Leading the way in sustainability and bespoke design, The Wilder Group has unveiled its latest boutique, luxury camp – where spectacular wildlife meets world class accommodation
Take a holiday on the wild side. Paradise Plains, a new luxury safari camp and the latest venture from The Wilder Group, has opened its doors in Africa’s iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve. Embodying the Wilder philosophy, Paradise Plains blends authentic safari heritage, community ethos, and prime wildlife access.
Inviting guests to explore this world-renowned destination in style, the camp’s nine design-led suites, fine dining, and five-star facilities – including a dedicated gym, spa, and infinity pool – combine immersive safari adventures with refined comfort for an unforgettable experience.
The Location
Located in the Musiara region of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Paradise Plains’ coveted location in one of the most celebrated wildlife areas in Africa – strategically placed between the open plains and the nearby Mara River – offers guests a unique vantage point of the sweeping savannah views, as well as its verdant, riverfront scenery.
The camp’s proximity to the Mara River adds another layer of biodiversity, with exceptional birdlife ranging from African fish eagles to numerous resident and migratory species.
Its location places Paradise Plains at the heart of one of the Mara’s most prolific wildlife zones, home to an abundance of wildlife all year-round, including large elephant herds that frequently graze across the plains in front of the camp, lions (including the world-famous members of the Marsh Pride), and plains game visible throughout the day.
Paradise Plains is also an ideal base for migration safaris – during the Great Migration, the nearest wildebeest crossing points are just 30 minutes away from the camp, and most of the major crossings are reachable within 60 minutes.
Set in a secluded, quieter part of the reserve, Paradise Plains offers guests a tranquil experience with greater privacy. Its prime location allows for uninterrupted wildlife viewing while retaining easy access to key, seasonal highlights of the area.
Accommodation & Design
The design of Paradise Plains is inspired by an innate respect for the landscape and legacy of the Maasai Mara. Its guiding principle was to create a luxurious, refined camp, uniquely suited to its location – every structure, material, and texture has been meticulously chosen to allow the camp to seamlessly integrate with its extraordinary setting and complement its habitat.
With nine suites in total, including one family suite, the camp’s layout has been carefully designed to maintain ample space between each guest tent, affording greater privacy and uninterrupted views, whilst allowing space for natural wildlife to move through the area.
Each guest suite features a spacious main bedroom tent (the family suite has two) complete with an ensuite bathroom, and a separate bathroom tent featuring a freestanding copper bathtub positioned to face the open plains. On the other side, a private living room comes stocked with a curated selection of wines and spirits, a fine tea selection, and custom coffees, alongside vortex binoculars, wildlife field guides, and a selection of coffee table books.
The bespoke tents, manufactured locally in South Africa, comprise organic materials in a palette of neutral, earth tones, carefully selected to harmonise with the terrain. Its muted canvas and low-profile architecture ensure the camp is barely visible from a distance, preserving the natural beauty of the plains and the riverine forest that define the Musiara landscape.
Inside, the interiors combine modern comfort with classic safari charm, embracing traditional East African design. Antique pieces, kilims, and handcrafted furniture, combined with textures such as natural linen and heavy velvet alongside open, light infused layouts that frame sprawling views of the wilderness. Every design detail from the tent orientation to the soft lighting and tactile finishes evoke a sense of quiet immersion, allowing guests to experience the authentic rhythm of the Mara in privacy and comfort.
Speaking on the design, Serena Mason, Creative Director of The Wilder Group said: ‘With Paradise Plains, we wanted guests to be taken back in time to old world elegance – copper baths, luxurious textures, exquisite crockery, elegant glassware. The layout was built around three integral elements: slow safari living, absolute privacy, and immersive wildlife viewing. Each aspect of the design reflects a thoughtful balance between comfort, seclusion, and connection to nature, ensuring an experience that is both restorative and deeply engaging.’
The Facilities & Shared Spaces
The camp’s central area, facing the open plains and Mara River, features a welcoming main lounge with a carefully curated library, the perfect spot for work or leisure – with high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi available in all guest tents and shared spaces for seamless connectivity – as well as an elegant dining tent and an outdoor fireplace for a refined take on the classic safari campfire tradition, where stories are shared under starlit skies.
The camp’s ample 70 sqm, infinity edge swimming pool overlooks the plains, where frequent visits from elephants and other native wildlife make for cinematic scenes. Additional fitness amenities include a well-equipped gym, and a secret yoga deck set in the forest, on the edge of the Mara River, overlooking the hippos.
The camp’s tranquil spa pavilion, complete with two massage rooms – one single and one couples – is set apart for privacy and positioned to take in the sweeping views of the plains. Alongside treatments such as the Plains Drift Massage, Sunset Stone Ritual and Savannah Foot Revival, guests can take advantage of body treatments such as the Calm & Glow Ritual, its signature treatments such as The Paradise Indulgence, or opt for the Explorer’s manicure or pedicure.
A curated camp boutique offers a handpicked collection of safari essentials, alongside sustainable and local artisanal items & keepsakes, allowing guests to take a piece of their Paradise Plains experience home with them.
The camp also offers a complimentary laundry service for guests.
Incredible Dining
The Paradise Plains culinary creations are a feast for the senses and served in the camp’s dedicated dining tent as well as other charming pockets within the camp. Menus designed by The Wilder Group’s Executive Chef, Riaan Coetzee, sees a variety of international delicacies and inspiring dishes expertly prepared by Paradise Plains’ talented team of chefs. A curated list of signature and classic cocktails are available for guests to enjoy, alongside an extensive selection of fine wines and premium spirits.
Guests can take part in several interactive culinary experiences. Paradise Plains invites guests to join them for daily Sundowners on the open plains or at a secluded spot near the camp from 6pm to 7.30pm, to watch the vibrant colours of East Africa’s larger-than-life sunset unfold over the river against panoramic views across its incredible horizon.
For something more intimate, opt for the Dine beneath the African Sky offering for an exclusive, private al fresco dining experience – from a sunrise bush breakfast or romantic sundowner to a lantern lit dinner under the stars.
Safari & Cultural Experiences
At Paradise Plains, enjoy the classic Game Drive; head out in the crisp morning air or just before sunset to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Each booking comes with a dedicated private vehicle and driver-guide at their disposal, allowing guests the freedom and flexibility to experience the safari in a personalised and unhurried way – at their own pace and in their own style.
Alongside its traditional safari experiences, Paradise Plains has curated a variety of exclusive offerings for guests to enhance their stay even further, including birdwatching and a Maasai cultural immersion to visit a local manyatta (settlement) and learn about the extraordinary Maasai way of life.
Hot Air Balloon Rides are one of the most enchanting ways to see Mara’s expansive savannah and diverse wildlife while drifting over its golden plains at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the African bush under the shade of a single balanite tree.
Step into the Wild offers guests the opportunity to embark on a walking safari tour led by experience guides and Maasai naturalists in its own private conservancy, Olerai – a rare chance to experience the Maasai Mara up close, tracking animal footprints and learning also about the area’s medicinal plants.
Community & Conservation
Paradise Plains Camp has deep community roots and a strong conservation ethos. The camp operates under a unique lease partnership between the Maasai community (10 local families), Paradise Plains, and the Narok County Government.
This partnership model ensures tangible community benefit through guaranteed income from bed-night fees and ground rent, employment for over 75% of staff from the local Maasai community, and continuous guide and hospitality training programs, empowering local talent and fostering long-term sustainability. This inclusive model has become a hallmark of Wilder’s community-based conservation approach in the Greater Mara ecosystem.
As part of its commitment to eco-credentials, the camp is fully solar powered and has integrated the latest solar technology for its water and power needs. A solar-powered bore hole supplies water to two heat pumps per guest room and, additionally, a large solar inverter and lithium batteries, backed up by a standby generator, ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply. Kitchens and back-of-house facilities are all powered by solar heat pumps, further enhancing the camp’s commitment to sustainable energy and reducing its environmental footprint.
Paradise Plains is working towards being plastic free. All of its amenities in the rooms and around the property are eco-friendly with zero plastic, and all single use products are bio degradable. In addition, Paradise Plains utilises electric golf buggies on site and partners only with eco conscious companies, while water at the camp is fully sustainable and will be produced from its own RO plant.
Make it happen
Wallet: Suites start at 850 USD per night, per adult sharing. The Family Suite (Max 4 guests) starts at 3200 USD per night. Game Reserve fees start at 100 USD per day for adults and 50 USD per day for children (9-17 yrs).
How: Bookings for a minimum of two nights. For more information, please visit paradise-plains.com
