Reserve or conservancy?
Mara camps sit in three kinds of places. Some are inside the national reserve, either in the western Mara Triangle or on the eastern side near Sekenani Gate. Others sit in privately run conservancies that border the reserve, such as Naboisho and Olare Motorogi. A conservancy camp is not inside the national reserve, so it is a different set of fees and rules.
This page names camps in each area. It is not a ranking. Rates, opening dates and availability change, so confirm them directly with the camp for your dates.
Camps by area
Camps and lodges listed for each area.
| Area | Camps and lodges | What sets the area apart |
|---|---|---|
| Mara Triangle (inside the reserve) | Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Little Governors' Camp | Western reserve, bounded by the Mara River and the Oloololo Escarpment |
| Eastern reserve | Sarova Mara Game Camp | 2.5 km from Sekenani Gate |
| Naboisho Conservancy | Asilia Naboisho Camp, Encounter Mara, Hemingways Ol Seki Mara, Kicheche Valley, Mara Nyika | Community-owned land leased long term; guided walks and night drives offered at some camps |
| Olare Motorogi Conservancy | Porini Lion, Kicheche Bush, Mara Plains, Olare Mara Kempinski, Mahali Mzuri | Capped at 94 beds in 5 camps |
Do not assume a camp is inside the national reserve because it has Mara in its name. Ask which area it is in and which fees apply.
Mara safaris from your camp
Game drives, balloon flights and trips from Nairobi, with live prices and availability.
How the areas differ
What changes when you move from one to another.
Inside the Mara Triangle
The Triangle is the western part of the reserve, about 510 km² of the roughly 1,510 km² total. Entry is by day ticket, valid from 06:00 to 18:00, and the Triangle takes no cash for park fees. The administration does not book lodges for you, so contact the camps directly.
Park fees →The eastern reserve
Sarova Mara Game Camp lies inside the reserve, 2.5 km from Sekenani Gate. Sekenani is a gate on the eastern side, so a camp near it keeps the final stretch of the drive short.
Getting there →Naboisho Conservancy
Naboisho describes community-owned land leased long term, with the landowners as partners. Camps there offer guided walks, bush meals, fly camping and night drives, but each camp sets its own activities, age limits and inclusions. At Ol Seki, the fee is $130 per adult and $65 per child per night, plus $5 per person per night for the reserve fund. A park fee is added when you visit the national reserve.
Conservancies →Olare Motorogi Conservancy
The conservancy limits itself to 94 beds in 5 camps, with one viewing vehicle for every 2,100 acres. That is a density rule, not a cap on vehicles at one sighting. Ask each camp about its own fees and rules.
Booking and timing
Practical points before you reserve.
Book direct and check what is included
A published rate sheet shows prices, not free beds. Check the room category, the dates, what the rate covers and which fees are extra. At Governors' Camp, for example, full board, selected drinks and game drives are included, while park fees are separate and a community fee of $50 per person per night is added.
Costs →Seasons and minimum stays
Camp seasons differ from the migration season. Ol Seki's 2026 rate sheet lists a closure from 13 April to 22 May and a minimum stay of 2 nights in high and premium season. Other camps set their own dates.
Best time to visit →Shared and private drives
At some camps game drives are shared with other guests and a private vehicle is an extra. At Governors' Camp an exclusive vehicle carries up to 6 guests and costs $385 or $512 per day depending on the season.
Keekorok
Check the current status of Keekorok before you plan around it, both the lodge and the airstrip, and confirm it is open for your dates.
Camping
Free camping or overnight parking anywhere in the reserve is not allowed. Use a designated campsite and book it separately.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the camp fits in your route.
Conservancies
Naboisho, Mara North and Olare Motorogi compared.
Flights to the Mara
Airstrips, schedules and luggage limits.
Travel tips
Entry rules, money and what to pack.
If you plan to combine the Mara with Tanzania, see where to sleep on the other side of the border in the Serengeti where to stay guide.
Maasai Mara lodges and camps: frequently asked questions
Which lodges are inside the Mara Triangle?
Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Little Governors' Camp are listed for the Triangle. Check the current list with the camps when you book.
Is a conservancy camp inside the national reserve?
No. Conservancies such as Naboisho and Olare Motorogi are separate areas next to the reserve. They have their own fees and rules, and a reserve park fee applies when you visit the reserve.
Can I book a lodge through the Triangle administration?
No. The administration does not book lodges, so you contact the camps directly.
Do camps close during the year?
Some do. Ol Seki lists a closure from 13 April to 22 May for 2026. Always check the dates for your travel period.
Does a lodge price include park fees?
In the examples on this site, park fees are listed separately. Ask whether your quote includes them.