Julia's River Camp

Our stay at this river camp was nothing short of incredible! Watching hippos emerge from the water to feed at night and spotting elephants across the river created the most unforgettable moments. The staff were exceptionally warm and attentive, making us feel right at home. Every meal was a delight, and our tour guide’s knowledge and passion made the game drives truly special. The wildlife sightings were phenomenal, and the thrill of hearing animals roam around at night added to the adventure. The rooms were comfortable, with excellent hot showers—perfect after a day of exploration. If you’re looking for an authentic and magical safari experience, this camp is an absolute must!

I was traveling with my 6-year-old son, and staying at Julia’s River Camp was like stepping into a National Geographic documentary, except with better food! The camp is inside the Masai Mara Reserve, and trust me, that makes all the difference. From the moment we landed at the Ol Kiombi airstrip, the adventure began. The tents are spacious and luxurious, blending comfort with the raw beauty of nature. The Italian roots of the owner shine through in the food: delicious, abundant, and well beyond expectations. Think restaurant-quality meals with an African twist. The staff made the experience unforgettable, especially for my son. They taught him how to be a Masai warrior: complete with traditional attire, skills, and even a few words in Maa. When it was time to leave, he cried, heartbroken to say goodbye to his new friends. And then there’s Kantai, our guide: a legend in the Masai Mara. This man has the eyes of a hawk (or maybe a lion). He could spot a camouflaged predator from miles away. He was patient, knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. And let’s talk about the game drive vehicle: an open SUV that was by far the best we used anywhere in Kenya. Spacious, comfortable, and offering unbeatable views!!! Oh, and did I mention the hippos and crocodiles? You can see them in the river right from the camp! But don’t worry, it’s totally safe. And for those who need to stay connected, they have Starlink WiFi, which is a game-changer. If I ever return to the Masai Mara, this is where I’m staying.

This was our first trip to Africa, and Julia's River Camp gave us an authentic experience we truly enjoyed. We stayed in the VIP section, where there are only four tents. Then tents were clean, beds comfortable, and food was great. Staff were attentive, professional and welcoming. Would recommend this location if you are looking for an experience like no other. You could hear animals during the night, but always felt very safe. It was a great location to access the airport, and game drives from as well.

This is a camp so amenities are pretty basic. That is very understandable. If you’re a light sleeper, you might not find the area conducive for you as hippos could get loud at night. My biggest issue with this camp is that by default they would clean the tent and rearrange your stuff. I get that cleaning is essential but as someone who functions in a very specific manner, I’d hate to find out that my things have been rearranged. I talked to the camp manager about this and he wasn’t apologetic at all. He just said there’s nothing he could do. Very rude!

Amazing! Incredible experience! The tent was clean and roomy. They are situated in great location inside the park, serene environment by the river, awesome view from the tent. All the staffs are attentive, friendly, and professional, the guards, the chefs, all of them, thank you. Beatrice, our contact staff, was so kind and attentive. She made us feel at home, and totally spoiled us! :-) The safaris were just wonderful! Leo, our guide driver, is an incredible person all around. A Masai native, he knows the Mara like palm of his hand! And he is a great conversationalist. The food is amazing. We are on a vegetarian diet, and here we had some of the healthiest, most delicious food we could find in a restaurant.

A Camp with personal touch. All the staff are very genuine, warm and kind. I misses them so much. No mosquitoes but hippos are just down the river beside the camp. Food is good, service excellent. Throughout the night, the guards are patrolling the site outside our camp as I saw light’s rays ( from their torch ) every now and then in our tent. Special thanks to Kelvin who escorted us in the nights. Bravo to all the staffs who work there.