Sand River Camp: Our full report
Sand River Camp is a comfortable tented camp located on the banks of the Sand River.
It is located in the quieter south-eastern corner of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, very close to the Tanzanian border, and is therefore one of the first camps in the Mara Reserve to experience the great wildebeest migration.Sand River Camp is the sister camp of Elephant Pepper Camp in the Mara North Conservancy, Tortilis Camp in Amboseli and Elsas Kopje in Meru National Park. In 2019 it underwent a total refurbishment and is now a mixture of modern and colonial safari style, giving the air of a 1920’s safari camp but upgraded to the 21st century.
On arrival, guests are given a friendly welcome at the reception area which also has a small curio shop. Gravel and paving leads to the tented lounge, which has comfy sofas and leather armchairs, arranged to create different seating areas to relax and while away the time between safari activities. Oriental rugs are scattered on the dark wood floors and there are bookcases with books and games to keep you entertained and a small bar in the corner. Outside, there are tables and chairs under the trees, and stairs leading down to the river. To the side of the lounge, the dining tent has individual tables – both inside and outside, depending on the weather.
Sand River has 16 guest tents including one family tent. All of these spread out through the bush, along the north bank of the Sand River, and are quite far apart from each other. The camp has been divided into two parts – seven tents on one side of the main area and nine tents on the other. There is a second main area at the eastern end of the camp, which means the camp can operate as two smaller camps when busy, each with their own lounge and dining area. To the side of the main area of the 'western wing' there is a good sized swimming pool offering impressive views over the river. There are few comfy sun loungers and it is a very pleasant location to relax in the heat of the day. The only downside is that it is a relatively long walk to the pool if you are staying in a tent at the end of the 'eastern wing'. In the future the camp hopes to build a second swimming pool.
Each spacious tent is raised from the ground on a low wooden platform and has a separate lounge with a sofa – some which can convert into a sofa bed, armchair and antique writing desk. The bedroom is through a canvas flap, which can be completely opened up during the day, and has a large antique wooden bed surrounded by a mosquito net. The en-suite bathroom has twin basins, a freestanding copper bath and a toilet in a separate cubicle. A glass door leads to an outdoor shower and all toiletries are provided. To the front of the tent, on the deck, are some comfortable lounge chairs where you can relax and enjoy views of the river.
The family tent is similar in décor and style and has two separate bedrooms with a central lounge area in the middle.
As the camp is within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the activities at Sand River are predominantly safari drives in comfortable 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers. You can opt to head out for a full day with a picnic lunch or do separate morning and afternoon drives. All drives are led by experienced local Maasai guides who know the Mara ecosystem very well. It’s also possible to visit a local village and school from here.
The game viewing is good in this area and it is well known for its large concentration of big cats. During the migration, wildebeest herds often stream across the shallow Sand River from the Serengeti across the border in Tanzania and straight past the camp itself, which can be quite impressive. Bear in mind, though, that these movements are not migration river crossings in the usual meaning of wildebeest swimming across the Mara River: the Sand River is mostly shallow and easily forded by the herds.
Our view
We feel that Sand River is a very comfortable well-run camp and it’s in a great spot to witness the wildebeest migration during the months of July to September. Although this area will get busy in peak season, we still expect it to be quieter than other parts of the National Reserve.
Kenya expert
Geographics
- Location
- Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
- Ideal length of stay
- 3 or 4 nights
- Directions
- There are daily flights from Nairobi to Keekorok Airstrip and it’s a further 45-minute drive to the camp
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- On our last stay at Sand River in 2023, we found the food to be excellent. Very imaginative and well presented.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service of meals is possible if you ask in advance.
- Drinks included
- Beer, soft drinks, house wines and local spirits are included. Champagne, premium wines and spirits are at additional cost.
Filtered drinking water is provided in all the tents
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome at Sand River Camp
- Property’s age restrictions
- There is no age restriction
- Special activities & services
- Books are provided for painting and drawing, and board games are available. The staff often invite children to play football in the riverbed when dry.
- Equipment
- Cots and highchairs are provided
- Generally recommended for children
- Due to the camp being unfenced, and in a big game area, we recommend it for older children.
- Notes
- Parents should note that this camp is not fenced, and big game often wanders through camp. Children must always be under adult supervision.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Sand River Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Sand River 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.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
83% success
83% success
67% success
40% success
20% success
20% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Solar is only provided for hot water. It is possible to charge batteries in the tents.
- Communications
- WiFi is available throughout the camp, however there is poor cellphone signal in the area.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Filtered drinking water is provided in the tents.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a clinical officer in the camp. For more serious cases the nearest hospital is in Sekenani at the reserve main gate.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Resident askaris (guards) are on duty day and night. Guests must be escorted from their rooms after dark.
- Fire safety
- Each tent has a fire extinguisher
Activities
4WD Safari
Cultural excursion
Hot air ballooning
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is included in the rates. It is machine-washed.
- Money
- There is a digital safe in each tent.
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa, Mastercard and Amex are accepted with no additional cost. US dollars, euros, Pounds sterling and Kenya shillings cash accepted.
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.
Little Governors'
Little Governors’ Camp sits by a swamp (an old oxbow of the Mara River) in the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It has its own balloon-launching site.
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.
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.
Mara Expedition Camp
Mara Expedition Camp is a small luxury camp located in a slightly elevated area of bush and woodland, just outside 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.
Ilkeliani Camp
Ilkeliani Camp is a smart elegant camp overlooking the Talek River, on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
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.
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.
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.
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.
