Little Governors Camp 2026: The 90 Steps, Room Strategy & Expert Review
Little Governors Camp sits on a seasonal marsh in the Musiara Sector — 17 tents arranged around a waterhole where elephants drink during lunch and warthogs wander between breakfast tables. The camp was a primary filming location for BBC’s Big Cat Diary, and the lions you’ll see today descend directly from the Marsh Pride featured in those broadcasts.
No vehicles reach the property. You cross the Mara River by boat, then climb over 90 steep steps through the riverine forest. Your safari vehicle stays on the far bank.
The camp runs on 100% solar power and holds a Gold Eco-Rating from Eco-Tourism Kenya. Rates run USD 770-1,830 per night depending on season.
What This Guide Covers
Little Governors Camp At a Glance (Quick Facts)
Before diving into tent selections, balloon logistics, and river crossings, here is a quick breakdown of the core specs, pricing, and access requirements for Little Governors Camp.
Camp Feature | Specification & Details |
Location | Musiara Sector, Masai Mara National Reserve (Marshside) |
Capacity | 17 Luxury Canvas Tents arranged around a waterhole |
Nightly Rates | USD 770 – 1,830 per night (Full board & house drinks) |
Camp Access | Boat pull across Mara River + 90 steep steps (No vehicle access) |
Sustainability | 100% Solar-powered with Eco-Tourism Kenya Gold Eco-Rating |
Key Attraction | On-site launch pad for morning hot air balloon safaris |
Packages
4-day/3-night flying safari from Nairobi. Per person, two travelers sharing.
Covered: Return flights Wilson to Musiara Airstrip, airstrip transfers, boat crossing, 3 nights full board, house drinks, two-three game drives daily, laundry, park fees.
Not covered: Kenya eTA (USD 34), balloon safari (USD 585), spa treatments, tips (USD 15-20/day), walking safaris (under 12).
Season | Price/Person | |
Low (Apr-May) | USD 3,300 | |
Mid (Jan-Mar, Jun, Nov-Dec) | USD 4,150 | |
Peak (Jul-Oct) | USD 6,490 |
Getting to Camp
Your driver drops you at the riverbank. Camp staff pull a small wooden boat across the crocodile-inhabited Mara River using a thick rope tether — hand over hand, one pull at a time. Takes about two minutes.
Once across, over 90 unpaved steps climb through the riverine forest. Armed guards escort you.
I found the climb manageable, but I wasn’t carrying a heavy camera bag. If you have mobility concerns, large hand luggage, or just don’t want to negotiate steep steps multiple times, Governors Camp on the other bank has vehicle access. Same guiding team. Same ownership.
Tent Selection
Seventeen tents line the marsh edge, stretching about 250 meters from the main area.
Tent 17 sits at the far end — the corridor entrance of the marsh where wildlife activity is highest. Honeymoon couples request this tent most often. It’s roughly 250 meters from the dining area, so you get privacy but also a longer walk after dark.
Tent 1 offers similar distance from the main area at the opposite end.
Tents near the dining tent work better for families with young children or anyone who wants shorter walks at night.
Little Governors Camp Tent Selection Guide
Selecting the right tent number can make or break your stay. Use this reference guide to match your room assignment with your group size, mobility levels, and privacy preferences.
Tent / Location | Vibe & Features | Best Suited For |
Tent 17 (Far Edge) | Highest wildlife activity at marsh corridor entrance; 250m walk | Honeymoon couples & isolation seekers |
Tent 1 (Far Edge) | Located at opposite far end; highly private, maximum seclusion | Quiet travelers & repeat guests |
Tents Near Dining | Shorter walks after dark; closer to central facilities | Families with kids & night-walk ease |
Central Tents | Standard marsh-facing views; closer proximity to neighbors | General safari travelers |
The spacing reality
The tents sit fairly close together. You’ll hear neighboring conversations. If complete privacy matters, consider Governors Il Moran — 10 tents with more space between them.
The mesh-only night trick
When your room attendant does evening turndown, ask them to leave the heavy canvas window blinds unzipped but keep the insect mesh closed tight. The camp uses soft lanterns and candles rather than harsh floodlights, so you can lie in bed and watch star-lit silhouettes of hippos grazing past your deck. Worth requesting on clear nights.
The Balloon Tradeoff
Little Governors is the launch site for morning hot air balloon safaris. If you’re booking a balloon ride, this is convenient — you walk out the back of camp onto the plains at dawn instead of enduring a freezing 45-minute predawn drive from another camp.
But if you’re not doing the balloon and hoped to sleep late, plan accordingly. Around 5:15 to 5:30 AM, you’ll hear the rhythmic whoosh-whoosh of the gas burners inflating the balloons behind the camp, plus the chatter of guests arriving from other properties. Bring heavy earplugs if mornings matter to you.
The Marsh Pride Connection
The Musiara Sector was the primary staging ground for BBC’s Big Cat Diary. The lions that roam near camp aren’t anonymous wildlife — they’re multi-generational descendants of the Marsh Pride made famous by Jonathan Scott in the 1990s and 2000s broadcasts.
Ask your guide about the lineage. Jackson, who has driven this sector for 14 years, can trace the current pride leaders back to the lions featured on television. It adds context that changes how you watch them.
Game Drives and the Crossing Marathon
Two to three game drives daily. Early morning, optional late morning, mid-afternoon.
During the Great Migration (July-October), consider abandoning the standard schedule entirely. Waiting for a wildebeest crossing at nearby Paradise Plains can take four to six static hours. If you return to camp for lunch, you’ll lose your prime riverbank vehicle position.
The fix: ask the camp manager the night before to prepare both a packed breakfast and packed lunch. Leave at 6 AM and commit to staying out until late afternoon. You’ll already be positioned while other guests are racing out of camp after their midday meal.
The Waterhole and Central Island
Elephants arrive at lunchtime regularly. The warthog family lives here full-time — piglets scatter when you stand up from the breakfast table.
If you’re a birder, train your binoculars on the small raised mound in the exact center of the marsh. This micro-island is a magnet for specialized waterbirds and waders that avoid the muddy shoreline where larger mammals tread. Look for saddle-billed storks, ibises, and various herons that use the island as a safe haven.
Food Worth Noting
The camp bakes all pastries and bread fresh daily on-site. On certain nights, they set up a live Mongolian grill station on the outdoor deck — chefs flash-fry custom meat and vegetable selections under the stars. Ask what night it’s scheduled when you arrive.
The sticky banana cake with toffee sauce has reached near-legendary status among repeat guests. Save room.
Julius handles service in the dining area. Stella and Silas also serve. Stanley or Benson delivers morning tea to your tent at whatever time you request, along with hot water bottles placed in your bed while you’re at dinner.
Beyond the Mara
If you’re staying more than four nights and want a break from game drives, the camp can arrange a fly-in excursion to Mfangano Island on Lake Victoria. Charter a flight from Musiara Airstrip over the escarpment to experience Luo fishing villages, ancient rock art, and boat rides on the lake. Return by dusk. Completely different side of Kenya.
How the Governors Camps Compare
Camp | Tents | Access | View | Best For |
Little Governors | 17 | Boat + 90 steps | Waterhole/marsh | Couples, birders, balloon guests |
29 | Vehicle | Mara River | Families, mobility concerns | |
10 | Vehicle | Mara River forest | Adults wanting privacy |
Governors Collection Property Comparison
The Governors family operates three distinct properties along this stretch of the Mara River. Compare access levels, room counts, and primary views to choose the right fit for your travel style.
Comparison Factor | Little Governors Camp | Main Governors Camp | Governors Il Moran Camp |
Total Tents | 17 Tents | 29 Tents | 10 Tents |
Property Access | Boat pull + 90 steps | Direct vehicle access | Direct vehicle access |
Primary View | Marsh / Waterhole | Mara River & Plains | Mara River Forest |
Target Audience | Couples, birders & ballooners | Families & mobility concerns | Adults seeking luxury & privacy |
Practical Notes
WiFi: Available but unreliable. Don’t plan on working.
Toiletries: Cinnabar Green — organic Kenyan brand from Laikipia. Refillable earthenware canisters.
Walking safaris: Available. Children under 12 not permitted.
Luggage: Bring a backpack rather than rolling luggage for the 90 steps.
When to Visit
July-October: Migration. Crossings at Paradise Plains. Highest rates.
November-March, June: Resident wildlife. Marsh Pride territory. Fewer vehicles.
April-May: Green season. Lowest rates. Lush.
Common Questions
How do you reach Little Governors Camp? Boat across the Mara River, then walk up 90+ steps through the forest. No vehicle access.
Which tent is best at Little Governors? Tent 17 — furthest from main area, highest wildlife activity. Tent 1 also good for privacy.
Is the hot air balloon launch at Little Governors? Yes. Convenient if you’re doing the balloon. Noisy at 5:15 AM if you’re not.
Do elephants come to camp? Regularly during lunch. Warthogs wander among tables at breakfast.
Related
- Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi
- Governors Camp
- Governors Il Moran Camp
- Masai Mara Park Fees
- Best Lodges in Masai Mara
- Mara River Crossings
Sources
Written by David Njunge, TRA-Licensed Safari Guide (License #TRA-2847), based on 14 years guiding the Musiara Sector and a 3-night stay at the camp in early 2026. Edited by Cecilia Wambui, Tourism and Hospitality Management.
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