Elewana Sand River Masai Mara is on the banks of the Sand River within the Masai Mara National Reserve. The camp offers a sublime and carefully chosen location providing optimal access to the wildlife, close to the Tanzanian border. The National Reserve is best known for its large concentrations of big cats, such as leopards, cheetahs, and, of course, lions. Even the dramatic arrival of the annual wildebeest migration merely adds to an already abundant resident wildlife that awaits discovery.
Sand River Masai Mara replicates the heyday of exclusive permanent tented camps of the late 1920s. The interior fixtures and furnishings mirror this period perfectly. Reminding all who visit of those countless Hollywood movies that have paid homage to a classic era of African adventure. Although with all the mod cons and excellent cuisine. With not only a swimming pool but WiFi internet throughout the camp and a gift shop.
Sand River Masai Mara demonstrates all the qualities that have made the Elewana Collection the premier choice in East Africa.
Sand River Masai Mara has 15 x tented accommodations (49m2). In addition, there is 1 x family tent with 2 en suite bedrooms adjoined by a central lounge area (87m2). Each tent has a gorgeous bath with an outdoor shower.
Interior of luxury double tentLuxury Tent bathroom
It is divided into two separate but adjoining campsites (one of 10 and one of 6 tents). Each area possesses its own designated dining and public areas, thereby creating an increased sense of exclusivity and privacy. 4 of the tents contain day beds that can be used as extra beds.
The camp can accommodate a maximum of 40 people.
Masai Mara Family Safari Information ↓
Families are welcome at Sand River Masai Mara.
Family tent interior
Some of the activities for children are:
Swimming pool
Warrior training – Learning how to make a fire, or throw a Masai rungu (a wooden throwing club or baton). And make and use a bow & arrow.
Guided Camp “bush” walks – short walks around camp looking at the trees, flowers, grasses, insects, birds and bird calls, mammals, tracks and droppings
Various board games and playing cards available in the camp
School visit – during normal term times
Children’s menu
Child Policy at Sand River Masai Mara
Children under 12 years
Free
Children 12 to 17.99 years
Child in own room
75% of the adult single room rate
Two children in own room
75% of the adult sharing rate per child
Three children in own room
75% of the adult triple room rate
Child sharing with 1 adult
50% of the per person adult sharing room rate
Two children sharing with 1 adult
50% of the per person adult sharing rate per child
Child sharing with 2 adults
25% of the per person adult sharing rate
Child policy applies at all the Elewana properties except Kilindi where there are no children allowed.
Masai Warrior Training
Activities at Sand River Camp
The camp is located in a secluded area of the Masai Mara National Reserve, far from other properties so guests enjoy a truly “exclusive” safari. Sand River Camp is quite literally on the wildebeest migration route. During this time, guests become part of the wildlife drama being played out, as sprawling lines of wildebeest cross the Sand River and weave their way right through the camp. Guests are often fortunate to be able to watch wildebeest and zebra crossing the Sand River from the comfort of their tent verandah.
Migration river crossing
Bush meals and sundowners are a highlight at camp.
Game drives
The Masai Mara is renowned for its spectacular game viewing and wildlife interactions. Why not enjoy it with the most traditional of safari activities – a game drive? With a knowledgeable guide, enjoy a morning, afternoon, or full day out in the grassy plains, and riverine forest of the Masai Mara.
All Elewana open game drive vehicles have individual armrests, elevated seats with pockets, and ample legroom. Seats have added padding for superior guest comfort. With a fridge full of cold drinks.
Game drives are included in the Game Package
Mating lions
Photographic Safari
The vehicles are suitable for both amateur and professional photographers. Other features specific to photographers include:
Retractable windscreens to afford 360 degree views.
Bean bags in the vehicle to assist photographers to steady their camera.
Extra padded bags, pillowcases, etc can be provided to assist photographers with camera storage.
Guides are familiar with the wildlife movements and can assist the photographer to get the best possible shot by positioning the vehicle in the best place.
Exclusive Use Safari
Guests can enjoy an exclusive-use vehicle with experienced driver-guide for the day. Should guests wish to stay out all day, this exclusive-use vehicle includes the option of a picnic hamper.
For keen photographers, seats can be removed to allow for additional space for photographers to move around. The two front seats can be replaced with a mattress for photographers that want low angle shots.
Exclusive Use (per Game Drive Vehicle)
2026 and 2027
1 – 2 people
$540
3 – 4 people
$300
5+ people
Free
Cultural Village or School Visit
The Masai Mara is famed for its red adorned Maasai people. At Elewana Sand River Masai Mara, guests can visit a local village or school. Witness the traditions of the Maasai people that still hold strong today. This is at an additional cost.
Community village
Hot Air Balloon
A hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara is also available at an extra cost.
2026 and 2027 Experiences & Activities (US$ per person)
On Game Package
On Full Board Package
Scheduled and Shared Game Drives, Twice Daily
Incl
$220
Balloon Safari
On request
Airstrip Transfer | Keekorok (per vehicle)
Incl
$120
Experiences and activities are subject to availability, and weather conditions.
When to visit Elewana Sand River Masai Mara – Wildebeest Migration and Birding Safari
The Masai Mara ecosystem holds one of the highest lion densities in the world. They are in the area all year round. It hosts over 95 species of mammals and 570 recorded species of birds. The best time for a birding safari is between November to March.
For those wishing to enjoy exceptional game viewing, Sand River is an ideal choice at any time of the year.
July and August:
This is probably the busiest time in the Masai Mara. Visitors will see thousands of wildebeest and zebras. Crossing the rivers into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti. Particularly in July. This also makes it a great time to view birds of prey and big cats such as lions and leopards!
September and October:
The herds begin to make their way back to the Serengeti. It is still a very popular time so also can be very busy. With a lot of the migration still enjoying the fresh grasses of the Masai Mara.
November – June:
Most of the migration animals have returned to Tanzania. However, many animals remain in the Masai Mara. It is a great time for birding.
Brown-throated Wattle-eyePearl Spotted Owlet eating a Nightjar
Where is Sand River Masai Mara Camp and Getting There
Sand River Masai Mara Camp is located alongside the banks of the river of the same name. It is close to the border of the Serengeti National Park, and within the Masai Mara National Reserve. Sand River Mara lies on the most northerly route of the spectacular Annual Migration.
Keekorok airstrip is a 45 minute flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi. And a 45 minute drive from camp. There are several daily flights departing Wilson Airport. There are also daily flights from various other areas including the coast.
We can also arrange private charters from anywhere.
Elewana Sand River Masai Mara Accommodation Rates
Sand River Masai Mara offers either full board or ‘game package’ rates.
2026 Elewana Sand River Mara Rates
Full Board
Game Package
Mid Season:
1st to 30th June
Per person sharing
$897
$1,097
Single Room
$1,345
$1,545
Triple Room
$2,017
$2,467
Family Suite
$3,587
$4,336
High Season:
1st July to 31st October
Per person sharing
$1,076
$1,276
Single Room
$1,614
$1,814
Triple Room
$2,421
$2,871
Family Suite
$4,301
$5,071
Mid Season:
1st November to 19th December
Per person sharing
$897
$1,097
Single Room
$1,345
$1,545
Triple Room
$2,017
$2,467
Family Suite
$3,587
$4,336
High Season:
20th December to 3rd January 2027
Per person sharing
$1,076
$1,276
Single Room
$1,614
$1,814
Triple Room
$2,421
$2,871
Family Suite
$4,301
$5,071
2027 Elewana Sand River Mara Rates
Full Board
Game Package
Mid Season:
4th January to 31st March
Per person sharing
$942
$1,142
Single Room
$1,413
$1,613
Triple Room
$2,120
$2,570
Family Suite
$3,730
$4,509
Green Season:
1st April to 31st May
Per person sharing
$689
$889
Single Room
$1,034
$1,234
Triple Room
$1,550
$2,000
Family Suite
$2,727
$3,491
Mid Season:
1st to 30th June
Per person sharing
$942
$1,142
Single Room
$1,413
$1,613
Triple Room
$2,120
$2,570
Family Suite
$3,730
$4,509
High Season:
1st July to 31st October
Per person sharing
$1,173
$1,373
Single Room
$1,760
$1,960
Triple Room
$2,639
$3,089
Family Suite
$4,473
$5,274
Mid Season:
1st November to 19th December
Per person sharing
$942
$1,142
Single Room
$1,413
$1,613
Triple Room
$2,120
$2,570
Family Suite
$3,730
$4,509
High Season:
20th December to 3rd January 2028
Per person sharing
$1,173
$1,373
Single Room
$1,760
$1,960
Triple Room
$2,639
$3,089
Family Suite
$4,473
$5,274
There are a limited number of triple rooms available (up to 3 guests).
Family Suite rate is for (2 adults & 2 children).
Additional adults and children can be accommodated in the Family Suite at an additional cost and on request. Adults are 75% and children are 25% of the per person sharing rate.
The first single room in any booking will not incur a single room supplement. Any additional single rooms in the same booking will be charged at the full single room rate. Except when a booking contains more than 3 single rooms. Any additional single rooms beyond the first 3 single rooms will be charged at the double room rate.
The full board rates include:
Accommodation,
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Soft drinks, house beers, house wines and selected house spirits, teas, coffees, and refreshments (on the property).
Laundry services.
Game Package rates include:
Game package rates include the full board package, PLUS
Twice daily shared game drives.
Drinks on activities.
Transfers to/from designated airstrip(s).
All rates exclude:
All drinks on full board. Premium drinks on game package rates and full board.
Any additional meals (early arrivals/late departures).
Transfers (other than to/from designated airstrips).
Flying doctors medical evacuation insurance.
Flights and airport taxes.
Gratuities.
Park or reserve fees, conservancy fees, and camping fees, as applicable.
Elewana Sand River Masai Mara Accommodation Special Offers and Packages
Please note: check with us as offers change and some are valid for short times etc.
Offers cannot be combined with any other offer / discount and are subject to availability.
They are applicable on accommodation rates only.
Elewana Circuit Discount
Sand River Mara is part of the Elewana Collection. This collection of luxury boutique lodges, camps, and hotels are all in iconic locations across Kenya and Tanzania. Stay longer at any combination of these properties and get great discounts.
Elewana Circuit discount
1st January to 30th June 2026 and
1st November to 19th December 2026
6+ nights
10%
8+ nights
15%
10+ nights
20%
1st July to 31st October 2026 and
20th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Only pay for 3 nights. Your 4th night is on us between 5th January – 31st May 2027 or 1st November to 19th December 2027! That’s a 25% discount!
Valid at all Elewana properties as detailed in above circuit discount offer except Arusha Coffee Lodge and Kilindi Zanzibar.
Pay 4 Stay 5
Unwind a Little Longer: Book 4 consecutive nights at a single property or at a combination of Elewana lodges and enjoy the 5th night complimentary. For travel dates between 5th January – 31st May 2027 or 1st November to 19th December 2027. That’s a 20% discount!
This offer can be redeemed at all Elewana properties, excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge and Kilindi Zanzibar.
10% Discount Offer
Enjoy an exclusive additional 10% discount on Elewana’s rates when you book and travel within 8 weeks up to 31st August 2026.
Tanzania: Serengeti Migration Camp, Serengeti Pioneer Camp, Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Kilindi Zanzibar
Kenya: Sand River Mara, Elephant Pepper and Little Elephant Pepper Camps in the Masai Mara, Elsa’s Kopje in Meru
This offer stands independently and cannot be combined with other special offers or discounts
Terms and conditions apply
Returning Guests
Elewana rewards its returning guests with a 5% discount on accommodation rates on top of any other special offer. Along with 20% off all Spa Treatments (where available).
It can be combined with any other special offer.
With over 150 camps / lodges in the Masai Mara, the choices are limitless! We are adding more accommodation options soon but will still be able to quote you on any lodge not here.
The award-winning Cottar’s Safari Camps are situated in the private conservancy, bordering Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti, Tanzania – rates and offers
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
