Hemingways Hospitality expands luxury safari portfolio with Richard’s River Camp acquisition in Kenya’s Maasai Mara

KENYA – Hemingways Hospitality, the family-owned travel and hospitality group, has recently announced the acquisition of Richard’s River Camp, a prestigious 18-bed luxury tented safari camp located in the Mara North Conservancy of Kenya’s Maasai Mara ecosystem.

This acquisition marks Hemingways’ second major purchase within a short span as part of its strategic effort to strengthen its presence in the niche luxury safari market segment across East Africa.

Richard’s River Camp was founded by renowned conservationists Richard Roberts and Liz Fusco, whose pioneering efforts helped establish community conservancies such as Mara North and vital conservation initiatives like the Mara Elephant Project.

The camp is celebrated for its intimate setting that offers high-end travelers exceptional wildlife encounters alongside sustainable tourism practices.

Ross Evans, CEO of Hemingways Hospitality Group, emphasized the significance of this acquisition: “The Mara is utterly unique and precious and is sadly coming under increasing pressure and challenges.” 

“By taking custody of this wonderful camp, we commit to continuing the positive impact on wildlife, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable community development.”

Evans acknowledged the founders’ immense contributions and pledged that the group will uphold their legacy of conservation and community partnership.

By joining the Mara North Conservancy, Hemingways extends its collaboration with over 1,000 Maasai landowners and tourism operators to protect more than 73,000 acres of pristine wilderness.

This conservancy was recently named a finalist for the 2025 African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) Awards under the Community Upliftment category, reflecting its pivotal role in balancing environmental stewardship with socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Founded in 1988 with its flagship property Hemingways Watamu, the group has expanded over the years to include luxury boutique hotels and safari camps across Kenya and Rwanda under the Hemingways Collection.

This acquisition exemplifies Hemingways’ ongoing regional expansion and its commitment to responsible tourism that melds extraordinary guest experiences with ecological and cultural preservation.

Richard’s River Camp is well-positioned to cater to discerning safari guests seeking exclusivity and authenticity in one of Africa’s most iconic ecosystems.

Hemingways Hospitality aims to enhance the camp’s offerings while ensuring sustainable growth aligned with conservation goals and community upliftment, thereby strengthening its leadership in East Africa’s luxury hospitality market.

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