Reviews of Little Governors'

"The camp is as lovely as ever. We have been many times and it is usually our first thought when we plan our trips.

Our driver, Isaac, and those that served us including Kennedy and Duncan we have known for many years and remain great. There were a number of issues with this trip that, whilst not in any way worthy of complaint, detracted from our stay. To such an extent that we will not return next year.

1. The management of the camp is not creating any positive atmosphere at all. The manager rarely spoke to us, and from what we saw any other guests. Never asked us how our game drives were, seemed to avoid contact as much as possible and did not even say goodbye as we left. He was less than 10m from us.

2. Getting from Little Governors towards Main Governors was dreadful. The road was impassable and we had to follow forest tracks which were deeply rutted and muddy. Isaac drove extremely well but it was very difficult. We have been told the 'road' is going to be improved in the very near future.

3. Wildlife sightings in the National Park were extraordinarily low. There was virtually nothing to see except along the riverine forest on the western side and the Masaii Lands on the northern side. The grasses were very long and I am not sure how this can be managed.

The picnic breakfasts were not as good as they have been in the past.

On the other hand the Mara Triangle was relatively good so we spent most of our time there." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya

"This is certainly a beautiful camp in an amazing location, but it lacks authenticity and this special vibe..." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya

"We love Little Governors and the tent, food, service, guide and all staff were and continue to be excellent. Any negative comments are around the ability to access the Triangle and the Mara itself.

Due to previous rains there was only one access point to the triangle and we could not cross the Mara river at all. On the penultimate morning all access to the camp from the triangle was impassable. The only culvert operations collapsed just before we got there. We had to travel through Kichwe Tembo camp after asking the camp whether they would allow this (other vans did the same). We had to cross a swollen stream, perhaps 10-12 m across and it proved quite scary, especially the 3rd crossing).

We were very disappointed that after the problems in 2020 those managing access to the triangle had not taken the camps advice and had neither raised the culverts to allow passage during very wet weather nor fixed them in a more permanent way. Camps have said that they requested this.

On the final morning we had paid $200 to be allowed a game drive. The camp told us that the tickets had not come through, tried to call Expert Africa and had not had a reply. We stayed in camp which we did enjoy. It was a waste of $200 however.

We also find it unbelievable that from $70 per person per day previously the fees will cost $500 per couple per day from July. This is an increase over 4 days from $560 to $2000 - somewhat excessive and is likely to put us off further visits after some 16 visits over the last 20 years." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya

"This camp is just 31 km southwest of Elephant Peppers. Therefore, we didn’t have to fly here, which was a welcome change.

The camp is situated directly on the West banks of the Mara River. Although it has the word “little” in its name, the camp consists of 17 tents, which is huge by Botswana standards. Most people, whether by air or road, arrive at this camp approaching from the East. Therefore, to reach the camp, you must cross the Mara River by hand-drawn ferry, and you have to climb some steep stairs. You must pass by 6 tents before you reach the reception/restaurant area. 11 more tents are located beyond this area. Initially, we were not too enthralled by this camp. The tents appeared to be too close together (we could overhear a phone conversation by a guest in a neighboring tent). In addition, the car that we were picked up in had very uncomfortable seats, raising the prospect of a backpain waiting to happen.

But we quickly changed our initial opinion. First of all, their safari vehicles were perfectly fine. Second, the neighbors did not have any noisy phone conversations anymore. And third and most importantly, we were blessed by being assigned to our guide Jackson.

This area of the Maasai Mara is home to some celebrity animals, for instance the Marsh pride (of lions) and the Five Brothers (of cheetahs), and we saw them both.

To illustrate just how good the quality of the guiding was here, I would like to describe one remarkable sighting with a lone female leopard. When we arrived at the scene, we found ourselves approaching a dry riverbed, which accommodated approximately 12 cars already. On the other side of the riverbed the leopard was frantically digging a hole, and three cars were hoping for a glimpse of her. Then, all twelve cars were rushing towards us, in the attempt to get to the other side of the riverbed. Not so Jackson. He stayed put, anticipating that the leopard would cross over to “our” side of the riverbed. Ultimately, she did, and we saw her snatching up an unlucky warthog baby.

In addition, we had several encounters with what remained of the world-famous Marsh pride. The Marsh pride was occupying a territory a few kilometers east of camp. While we were there, the pride was consisting of eight lions plus two tiny cubs. Their mom Dada had sustained a deep wound on her side, but she seemed to be doing OK. I only mention that because on our last evening, we saw this pride again, and her wound had been treated by the local vets, illustrating that they do care about their wildlife. According to Jackson, this lioness is a very “brave goal-getter”. In fact, on the second morning we saw her pride, she walked across the plain towards what was left of a buffalo kill they made the night before. It was surrounded by at least 40 or 50 hyenas, fighting for scraps. I don’t pretend to know what was going on in the heads of these animals, but I would have figured that those hyenas could have done serious harm to a lone lioness. But she oozed so much self-confidence that the hyenas were discouraged from attacking her. Anyway, that’s the way I would like to interpret this incredible and breath-taking scene.

The pride’s only fully grown male who goes by the name of Half-Tail hasn’t been seen for days. As Jackson told us, he had lost his friend and coalition partner Logol about a year ago to a tragic territorial fight with a competing group of lions from across the Mara River, in an area known as the Mara Triangle ... When Jackson took us on a tour through this area, we happened to see those guys, bellies full, lying on their backs. And he told us that those roaming lions still had ambitions to take over the Marsh pride. And if they would do that soon, the cubs would probably not survive. I, on the other hand, I would hope that those lions wouldn’t have the courage to cross the Mara River, and with the looming rain season chances are that the river would be too much of a challenge. As almost all cats, lions are very aquaphobic. So, I would wish that those challengers from across the river stay in their neighboorhood and leave the Marsh pride alone ...

Even though the food was not as stellar as in the last camp, it was still excellent. As elsewhere in Kenya, the service was very attentive, friendly and efficient. We also really enjoyed that they even served fresh coffee to our tent at 5:30 or 6 AM before going out for the morning game drive." See all these reviews: 20n in Kenya

"We had high expectations of Little Governors - several friends raved about it and all reports were good.

The real thing was even better..... The most delightful location and such a comfortable well-equipped tent was a great base for our 6 days.

The staff were all superb in every way and so, so friendly.

The food was of a very high standard at every meal and we would rate the place as outstanding" See all these reviews: 6n in Kenya; 4n in Zanzibar

"Camp was in a great setting and staff were all friendly. Less personal than Kicheche camp.

Food was good (but not on same level as Kicheche).

The main reason that made this experience not as good -

We were told that we would be met by our guide prior to going out and would be asked what we wanted to see ideally and what we wanted our focus to be. After 3 days at Kicheche, we wanted to focus on the migration at Little Govenors. We were put on a vehicle on our first day with people who were on the first day of their first safari and were happy to see zebras, giraffes, baboons. We felt as though we had wasted a day. We spoke to George the manager, who rectified the situation the following day and we were paired with another couple trying to track down the migration for the day.

The vehicle was also not as well equipped as others eg only 4 blankets for 6 passengers when it was cold." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya

"We loved Little Governors camp.

The location was wonderful to wildlife and balloon ride.

We loved watching the birds and elephant from our tent or the main camp.

The staff was great and the accommodations. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable on area." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya

"Location and accommodation excellent. Food also excellent as was our guide.

The camp manager, George, as well as all other staff we encountered were extremely helpful and courteous.

It is the ambience of the camp, as well as the location, which have not been surpassed in any other camps we have stayed in and we have stayed in many in Africa and South America." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya

"The only negative aspect of the camp is the twice a day steep down and up climb from the safari vehicle location to the camp level as a result of the river crossing. Although our group consisted of two 70+ couples, we are relatively fit and the crossing was well within our capabilities. However, other people may find it difficult.

This is a matter that should be highlighted by Expert Africa at the time anyone is considering a booking at Little Governors." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya

"The camp setting is excellent with the boat trip over the river for arrival and departure a real treat. We received a lovely warm welcome from the staff and our tent was spotless and fully kitted out as we wanted. It was different to our previous camp which was a great contrast but equally welcome.

Lunch was outside on the decking and tremendous, overseeing the various wildlife which entertained us in the water and out - especially the roaming warthogs and elephants who came through the camp, much to everyone's amusement. Dinner was inside the restaurant and a slight downer in that it felt that it could have been anywhere. I guess we were spoilt by lunch being outside with the view.

The staff are great, again, like our previous two stops, very attentive and friendly. They are happy to engage if guests are which is great.

One slight disappointment was that we had a clearly inexperienced guide, Johnson. He was taciturn and didn't explain where we were going and would spend long periods not saying anything. We kept having to ask him what the plan was and what we were looking for. We were clearly spoilt by Simon at Kicheche but I would at least expect to be given some information about animals proactively rather than keep having to ask and receive one or two word answers. He was clearly shy and only occasionally did he come out of himself and this questions whether he is in the right job. He did, like, Simon, have a superb eye for the animals and spotted things from great distances which we would have never seen ourselves.

We have scored this experience as Excellent across all areas as, in summary it was, but there are a couple of things which could have made it even more special. The picnic breakfasts are average and the sundowners caused an issue for us until we spoke to the Camp Manager but this should have been proactively sorted rather than us having to deal with it ourselves. Just a few issues to focus on but there is no doubt the camp is a fine experience." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya