At a Glance
- Hemingways Hospitality acquires Richard’s River Camp, expanding Maasai Mara luxury safari portfolio.
- Kenya’s luxury travel boom fuels Hemingways’ eco-tourism growth and regional hospitality footprint.
- Sustainable safari demand drives Hemingways’ conservation-focused expansion in East Africa.
Hemingways Hospitality Group, the family-run Kenyan luxury travel brand, has acquired Richard’s River Camp in the Mara North Conservancy, marking its second high-profile safari property deal in just months.
The strategic move underscores the company’s ambition to dominate East Africa’s growing luxury eco-tourism segment.
The 18-bed tented camp, founded by conservationists Richard Roberts and Liz Fusco, is a secluded retreat renowned for its intimate wildlife experiences and commitment to biodiversity.
“The Mara is under increasing pressure,” said CEO Ross Evans. “We’re committed to protecting its ecosystems and empowering surrounding communities.”
Accelerating growth through regional acquisitions
This latest acquisition comes shortly after Hemingways’ entry into Rwanda, where it took over US-based Heaven Holdings.
The deal added a portfolio of luxury assets including The Retreat Hotel, Heaven Restaurant, Fusion Restaurant, Heaven Boutique Hotel, and a bespoke tour operation arm, Heaven Experiences.
The group has been steadily scaling its regional footprint. In 2023, it added Ol Seki Hemingways Mara, a luxury tented lodge in the 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy, as part of its growing Maasai Mara collection.
East Africa’s tourism and hospitality boom
Hemingways’ expansion aligns with a broader hospitality boom in East Africa, as international arrivals rebound and demand for luxury safari and business travel surges.
Kenya currently has 26 hotel projects in its development pipeline for 2025, totaling 4,344 rooms—an increase from 25 projects and 4,268 rooms in 2024, according to Lagos-based W Hospitality Group.
The report, based on private disclosures by 50 leading hotel chains across Africa, shows Kenya remains a top destination for new hotel investment, buoyed by its safari offerings, business travel links, and political stability.
Luxury hospitality firms eye sustainable safari experiences
Founded over 40 years ago, Hemingways Hospitality operates a diversified portfolio including Hemingways Collection, Hemingways Travel, Hemingways Expeditions, and Hemingways Residences.
The group’s legacy began with Hemingways Watamu, which opened in 1988, and it remains deeply rooted in Kenya’s luxury travel sector.
With increasing pressure on Kenya’s ecosystems, sustainability has become a key differentiator.
Hemingways is positioning itself not just as a luxury operator, but as a custodian of conservation and community development.
Its new ownership of Richard’s River Camp reflects that philosophy, targeting high-net-worth travelers seeking both exclusivity and ethical tourism.
