Stay at Governors’, the Maasai Mara’s original tented camp

Governors’ is the original Maasai Mara tented camp, established over 40 years ago by Aris and Romi Grammaticas. It’s situated in one of the richest places for wildlife in the Mara – there’s nowhere else like it. We’re set in forest right on the banks of the Mara River, just 10 minutes from the Governors’ airstrip, which guests fly into on a private plane. The river attracts all kinds of wildlife, from grazing game to elephants, crocodiles and hippos. You’ll also see the Marsh Pride of lions from the BBC’s Big Cat Diaries, as their territory lies right on our doorstep.

We were the first permanent tented camp in Africa and offer all the comforts you could need including electricity, hot showers, a fully-stocked bar and even a spa where you can relax after game drives. We have a dining tent where gourmet chefs prepare three-course dinners. The highlight, though, is the view. From the moment you wake up, you can look out over the Mara from your own private veranda. Most of our tents have views of the river, where herds of wildebeest often cross during the Great Migration, but we also have eight family tents that face the savannah.

Watch as TV traveller Simon Reeve meetings Harrison, Camp Manager at Governors‘

Governors’ Camp is unfenced, so a lot of wild animals wander through. We get elephants on a daily basis, including family groups and a lone bull that we call Blossom. You’ll also see hippos, lions and even leopards; there’s one just outside of camp who we’ve named Romi after one of the Governors’ founders. Our security is always on-hand to walk guests to and from their tents after dark. Kids also get the chance to join our Mongoose Club and explore  with a naturalist, who’ll teach them about the local wildlife and how to identify animal tracks.

You’ll be woken in your tent with hot drinks and freshly-baked cookies before setting off on the first of our three daily game drives, which take place at 6.30am, 3.30pm and 6.30-7pm. You can return to camp in between for meals or enjoy bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and sundowners while you’re out on the plains. To personalise the experience, you’ll have your own safari guide who you’ll really get to know. Our guides are an amazing resource, they know the best spots to see wildlife and can point out the Marsh lions by name.

Aside from game drives, we offer many incredible Maasai Mara experiences for guests. A favourite is the balloon safari where you drift across the Mara River as the sun rises and enjoy a champagne breakfast on the plains. We also take clients to our local Maasai village to learn about the community. I’m a Maasai Kenyan so the Mara is in my fingertips, I grew up here and have worked my way up at Governors’ from waiter to barman, safari guide and now manager.

I also worked as a community liaison officer and still give lectures to guests, teaching them about real Maasai life. Governors’ is proud to support the local community by taking people on as staff members, like me, and funding projects like schools and health clinics. It’s really a special place, we have people from all over Kenya working here in harmony – we call it a family and even the top managers know all the staff by name.