Budget
What each level buys
Indicative, per person per night, fully inclusive. Written to make the steps between levels visible rather than to sell the top one.
| Level | What changes at this step |
|---|---|
| US$650 – 900 | A conservancy camp with capped vehicle numbers, off-road driving, night drives and walking. A private vehicle is often an upgrade rather than included. This is where the big jump in experience happens. |
| US$900 – 1,400 | Owner-run camps, smaller guest numbers, a private vehicle usually included, better guiding as standard. The best value at the top end sits here. |
| US$1,400 – 2,000 | The lowest-density conservancies, exceptional guiding, exclusive-use options, private charter between parks. Scarcity starts to be a large part of the price. |
| US$2,000+ | Architecture, a name, and near-total privacy. You are no longer buying a better experience of the Mara so much as a more exclusive setting for it. |
Indicative planning ranges, per person per night sharing, fully inclusive of accommodation, meals, park and conservancy fees, guiding and transport between parks. Not a quote and not a tariff. International flights excluded.
Extras that are never in the rate
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Private guide | A daily rate, plus their flights and accommodation. Priced per day, so better value for larger parties. |
| Private charter flights | Bought per aircraft. Usually sensible above four people. |
| Balloon safari | A significant per-person extra. Pre-book in season. |
| Exclusive-use supplement | Where a property is taken below its minimum party size. |
| Premium wine and spirits | Included lists are house-level almost everywhere. |
| Tips | Higher at this level. We give a suggested range rather than leaving you guessing. |
Where we would spend the marginal money
Above about US$1,500 a night the experience curve flattens. If your budget goes further than that, we would put the extra into a private guide, an extra night, or a genuinely different second park — not a more expensive tent.
That advice costs us commission. It is still the advice.
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