One of Sir Richard Branson's Exceptional Safari Camps Just Got a Gorgeous Renovation—and Has Ranked Among the World's Best Hotels

Travel + Leisure

4 days ago

Mahali Mzuri Virgin Limited Edition's Mahali Mzuri safari camp in Kenya was recently renovated. In 2021, it was named among the best hotels in the world according to T+L's World's Best Awards.
Private conservancy access offers uncrowded game drives, with flexibility for off-road tracking and night drives.
The camp's location on the side of a lush valley overlooking rolling plains provides unrivaled panoramic views as well as wildlife viewing, from both your tent's deck and communal spaces.
Each renovated tent features claw-foot tubs, separate showers, oversized lounging sofas in dedicated living areas, and private decks, now enhanced with custom Maasai beadwork and contemporary African design elements.
Guests enjoy pan-African cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
The first hint that Virgin Limited Edition's Mahali Mzuri camp would deliver an extraordinary wildlife experience came before I even set foot there, as zebras galloped along the dusty Mara North Airstrip and my guide, Jackson Nchoe, greeted me with Maasai warmth and a split of Champagne. On the way to camp—a short 20-minute drive—a few giraffes prompted a traffic jam crossing in the bush, and we also encountered elephants grazing on vegetation.
"You're the only one at camp tonight," Wilson Odhiambo, the camp's general manager, told me as I arrived at the resort, which is mostly camouflaged into the landscape. Mahali Mzuri (or "beautiful place" in Swahili) officially reopened in June 2025 following an extensive redesign that elevated Sir Richard Branson's already spectacular 12-tent safari camp. (The resort was named the best safari lodge in Africa and the best hotel in the world in T+L's 2021 World's Best Awards.) Developed in collaboration with Lynne Hunt London, the camp now seamlessly blends modern African style with sustainability, incorporating custom Maasai beadwork and bronze spear finials that celebrate local culture.
Branson's involvement began in 2007 when he visited Nairobi and learned about conservation threats to the Olare Motorogi region, a critical wildlife corridor connecting the Serengeti to Kenya's Loita Hills. Working directly with Maasai landowners, he developed Mahali Mzuri as both a world-class safari destination and conservation solution, establishing a primary school along the way.
I waltzed down to tent No.5, located on the right—more secluded—side of the main communal areas, and gasped when I opened the doors to find a claw-foot tub with unobstructed views of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. I set intentions to spend ample time at the sizable deck with my favorite in-room amenities—binoculars and a French press with local Kenyan coffee—and Mother Nature at my fingertips. At night, I left my windows unzipped to the screen only, dove into bed with the nightly turndown service of a cozy hot water bottle between the sheets, and slept like a baby amidst the African bush.
Relax and stargaze around a firepit.
Mahali Mzuri
Since I had the camp to myself for the night, I made the most of my solo time and ordered room service, only to be surprised with a full-service, three-course meal served on a candlelit table on my balcony. After dinner, I sat on the deck and absorbed the after-dark sounds of the wilderness before eventually going inside to take a bubble bath and read.
Food was another highlight. I never skipped a meal, even when I wasn't hungry, because the chef always crafted something delicious. On my final night, I joined a group of travel agents around the safari campfire for cocktails, followed by a beautiful dinner under the stars, where we swapped favorite lion and lioness stories while bonding over exceptional cuisine and camp adventures.
The area is special, and Odhiambo was right—it truly was a buffet for the apex predators. When a zebra was taken down by lions, who ravenously feasted on it, the raw intensity hit all my senses. It was a moment of raw predatory beauty and the circle of life in its most authentic form.
My days fell into a perfect rhythm: pre-dawn coffee before morning drives, lazy pool hours during the heat of midday, afternoon spa treatments with Joan for therapeutic massages, and evening drives that concluded with sundowners in extraordinary locations.
To me, the bush is one of the most restorative places on earth, where you can re-learn to exist without electronics and, instead, observe your surroundings. By the end of the trip, I could gauge the time of day or temperature simply by tuning into nature's rhythms. As Odhiambo put it, it's best to "let your schedule mentality go and go with the flow."
After experiencing the camp's remarkable blend of luxury, conservation, and genuine Kenyan hospitality, I left feeling a bit emotional, waving goodbye from the plane to the exceptional crew, who had become like new friends.
Below, my full review of the reimagined Mahali Mzuri safari sanctuary in Kenya's Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
The Rooms
Mahali Mzuri's 12 tents are accessed via elevated walkways, with six on each side of the central area. Tent positioning matters: Tent one and three offer the most privacy and are farthest from the main area, while the right-side tents are tucked into the bush. The left side works better for families and groups, especially with the addition of a new, larger family tent.
The recent redesign has transformed these already beautiful accommodations into five-star luxury oases. The rooms, with their floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors, open up to a viewing experience like no other, akin to having your own private wildlife documentary screening room, where the action never stops.
The color palette evokes the bush—warm taupes and deep browns grounded by ivory, with vibrant splashes of red and black referencing traditional Maasai attire. Each tent features carpeted floors, king beds, plush oversized sofas, writing desks, and stunning en-suite bathrooms with all-black fixtures and freestanding bathtubs overlooking the conservancy. Additionally, Mahali Mzuri's tents are among the few outside the Serengeti with in-room air conditioning—a game-changer in the heat.
The minibars—although they are anything but mini—are another highlight. They are stocked with complimentary drinks, including African gins like The Mara Edition Gin by African Originals (with gorgeous African beading on top), Amarula cream liqueur (that you can make a sweet riff on a white Russian with), and Mont Rochelle wines (from the estate connected to Virgin Limited Edition Mont Rochelle Hotel. The fridge has everything you'd ever wish to sip on, and even a cutting board, citrus fruits, and a shaker for crafting the perfect in-room martini.
Food and Drink
Dining at Mahali Mzuri offers a sophisticated culinary journey through Africa's diverse flavors. Meals showcase both traditional Kenyan dishes and international cuisine featuring fresh ingredients. The chef maintains a greenhouse garden, which yields plenty of fresh herbs and vegetables.
Breakfast was filled with delicious homemade pastries, fresh fruit, and eggs prepared any style, all while watching hippos and elephants in the valley below.
After morning game drives, I was always excited for the chef's cold soups—the snap pea was a particular favorite for cooling down after hours in the African heat. Lunch brought wonderful choices like the poached pear salad with sundried tomatoes, figs, cucumber ribbons, and asparagus or heartier mains like Kashmiri-style lamb rogan josh served with chapati flatbread, steamed rice, mango chutney, side salad, and tzatziki. Whether soaking up panoramic views from camp or enjoying picnics on the open plains, every midday meal was worthy of an afternoon nap.
For dinner, I looked forward to dishes like sun-blushed organic tomato, basil, and fennel soup with truffle oil, followed by succulent roast lamb chops with Lyonnaise potatoes and honey minted gravy. The sought-after vegetarian options were equally impressive, like githeri—a hearty stew of corn, beans, and spring vegetables served with steamed rice and guacamole. Dessert was a must, too. The chocolate fondant, deconstructed affogato, and Kenyan selection of cheeses and crackers were impossible to resist.
Meals can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere: in the dining tent, on your private deck, or by the flickering firelight under a canopy of stars. With all drinks included, guests can help themselves to the well-stocked self-service bar any time. However, there is also a bartender ready to craft the perfect libation for aperitivo hour by the campfire. Evenings meant settling by the glowing firepit with chilled wine, swapping stories from the day's adventures while listening to Kenyan music in the background.
Activities and Experiences
A pride of lions walking around the bush.
Mahali Mzuri
Every game drive is a front-row seat to one of nature's greatest shows, with twice-daily safaris exploring the vast Olare Motorogi Conservancy. The knowledgeable guides informed us about the importance of the abundant termite mounds, helped us spot the secretary bird with its distinctive headpiece-like feathers, which hunts snakes, and shared Maasai cultural traditions.
Sign up for a night game drive to spot elusive nocturnal creatures like aardvarks, honey badgers, and bush babies under the stars. The conservancy's location is where multiple lion pride territories converge, creating opportunities to witness territorial battles and hunting behavior. Guests are assigned the same guide throughout their stay, allowing them to build on their animal tracking and wildlife knowledge as they go.
Enjoy scenic views from a hot air ballon over the Olare Motorogi Conservancy near Masai Mara National Reserve.
Mahali Mzuri
Hot-air balloon safaris offer a bird's-eye view over the savanna as golden light shines over herds of elephants, giraffes, and, if you're lucky, the Great Migration below. The balloon ride is followed by a Champagne breakfast in the bush.
Walking safaris with expert Maasai warrior guides reveal nature in ways that no game drive can, as guests track animal footprints and discover abundant bird species while gaining deep insight into traditional Maasai knowledge.
Community tours to traditional manyattas for cultural performances and The Maa Trust's beading workshop are also offered.
The Spa
Nasaro Spa is situated at the valley's base, where guests can tune out with massage treatments, body scrubs, and facial services in a small treatment room. The experience is enhanced by the natural soundtrack of the African wilderness and serves as the perfect complement to active safari days, offering a mental and physical reset.
There's also a gorgeous heated 39-foot infinity pool with stylish striped cabana chairs where guests can sip on rosé and watch elephants.
Family-friendly Offerings
A small heard of elephants walks past the game drive vehicles.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri welcomes children aged three and older, which is notably younger than the typical safari minimum age of five, making this one of Kenya's most family-friendly luxury camps. It features a comprehensive program designed to keep children engaged throughout their stay with tracking activities, treasure hunts around the camp, nature spotting safaris to discover lizards, insects, and birds, as well as games tailored to different age groups. Story time with guides sharing tales about bush animals adds a fun touch to evenings. Children aged six and above can join game drives.
There's a new family tent post-renovation, featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a shared lounge area, allowing families to spread out. Security guards provide extra attention to tents with children at night. Families receive dedicated vehicles for game drives, ensuring flexibility with timing and activities.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Mahali Mzuri's elevated walkways and tent design may present challenges for guests with mobility limitations, though the camp staff works to accommodate special needs whenever possible. The remote location and traditional safari tent construction mean the property doesn't meet standard ADA compliance requirements.
Sustainability initiatives include a solar farm that provides up to 100 percent renewable energy, rainwater harvesting systems, and an expanding kitchen garden with a greenhouse that supplies fresh, organic produce year-round. The camp now features electric vehicles for some transfers, reducing environmental impact while maintaining the safari experience. Staff uniforms are crafted by Kenyan heritage fashion brand KikoRomeo using local, natural, and biodegradable materials.
The majority of Mahali Mzuri's staff members come from local Maasai communities, and the camp has supported the ongoing development of a primary school serving 300 students for over a decade. The newly launched Inua Jamii charitable association transfers all donations directly to community projects focused on education, water, sanitation, and health.
"We are extremely proud of everything that has been achieved since the establishment of the conservancy, including hugely impactful community development projects in the region, which have ranged from building schools and health centers, to supporting SMEs [small to medium enterprises] and providing access to clean water and sanitation,' says Odhiambo, who is also on the board of the conservancy.
Location
Aerial view of the heated outdoor infinity pool.
Mahali Mzuri
Mahali Mzuri sits within the exclusive Olare Motorogi Conservancy, adjacent to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. Getting here is half the adventure. The most efficient route is to fly into Nairobi's Wilson Airport (WIL) and then take a connecting flight to Olare Orok Airstrip (OLG) or Mara North Airstrip (HKR), which offers an impromptu game drive to the camp.
The conservancy location provides crucial advantages that make the journey worthwhile: only five safari camps operate within the 33,000-hectare area, ensuring intimate wildlife encounters without the crowding common in public reserves. During peak season, three-night stays include complimentary day passes to Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The remote setting means no nearby towns or urban attractions. For the adventurous, road access from Nairobi takes approximately five hours but offers scenic countryside views and additional wildlife spotting opportunities that turn the transfer into its own mini-safari.
For the ultimate Kenyan adventure, consider extending your stay at Finch Hattons in Kenya's Tsavo National Park.
"Mahali Mzuri and its sister camp, Finch Hattons, in Kenya's Tsavo National Park, both offer something unique, but combining the two makes for the ultimate Kenyan safari experience that includes the Big Five of the Maasai Mara and the peaceful, off-grid wilderness of Tsavo," says James Bermingham, CEO Virgin Hotels Collection.
For seamless connectivity, Scenic Air Safaris provides private charter flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Olare Orok Airstrip in an Executive Cessna Grand Caravan C208B for up to 10 passengers, from $2,436 each way.
Book Now
Mahali Mzuri operates as part of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition portfolio, offering Virgin Red points to members.
Booking directly through Virgin Limited Edition ensures the best rates and most flexible cancellation policies. Peak season runs from mid-June through September, with a festive season surge in December. Check the camp's website for the most current offers.
Nightly rates at Mahali Mzuri start from $3,100 per tent per night (inclusive of all meals, beverages, twice-daily game drives, airstrip transfers, laundry service, and taxes).
Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.