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In 2025, approximately 5 million travelers embarked on a safari and wildlife-related tourism in Africa, but this number was absolutely dwarfed by the scale of international tourism that Africa received, with over 100 million international arrivals driven mostly by cultural attractions, beaches and lifestyle, as well as business, family and diaspora visits.
Thus, it is no surprise that even today, the public imagination regarding safaris still envisions them as a group of hunters and adventurers putting up an improvised tent somewhere in the wild, stalking dangerous animals in the dark like in the scene from an Ernest Hemingway novel. Nothing could be further from the truth!
The safari of the 21st century has absolutely no resemblance to the safaris of the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the primary focus being eco-tourism, photography, and exploration of natural wonders. Trophy hunting is strictly banned, and the term “Big Five” (referring to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) has completely transitioned from a list of most dangerous animals to hunt to the list of most interesting animals to observe and take photos of in their untouched natural settings.
This shift has had a profound and generally positive impact on environmental preservation, with the proliferation of luxurious and well-regulated eco-lodges and related travel providing significant funds for boosting sustainability. The new public-private model has led to a significant increase in funding for wildlife protection, resulting in governments setting aside vast areas of land as strictly protected national parks, conservancies, and nature reserves, investing heavily in their protection.
To learn more about what modern safari accommodation and experience looks like and why safaris are becoming such a popular form of travel, today we talked to the staff of Mara Maisha Safari Camp in Kenya.
Tell us a bit about the history of Mara Maisha Safari Camp. Was it a brand-new venture or expansion of an existing chain of safari lodges?
Mara Maisha Safari Camp is part of the Maisha collection, alongside Kibo Safari Camp, which is in Amboseli National Park and Maisha Sweetwaters Camp in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The vision behind the brand was to create spaces where guests could immerse themselves in Kenya’s wilderness without sacrificing comfort. Over time, Mara Maisha has grown into a destination that seamlessly blends authentic safari living with refined hospitality.
What do you think is the most common misconception that first-time travelers have about staying in safari camps?
Many first-time travelers expect something overly rustic. What they discover instead is a thoughtfully curated experience, comfortable rooms, en-suite facilities, attentive service, and quality dining all set within the wild. It’s this balance between nature and comfort that often becomes the biggest surprise.
What is the current state of environmental preservation and sustainability of the Maasai Mara National Reserve?
The Maasai Mara remains one of Africa’s most vital ecosystems, supported by ongoing collaboration between conservation authorities, local communities, and tourism partners. While challenges exist, there is a strong collective commitment to protecting wildlife and ensuring sustainable tourism for generations to come.
More about the achieved reduction in poaching, threats from habitat loss and other developments can be found in the latest Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) annual report.
How does your camp ensure that its own operations are minimally disruptive to the environment and the local community?
Sustainability is embedded in our day-to-day operations, from responsible resource use and waste management to meaningful community engagement. A key part of our environmental commitment is reforestation. Across all three camps, trees have been grown manually, reflecting a hands-on approach to restoring and preserving the natural environment.
Travelers have heaped praise on your camp with a highly coveted 4.9 rating on Tripadvisor, which places Mara Maisha in the top 1-2% globally. What are the key factors in ensuring this level of quality?
It comes down to consistency and attention to detail. Guests remember the warmth of the welcome, the attentiveness of the team, and the seamlessness of their experience. Combined with quality accommodation and unforgettable wildlife encounters, these elements create a stay that resonates long after departure.
How do you see your organization developing in the next several years?
The focus is on thoughtful growth enhancing guest experiences while staying true to the core values of sustainability, authenticity, and service excellence that define the Maisha brand.
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Once again we’d like to thank the Mara Maisha Safari Camp’s team for sharing these insights with us and their hard work in providing unforgettable experiences to travelers seeking to experience the unique wildlife and atmosphere of the Maasai Mara National Park.
Additionally, while Connecto Transfers does business in Europe, it is remarkably interesting for us to note the recent proliferation of “glamping” in European countries that has clearly been inspired by the hospitality industry of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and other popular safari destinations.
Such European accommodations can range from Mediterranean luxury tent concepts loosely inspired by African safari camps, to outright small-scale attempts at cloning the original experience by importing select African animal species into private reserves and amusement parks in Europe, most famously in Netherlands and United Kingdom.
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Photo credit: Mara Maisha Safari Camp (no reuse without license), Eric Inafuku at Wikimedia Commons (CC 2.0 license – reused and modified with attribution)
