A male lion resting on rocks, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
What are the best alternatives to Great Plains Conservation for a luxury safari?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026
These are the companies with camps of their own in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana, where Great Plains Conservation also has camps, read from their own websites and set beside Great Plains Conservation on the same facts. Great Plains Conservation has camps elsewhere too, listed in its own box.
Great Plains Conservation on the same facts
Great Plains Conservation is set out here on the same facts as the cards below, from its own website, so any alternative can be read against it.
- Camps: Botswana: Selinda Camp and Selinda Explorers (Selinda Reserve), Zarafa Camp (Selinda Reserve, Zibadianja Lagoon), Duba Plains (Duba Concession, Okavango Delta), Sitatunga Private Island (Okavango Delta).
- Children: Family accommodation: 2-bedroom family tents at Mara Nyika, Mara Expedition and Selinda Explorers, family suite at ol Donyo and Mpala Jena (2 family suites).
What are the best alternatives to Great Plains Conservation for a luxury safari?
Each card below sets out a camp owner in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana on the same facts as Great Plains Conservation, its camps and private guide terms, so the alternatives can be compared line by line.
African Bush Camps
- Best for
- Multi-camp trips across Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Botswana: Atzaró Okavango Camp, Khwai Leadwood, Khwai Lediba, Linyanti Bush Camp, Ebony, Expeditions, Legodimo (Linyanti Reserve).
- Countries
- Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe ('our heartlands').
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 12 reviews; Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 24 reviews, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- africanbushcamps.com
African Horseback Safaris
- Best for
- Horse riding safaris in the Okavango Delta
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Guests have 450,000 acres of the Okavango Delta to explore.
- Countries
- Botswana (Macatoo Camp, Okavango Delta).
- Rates
- Lowest published rate GBP 625 pppns (Standard season, 2025); highest GBP 1035 pppns (Peak season 15 Jun-14 Oct, 2026), sharing.
- Children
- 50% discount for non-riding children under 12.
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 1 review, read 2 November 2026.
Alex Walker's Serian
- Best for
- Intimate camps in the Mara and Serengeti
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Kenya: Serian 'The Original' and Ngare Serian in Mara North Conservancy.
- Countries
- Kenya and Tanzania.
- Reviews
- Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 47 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.serian.com
Angama
- Best for
- The Mara Triangle and Amboseli
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Angama Safari Camp: deep in the Mara Triangle, moving with the Great Migration.
- Countries
- Kenya (Angama Mara and Angama Safari Camp in the Maasai Mara; Angama Amboseli in Kimana Sanctuary near Amboseli).
- Rates
- Lowest published nightly rate: USD 950 per person, Angama Safari Camp, 2026 Standard Season.
- Children
- Children of all ages welcome year round.
- Private guide
- Angama Mara and Amboseli: private safari vehicles are extra, USD 200 half day / USD 400 full day in Standard Season.
- Enquire
- angama.com
Asilia Africa
- Best for
- Owned camps across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Kenya: Naboisho Camp and Encounter Mara (Mara Naboisho Conservancy)
- Countries
- Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda: 'Asilia Africa features safari camps and lodges in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.' Rwanda is mentioned only in the emergency numbers and as a combinable destination.
- Reviews
- Google: 4 out of 5 from 180 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.3 out of 5 from 24 reviews, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.asiliaafrica.com
Dulini
- Best for
- Sabi Sand lodges with Botswana and Zambia
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Dulini Daunara is in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
- Countries
- South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
- Enquire
- www.dulini.com
Elewana Collection
- Best for
- Many locations across Kenya and Tanzania
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Elsa's Kopje (Mara North Conservancy, Masai Mara)
- Countries
- Kenya and Tanzania.
- Reviews
- Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 10 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.elewanacollection.com
Finch Hattons
- Best for
- A Tsavo West luxury camp
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills.
- Countries
- Kenya.
- Reviews
- Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 147 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.finchhattons.com
Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps
- Best for
- Kenya conservancy camps at Amboseli and Mara
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Porini Amboseli Camp (Selenkay Conservancy, Amboseli ecosystem)
- Countries
- Own camps are in Kenya only (Porini Camps and Nairobi Tented Camp).
- Rates
- Reduced rates for 6+ night stays, US$ per person sharing per night, 2026: 1 to 30 June: Amboseli/Rhino $551, Giraffe $442, Mara/Cheetah $584, Lion $603, Rhino River $537, Ol Kinyei Cottages $679, Nairobi Tented $105. 22 July to 30 Sept: $748, $607, $836, $922, $682. 1 Aug to 30 Sept cottages $1,294.
- Children
- Porini camps are not suitable for children under 8.
- Private guide
- Private vehicles are offered at the camps at a supplement; an 'Exclusive Vehicle' gives sole use of the open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle during game drives for US$375 per vehicle per day, with a minimum of 2 days.
- Reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 121 reviews, read 19 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.porini.com
Governors' Camp Collection
- Best for
- Riverside camps inside the Masai Mara
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Governors’ Camp (Masai Mara National Reserve, on the Mara River beside Musiara Marsh, served by Musiara Airstrip)
- Countries
- Kenya (Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley).
- Rates
- Lowest published per person sharing rate: Loldia House luxury room, 1 Apr-31 May 2026, US$424 (2027: US$437 in the same period).
- Children
- Governors' Camp and Loldia House welcome all ages.
- Private guide
- Il Moran: 'Private game drives are available on request (advance booking required)'.
- Enquire
- www.governorscamp.com
Hemingways Collection
- Best for
- Mara camps with Nairobi and the coast
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Ol Seki Mara: Naboisho Conservancy, Narok, Maasai Mara.
- Countries
- Kenya and Rwanda.
Ker & Downey Botswana
- Best for
- Private Okavango concessions since 1968
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Shinde and Shinde Footsteps: Shinde Private Concession, northern Okavango Delta.
- Countries
- Botswana and Zambia.
- Reviews
- Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 58 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.2 out of 5 from 1 review, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.kerdowneybotswana.com
Kicheche Camps
- Best for
- Small camps in Mara conservancies
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Kicheche Bush Olare (Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara)
- Countries
- Kenya only ('Kicheche operates exclusively in Kenya's private wildlife conservancies').
- Rates
- 2026 rack rates per adult per night, US$, per person sharing, excluding conservancy fees.
- Children
- Minimum age 7 at Kicheche Bush Olare and Valley Naboisho.
- Private guide
- The Walking Wilderness Safari is privately guided for a maximum of six guests.
- Reviews
- Google: 5 out of 5 from 2 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.2 out of 5 from 1 review, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- kicheche.com
Machaba Safaris
- Best for
- Small camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Botswana: Machaba Camp and Little Machaba (Khwai Concession, Okavango Delta)
- Countries
- Botswana and Zimbabwe.
- Reviews
- Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 84 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- machabasafaris.com
Natural Selection
- Best for
- Wild camps in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Okavango: Mokolwane Plains in the NG29 private concession (200,000 ha, only two camps)
- Countries
- Camps in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
- Reviews
- Google: 5 out of 5 from 4 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- naturalselection.travel
Offbeat Safaris
- Best for
- Off-the-beaten-track Kenya camps
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Offbeat Mara Camp and Offbeat Ndoto (Masai Mara)
- Countries
- Kenya.
- Children
- Child rates 50% off adult rates (Offbeat Mara, Offbeat Ndoto, Deloraine House 4-11; Sosian 3-11; Ekorian's Mugie 5-15).
- Reviews
- SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
- Enquire
- www.offbeatsafaris.com
Sanctuary Retreats
- Best for
- Lodges, camps and riverboats in six countries
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Baines' Lodge, Chief's Camp and Stanley's Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
- Countries
- Safari lodges and camps in six countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
- Enquire
- www.sanctuaryretreats.com
Saruni Basecamp
- Best for
- Community conservancy camps across Kenya
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Saruni Mara (Mara North Conservancy)
- Countries
- Kenya.
- Children
- 'Children of all ages are welcome.' Under 5 sharing with adults are free; ages 5 to 16 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate in a standard room or tent with 1 to 2 adults, 75% in their own room, or a Family Unit rate.
- Private guide
- 'Private vehicle with guide for exclusive use is available at an additional cost per day' at USD 400 per day, with a note to contact the company for rates.
- Enquire
- www.saruni.com
Singita
- Best for
- Lodges and villas across five countries
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Lamai Triangle (Mara River Tented Camp).
- Enquire
- singita.com
Wilderness
- Best for
- Camps across eight African countries
- Camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana
- Botswana: Mombo, Little Mombo, Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura, Chitabe, Chitabe Lediba, Qorokwe (Okavango Delta)
- Reviews
- Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 71 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.8 out of 5 from 146 reviews, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
What do they charge per person per night?
5 of the 20 camp owners on this page publish a rate per person per night; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Each line is the company's own figure as its website gives it. Companies with camps in several countries are left out of this list and their cards, because their published figure can be for a camp elsewhere.
- African Horseback Safaris: Lowest published rate GBP 625 pppns (Standard season, 2025); highest GBP 1035 pppns (Peak season 15 Jun-14 Oct, 2026), sharing.
- Angama: Lowest published nightly rate: USD 950 per person, Angama Safari Camp, 2026 Standard Season.
- Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps: Reduced rates for 6+ night stays, US$ per person sharing per night, 2026: 1 to 30 June: Amboseli/Rhino $551, Giraffe $442, Mara/Cheetah $584, Lion $603, Rhino River $537, Ol Kinyei Cottages $679, Nairobi Tented $105. 22 July to 30 Sept: $748, $607, $836, $922, $682. 1 Aug to 30 Sept cottages $1,294.
- Governors' Camp Collection: Lowest published per person sharing rate: Loldia House luxury room, 1 Apr-31 May 2026, US$424 (2027: US$437 in the same period).
- Kicheche Camps: 2026 rack rates per adult per night, US$, per person sharing, excluding conservancy fees.
What age limits do they set for children?
7 of the 20 camp owners on this page publish a child policy; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their policy can differ from camp to camp.
- African Horseback Safaris: 50% discount for non-riding children under 12.
- Angama: Children of all ages welcome year round.
- Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps: Porini camps are not suitable for children under 8.
- Governors' Camp Collection: Governors' Camp and Loldia House welcome all ages.
- Kicheche Camps: Minimum age 7 at Kicheche Bush Olare and Valley Naboisho.
- Offbeat Safaris: Child rates 50% off adult rates (Offbeat Mara, Offbeat Ndoto, Deloraine House 4-11; Sosian 3-11; Ekorian's Mugie 5-15).
- Saruni Basecamp: 'Children of all ages are welcome.' Under 5 sharing with adults are free; ages 5 to 16 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate in a standard room or tent with 1 to 2 adults, 75% in their own room, or a Family Unit rate.
Which offer a private guide and vehicle?
5 of the 20 camp owners on this page offer a private guide or vehicle; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their terms can differ from camp to camp.
- Angama: Angama Mara and Amboseli: private safari vehicles are extra, USD 200 half day / USD 400 full day in Standard Season.
- Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps: Private vehicles are offered at the camps at a supplement; an 'Exclusive Vehicle' gives sole use of the open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle during game drives for US$375 per vehicle per day, with a minimum of 2 days.
- Governors' Camp Collection: Il Moran: 'Private game drives are available on request (advance booking required)'.
- Kicheche Camps: The Walking Wilderness Safari is privately guided for a maximum of six guests.
- Saruni Basecamp: 'Private vehicle with guide for exclusive use is available at an additional cost per day' at USD 400 per day, with a note to contact the company for rates.
Alternatives to Great Plains Conservation: the questions people ask
Which say they charge no single supplement?
1 of the 20 does: Offbeat Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which have their own aircraft or air service?
2 of the 20 do: Governors' Camp Collection and Wilderness. Each one's own website says so.
Which publish a conservation model?
18 of the 20 do: African Bush Camps, African Horseback Safaris, Alex Walker's Serian, Angama, Asilia Africa, Dulini, Elewana Collection, Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps, Governors' Camp Collection, Hemingways Collection, Ker & Downey Botswana, Kicheche Camps, Natural Selection, Offbeat Safaris, Sanctuary Retreats, Saruni Basecamp, Singita and Wilderness. Each one's own website says so.
Which publish a deposit?
10 of the 20 do: African Bush Camps, African Horseback Safaris, Asilia Africa, Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps, Governors' Camp Collection, Ker & Downey Botswana, Kicheche Camps, Machaba Safaris, Natural Selection and Saruni Basecamp. Each one's own website says so.
Which have guest reviews on Google, SafariBookings or Trustpilot?
13 of the 20 do: African Bush Camps, African Horseback Safaris, Alex Walker's Serian, Asilia Africa, Elewana Collection, Finch Hattons, Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps, Ker & Downey Botswana, Kicheche Camps, Machaba Safaris, Natural Selection, Offbeat Safaris and Wilderness. Each platform's rating and count are on the card, never added together.
Which of these companies have all their camps in one country?
8 of the 20: African Horseback Safaris, Angama, Finch Hattons, Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps, Governors' Camp Collection, Kicheche Camps, Offbeat Safaris and Saruni Basecamp. The others run camps in more than one country, so their cards leave out rates and child policies on pages about one place.
Can I book these camps through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Each card has the company's own enquiry link; you can also book through a safari planner.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Each card links the pages of the company's own website its lines were read from, under Sources, with the date they were read.
How were these camp owners chosen?
Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table and its own website names, in one sentence about its own camps, a camp of its own in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and northern Botswana, the area where Great Plains Conservation has its camps (a camp the site places only near or beside it, or a sentence about drives or partnerships, does not count). A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
How current are these facts?
Each company's website was read on 19 and 20 October and 2 November 2026. Rates, child policies and reviews change, so confirm them with the camp before you book.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be listed.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each camp owner published on its own website, read on 19 and 20 October and 2 November 2026, with reviews per platform (Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot), from the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table. Companies whose websites would not open are not on this page. Cards are in alphabetical order. Photos are stock images from Pexels and do not show any company's camp. How this site earns · How we work.