The Ritz-Carlton has opened its first safari camp, offering elevated tented suites amongst the treetops of Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve - but does it come at a cost to wildlife? Olivia Palamountain reports

The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara safari camp features 20 expansive tented suites, positioned on a secluded island surrounded by the Sand River near the Tanzanian border.

Each suite includes private decks, infinity plunge pools and both indoor and outdoor showers, providing guests with direct views of the migration route used by millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles.

The camp represents the luxury hotel brand's first venture into safari tourism, bringing butler service and fine dining to one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife conservation areas. Guests receive a dedicated "Encholiek" - a Maasai term meaning "one who walks with you" - providing personalised butler service throughout their stay.  Sustainability features include solar power, rainwater harvesting and waste reduction initiatives, whilst materials and furnishings have been sourced from local artisans. The camp partners with local Maasai builders, guides and storytellers to create cultural connections alongside wildlife experiences.

The camp offers access to an on-site photography studio equipped with professional Canon equipment and expert guidance. Other facilities include a spa and wellness centre inspired by indigenous healing traditions, plus an outdoor gym, pool overlooking the savannah, discovery hub and map room.

Signature experiences include "The Call of Dusk", which immerses guests in Masai culture as the sun sets. A traditional Maasai horn signals the transition from day to night, whilst a warrior in full regalia welcomes guests for dancing, storytelling and Kenyan tea around burning olorien wood.

"At The Ritz-Carlton, we believe in the power of travel to transform - not just the places we visit, but also those who journey there," says Helen Leighton, vice president of luxury brands for EMEA. "Each guest will enjoy a bespoke adventure based on their ultimate safari. From breathtaking wildlife encounters to personalised service in the heart of the savannah, every moment is designed to inspire."The camp opens during peak migration season, when millions of animals travel between the Serengeti and Masai Mara from July to October. Beyond migration viewing, the reserve houses the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo - plus more than 500 bird species viewable year-round.

But this strategic positioning along this critical migration route has drawn fierce opposition, with its opening overshadowed by a legal challenge from conservationists who claim the location will disrupt the Great Migration. The Institute for Masai Education, Research and Conservation filed court papers seeking to suspend the opening, questioning whether an appropriate environmental impact assessment was conducted for the development on the Sand River, according to The Times.

Conservationists warn that new developments are narrowing space available for wildlife and disrupting routes used by animals to find seasonal grazing land and water. Joseph Ogutu, a Kenyan researcher at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, tells the newspaper that many species' populations in the reserve have shrunk by more than 80% since the 1970s.Located near Serena Airstrip, Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp sits 45 minutes by flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport or five hours by road from the capital. Reservations are available from 15 August 2025, with all-inclusive rates starting at US$3,500 per person per night.