Ritz-Carlton’s first-ever safari camp is opening as of today, though that isn’t happening without controversy…
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Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp basics
The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp has opened as of August 15, 2025. The property is located within Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, and is elevated among trees on a secluded island, surrounding the Sand River, near the Tanzanian border.
The Ritz-Carlton boasts 20 tented suites, including a four-bedroom presidential suite. Each suite has a separate living area, private sunken lounge, infinity plunge pool, and indoor and outdoor showers. Suites start at 163 square meters (1,754 square feet), but that includes both indoor and outdoor space.
Additional facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness center with an outdoor gym, a discovery hub, a map room, and a photography studio.
The property also features dining experiences across multiple venues, including an all-day dining restaurant with a wine cellar, a stargazing sky deck, and an authentic boma.
Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara rates & points requirements
With the Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara now open, what are rates like? The property is all-inclusive, so rates include meals, drinks, game drives, etc.
When paying cash, rates vary significantly based on whether you’re booking single occupancy or double occupancy. The absolute lowest single occupancy rates that I see are $2,600+ per night, while the cheapest double occupancy rates I see are $4,400+ per night. This hotel is certainly pricing itself at the top end of the market, pretty close to Singita pricing. It remains to be seen if the quality of the experience warrants that.
For those looking to redeem Bonvoy points for a stay, rates currently start at just over 270,000 points per night, and of course with Marriott Bonvoy, you get a fifth night free.
Best case scenario, you can expect to pay an average of around 220,000 points per night, if staying exactly five nights. The cost with points is the same whether booking single or double occupancy, which is quite a contrast to the cash rates.
Points redemptions are a good deal compared to cash bookings. However, we’re talking about a lot of points to spend in absolute terms, so it’s not like this is some amazing bargain.
Why the Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara is being sued
Make of this what you will, but the Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara’s opening isn’t without drama. The director of the Institute for Maasai Education, Research and Conservation (MERC) has filed in a Kenyan court against Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, and the local developer.
The lawsuit argues that the camp obstructs a crucial migration corridor between Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti. Researchers suggest that this migration allows wildebeests to find food and maintain genetic diversity among herds.
The lawsuit also claims that there’s no evidence of an environmental impact assessment having been conducted. So the request is that the hotel’s opening be suspended, though it seems to be moving forward, for the time being.
The local developer claims that the property obtained all the necessary approvals, and that an environmental impact assessment was conducted, which established that the site was not a wildlife crossing point. So make of this what you will…
Bottom line
A Ritz-Carlton safari camp has opened in Masai Mara, Kenya. The property features 20 tents, and is all-inclusive, as is standard for safari properties. This looks like a nice property, though the pricing is very steep, in line with the best safari operators out there.
The Ritz-Carlton’s opening is coming with some controversy, as a conservationist claims that the hotel is blocking a critical migration point, which the safari camp’s owner denies.
What do you make of the Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp?
I think the development there is sad and takes away from the experience. In that part of Africa there are a number of branded properties now. ....
Hi Ben. Not sure of best way to contact you but email sent to [email protected] and also on your Twitter/Bluesky posts. Can definitely route them another way if better!
To get the highest points "value" have to spend 5 nights here which seems very excessive to repeat the same activities everyday with 2 game drives!
"The lawsuit also claims that there’s no evidence of an environmental impact assessment having been conducted."
The local developer claims...that an environmental impact assessment was conducted..."
So...no environmental impact assessment was conducted.
Exactly. I hope MERC wins. Tired of us as a species wrecking so much of the planet for 'gram posts of our floating breakfasts
At the same time these hypocrites keep pumping out more children and overpopulating the planet they claim to protect.
Did anyone conduct environmental impact assessment before they stop using contraception?
Even after breeding more 'gram posters and viewers?