Understated elegance and luxury of safari tents surrounded by an abundance of wildlife
Location: Kilima Camp is perched high on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment, with breathtaking views over the Masai Mara National Reserve in southwest Kenya. This elevated position offers a truly cinematic perspective of the sweeping savannah below - ideal for witnessing the vast scale of the Mara and the seasonal movements of the Great Migration. The camp is located within a private concession, allowing for a more exclusive and tranquil safari experience while still offering easy access to the heart of the reserve.
Rooms: The camp offers a mix of Classic, Deluxe, and Family tents, all comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, and private verandas that overlook the endless plains below. The interiors are warm and rustic, with a focus on natural materials and simple elegance. Deluxe tents come with extra space and added touches such as bathtubs with a view. The atmosphere is peaceful and authentic - you’ll wake to the sunrise spilling over the plains and the distant calls of wildlife, all from the comfort of your tent.
Amenities: Kilima Camp provides a relaxed, homely base for exploring the Mara. The main lodge features a welcoming lounge, bar, and dining area with a fireplace for cool evenings. Meals are freshly prepared using local ingredients and can be served indoors or outside on the deck with those magnificent views. There’s also a small spa offering massages and wellness treatments, and a hot tub perfectly positioned for soaking while gazing out over the plains. The service is friendly and informal, with a strong sense of care and hospitality throughout.
Activities: Game drives into the Masai Mara are the main attraction, with excellent chances to see lions, elephants, cheetahs, and the famous river crossings during migration season. The camp’s location also allows for guided nature walks and birdwatching along the escarpment, offering a slower-paced but equally rewarding way to engage with the landscape. Balloon safaris can be arranged for those wanting a bird’s-eye view of the Mara at sunrise, and cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages provide an opportunity to learn about Kenya’s traditions and community life in a respectful, meaningful way.
Sustainability: Kilima Camp is committed to low-impact tourism and supporting the local community. Built using natural and locally sourced materials, the camp operates off-grid with solar power and practices responsible waste management. Staff are predominantly from surrounding communities, and the camp supports several local initiatives focused on education, conservation, and livelihoods. By choosing Kilima Camp, guests directly contribute to the long-term preservation of Kenya’s wildlife and the well-being of its people, ensuring tourism has a lasting, positive impact.
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Best places to stay in Masai Mara
Masai Mara Trip Inspiration
When to visit 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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