Reviews of Little Governors'
Wildlife sightings and reviews
30 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Little Governors' and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
72% success
83% success
13% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
89% success
89% success
78% success
60% success
27% success
0% success
0% success
"Little Governors' Camp review"
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Another return to Little Governors"
There was a good choice on the menu at lunch and dinner. The food was well prepared and very good quality. We very much enjoyed all of our meals. We took breakfast out with us in the morning so that we could have extended game drives and only ate breakfast in camp on the last day. Both types of breakfast were very good. We had excellent service at mealtimes.
Our driver/guide was Oliver and we were very lucky to have the vehicle to ourselves for the whole time. Our first two game drive were in the Musiara area. The driving conditions in that section were very difficult due to recent rainfall. Our first pm drive was in good weather and very relaxed with a decent amount of game. The following morning was difficult for everyone... it rained most of the time and animals were hiding! The high grass made sighting even harder. Consequently we did our other game drives in the Mara Triangle. (The easy access to this is a big advantage of staying at Little Governors, as opposed to the other Governors Camps).
We had some good sightings and a couple of memorable 'road blocks'. The first was a male lion who decided that the road was a very warm and comfy place to lie down and have a nap! This happened just as we were going to head back to camp. There was no way round him so we, and several other vehicles simply had to wait for him to move. On another day a large tusker decided to monopolise the road in front of our vehicle. He seemed a bit grumpy so Oliver gave him space and we followed slowly at a distance. He eventually moved off into the grass. (One disadvantage of the Mara Triangle is that there is no off road driving allowed).
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Little Governors. However it is the first time that we have stayed there and not seen any cheetah." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Buffalo
10 sightings
Eland
2 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Little Governors' Camp review"
Our guide, Isaac, who we have had several times was excellent. He was very empathetic to our requirement as we had our daughter and two granddaughters with us.
The manager, George, made sure that everything was in order for us asking regularly how our stay was going.
A really excellent location and first class camp which is run extremely well." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Little Governors' Camp review"
Special kudos to Chef Kenneth and the dining and bar staff." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
Buffalo
7 sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
4 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
"Little Governors' Camp, a great place for our return to Africa "
The food was good and our guide Joseph was superb. One of the best at spotting wildlife in the distance in our 14 years of Safari holidays.
We saw so many lions, every day, different prides in one day cheetah on one occasion, elephants, buffalo, antelope and hippo.
We would love to stay again." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
5 sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
"Little Governors Camp review"
Not nearly as much game as we expected but for someone who is a first time safari visitor probably OK.
Our guide, Moses, on our two morning drives almost said nothing. On both mornings he drove for almost an hour without explaining what he was looking for or what we were doing. Gave the impression he didn't want to be bothered talking. Fortunately the amazing scenery made up for his silence. He did a bit more talking in the evening drives when prompted. I think he is tired of the job and I would feel sorry for anyone only visiting this camp for their safari experience and getting Moses.
Altogether a fabulous place to stay. Moses needs a break." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya; 9n in Zanzibar
Buffalo
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
8 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Smiley, warm and welcoming!"
We really liked the individual dining arrangement, as opposed to communal tables. This system gave us freedom to dine when we wanted (within reason) and the opportunity to enjoy time alone during breakfast and lunch overlooking the scenic marsh. In the evenings we loved having a drink in the bar before moving to the candlelit area for dinner. The menu provided a nice choice and the food was excellent.
Our safari guide, Moses, was very experienced and he provided us with some outstanding Lion and Hyena encounters. However, the spotted cats proved elusive. We were able to get some super photos.
This is one of the best camps we have stayed at during our African travels. It combined very well with our other camp, Karen Blixen." See all these reviews: 6n in Kenya
Buffalo
6 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
7 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
7 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
7 sightings
Spotted Hyena
7 sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
2 sightings
"Superb. Treated extremely well."
Our guide, Isaac, who we have known for some time, was excellent and was very empathetic with what we wanted.
Henry who looked after out tent etc. was excellent. He anticipated what we needed often before we knew them ourselves and was always there to help.
Stanley, in charge of our table, was also excellent and was wholly attentive and helpful throughout.
We were extremely limited in our safaris (perhaps 4 miles by 1 mile maximum in terms of area) but the camp maximised our experience.
It was a great team effort.." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
"East Africa Manager"
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
2 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
9 sightings
Spotted Hyena
6 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Little Governors Camp review"
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Magical Safari at Little Governors Camp"
The staff are very attentive and can’t do enough for you, including an armed guard to take you back and forward from your tent at night. This is really important as we had tent 17 and going back to it one night we were less than 20 metres from a huge hippo that was at the side of our tent so I was really glad that Phillip ( and his rifle) was present. It was also comforting at night when you can hear animals rustling up against the tent to know that Philip was stationed at the tree opposite us!
The game drives here are in an excellent location and or driver, Jackson, was outstanding. Although we were only here for 3 days we developed an incredible rapport with him and his knowledge, consideration and skilful driving reinforced the fact that he was an accredited silver guide. He showed us a leopard ( which we hadn’t seen on our previous Safari) as well as a Wildebeest crossing of the Mara river of at least 100,000 animals, which was a once in a lifetime experience. Jackson really is an amazing guide and a credit to Little Governors.
The meals in camp were of a very good standard and to have them with such a wonderful view and attentive staff was a real treat.
The tents are ‘glamping’ of a very high standard, with a fantastic en suite and the hot water bottles at night are a lovely touch as is the insect spray covered in its own Safari jacket, which is incredibly effective at killing the mosquitos such that we were not bitten at all. The wake up call with a hot drink is also a very nice touch.
The only negative point is that the morning game drive starts at 06.30 and you get back in camp after breakfast is finished and so you have to take a packed breakfast with you. Whilst breakfast in the savanna may sound appealing the quality leaves much to be desired. After 1 day the four of us had the vehicle to ourselves and so arranged with Jackson to leave at 7.30 after breakfast in camp, which was much better.
The Maasai Mara is busy in August but the stay at Little Governors is quiet and relaxed with it only having 17 tents. I would recommend this camp to anyone as a base in the Mara and if you get Jackson as well you really will have an unbelievable time." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
4 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wildebeest
5 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Kenya
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Kenya.
Other lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Rekero
Rekero is an unpretentious, high-end safari camp, for travellers who take their wildlife watching seriously and are prepared to pay for an exceptional location.
Tangulia Mara
Tangulia Mara is a rustic and traditional safari camp on the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve owned by Jackson Looseyia of Big Cat Diary fame.
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp is a large tented camp on the Mara River and one of the oldest in the Mara region, dating from 1972. Although unfenced, and regularly visited by elephants, the whole compound is always busy with human activity.
Serian Nkorombo
Serian Nkorombo is a luxury bush camp in the Musiara sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve on the east side of the Mara River.
Sand River Camp
Luxury colonial-style tented camp on the banks of the Sand River close to the Tanzania border – a great spot to see the wildebeest migration.
Sala's Camp
Sala’s Camp is a comfortable and intimate tented camp, with seven tented rooms, located on the banks of the Sand River, in the far south of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Governors' Il Moran
The smallest and most expensive of the three camps in the Governors’ group, Governors’ Il Moran Camp hugs a meander of the Mara River just 1km north of the main Governors’ Camp.
Angama Mara
Angama Mara is a top-end luxury tented camp on the Siria-Oloololo escarpment of the Maasai Mara ecoystem, just above the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Basecamp Maasai Mara
Basecamp Maasai Mara is a family-friendly, award-winning eco-camp on a U-bend on the north bank of the Talek River, on the boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ngenche Safari Camp
Mara Ngenche is a non-hosted, luxury tented camp with an antique style, which is perfect if you're looking for private dining while staying somewhere small and personal.
Mara Expedition Camp
Mara Expedition Camp is a small luxury camp located on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ilkeliani Camp
Ilkeliani Camp is a smart elegant camp overlooking the Talek River, on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Tipilikwani Camp
Tipilikwani Mara Camp is a larger, mid-range tented camp offering good value from its base on the Talek River just outside the Mara National Reserve.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a large safari hotel with views of the Mara River, in the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Mara Explorer Camp
Mara Explorer is a smart tented camp is in a scenic location on a bend in the Talek River.
Governors' Private Camp
Located on a secluded bend of the Mara River, Governor’s Private Camp has just eight tents and is booked on an exclusive basis.
Topi House
Topi House is a very good, three-bedroom fully staffed private house on the fringes of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Entim Camp
Entim Camp is well located in the heart of the Mara National Reserve, offering traditionally styled tented accommodation.
Naibor Camp
Naibor has a great location in the Mara reserve, and offers accommodation to suit different budgets, with stylish high-end tents and some simpler ones too.
Ishara
Ishara is a highly luxurious safari camp in the Maasai Mara, located on the Talek River, which is one of the best areas in Kenya for wildlife.
