Governor's Ilmoran Camp, Maasai Mara Reserve

Just spent a night at the camp. At lunch a group of about 15 elephants strolled by 50 meters away. Shortly after, some baboons were in the same area. After lunch and a shower, we took a drive around and saw a cheetah hunting gazelles, giraffes, warthogs, some small monkeys, all kinds of birds, large herds of zebras and wildebeests, secretary birds and more elephants.

At dinner some rhinos come up on the river bank to eat grass and later grazed between the (luxurious) tents. A bit dangerous but if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone, and besides there are masai guards all over to escort you back and forth between your tent and the main area to avoid dangerous encounters with the animals (the camp is not fenced off).

Next morning we were woken up 6 am (with coffee/tea and ginger biscuits) to go on another safari and had breakfast on a ridge overlooking much on the Southern mara and the mountains. We saw two groups of lions, a cheetah with her cub, more zebras, elephants, wildebeests, gazelles, warthogs, some hyenas, a herd of rhinos, several large crocodiles basking in the sun, a migration of several thousand zebras and wildebeests, a couple of eagles, vulchers... We saw everything you can imagine except water buffalos which had apparently already migrated to the Serengeti.

The price per person ($500 a night), however, is steep IMO. It does include full board but drinks are paid for seperately and tips are expected. The service is very good and Kenyans are geniunely friendly, honest and helpful. Beware of the prices in the souvenir shop - a map of the Masai Mara cost $18...

The camp's location is exceptional and that obviously costs. A great experience all in all, and one I may never forget.