In the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, where golden savannah stretches
to the horizon and the Sand River winds through acacia trees, 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, including a symbolic blessing and fresh scent of leleshwa leaves. Days unfold with private guided safaris in open-air luxury Land Cruisers, revealing the drama of wildebeest river crossings and opportunities for observing 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, culminating 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, welcoming 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, to connect deeply with nature and with themselves, and to
experience the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. It’s a new chapter for The RitzCarlton – 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, offering panoramic views of the riverine forest and sweeping savannah. Designed by LW Design, the architecture draws from the principles of biophilic design, where 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, creating 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 is a celebration of Kenyan textures and craftmanship, bringing 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, grounding 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, while 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, ensuring 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 centre celebrates the Maasai tradition of storytelling, sharing environmental knowledge, and connections to the land.
Young guests can enjoy board games in the relaxed Raha social space; while 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 – a playful, educational journey led by Maasai guides, including nature walks and a rite-ofpassage certificate to mark their adventure.
Flavours of the Mara
Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is a sensory journey where bold African flavours 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 bushinspired cocktails and shareable plates, 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, with 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, while the traditional Boma comes alive with Maasai music, storytelling, and a feast of grilled meats and indigenous flavours. 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 — sacred spaces where generations have gathered for storytelling, ceremony, and reflection.
Locals say the wind rustling through the leaves carries ancestral whispers, a belief that shapes the soul of
the spa experience. Drawing on this tradition, treatments are inspired by local botanicals like aloe and
marula and begin with a “Welcome of the Wild” ritual, a sacred water blessing and grounding foot soak.
Expert therapists curate personalised experiences that flow through breathwork, meditation, and yoga
while 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 centre, outdoor pool with sweeping savannah views, and curated herbal infusions complete the wellness sanctuary.
