Sand River Maasai Mara
Elewana’s sumptuous 1920s-style camp on the banks of Sand River in Masai Mara National Reserve
Lounge, dining room, billiards room, outdoor dining area, and plunge pool
A total of sixteen luxurious tents, including one family unit, are situated across two sites, between the Sand River and Little Sand River
Game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and cultural experiences
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
-
Great choice
Activities
Sand River offers well-guided activities within the Maasai Mara National Reserve:
Expertly guided game drives
Hot air balloon safaris
Cultural experiences
-
Game drives within the reserve are available during early morning, late afternoon into evening, and as a full-day excursion, complete with picnic lunch. Whatever the time of year, this is one of the best places to see the Big Five – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo! Other wildlife frequently spotted includes cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and loads of other predators and herbivores. The bird count here is also seriously impressive – remember to pack your binos and enjoy looking out for over 470 species such as ostrich, raptors, the secretary bird, and all sorts of colourful parrots besides. From July to October, the MMNR plays host to the famous Great Migration, when huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle storm through in search of food, with plenty of big cats stalking them on the plains.
This is an extra cost. As well as enjoying vehicle safaris from camp, you can take to the skies in a hot air balloon, for the most spectacular views imaginable! The balloon rises shortly before dawn, and you’ll have a bird’s-eye view over the reserve for a couple of hours before you descend to a champagne breakfast in the bush – a real treat.
These include a trip to a local school that’s supported by Land & Life Foundation, the charity operated by Elewana with Nairobi’s Cheli & Peacock safari company. Looking around the school makes for a fascinating add-on activity to your safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Make an EnquiryFacilities
Both communal or mess tents at Sand River Masai Mara are made out of canvas, supported on sturdy timber frames.
Each has a lavish lounge and dining room, in addition to outdoor dining areas. The lounges feature comfortable chairs, sofas, and other seating in a variety of fabrics including leather. Classic storage chests function as coffee tables, while telescopes and Persian rugs add a little explorer style! Both dining rooms contain very smart leather chairs around individual tables, while additional dining furniture is set up in the grounds. The views throughout both sites are superb – down to the Sand river with its resident wildlife and across to the game-rich plains. The larger camp also has a billiards room, as well as a plunge pool flanked by inviting sunloungers! This is the perfect place to relax in between excursions into the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Make an EnquiryAmenities
Guest accommodation consists of 16 tents over the two sites.
The larger site has ten tents, while Little Sand River has six. All tents are positioned in the shade of trees and constructed from timber and canvas. Inside, the camp’s 1920s theme is very much in evidence, with each standard-size tent offering a gorgeous four-poster bed or twin beds, bedside tables and lighting, sumptuous seating in leather and brocade, a storage chest as a table, Persian rugs, and beautifully draped curtains – you really will feel as though you have travelled back in time! The en-suite facilities comprise a flush toilet, twin washbasins and mirrors, and a bathtub with shower attachment. All fittings are simply exquisite, recalling Hollywood in their glamorous style. Four tents contain a day bed that can be used as an extra bed. All tents have great views across the narrow sand river in front, which often sees a lot of wildlife passing through so enjoy a rest on your veranda and let the game come to you. The family unit has all the features of a standard tent, in addition to a twin bedroom for children and a separate seating area where families can relax together.
Similar Lodges
-
Wilderness Mara
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsFormerly Little Governors’ Camp, the new Wilderness Mara is set to open in June 2026, following a complete overhaul. This is major news, given the property’s longstanding status as one of the finest camps in the Maasai Mara with a truly splendid location.…
-
Governors Camp
From £463 – £747 ppService standards at Governors’ are generally exceptional, as the camp prides itself on a personal, attentive and friendly approach. With over forty years’ experience, the camp is rightly confident in its ability to provide memorable experiences! We recommend…
-
Roca River Camp
Enquire for pricing Contact Us for pricing detailsRoca River Camp is a beautifully located bush camp on the Mara river within Kenya’s infamous Maasai Mara National Reserve. With ten classic canvas tents shaded by a riverine forest overlooking the Mara river, an epic, back-to-nature wildlife experience awaits…
-
Seringet Mara
From £658 – £917 ppSeringet Mara is a brilliantly located safari camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where close proximity to the Mara and Talek rivers makes for some riveting Great Migration sightings. Small, friendly, and owner run, this is a good-value…
-
Spekes Camp
From £642 – £642 ppSpeke’s Camp oozes a simple outdoorsy sort of charm. It is one of our favourite value properties near the Maasai Mara! Privately owned and operated, it is an awesome option for travellers on a budget. Game drives take place in the busy reserve, but the camp…
-
Serian Nkorombo Camp
From £1,112 – £1,328 ppSerian’s Nkorombo Mobile belongs to the portfolio of properties known as Alex Walker’s Serian, a word meaning ‘serene’ in Maasai. This is a collection of exclusive camps spanning the Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, all encouraging guests…
-
Sand River Maasai Mara
From £821 – £903 ppIf you like a little luxury on safari, you’ll love Sand River! Leather seating, Persian rugs, billiards… this property provides a glamorous 1920s-style base from which to go on safari in the wildlife-rich Maasai Mara National Reserve. Sand River Masai Mara…
-
Sanctuary Olonana
From £836 – £1,903 ppSanctuary Olonana is a high-end safari lodge with impressive design – best suited to those looking for a more formal hotel-like safari experience. We particularly noticed the excellent service and long-serving staff who are passionate about the guest…
What our Customers say
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.As Seen In
