A couple of weeks ago, Marriott announced plans to open two new safari camps in Kenya, including a Ritz-Carlton, plus a second JW Marriott. I want to post an update, as the Ritz-Carlton is now bookable with points, so let’s take a look at all the details.
In this post:
Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp opening August 2025
The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp is accepting reservations for stays as of August 15, 2025. The property will be located within Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, and will be elevated among trees on a secluded island, surrounding the Sand River, near the Tanzanian border.
The Ritz-Carlton will boast 20 tented suites, including a four-bedroom presidential suite. Each suite will have a separate living area, private sunken lounge, infinity plunge pool, and indoor and outdoor showers.
Plans include dining experiences across multiple venues, like a multi-cuisine restaurant with a curated wine cellar, a stargazing sky deck, and an authentic boma. Additional facilities will include a spa and wellness center, an outdoor gym, a swimming pool, a discovery hub, a map room, and a photography studio.
The property will be all-inclusive, so rates will include meals, drinks, game drives, etc. Currently, it seems like cash rates for double occupancy start at over $6,000 per night on most nights.
However, seasonally I see rates starting at $4,400 per night, which is as low as the cost currently gets.
The property has now also released points availability, for those looking to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. Rates are consistently over 300,000 points per night, and of course with Marriott Bonvoy, you get a fifth night free.
Best case scenario, you can expect to pay a bit over 240,000 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.
It goes without saying that this is a lot of points to spend. I suppose redeeming points could represent a good value compared to the cash cost of a stay, but still, this is far from a “steal.”
I’m curious how high quality this property ends up being, since branding means very little nowadays.
JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp opening early 2026
Interestingly, there’s not just one new Marriott safari camp planned for Kenya, but two. The JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp is expected to open in early 2026. That’s right, this will be in addition to the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, which opened in 2023.
This property will also feature 20 tented camps, including two-bedroom suites, each with a private plunge pool. Design plans include multiple wellness spaces, and four culinary experiences (including a traditional restaurant and a sky deck dining venue). The property will also boast a spa, swimming pool, fitness center, conservation house, horse barn, retail boutique, and animal viewing hide.
Beyond that, details remain quite limited. I’m just so confused by the branding. I was confused when the first JW Marriott safari lodge opened. JW Marriott is a brand known for its big convention hotels, so it’s not how you’d expect a 20-key safari lodge to be branded. But now we’re seeing not one, but two, JW Marriott safari lodges in the same country.
What am I missing? Please, someone help me understand this, because to me the JW Marriott safari branding has to be one of the greatest mysteries the hotel industry has ever seen.
Bottom line
A Ritz-Carlton safari camp will open in Masai Mara, Kenya, in August 2025, and is already bookable, with both cash and points. The property will feature 20 tents, and will be all-inclusive, as is standard for safari properties. Wildest of all is that there’s a second JW Marriott safari lodge coming to Kenya, and that’s expected to open in early 2026.
What are you expecting from the upcoming Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp?
lol, who would pay those cash or points rates? You can have a pretty nice safari, way more authentic for less than $1k per night with an operator like Porini
There's nothing authentic about luxury accommodation in the middle of a forest, it's by definition an artificial concept- not that there's anything wrong with that. I can see this type of product working for people who require and/or value privacy- I can't imagine taking the kids on city breaks for long weekends and mixing with the crowds being a lot of fun if you happen to be a prime minister, Real Madrid footballer, Hollywood celebrity,...
There's nothing authentic about luxury accommodation in the middle of a forest, it's by definition an artificial concept- not that there's anything wrong with that. I can see this type of product working for people who require and/or value privacy- I can't imagine taking the kids on city breaks for long weekends and mixing with the crowds being a lot of fun if you happen to be a prime minister, Real Madrid footballer, Hollywood celebrity, or well-known member of a royal family.
Personally I enjoyed doing safari in Swaziland while staying in a perfectly good 4* hotel in Mbabane. I paid something like $100 a night and could still have dinner at a restaurant popular with the locals.
Confused about branding at Marriott? I don't think that anyone, even at Marriott corporate, understands the branding.
Points cost seems reasonable compared to the rates.
How many people will ever accumulate enough points for 5 to 7 nights at 350,000-plus points per night? It's like they're doing this to keep away guests on points.
Worse yet, with no stability (thanks to no fixed award chart) you don't know how many points to start accumulating for that dream trip because the rate can increase at any time. Even if I did 100 nights at $500 per night as an ambassador I...
How many people will ever accumulate enough points for 5 to 7 nights at 350,000-plus points per night? It's like they're doing this to keep away guests on points.
Worse yet, with no stability (thanks to no fixed award chart) you don't know how many points to start accumulating for that dream trip because the rate can increase at any time. Even if I did 100 nights at $500 per night as an ambassador I wouldn't have anywhere near enough points for 5 nights at 357,000 points per night.
I don't know anyone just starting this gave could realistically accumulate enough points.
I am okay with the high rates to keep "points people" out -- the last thing that I need is someone vlogging about their stay and ruining the experience for everyone else.
As though "vloggers" account for any relevant portion of the type of people who tend to ruin the experience for everyone else.
Anyways, anyone who spends that kind of money for a brand in the Marriott portfolio is a complete sucker.
My assumption on those # of points is always small to medium business owners, like your local plumbers company, who get the benefit of a small % on a much larger $$ number of business expenses and may optimize for vacation vice pure cash back.
People who plan corporate events with large room blocs multiple times a year. Myself as an example I accumulate ~ 1.5million per year via the "Event Planner," perk.
The number of points seems reasonable to me, considering that at safari camps/lodges, all meals and game drives are usually included in the price. I'm also intrigued to see that it seems to be placed on the banks of a river. Always a good sign for a safari accommodation.
The construction of the JW looks a little too concrete-blockish, for me. I'd be interested to see what the rooms look like.
That’s a lot of points for no air conditioning. Stayed at the JW and it was nice but these rates are bound to come down.
Ben, I don't understand why you keep saying JW Marriotts are only known for convention hotels. In their literature, Marriott never connects JW Marriott with conventions—in fact, it's quite the opposite:
JW Marriott is a luxury hospitality brand rooted in holistic well-being. Inspired by our namesake, who took care of himself so he could take better care of others, we understand that well-being is not one thing for all. It's an appreciation for and openness...
Ben, I don't understand why you keep saying JW Marriotts are only known for convention hotels. In their literature, Marriott never connects JW Marriott with conventions—in fact, it's quite the opposite:
JW Marriott is a luxury hospitality brand rooted in holistic well-being. Inspired by our namesake, who took care of himself so he could take better care of others, we understand that well-being is not one thing for all. It's an appreciation for and openness to the unexpected moments that happen to us. Moments that help us better discover ourselves and connect more deeply to others. A gentle reminder to remain present during the stay and every day thereafter. JW Marriott welcomes guests with warmth through everything we do. Bringing joy to every experience. And deeply understanding our impact on the people and world around us.
Is the JW Marriott experience the right fit for your client? JW Marriott may be an excellent choice if:
- Your client is looking for a place to unwind, relax and be in the moment with family, friends, business associates and those people who matter most.
- The trip purpose would be enhanced by warm and intuitive service combined with modern, residential design.
- Your client desires culinary experiences that combine local ingredients, intuitive service, and exquisite dining experiences that are gratifying and fulfilling.