Marriott will open two new tented safari camps in Kenya: the Ritz-Carlton Maasai Mara Safari Camp and JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp. The properties will be developed in partnership with Lazizi Group of Companies.

Ritz-Carlton Maasai Mara Safari Camp

Expected to open in August 2025, the Ritz-Carlton Maasai Mara will be located near the Tanzanian border. With views of the Sand River, it is a prime location for witnessing the Great Migration.

The camp will feature 20 tented suites, including a four-bedroom presidential suite, each with private plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers and sunken lounges. Plans include:

• Multiple dining venues including a curated wine cellar and a stargazing sky deck
• A spa and wellness centre
• A discovery hub and photography studio
• Curated game drives and bespoke cultural experiences

JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp

Scheduled to open in early 2026, the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp will offer a tranquil retreat within the Solio Game Reserve. The 45 000 acre reserve, known for its successful rhino breeding programme, provides encounters with white and endangered black rhinos as well as leopards, cheetahs and other wildlife.

The camp will include 20 tented units with private plunge pools and multiple wellness spaces including:

• A JW Garden and signature Spa by JW
• Four dining venues including a sky deck restaurant
• A conservation house and animal viewing hide
• Guided horse riding safaris, night game drives and quad biking experiences

Commitment to conservation and community

Both properties will prioritise sustainable construction and energy-efficient infrastructure to minimise ecological impact and preserve wildlife habitats. Additionally, they will engage with local communities through job creation, education programmes and conservation initiatives.

“The Ritz-Carlton’s debut in the luxury safari market represents a defining moment for the brand,” said Sandeep Walia, COO: Middle East & Luxury at Marriott International. “This project blends the Ritz-Carlton’s sophistication with the untamed beauty of the Maasai Mara shaping the future of luxury safari travel.”

These developments follow the successful opening of JW Marriott Maasai Mara Lodge in 2023 – further strengthening Marriott’s presence in Kenya where it now operates seven properties with more than 1 100 rooms.