Elewana Sand River Camp: What to Expect & How to Book
Elewana Sand River Camp: Overview
Summary: Elewana Sand River Camp sits on the southern edge of the Masai Mara, right along the Sand River that marks the Tanzania border. Sixteen luxury tents split between two separate camps (Little Sand River with 6 tents, main camp with 10). Walking safaris with armed rangers, pool overlooking the river, excellent for migration July-October. 3-night fly-in packages from £2,850 per person peak season.
Elewana Sand River Camp doesn’t photograph as dramatically as some Mara properties. No clifftop perch like Angama. No hippo pool right outside your tent like Governors’. What it has is position. You’re in the far south of the reserve, close enough to the Tanzania border that you can see Serengeti hills from the main lounge. There’s actually a telescope set up for watching herds on the Tanzanian side. Strange feeling, seeing lions over there that you can’t drive to because of the border.
Two Camps, Not One
This is something the marketing doesn’t make obvious. Sand River is split into two sections.
Little Sand River has six tents with its own dining room, lounge, and fire pit. Main camp has ten tents and the pool area. They share guides and game drives but eat separately.
If you’re travelling as a group of 6-10 people, you can effectively buy out Little Sand River. It becomes a private camp. Same rates per person but you’re not sharing meals with strangers. Worth asking about when you book. I’ve had honeymoon couples do this with another couple they’re travelling with. Four people, whole camp to yourselves.
The tents are 1920s safari style. Canvas walls, wooden campaign furniture, those copper bathtubs that look great in photos. Each tent has a veranda facing the river.
The Pool Nobody Mentions
Sand River does have a pool. Sits between the main lounge and the river, decent size, nice views. I’m not sure why it gets overlooked in most write-ups. Maybe because it’s not an infinity edge design, maybe because the camp markets itself on safari rather than lounging.
The water can be cool in the mornings. July and August especially. By afternoon it’s warmed up enough to be pleasant. Not heated, so don’t expect bath temperature.
There’s also a billiard table in the main lounge. During the hot midday hours (roughly noon to 3pm), the tents get warm. Canvas doesn’t insulate well. The lounge has high thatched ceilings and stays surprisingly cool. Better place for a nap than your tent, honestly. Or you can play pool and wait out the heat before afternoon game drive.
What It Costs in 2026
Park fees jumped significantly. The Masai Mara now charges USD 200 per person per day during peak season (July-December), paid through KAPS. That’s up from USD 80 a couple years back. Low season (January-June) is USD 100.
Included:
- Full board accommodation
- House wines, beers, spirits
- Laundry
- Walking safari with armed ranger
- Sundowners
- WiFi in main areas
Not included:
- Park fees (USD 200/day peak, USD 100/day low)
- Flights or transfers
- Premium champagne
- Hot air balloon (USD 505-560)
- Tips
3-Night Sand River Package
Season | Price per Person |
Low (Jan-Jun) | £2,650 |
Peak (Jul-Oct) | £3,485 |
Shoulder (Nov-Dec) | £2,985 |
Includes return flights Nairobi Wilson to Keekorok, transfers, 3 nights full board, house drinks, walking safari, park fees. Based on 2 sharing.
4-Night Sand River Package
Season | Price per Person |
Low (Jan-Jun) | £3,350 |
Peak (Jul-Oct) | £4,285 |
Same inclusions as above plus extra night.
I should be upfront: these prices are estimates based on 2025/2026 published rates. Elewana adjusts seasonally and the exchange rate fluctuates. Could be slightly higher or lower when you actually book. We’ll confirm exact pricing when you enquire.
Getting There
Flights: Safarilink and AirKenya fly daily from Nairobi Wilson to Keekorok Airstrip. About 45 minutes in the air. The morning flights leave Wilson around 7:30am and 10am typically, though schedules shift seasonally. Check Safarilink closer to your dates.
The transfer from Keekorok: This is where most guides rush. It’s 45 minutes to camp, give or take, and the instinct is to get you there for lunch. But the route passes some rocky outcrops near the Tanzania border that are known for leopards. If you ask specifically, your driver can take the scenic bypass. The “border leopards” hang out on these kopjes because there’s less vehicle traffic than further north. I’d request this rather than the direct route.
Road from Nairobi: Six hours. We don’t usually recommend it for Sand River because of the distance, but it’s doable if you hate small planes.
Walking Safaris Here
The Masai Mara National Reserve restricts walking. You can’t just wander off into the bush like you can in conservancies. But Sand River arranges walking safaris with armed KWS rangers, which requires permits and coordination.
They’re not long walks. Maybe an hour, sometimes 90 minutes. You’re not covering huge distances. The point is experiencing the bush on foot. Tracking. Reading signs. Hearing things you miss from a vehicle.
Whether these happen depends on wildlife activity near camp. If there’s been lion movement in the area overnight, they’ll postpone. Safety takes priority. I’ve had walks cancelled twice in one trip because of elephant activity. Frustrating but correct.
The Thermos Flask Thing
This is specific enough that I feel stupid writing it, but it catches people. The tents have vintage-style thermos flasks on crystal coasters. Usually two of them. One is drinking water. One is filtered but not potable, meant for brushing teeth.
They look identical. The labels are small. Guests mix them up constantly. Nothing dramatic happens, but drinking the rinse water with your malaria tablets can cause stomach issues you don’t want on safari. Just check the labels.
The Solar-Heated Bath Timing
Those copper tubs everyone photographs? Solar heated. Eco-friendly but there’s a sweet spot.
The water is hottest between roughly 4pm and 5:30pm, right after the sun has been heating the collectors all day. By 9:30pm, after the cold Mara night sets in, it’s tepid at best. If you want a proper hot bath, have your tent attendant draw it right after your afternoon game drive, not after dinner.
I’ve had guests disappointed by lukewarm baths because they waited. Now I mention this upfront.
Migration from Sand River
The camp’s location gives you access to the Sand River crossings. These are different from the famous Mara River crossings further north.
The Sand River is shallower. Banks are sandier, not steep mud cliffs. When herds cross here, it’s more orderly. Less drowning drama, fewer crocodile attacks. Some photographers prefer it because you can get lower angles without fifty Land Cruisers in your background.
The main crossings near Serena and Governors’ are 60-90 minutes drive from Sand River. During peak migration, that’s a long way to go for something that might or might not happen. The camp guides coordinate by radio, but you’re at a geographical disadvantage compared to camps right on the Mara River.
If river crossing chaos is your priority, Sand River might not be the best choice. If you want migration atmosphere without the vehicle circus, it works well.
The View Into Tanzania
From the main lounge, you look across the Sand River into the Serengeti. Kenyan vehicles can’t cross. The herds you see on those Tanzanian hills are unreachable.
There’s something strange about watching lions through the telescope knowing you can’t drive over. Like nature television happening in real time. The camp has set up the scope specifically for this. Some guests find it frustrating. Others find it oddly meditative.
Elewana Sand River FAQs
Does Sand River Camp have a swimming pool?
Yes. The pool overlooks the river near the main lounge. Not heated, so it can be cool in the mornings during July-August. Warms up by afternoon.
How much does Elewana Sand River cost per night?
Published rates run roughly USD 750-1,100 per person per night depending on season, excluding park fees. Our packages include flights and fees, which is why totals look higher.
Is Sand River good for the Great Migration?
Good for the quieter Sand River crossings (shallower water, fewer vehicles). Further from the main Mara River crossings than central camps. Depends what you prioritise.
Can you do walking safaris at Sand River?
Yes, with armed KWS rangers. Subject to wildlife activity and safety conditions. Not guaranteed on every stay.
What’s the difference between Little Sand River and the main camp?
Six tents versus ten. Separate dining and lounge areas. Same guides and game drives. Groups can book Little Sand River exclusively.
How far is Sand River from the Mara River crossings?
About 60-90 minutes drive depending on which crossing point and road conditions.
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About This Guide
Written by Peter Munene, licensed safari guide with over a decade in the Masai Mara. Edited by Trevor Charles.
Last updated January 2026. Park fees from KAPS and KWS. Camp rates verified with Elewana Collection.