What’s the most exclusive camp in Maasai Mara?

What’s the Most Exclusive Camp in Maasai Mara?

The Maasai Mara is one of the most celebrated safari destinations in the world—a land of boundless plains, golden light, and some of the highest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. From the thunderous Great Migration to year-round big cat encounters, the Mara offers unforgettable safari moments at every turn. But for travelers who seek the rarest form of luxury—privacy, exclusivity, world-class service, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences—the natural question becomes: What’s the most exclusive camp in the Maasai Mara?

While the Mara is home to many exceptional luxury camps, one camp consistently stands at the top of the list for its unmatched exclusivity, refined elegance, and intimate wilderness experience: Mara Plains Camp. Located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains is not just a safari lodge—it is one of the most exclusive hideaways in Africa.

In this in-depth guide, we explore what makes Mara Plains Camp the most exclusive camp in the Maasai Mara, the features that define its outstanding reputation, alternative exclusive options for ultra-luxury travelers, and how to plan the perfect exclusive safari experience in this iconic African wilderness.

What Makes a Maasai Mara Camp “Exclusive”?

Exclusivity in the Maasai Mara goes far beyond luxury amenities. A truly exclusive camp must offer:
Unmatched privacy
Limited guest numbers
Private or semi-private conservancy access
Exceptional wildlife density with minimal vehicle traffic
Top-tier guiding and service
Sophisticated design blending with nature
Personalized, tailored experiences
World-class cuisine
Opportunities for special activities like night drives and bush walks

Private conservancies, such as Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North, and Ol Kinyei, allow only a limited number of vehicles and offer a far more intimate safari experience compared to the main Maasai Mara National Reserve. This combination of exclusivity and supreme wildlife viewing is what sets elite camps apart.

Introducing Mara Plains Camp: The Pinnacle of Exclusivity

Mara Plains Camp, owned by Great Plains Conservation, is widely considered the most exclusive safari camp in the Maasai Mara. Located in the 33,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy—home to some of the highest wildlife densities in Africa—the camp embraces its guests in a world of refined elegance and untouched wilderness.

Why Mara Plains Camp Is the Most Exclusive Camp in Maasai Mara

Only a Small Number of Guests

Mara Plains hosts a maximum of 14 guests, ensuring an intimate and highly personalized experience. With only seven custom-designed suites, each spaced far apart, guests enjoy total privacy and serenity.

Private Conservancy Access

Olare Motorogi Conservancy is one of the most private and wildlife-rich areas in the entire Mara ecosystem. Vehicle density is strictly controlled, meaning you will rarely encounter other vehicles during game drives. This creates rare photographic and wildlife moments found nowhere else.

Guests at Mara Plains also enjoy unlimited access to both the private conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, offering the best of both worlds.

Ultra-Luxurious Suites

Each suite is a masterpiece of luxury and design:
Expansive canvas tents with hardwood floors
Private verandas overlooking the plains
Private plunge pools
Handcrafted furniture and Swahili-inspired décor
Spacious bathrooms with copper bathtubs
Personalized service from dedicated hosts

The suites blend opulence with nature in perfect harmony.

A Private Photography Hide

Photography lovers have exclusive access to an underground hide overlooking a wildlife-rich watering hole. From here, you can capture elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and more from a dramatic low-angle perspective.

Exceptional Guiding and Personalized Safari Experience

Great Plains Conservation is known for its world-class guides—some of the best in Africa. Each safari is customized based on your interests:
Predators
Birding
Photography
Migration river crossings
Walking safaris
Night drives

With a high guide-to-guest ratio, you enjoy ultimate flexibility.

World-Class Cuisine and Elegant Dining

Mara Plains features private dining experiences tailored to your preferences. Meals are prepared by talented chefs using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Whether you prefer bush breakfasts, private dinners under the stars, or long lunches overlooking the savannah, the dining experience is consistently exceptional.

Vehicles Designed for Exclusivity

Each guest group receives a custom-designed open-sided Toyota Land Cruiser with charging ports, beanbags for photography, and comfortable seating. This ensures private or semi-private game drives.

Access to the Mara Plains Skybed and Sister Camps

For an even more exclusive touch, guests can combine their stay with:
Mara Nyika Camp
Mara Expedition Camp
Private skybed experiences under the stars

These combinations elevate exclusivity to the highest levels.

What It’s Like to Stay at Mara Plains: A Typical Day

Imagine waking before dawn to the distant roar of lions. After a steaming cup of Kenyan coffee, you board your private safari vehicle and head out as the sun rises over the savannah, casting golden light across the plains.

You spend the morning tracking a leopard with her cub, photographing elephants bathing in the river, or watching cheetahs scanning the horizon from termite mounds. Your guide positions the vehicle perfectly for light, composition, and behavior—creating unforgettable photographic moments.

Your breakfast is served in the bush—fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, and champagne. After the morning drive, you return to your suite for a relaxing bath, reading on the veranda, or enjoying your private plunge pool.

Lunch is served under the shade of towering acacia trees. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the photography hide, take a nature walk, or rest before your evening game drive.

As the sun sets, you enjoy sundowners perched on a hill, watching the sky turn orange and purple. Night falls as you return to camp with lanterns lighting your pathway. Dinner is a candlelit masterpiece paired with fine wines.

Finally, you fall asleep to the sounds of the wild—hyenas calling, lions asserting dominance, and birds singing gently in the night.

This is the exclusivity Mara Plains offers every single day.

Other Exclusive Camps in the Maasai Mara Worth Considering

While Mara Plains is often considered the most exclusive, several other high-end camps offer extraordinary luxury and privacy:

Angama Mara

Located high on the Oloololo Escarpment, Angama offers unmatched views, world-class service, and romantic glass-fronted suites.

Mahali Mzuri

Sir Richard Branson’s luxury camp in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, known for its futuristic tents and impeccable service.

Kichwa Tembo’s Private Bateleur Camp

A refined, intimate camp with exceptional views and private safari experiences.

Mara Nyika Camp

A Great Plains sister camp known for exclusivity, subtle luxury, and perfect wildlife access.

Naboisho Camp

Located in the private Naboisho Conservancy, known for exceptional guiding and fewer vehicles.

These camps offer world-class service, but Mara Plains remains the ultimate expression of exclusivity.

Why Exclusive Camps Matter

Exclusive camps ensure:
Fewer people
More wildlife
Uncrowded sightings
Unrestricted photography
Customized safari days
Quiet, intimate environments
Personalized service
Better conservation impact
Higher safety and comfort levels

For travelers seeking deep immersion in Kenya’s wilderness without compromise, exclusivity is essential.

How to Choose the Best Exclusive Camp for You

Before choosing a camp, consider:
Your preferred level of privacy
Interest in photography
Whether you want a private conservancy or main reserve access
Budget for ultra-luxury
The style of accommodation you prefer
Desired activities (balloon rides, walking safaris, hide photography)

The most exclusive camps often book out months in advance, especially during the Great Migration (July–October).

Book Your Exclusive Maasai Mara Safari with Experiya Tour Company

To experience the most exclusive safari camps in the Maasai Mara—especially Mara Plains Camp—book your journey with Experiya Tour Company. Their expert safari planners secure spaces at Kenya’s most prestigious camps, arrange seamless bush flights, customize your daily travel experiences, and provide personalized support every step of the way. Whether you want private conservancy access, luxury accommodations, balloon safaris, or photography-focused adventures, Experiya ensures your exclusive Maasai Mara safari is exceptional from start to finish.