In the heart of Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, where golden savannahs stretch endlessly and the Sand River winds through acacia groves, The Ritz-Carlton has unveiled its first safari retreat — an intimate treetop camp that marries luxury with deep cultural immersion. Just steps from the Kenya–Tanzania border, the camp offers travellers a rare opportunity to connect with nature, wildlife, and Maasai traditions while experiencing the brand’s legendary service in one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.
A Treetop Haven in the Wild
On arrival, guests are welcomed with traditional Maasai rituals, a symbolic blessing, and the fresh scent of leleshwa leaves before settling into one of 20 tented suites, including a Presidential Villa. These are set on raised platforms and offer panoramic views of the riverine forest. Designed by LW Design with principles of biophilic architecture, the raised canvas structures echo the curves of the Sand River and blend seamlessly into the landscape. Each suite features private plunge pools, canopy-level stargazing decks, and indoor-outdoor lounges, with interiors that celebrate Kenyan craftsmanship through hand-carved wood, semi-volcanic stone, woven textiles by local women, and intricate Maasai beadwork. Art further roots the retreat in its setting, from Simon Bannister’s dynamic cheetah sculptures to photographic portraits by Gian Paolo Tomasi and archival images of Maasai rituals by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher.
Traditions That Touch the Soul
Guests are entrusted to Encholiek, a Maasai cultural guide and intuitive butler who provides storytelling, service, and seamless immersion into the rhythms of the Mara. Days unfold with private guided safaris in open-air luxury Land Cruisers, revealing the Big Five alongside wildebeest river crossings and over 500 bird species. Other highlights include visits to the Kenya-Tanzania Border Stone, sunrise hot-air balloon flights with champagne breakfasts, and dusk ceremonies marked by the haunting call of a Maasai warrior’s horn. At the heart of the camp, the Discovery Hub offers cultural and creative engagement. Guided by resident experts and a Cultural Ambassador, guests get to explore Maasai storytelling traditions, beadwork, pottery, and photography workshops.
Flavours of Mara
Dining is a sensory journey across the four venues. Nest, the signature restaurant, reimagines global dishes with East African flair, while Canopy bar serves bush-inspired cocktails enhanced by the Spice of Africa ritual. The elevated Upeo Sky Deck hosts celestial dinners under starlit skies, complemented by telescopic stargazing, and the Boma brings evenings alive with Maasai music, storytelling, and feasts of grilled meats and indigenous flavours. Wine enthusiasts can indulge in sommelier-led tastings of rare vintages in the camp’s intimate cellar.
Sustainability At Heart
Sustainability is central to the camp’s vision. Fully solar-powered with a 650kW solar farm and advanced water recycling systems, it operates under a strict zero-waste-to-landfill policy. Conservation efforts include biodiversity monitoring with infrared cameras, riparian forest restoration, and guest-led tree-planting. Community empowerment initiatives employ more than 70% of staff locally, train female wildlife rangers, and support schools like Emboo Primary through book donations and fruit tree planting.
Accessible via a 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport or a five-hour drive from the Nairobi border, The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp sets a new benchmark for eco-luxury in Africa. Rates begin at $3,500 (INR 3,05,031 approx.) per person, per night, all-inclusive.
“This is a place that stirs your soul,” says Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury at Marriott International. “It’s a new chapter for The Ritz-Carlton — one where our service and values come alive in one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.”
