Landrover to the camp (duration approx. 15 minutes). Return Musiara Airstrip – Nairobi twice daily (11:00 hrs & 16:00 hrs)

There are scheduled flights from other airstrips in Kenya such as Nanyuki, Samburu, Lewa, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Ukunda (Diani)

Charter flights: From all airports/airstrips in Kenya to Musiara Airstrip

Luggage restriction: Maximum 15 kg luggage per person in small air craft including hand luggage

Road transfer: Ex / to Nairobi is possible. Duration approx. 6 hours (depending upon road conditions)