Marriott International's Ritz-Carlton brand has opened its first safari property, a 20-suite tented camp in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.
Located near the Kenya-Tanzania border along the Sand River, the Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp features elevated tented suites on raised platforms among acacia trees, with all-inclusive rates starting at $3,500 per person, per night.
The property offers amenities such as private plunge pools, outdoor showers and stargazing decks for each suite. The camp employs over 70% local staff and assigns each guest a personal encholiek, a Masai cultural guide and butler.
LW Design handled the architecture, incorporating biophilic design principles with canvas walls and indoor-outdoor lounges. Local artisans contributed hand-carved wood furnishings, woven textiles and integrated Masai beadwork throughout the property.
The Nest at the Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp features globally inspired cuisine Photo Credit: Marriott International
Dining venues include Nest restaurant for globally inspired cuisine, Canopy bar and lounge, an elevated Upeo Sky Deck for stargazing dinners and a traditional boma for Masai cultural experiences. The Whispering Tree Spa offers treatments using local botanicals like aloe and marula.
The camp operates on solar power with a solar farm and 7,000-kilowatt-hour battery storage system. A closed-loop water treatment system handles greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting, while the property maintains a zero-waste-to-landfill policy.
Keeping guests busy
Activities include twice-daily private game drives in Land Cruisers, hot air balloon flights, cultural experiences with Masai artisans and photography instruction with professional Canon equipment. A Young Warrior Programme targets children age 6 and older.
The property is accessible via 45-minute flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to nearby Serena Airstrip or by five-hour road transfer from Nairobi.
All-inclusive rates cover accommodations, meals, beverages (excluding premium spirits and specialty dining venues), two daily game drives, laundry, WiFi, photography equipment and airport transfers. Premium wine experiences and the Wine Cellar dining venue carry additional charges.