Great Plains Announces Opening of Zamara Private, Kenya

Great Plains, the iconic eco-tourism company founded by National Geographic explorer-filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, is delighted to announce the launch of Zamara Private. Now open in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the new private residence from Great Plains forms part of its exclusive Réserve-Collection safari camps.

Located at the gateway to the sprawling Maasai Mara Reserve, Zamara Private accommodates up to 12 adults in six luxurious suites with natural grass planted roofs. Offering exclusive access to one of Africa’s most celebrated ecosystems, this private safari villa is ideal for families or small groups and provides the ultimate base for those looking to discover this region and its bountiful wildlife in style.

Commenting on the upcoming launch, Great Plains Co-Founder Dereck Joubert said: “So many of our guests want to travel as a family and have complete privacy in their own home away from home, so we designed and built Zamara for them. It’s a residence in so many ways, with private gym, spa, saunas, media room; a real collection of six suites that I hope redefines the safari experience. It overlooks the Maasai Mara from high ground tucked into a hillside forest. Designed to slow time, inviting not just a stay, but a pause. A breath. A sanctuary in the wild. Here, the rhythm is set not by schedules, but by sunrises, lion calls, and the laughter of those you love. Zamara Private is a name that whispers rather than shouts — lyrical and softly powerful, much like the land it overlooks. I just know you will fall in love with our latest opening and how it will enrich your family safari.”

Design and Facilities
Zamara Private features a spectacular design rooted in Wabi Sabi principles, where elevated wooden walkways weave through open-plan spaces and organic textures and calming earth tones provide a grounding connection to nature. At the heart of the villa lies an expansive lounge with a stylish fireplace, flowing seamlessly onto a broad deck that overlooks the wilderness beyond.

Each of Zamara Private’s six suites offer a supremely private sanctuary, with natural grass planted roofs that blend into the landscape. Inside, thoughtful touches abound; overhead fans, air conditioning, a private outdoor deck, writing desk and the rare luxury of a shower beneath the stars. Two master suites offer additional space and enhanced features, including a separate living room, private lap pool, walk in his-and-hers wardrobes, indoor bathtub, double indoor and outdoor showers and an additional single room suitable for a guest’s personal assistant. For families with children aged six and up, four of the suites can be converted to accommodate an extra child in a triple bedroom configuration.

Elsewhere on the property, guests can cosy up in the media room, kick back in the dedicated wine room, unwind at the spa or enjoy a spot of in-suite private dining. For wellness-lovers looking to relax and keep fit on safari, a 15m x 5m infinity pool sits alongside a private wellness space including a fully-equipped gym, sauna and steam room.

The Experience
Guests of Zamara Private are spoilt for choice when it comes to wildlife spotting opportunities, with daily safari drives deep into the Maasai Mara National Reserve taking place in some of the Mara’s most luxurious wildlife-viewing vehicles. Each Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicle is open-sided, canopied and customised for photographers with fold-down screens, raised roofs, photographic bars and multi-plug inverters. The vehicles are also stocked with a fridge brimming with drinks and snacks, ready for longer days out if the wildlife viewing is just too hard to leave.

For those in search of a true bucket-list-in-the-bush experience, there is even the chance to book a hot air balloon ride over the Mara – a truly stunning way to experience the landscape and an unforgettable sunrise.
Guests can also take part in meaningful Great Plains Foundation experiences that celebrate people, purpose, and place. From visiting a Great Plains Bridge – a vital link for local communities – to spending time at a partner school, engaging with students and teachers, or joining Conservation Roots by planting an indigenous tree to leave a legacy of regeneration, opportunities to give back are at the heart of each stay. Guests are also invited to visit a local women’s group, where Maasai women share their culture through beadwork and sustainable projects that uplift their families and communities.

When it comes to fine dining, guests of Zamara Private have all meals and beverages included and prepared in a state-of-the-art open kitchen by a talented team of Executive Chefs. A range of plant-rich menus celebrate local ingredients and are available to enjoy in a variety of settings, from the main deck area or wine room to the rooftop terrace complete with beautifully landscaped lawn – ideal for stargazing over supper beneath the vast African skies. Those in search of complete privacy can opt to dine in-suite on their private decks, while destination picnic breakfasts and/or lunch are on offer for those wishing to enjoy a bucket-list dining moment in the bush. Meanwhile, a dedicated wine room hosts a curated selection of over 47 bottles, including 65% from South Africa’s most acclaimed vineyards.

Zamara Private marks the sixth Kenyan camp from Great Plains, joining Mara Expedition, Mara Nyika, Mara Plains and the recently-opened Mara Toto Tree Camp in the Maasai Mara region alongside Ol Donyo Lodge, located in the southern Chyulu Hills between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks.

Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Zamara Private, Kenya, start from $32,500 (£24,117*) per night, based on 12 guests sharing on an all-inclusive basis. For more information or to book, visit https://greatplainsconservation.com/zamara-private/. *Price in pound sterling accurate at time of publication.