Governors' Camp

Place:

Kenya

Placemakers:

Aris and Romi Grammaticas

Ethos:

The Masai Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of color and life.

When was the last time you visited a place that touched your soul? A place that enriched you with new and radically different cultural experiences? Governors’ Camp Collection has been a pioneer of safaris in Africa for over 50 years. Here, time is gauged by sunrises, sunsets, and vistas that stretch far into the distance. Days are spent exploring the Mara and Mugie plains, the herds which roam free, and the predators which stalk them. Evenings are enjoyed around the fire and gourmet dinners by candlelight, before returning to a comfortable bed and falling asleep to the sounds of the African night.

Aris Grammaticas spent his childhood exploring East Africa’s wilds, sparking a lifelong love for the region. In the 1960s, he and Romi began adventuring into the Masai Mara with a VW Beetle, camping under the stars. Inspired by these experiences, they envisioned bringing the magic of the African bush to more people around the world. In the 1970s, Aris secured a lease in the untouched northern Masai Mara. Despite having no hotel experience, they created Governors’ Camp, Africa’s first permanent luxury tented camp—blending the traditional charm of canvas with the immersive bush experience. Today, it stands as a testament to their vision, offering a magical escape that continues to enchant visitors from around the globe.

Conservation, Community, & Sustainability

For over 50 years, Governors’ Camp Collection has been working hand in hand with its community neighbors and local conservation organizations to protect the unique wild areas and the species that flourish within them. In many cases, they are now working with the sons and daughters of community elders that they began working with all those years ago. To learn more about their projects and initiatives, click here