Maasai Mara, Kenya
Renovated
2019
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe LocalOutside the door
The house
The Safari CollectionSand River safari roost
Set along the Sand River, the seven-tent encampment feels intimate and unhurried, with wildlife wandering directly past the open communal lounge.
What it’s good at
Notable
Canvas suites feature glass facade doors, private plunge pools, and a communal mess tent with handcrafted timber furniture.
Notable
Seven tented suites offer customized daily game drives, tailored itineraries, evening turndowns, and private deck dining.
Notable
Maasai guides lead wilderness tracking across the Sand River, sharing deep generational knowledge of the Mara ecosystem.
What they say
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Africa
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in Forbes Travel Guide.
The tents strike a perfect balance between classic safari style and modern comfort.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Perched at the confluence of the Sand and Keekorok rivers, the camp occupies a quiet southern corner bordering the Serengeti.
1 of 5
The rooms
Glass facade doors open onto private timber decks with plunge pools, overlooking the riverbanks and the sweeping plains toward the Serengeti.
The plunge pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Built into the suite decks, private plunge pools sit alongside double sun loungers looking straight across the water.
Spa and gym
A dedicated canvas tent holds workout machines, and an on-site therapist provides restorative treatments out on your deck.
At the table
Guides serve hot breakfasts out on the savannah, and dinners gather around a table carved from a single fallen tree.
How it began
The Safari Collection founders Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley established the camp in 2004, naming it after their first-born daughter, Sala.
Maasai Mara
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.