Marriott International is expanding its luxury footprint in Africa with the launch of two tented safari camps in Kenya. The hospitality giant has signed agreements with Lazizi Group of Companies to develop The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp and JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp.
The move signals Marriott’s continued investment in luxury safari tourism, following the opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in 2023. The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott properties will mark Marriott’s second and third luxury safari camps in Kenya. Marriott’s Kenya portfolio includes seven properties totaling more than 1,100 rooms.
“Building off of the incredible success we have seen thus far in our luxury safari portfolio in Africa and the growing appetite for outdoor lodging and non-traditional hospitality experiences, the signing of these agreements with Lazizi Group of Companies marks another milestone in Marriott International’s growth,” said Jerome Briet, chief development officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Marriott.
The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp
Slated to open this August, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp brings the brand’s luxury hospitality to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Perched on a secluded island along the Sand River, the camp will offer front-row views of the annual Great Migration.
Plans for the property include 20 tented suites — including a four-bedroom presidential suite — with private lounges, plunge pools and outdoor showers. Guests can expect curated game drives, a spa and wellness center, an outdoor gym and a photography studio. Dining options will range from a multi-cuisine restaurant with a wine cellar to an open-air boma.
JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp
Scheduled to open in early 2026, the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp will be located within the 45,000-acre Solio Game Reserve, a sanctuary known for its rhino breeding program.
Guests will have access to rare wildlife encounters, including white and endangered black rhinos, leopards and cheetahs.
The camp will feature 20 tented units, including two-bedroom suites with private plunge pools, multiple wellness spaces and dining options such as a sky deck restaurant. The property will also house a spa, conservation house, an animal viewing hide and a horse barn. Experiences will range from night game drives and guided nature walks to quad biking and horseback safaris.
Both camps will be constructed using sustainable materials and designed with energy-efficient infrastructure to minimize environmental impact. Marriott and Lazizi Group also plan to engage local communities through job creation, education programs and conservation efforts.
