Mahali Mzuri, meaning a ‘beautiful place’ in Swahili, is not your average safari camp.
Location: Mahali Mzuri is located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, part of the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem in south-western Kenya. This exclusive setting gives guests access to one of Africa’s richest wildlife areas, with all the drama of the Mara – the Great Migration, big cats, huge skies - but far fewer vehicles. The camp sits above a valley with sweeping views across the plains, and because it's in a private conservancy, guests can enjoy night drives, walking safaris, and off-road game viewing that aren’t possible in the national reserve itself. It’s remote, but easily accessible by light aircraft - the perfect mix of wild and well-connected.
Rooms: There are 12 spacious, beautifully designed tented suites at Mahali Mzuri, each perched on a raised deck with uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. These aren’t your typical safari tents – they’re strikingly modern, with flowing lines, high canvas ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling glass fronts that bring the outdoors in. Inside, you’ll find a luxurious blend of comfort and style: big, plush beds, freestanding tubs, and cosy sitting areas that are ideal for post-safari downtime. Each suite also has its own private deck – perfect for wildlife spotting without even leaving your room.
Amenities: As you’d expect from a Virgin Limited Edition property, the camp offers a high level of service and comfort while still feeling in tune with the landscape. The central mess area includes an open-air lounge and dining space, plus a well-stocked bar and an infinity pool that looks straight out onto the plains. Dining is a highlight here - fresh, varied, and often taken outdoors - and the team go out of their way to make everything feel personalised. There's also a small spa tent for massages and treatments, with the sounds of the bush as your background music.
Activities: Mahali Mzuri offers excellent year-round game viewing, with resident populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and more. Game drives are led by experienced guides and trackers who know the conservancy inside out, and the private setting means you’ll often have sightings all to yourself. During the migration season (roughly July to October), guests have front-row seats to one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Beyond drives, you can head out on guided walks, visit local Maasai communities, enjoy sundowners on the plains, or take to the skies in a hot-air balloon (optional, but unforgettable).
Sustainability: Mahali Mzuri is built with conservation at its core. By operating within Olare Motorogi Conservancy, the camp helps fund land leases that support over 1,000 local Maasai landowners, providing income while preserving habitat for wildlife. It’s a great example of tourism and community working hand in hand. The camp runs on solar power, avoids single-use plastics, and prioritises local sourcing wherever possible. Virgin’s wider commitment to responsible tourism also ensures long-term investment in both the environment and the people who call this part of Kenya home.
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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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