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Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp
Governors' Il Moran Camp

Governors' Il Moran Camp


1°17’11.0"S 35°2’16.9"E

About Governors' Il Moran Camp

Set on the inside of a thickly wooded bend of the Mara River in the Musiara sector of the Maasai Mara National ...

... Reserve, Governors' Il Moran Camp is just 1km north of the main Governors' Camp as the crow flies. It's designed as a more exclusive version of the original formula, with much larger tents.

We are impressed with the recent upgrades to Governors' Il Moran, and we now feel that it rightly deserves the higher price tag of the Governors' camps. For a long time the camp has relied only on its attractive setting, but we now feel that the tents and main area match up to this.

Our view

We are impressed with the recent upgrades to Governors' Il Moran, and we now feel that it rightly deserves the higher price tag of the Governors' camps. For a long time the camp has relied only on its attractive setting, but we now feel that the tents and main area match up to this.

Accommodation

10 tents

Children

Best for 12+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Hot air ballooning

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Governors' Il Moran Camp

4 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


95%
4 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
3
Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr S.fromCheltenham

Arrived 25 Aug 2022, 5 nights

"Governors' Il Moran Camp review"

"The camp is as good as it looks in the pictures, nicely decorated and well …" Read Mr S.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs LNfromLondon

Arrived 12 Jan 2020, 3 nights

"Another wonderful visit at Il Moran"

"Superb camp in a lovely location, with the most professional management. …" Read Mr & Mrs LN’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs EfromNorthumber

Arrived 28 Jan 2018, 2 nights

"Excellent camp but with minor reservations."

"The tents are excellent and extremely comfortable. …" Read Mr & Mrs E’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs LfromHinckley

Arrived 9 Dec 2017, 4 nights

"Governors' Il Moran Camp"

"Nice to be by the river and having drinks included …" Read Mr & Mrs L’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Governors' Il Moran Camp reviews

Governors' Il Moran Camp: Our full report

Set on the inside of a thickly wooded bend of the Mara River in the Musiara sector of the Maasai Mara National ...

... Reserve, Governors' Il Moran Camp is just 1km north of the main Governors' Camp as the crow flies. It's designed as a more exclusive version of the original formula, with much larger tents.

The camp is similar in many ways to the main Governors' Camp and, along with Little Governors' Camp, shares its driver/guides and vehicles with the main camp. Even when full, however, Il Moran feels small and peaceful and has a fair proportion of honeymooners among its guests. Like the main Governors' Camp, the physical set-up here is traditional and permanent, and few environmental considerations are taken into account in the operation of the camp.

The central area at Il Moran underwent a full refurbishment in December 2018, and the central communal areas, including the dining room and lounge-bar are now raised up on wooden decking. The refurbishment has given the camp a completely new look, and there is now a much more obvious contrast between Il Moran and its sister Governors' camps.

The refurbishment mixes contemporary and traditional design. You will find clusters of sofas scattered with cushions, and cow hide arm chairs. Dark chunky wooden tables contrast with the colourful beaded light fittings and African artefacts are dotted around. We really liked the new image and feel of Il Moran.

There are plenty of wicker chairs on the wooden viewing deck, overlooking the river and giving a you a good view of the snorting hippos below. The central feature however, is the large sunken fire pit, which is lit in the evenings.

The ten extremely spacious tents at Governors' Il Moran are set on very large concrete, stone plinths, and are fully mosquito-proofed. The tents have also benefitted from a soft refurbishment, with neutral tones of beige, browns and greys combining well to make the tents feel light and airy. All have large double beds made locally from reclaimed wood. Half of the tents have a twin bed configuration. The bedroom floors are laid with a heavy-weave carpet and cow hide rugs. To one side is a heavy wooden writing desk, and copper lamp. A large comfy sofa is positioned at the foot of the bed. A further sofa is found outside on the verandah, alongside wicker chairs, and a hammock.

The very large bathrooms, separated from the bedroom by zipped flaps, have terracotta-tiled floors and half walls of varnished wood panelling. The rear tent wall and overhead tent roof have welcome, extensive areas of mosquito-screen. As well as a big walk-in shower (with no curtains or shower screen), there's a claw-foot bathtub with shower attachment, a bidet and flush toilet, and a vanity unit with twin washbasins.

The generator is always on, and charges an inverter. Batteries can be charged in the tents, using the UK-style, three-pin sockets, at any time.

Activities at Governors' Il Moran are similar to those at the main Governors' Camp. As there, the game drives are conducted in the Musiara and Sekenani sectors of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with well-trained driver-guides who are pooled between all three camps. Game drives take place in the early morning, and in the late afternoon, with the option for the morning drive to be extended with a packed breakfast, returning to camp mid-morning. Most of the vehicles are open-sided Land Rovers, which have two rows of three seats in the rear, and one passenger seat in the front. Each driver-guide at the Governors' camps is based at a particular camp, with his own vehicle. Governors' guides are increasingly well-trained, with most having passed their Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association bronze exam and several having passed silver.

Game drives from Il Moran usually radiate out around the national reserve's Musiara sector across Paradise Plain and up to Rhino Ridge, This is the busiest part of the Mara eco-system in terms of visitor numbers, and in the peak season, when the wildebeest migration is in the reserve, there can be hundreds of 4WDs and minibuses prowling the landscape in search of river crossings and kills. Even in the quieter seasons, however, you are likely to be sharing some of your most memorable wildlife sightings with a number of other vehicles.

Balloon flights can be organised, at an additional cost of around US$500 per person, best booked in advance. They take off from the launch area right behind Little Governors' Camp.

Geographics

Location
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
Three or four nights
Directions
Musiara airstrip is about a ten-minute drive from camp, followed by a short ferry crossing.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
Many guests go out for a long game drive, including a bush breakfast, taking a packed breakfast to have on the go. If you're in camp, there's always a good selection of fruit and cereals, with a choice of pastries and bread, plus the option of a full, cooked breakfast or any of its ingredients, cooked to order.

The lunch we had on a recent visit to Il Moran was delicious. With a couple of options to choose from, the food was light, fresh and beautifully presented. We had a tomato and feta salad along with a well-seasoned chicken wrap. For desert we had peach sorbet and chocolate brownie.

On a previous visit the four-course plated dinner include roasted vegetable soup and fennel rolls, then a vegetarian tagine or chicken fillets with rosemary jus, followed by coconut crème caramel with granadilla, and Kenyan cheeses.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
If requested in advance, meals can be served at a table set up on your room veranda.
Drinks included
Unlike at Main Governors’ and Little Governors’ camps, soft drinks, local beers, house wine and house spirits are all included. Premium wines and spirits are not.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are accepted.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
No
Equipment
Cots and highchairs are available. Rooms are large and have space for an extra bed.
Generally recommended for children
Like Little Governors’ Camp this is a rather grown-up safari camp, so while children won’t be turned away, it’s not an ideal family safari base, for which Governors’ Camp is much better suited.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Governors' Il Moran

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Governors' Il Moran Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Cheetah

50% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Striped Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Charging points in room and lights available 24 hours.
Communications
Camp WiFi and mobile phone network are available throughout much of the camp, but strongest in the main communal area.
TV & radio
No
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Reverse osmosis water system in every tent

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Guides are first-aid trained, there is a first-aid kit in all vehicles, and heads of departments are first-aid trained. There is a doctor at Governors’ Camp, just five minutes’ drive away. The camp has links to the Flying Doctor service.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Camp askaris escort guests around camp at night.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers around the camp and fire drills are occasionally conducted to ensure that staff know how to use them.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Hot air ballooning

    Hot air ballooning

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry service included . Washing powder provided in the rooms for underwear.
Money
Electronic safes in rooms.
Accepted payment on location
They take credit card payments, including Amex, with no surcharge. They also take most major currencies in cash, but not travellers’ cheques.

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Governors' Il Moran Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Governors' Il Moran.


Excursions from Governors' Il Moran

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Governors' Il Moran. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Balloon flight over the Mara

Balloon flight over the Mara

3 hours in total - morning only

With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.

More about Balloon Safari
96% (35 reviews)

Other lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve

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Little Governors' Camp

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Rekero

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Governors' Camp

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When to go to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Governors' Il Moran in Maasai Mara National Reserve


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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