Classic safari elegance in the heart of the Masai Mara
Where luxury meets wilderness
Location: Tucked away in a quiet, game-rich corner of the Masai Mara, Elewana Sand River sits right on the banks of its namesake waterway, near the border with Tanzania's Serengeti. This prime location not only offers front-row seats to the Great Migration (at the right time of the year), but also gives guests a sense of peaceful seclusion, far from the busier central Mara. It's a setting that feels truly wild, with views stretching across open plains and the soft soundtrack of the river close by.
Rooms: Elewana Sand River's 16 tented suites are beautifully designed to evoke the classic 1920s safari style, with dark wood furniture, flowing fabrics and vintage touches that create a sense of old-world charm. Each tent is generously sized, with indoor and outdoor seating area, large en-suite bathrooms and private verandas looking out on the river or plains.
Amenities: Despite the remote setting, the camp offers an impressively high level of comfort. There's a main lounge and dining area with sweeping views and elegant interiors, a small but inviting poo; to cool off in during the heat of the day, and attentive staff who strike the right balance between friendly and discreet. Meals are freshly prepared and often served alfresco, with the option for private dining under the stars if you're celebrating something special.
Activities: Game drives here are superb, with excellent resident wildlife year-round and the thrilling possibility of witnessing the migration river crossings in season. You will head out in open-sided 4x4s with expert guides who know the terrain intimately. Bush breakfasts, sundowner's and picnics add a lovely touch of adventure to the experience, while hot air ballooning can be arranged nearby for those wanting to see the Mara from above. It's a classic safari setup done extremely well.
Sustainability: Elewana Sand River is part of the Elewana Collection, which has a strong commitment to responsible tourism. The camp runs on solar power, avoids single-use plastics where possible, and supports local conservation and community initiatives through the Land & Life Foundation. Being located in a private area of the Mara Reserve also helps reduce vehicle density, meaning a more exclusive experience for guests and a lighter footprint on the environment.
Get in touch and we’ll help tailor your safari at Elewana Sand River
Best places to stay in Masai Mara
Masai Mara Trip Inspiration
When to go to Kenya
Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.
February
February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.
March
Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.
April
April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.
May
The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.
June
June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.
July
July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.
August
The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.
September
Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.
October
October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.
November
November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.
December
The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.
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Tamara
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