Great Plains has expanded its portfolio of luxury safari accommodations in Kenya with the opening of Zamara Private, a six-suite private residence overlooking the Maasai Mara.
Designed for families and small groups traveling together, the exclusive-use property accommodates up to 12 adults. It joins the conservation-focused hospitality company’s Réserve-Collection, which includes several intimate camps and private safari residences across Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Zamara Private combines expansive living areas, private wellness facilities and customized wildlife experiences in a secluded setting at the gateway to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
A Private Safari Residence for Families and Groups
Rather than operating as a traditional safari camp with unrelated guests, Zamara Private is reserved for one group at a time. This provides families and friends with exclusive access to the residence, its facilities and dedicated hospitality team.
“So many of our guests want to travel as a family and have complete privacy in their own home away from home, so we designed and built Zamara for them,” said Great Plains co-founder Dereck Joubert.
Set on elevated ground within a forested hillside, the residence looks across the surrounding Maasai Mara landscape. Its location provides a quiet place to relax between wildlife-viewing excursions while maintaining convenient access to the reserve.
The private format also gives guests greater flexibility. Daily activities, meals and relaxation time can be arranged around the group’s interests rather than following a fixed camp-wide schedule.
Six Suites Designed to Blend into the Landscape
Zamara Private’s architecture draws on Wabi-Sabi principles, which celebrate natural materials, organic textures and understated beauty.
Elevated wooden walkways connect the residence’s suites and shared spaces. Earth-toned interiors and planted grass roofs help the buildings blend into the hillside rather than compete visually with the surrounding landscape.
At the center of the residence is an expansive lounge with a fireplace. The open-plan room flows onto a broad outdoor deck overlooking the wilderness.
Each of the six suites has a private outdoor deck, writing desk, overhead fans and air conditioning. Indoor and outdoor showers allow guests to enjoy the natural setting while retaining complete privacy.
Two larger master suites offer additional living space and private lap pools. They also include separate lounges, walk-in wardrobes, indoor bathtubs and expanded bathing areas.
Families traveling with children aged six and older can convert four of the suites into triple-bedroom configurations, increasing the flexibility of the accommodation.
Private Wellness in the Maasai Mara
Wellness facilities are an important part of the Zamara Private experience.
The property includes a private spa, fully equipped fitness center, sauna and steam room. A 15-by-5-meter infinity pool provides a place to cool down and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.
A separate media room offers entertainment during the quieter parts of the day or when weather changes safari plans.
These facilities allow travelers to balance early wildlife excursions and longer days in the reserve with spa treatments, exercise or time beside the pool.
Wildlife Viewing in Customized Safari Vehicles
Daily wildlife drives take guests into the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s best-known ecosystems.
The reserve supports an extraordinary range of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions and numerous antelope and bird species. Wildlife sightings vary according to season, weather and natural animal movements.
Great Plains uses customized, open-sided Toyota Land Cruisers for its safari drives. Canopies provide shade, while raised roofs and fold-down screens improve visibility. Photographic bars and charging points have been incorporated for guests interested in wildlife photography.
Because the residence is occupied by one group, wildlife drives can be personalized around shared interests. Some guests may prefer longer excursions focused on photography, while families can arrange a pace that works for younger travelers.
Readers planning a Kenya safari can learn more about the region in DRIFT Travel’s guide to the wildlife of the Maasai Mara and the Great Migration.
Dining Shaped Around the Group
Meals at Zamara Private are prepared in an open kitchen by the residence’s culinary team.
Plant-forward menus emphasize local and seasonal ingredients, with dishes adapted to guest preferences and dietary requirements. Meals can be served in several settings, including the main deck, rooftop terrace or private suite decks.
The rooftop lawn becomes a particularly appealing setting after sunset, when the limited artificial light around the Maasai Mara creates good conditions for stargazing.
Picnic breakfasts and lunches can also be arranged for guests spending longer periods exploring the reserve. This flexible approach allows meals to complement the day’s wildlife activities rather than interrupt them.
Connecting Tourism with Local Communities
Community and conservation experiences are integrated into stays at Zamara Private through the Great Plains Foundation.
Guests may visit projects designed to improve access to schools, healthcare and markets for communities around the Maasai Mara. Great Plains has worked with Bridging the Gap Africa to construct durable bridges in areas where seasonal rivers can otherwise make travel difficult.
Visits to partner schools provide opportunities to learn about local education initiatives, while the Conservation Roots program invites guests to support landscape restoration through indigenous tree planting.
Travelers can also visit a local women’s group where Maasai artisans share traditional beadwork and explain how community-led enterprises support their families.
These activities are intended to introduce visitors to the people and conservation projects connected to the surrounding landscape, adding context beyond wildlife viewing alone.
Great Plains Expands Its Kenya Collection
Zamara Private becomes the sixth Kenyan property in the Great Plains portfolio.
The company’s other Maasai Mara accommodations include Mara Expedition Camp, Mara Nyika Camp, Mara Plains Camp and Mara Toto Tree Camp. Farther south, ol Donyo Lodge is located in the Chyulu Hills between Amboseli and Tsavo national parks.
The different locations allow travelers to combine several Kenyan ecosystems within one itinerary. A Maasai Mara stay can focus on savannah wildlife and seasonal migration patterns, while the Chyulu Hills provide volcanic landscapes and views toward Mount Kilimanjaro.
DRIFT Travel has previously explored several of these properties in its feature on Kenyan safari experiences from Great Plains.
A New Option for Exclusive-Use Safari Travel
Zamara Private reflects a growing interest in exclusive-use accommodations that offer more privacy and flexibility than conventional hotels or safari camps.
Its six-suite layout is particularly well suited to multigenerational families, milestone trips and small groups wanting to share a safari without sacrificing personal space.
With private wellness facilities, personalized dining and daily access to the Maasai Mara, the residence provides a comfortable base for experiencing one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
More information is available from Great Plains Conservation.
