The Ritz-Carlton Brings Its Legendary Service to the Heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara

Luxe magazine Switzerland
Sep 28, 2025
7 min read

Updated: Oct 31, 2025

An Unforgettable Safari Experience

From city landmarks to rare estates, from open waters to the untamed beauty of the Masai Mara, The Ritz-Carlton introduces its first safari experience, an intimate treetop retreat in one of the world’s most majestic landscapes.

This September, in the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, golden savannah stretches to the horizon. The Sand River winds through acacia trees, creating a stunning backdrop. The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture. From the moment guests arrive, traditional Maasai rituals greet them. These include a symbolic blessing and the fresh scent of leleshwa leaves.

Days unfold with private guided safaris in open-air luxury Land Cruisers. Guests can witness the drama of wildebeest river crossings. They will also have opportunities to observe lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants, and more than 500 bird species in their natural habitat. Guests may explore the Kenya-Tanzania Border Stone or rise with the sun for hot air balloon flights over the plains. These culminate in champagne breakfasts beneath the vast African sky. As dusk falls, the call of a Maasai warrior’s ceremonial horn signals the transition to night. This welcomes an evening filled with rich stories and serene moments under a canopy of stars.

“Bringing The Ritz-Carlton to the Masai Mara is more than just opening a new property; it’s a deeply meaningful moment for us,” said Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury at Marriott International. “This is a place that stirs your soul. Where land, wildlife, and culture create something truly extraordinary. We’re offering travelers a chance to slow down, connect deeply with nature and with themselves, and experience hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. It’s a new chapter for The Ritz-Carlton, one where our legendary service and values come to life in one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.”

A Serene Treetop Sanctuary

Just steps from the Kenya Tanzania border, the 20 tented suites including a Presidential Villa are set on raised platforms among native acacia trees. They offer panoramic views of the riverine forest and sweeping savannah. Designed by LW Design, the architecture draws from biophilic design principles. Here, nature and structure exist in quiet harmony. The camp’s distinctive hooded tents, with their soft, rounded forms, echo the meandering Sand River.

Canvas walls, flowing drapery, and indoor-outdoor lounges melt the boundary between room and landscape. This creates an environment where the rustle of leaves, scent of rain, and calls of the wild move freely through each space. Outside, guests can soak in the views from private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and canopy-level stargazing decks.

Inside, the design celebrates Kenyan textures and craftsmanship. It brings depth and authenticity to every detail. Earthy palettes and tactile materials—hand-carved wood, semi-volcanic stone, and woven textiles handloomed by local women—create a rich, understated materiality. Intricate Maasai beadwork, seamlessly integrated into joinery and furnishings, anchors the camp in local heritage.

Art throughout the camp serves as a powerful storytelling medium. It grounds guests in the cultural and natural heritage of the Masai Mara. Dynamic cheetah statues mid-sprint by Simon Bannister above fireplaces evoke movement, strength, and resilience. Photographic portraits of local women by Gian Paolo Tomasi blend documentary realism with emotional depth. Vintage photographs by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher document age-old Maasai rituals and ceremonies.

Each suite is paired with a personal Encholiek, a Maasai term meaning “one who walks with you.” Part cultural guide, part intuitive butler, the Encholiek offers guests a rare blend of immersive storytelling and elevated service. This ensures every moment is both deeply rooted and effortlessly refined.

Experiences Rooted in Connections

At the heart of the camp, the Discovery Hub serves as a vibrant space for curiosity, creativity, and cultural exchange. Guided by resident experts and a dedicated Cultural Ambassador, the center celebrates the Maasai tradition of storytelling. It shares environmental knowledge and connections to the land. Young guests can enjoy board games in the relaxed Raha social space. Aspiring photographers can elevate their skills with access to professional equipment, a photography studio, and on-site guidance from resident photographers.

Beyond the Discovery Hub, beadwork sessions and traditional pottery and art classes offer meaningful interaction with Maasai artisans. Younger explorers (children aged 6+) can participate in the Young Warrior Programme. This playful, educational journey is led by Maasai guides and includes nature walks and a rite-of-passage certificate to mark their adventure.

Flavours of the Mara

Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is a sensory journey. Bold African flavors are served with panoramic views. Nest, the camp’s signature restaurant, offers globally inspired dishes reimagined with East African soul. As dusk falls, Canopy, the camp’s vibrant bar and lounge, offers bush-inspired cocktails and shareable plates. This is enhanced by the Spice of Africa ritual, where guests can select their own blend of local spices to infuse gin or cocktails.

Elevated above the plains, Upeo Sky Deck hosts celestial dinners under the stars. This includes telescopic stargazing and mythic tales. For oenophiles, the Wine Cellar offers sommelier-led tastings of rare vintages paired with a six-course menu of regional delicacies. The traditional Boma comes alive with Maasai music, storytelling, and a feast of grilled meats and indigenous flavors. Bush breakfasts, romantic sundowners, in-suite dining, and immersive cocktail masterclasses complete a culinary journey deeply rooted in place and tradition.

Where Nature Nurtures

Whispering Tree Spa takes its name from the acacia trees that hold deep spiritual significance for the Maasai. These are sacred spaces where generations have gathered for storytelling, ceremony, and reflection. Locals say the wind rustling through the leaves carries ancestral whispers. This belief shapes the soul of the spa experience.

Drawing on this tradition, treatments are inspired by local botanicals like aloe and marula. They begin with a “Welcome of the Wild” ritual, a sacred water blessing and grounding foot soak. Expert therapists curate personalized experiences that flow through breathwork, meditation, and yoga. Signature ceremonies blend indigenous ingredients with age-old healing practices to guide guests on transformative journeys of renewal for body, mind, and spirit. A fitness center, outdoor pool with sweeping savannah views, and curated herbal infusions complete the wellness sanctuary.

Sustaining the Wild, Supporting the Future

The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is committed to creating a lasting and meaningful impact. Planned initiatives in biodiversity, habitat restoration, education, and community empowerment support both the resilience of the Greater Mara Ecosystem and the wellbeing of its surrounding communities.

Plans are underway to implement a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring program. This will use infrared cameras to track wildlife movements and support regional conservation efforts. In partnership with conservation organizations, habitat restoration initiatives will focus on regenerating riparian forests and wetlands along the Sand River. Guests are invited to participate in tree-planting experiences that connect luxury travel with ecological impact. Community empowerment will also be a core focus, with a dedicated initiative to train and employ female wildlife rangers. This empowers local women to monitor wildlife, guide guests, and serve as conservation ambassadors within their communities.

More than 70% of the team are from local communities. A dedicated apprenticeship program empowers youth from the region to pursue careers in hospitality. The camp also supports educational community projects. Recently, it supported Emboo Primary School with book donations and the planting of fruit tree seedlings. This enhances both learning conditions and long-term food security for students.

In addition, the camp is committed to sustainable operations. It is fully solar-powered and will be among the most energy-efficient camps in East Africa. This includes a 650kW solar farm and 7,000kWh of battery storage capable of powering the property for up to three days. A closed-loop water treatment system recycles greywater and harvests rainwater. A zero-waste-to-landfill policy minimizes environmental impact.

The camp is located near Serena Airstrip, just a 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. For those preferring a scenic journey, the camp is accessible via a five-hour drive from Nairobi.

Rates start from $3,500 per person, per night (all-inclusive*).

For more information and reservation inquiries, please visit *www.ritzcarlton.com. The all-inclusive rate includes accommodation with personalized butler service, all dining experiences, and beverages (excluding premium wines and spirits, as well as Upeo and Wine Cellar experiences), two private game drives per day, laundry, Wi-Fi, use of professional Canon photographic equipment and editing guidance, binoculars, and return Serena Airstrip transfers

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

Delivering the Gold Standard in service in coveted destinations around the world, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC currently operates more than 120 hotels in over 35 countries and territories. From iconic urban destinations to stretches of paradise in untouched corners of the earth, The Ritz-Carlton offers the opportunity for true discovery and transformative escapes that stay with guests long after they depart. Committed to thoughtful innovation, The Ritz-Carlton encompasses two groundbreaking brand extensions, Ritz-Carlton Reserve and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a collection of rare estates set apart from the world, where personalized care and cultural immersion are paramount. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection translates the brand’s legendary service and hospitality for sea, reimagining the ultra-luxury cruising category. For more information or reservations, visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. For the latest company updates, visit news.marriott.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, X, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. The Ritz-Carlton is committed to supporting the destinations where it operates through Community Footprints, the company’s social and environmental responsibility program.

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. It includes more than 30 brands tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.