Kandili Camp Masai Mara

Kandili Camp Masai Mara is nestled within the exclusive Leopard Gorge Conservancy. It’s a classic tented safari camp that completely immerses guests in one of the world’s most incredible ecosystems. Elevated naturally above the landscape, the camp offers sweeping, uninterrupted views of the iconic Olololoo Escarpment and the vast plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve stretching toward the Serengeti.

Privately owned and personally run, Kandili operates on a philosophy of understatement and flexibility. This traditional canvas camp is authentic, confident, and never overdone, designed to blend seamlessly into the environment while running on 100% solar power. Plains game roam freely between the tents, and the surrounding gorge is famous as the “Land of the Big Cats” (filming location for the BBC Big Cats documentary series).

Because Kandili is the only camp with access to the Leopard Gorge Conservancy, guests enjoy complete privacy and a range of activities strictly prohibited in the main reserve, such as guided nature walks and night game drives. Yet, sitting just minutes from the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s Musiara Gate, the camp offers the absolute best of both worlds: thrilling access to the Great Migration river crossings by day, and a peaceful, crowd-free wilderness to return to by night.

Location & Accessibility

Kandili Camp is set within its own private 600-hectare Leopard Gorge Conservancy, bordering the main Maasai Mara National Reserve. The camp enjoys a naturally elevated, incredibly privileged position with breathtaking views over the iconic Olololoo Escarpment and the sweeping savannah plains

By Air

✓ The Transfer: Upon landing, guests are met by their private guide for a scenic game-drive transfer to the camp, meaning the safari experience begins before you even unpack
✓ Nearest Airstrip: The most convenient way to reach the camp is via a scheduled light aircraft flight from Nairobi to the Musiara Airstrip, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

By Road

✓ Driving from Nairobi: For guests incorporating Kandili into a longer overland safari, the camp is accessible by road from Nairobi. The journey takes about 7 hours, taking you through the beautiful landscapes of the Great Rift Valley

Access to the Reserve

✓ Musiara Gate: Positioned just 10 minutes from the Musiara Gate, the camp offers incredibly quick, flexible access to the main Maasai Mara National Reserve. This proximity puts you in the heart of the action for early-morning game drives and Great Migration river crossings, while still retreating to the absolute privacy of the conservancy at night

Accommodation

Recently refurbished to combine timeless style with authentic wilderness living, Kandili Camp offers just 11 classic canvas safari tents. Designed to be completely eco-friendly, the entire camp runs on 100% solar power. With no fences surrounding the property, plains game frequently roam right past your private verandah, bringing the safari experience directly to your doorstep.

Standard Tents (3 Tents)

Decorated in a classic, understated safari style with natural brown furniture accented by warm oranges and reds, these tents offer simple, highly comfortable accommodation ideal for couples or solo travelers. They can be configured as double, twin, or single.

Superior Tents (4 Tents)

Perfect for honeymooners or couples seeking extra space, these beautifully appointed tents boast uninterrupted views of the Leopard Gorge. They can be set up as doubles, twins, triples, or singles. A standout feature is the spacious en-suite bathroom, with a double vanity and a shower that can be fully opened to enjoy sweeping savannah views while you wash.

The Family Unit (1 Unit)

Tailor-made for families wanting a perfect balance of privacy and shared space, this unit consists of Tents 1 and 2, seamlessly interconnected by a spacious central lounge. It accommodates families comfortably with one double tent and one twin tent.

The Suites (2 Suites)

The camp’s most expansive offerings, these two luxury suites are fantastic for small groups or families and can be configured as doubles, triples, or quadruples.

Interiors: They feature a spacious bedroom adorned with beautiful Swahili art, plus a separate living room with a cozy seating and reading area.

Tent Amenities & Features

✓ The Views: Each tent features a private, furnished verandah designed to maximize the stunning views of the escarpment and the surrounding gorge
✓ In-Room Comforts: All tents include a reading table, atmospheric lantern side lamps, and convenient charging units for camera batteries and devices
✓ En-Suite Bathrooms: Every tent features a private, solar-powered bathroom equipped with a flush toilet, hot and cold running water, and double sinks

Dining & Cuisine

At Kandili Camp, dining is a deeply personal and atmospheric experience designed to celebrate both the stunning natural surroundings and exceptional culinary flavors. Whether enjoyed within the cozy main mess or out in the wild, every meal is crafted to make your stay memorable.

The Dining Tent & Lounge

The heart of the camp is the central lounge and dining mess, a welcoming, canvas-walled space featuring a small library and a fully stocked bar. It is the perfect spot to gather between safari activities, swap stories with fellow guests, or simply relax with a book while enjoying uninterrupted views of the plains.

Mediterranean-Inspired Cuisine

The talented Kandili chefs take great pride in preparing delicious, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine blended with local Kenyan flavors. Menus are carefully crafted with fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients, ensuring a healthy, satisfying, high-quality dining experience in the middle of the bush.

Alfresco & Private Dining

Whenever the beautiful Maasai Mara weather permits, meals are taken outside. Guests can enjoy breakfast and lunch alfresco under the shade of indigenous acacia trees. For those staying in the expansive Suites, the large private terraces offer the ultimate setting for exclusive, private dining, complete with your own outdoor fire pit for an evening nightcap.

Bush Meals & Sundowners

Kandili excels at taking the dining experience out into the conservancy. Start your day with a classic bush breakfast set up under the acacias, surrounded by grazing plains game. As evening falls, the team sets up spectacular sundowners overlooking the Olololoo Escarpment, followed by romantic, candlelit dinners served around the roaring campfire beneath a canopy of stars.

Experiences & Activities

At Kandili Camp, every day brings a completely new adventure. With access to both the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the exclusive Leopard Gorge Conservancy, guests enjoy a flexible safari experience that extends far beyond the confines of a 4×4 vehicle.

Exclusive Conservancy Safari

✓ Bush Breakfasts & Sundowners: Enjoy the freedom of the conservancy by taking your meals out into the wild. Start the day with a bush breakfast under the acacias, and end it with spectacular, private sundowners overlooking the escarpment
✓ Guided Walking Safaris: Step out of the vehicle for a refreshingly intimate view of the wilderness. These guided nature walks offer gentle exercise and a fascinating insight into tracking, insects, birdlife, and the medicinal uses of African trees and plants
✓ Day & Night Game Drives: Explore the private Leopard Gorge Conservancy in exclusive vehicles with private guides and spotters. Free from the strict rules of the main reserve, the conservancy allows for thrilling after-dark night drives to spot elusive nocturnal predators

The Maasai Mara Reserve

✓ Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Take to the skies at dawn for an unforgettable, panoramic flight over the Maasai Mara, culminating in a classic champagne bush breakfast upon landing
✓ The Great Migration: Positioned perfectly for the annual spectacle, Kandili offers full-day excursions into the reserve. Guides know the best vantage points for dramatic river crossings on the Mara River, and during certain times of the year, the herds even wander straight through the open camp

Culture & Family Adventures

✓ Maasai Village Visits: Engage authentically with the local community through cultural visits. Learn about the rich heritage, colorful garments, and traditional ways of life of the Maasai people
✓ Children’s Safari Activities: Kandili is wonderfully family-friendly, offering specialized activities for younger guests. Children can learn to build traditional Maasai structures, practice archery, try their hand at Maasai beadwork, and take fun, educational guided walks

Highlights

✓ Elevated Views: A naturally elevated setting offering uninterrupted, sweeping views over the iconic Olololoo Escarpment and the expansive Maasai Mara plains
✓ Land of the Big Cats: The conservancy is famous for its exceptional predator sightings and served as a primary filming location for the renowned BBC documentary series, Big Cats
✓ Authentic Canvas Living: An intimate, independently owned camp featuring just 11 spacious, recently refurbished en-suite tents that capture the romance of a classic, bygone safari era
✓ Night Drives & Walking Safaris: Enjoy thrilling activities strictly prohibited in the main reserve, including guided nature walks, bush tracking, and night game drives to spot nocturnal wildlife
✓ Exclusive Conservancy Access: Located within the private, 600-hectare Leopard Gorge Conservancy, guaranteeing complete privacy and a safari experience far removed from the typical crowds
✓ Flexible & Tailored Safaris: Operating with a personal touch rather than a rigid corporate schedule, featuring private safari vehicles, dedicated spotters, and a genuinely flexible approach tailored to your pace
✓ Eco-Conscious Footprint: Designed with preservation in mind, this 100% solar-powered camp seamlessly blends authentic luxury with a deep commitment to the surrounding environment and local Maasai communities
✓ Prime Reserve Proximity: Situated just 10 minutes from the Musiara Gate, providing quick, highly flexible access to the main Maasai Mara National Reserve for early morning drives and the spectacular Great Migration

Kandili Camp Masai Mara Non-Resident Accommodation Rates Include

Full board accommodation with three meals + Welcome drink + Guided nature walk and government levy & service charge

Notes

* Check-in time is at 14:00 Hours
* Kindly request superior and suite tent rates
* For those over 12 years old, the Adult Rate will apply
* Up to 3 years old sharing with adult/s – Free of Charge
* Check-out time is 10:00 Hours. Regardless of arrival time
* For child/children accompanying an adult and in the same room
* From 4 years old up to 12 years old sharing with 1 or 2 adults as per rate card
* Conservancy fee per person per night – Adult 35 US Dollars & child 21 US Dollars
* Late check-out after 10:00 Hours and until 13:00 Hours, will be charged 100 US Dollars per Adult and  50 US Dollars per Child. This amount will include lunch if required

Kandili Camp Masai Mara Accommodation Rates Exclude

* Drinks
* Extras
* Items of personal nature
* Masai Mara Conservancy/park fees  
* Airstrip transfers & any other extra activities that are not included above
* Guests are required to have their own comprehensive insurance cover to cover them for cancellation, curtailment, medical expenses, personal baggage, emergency evacuation back home, and money

Kandili Camp Masai Mara Extra Activities Per Person

* Maasai Dancers 130 US Dollars
* Extra Picnic Lunch – 25 US Dollars
* Musiara Airstrip Transfers – 40 US Dollars
* Sundowner – Adult 30 US Dollars & child 20 US Dollars
* Kandili Guide (Half Day) if the client is on Self Drive  70 US Dollars
* Kandili Guide (Full Day) if the client is on self-drive: 120 US Dollars
* Casual Meals at Camp – Adult 30 US Dollars & child 20 US Dollars
* Night Game Drive in 4×4 Vehicle – Minimum 2 guests – Maximum 7 guests – 150 US Dollars
* Visit Manyatta & Local School (Payable to Manyatta) – Adult 20 US Dollars & child 10 US Dollars
* Game Drive in 4×4 Vehicle Half Day (approximately 3 Hours) Min 2 guests & Maximum 7 guests – 50 US Dollars
* Game Drive in 4×4 Vehicle Full Day (approximately 6 Hours) Min 2 guests & Maximum 7 guests – 120 US Dollars
* Exclusive Use of 4×4 Vehicle Full Day (approximately 6 Hours) Minimum 2 guests Maximum 7 guests 400 US Dollars
* Bush Breakfast / Bush Lunch / Bush Dinner (not available in HIGH & PEAK Season) – Adult 40 US Dollars & child 50 US Dollars

Masai Mara Park Fees

* 100 US Dollars per adult, per night from 1st January to 30th June
* 200 US Dollars per adult, per night from 1st July to 31st December
* 50 US Dollars per child, per night all year (aged 3 to 17 years inclusive)
* Please note that park fees are subject to change without prior notice

Kandili Camp Masai Mara features 6 luxury tents and 2 suite tents, each with en-suite bathrooms and decorated in warm colors in a modern African style. Each suite has a spacious bedroom, a living room with a seating area and library, a large terrace for private lunches and dinners, and an outdoor bonfire.

The common areas include a spacious lounge and dining area with a bar, where you can relax and enjoy sundowners while taking in exquisite views. Enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the Oloolo escarpment and a sitting area with a library where you can relax and take in the wonderful views.

The Kandili chefs create delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.  Weather permitting, guests can dine under the acacia trees and enjoy candle-lit evenings.

Kandili Camp Masai Mara activities include: a bush picnic, game drives, sundowners, bird watching, walking safaris, and village visits. Guests live and enjoy firsthand the large number of animals that walk past the tents, and each evening they witness the wonderful sunset from their terrace as the sun goes down, hiding behind the Olololo escarpment.

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com