Where to stay in the Masai Mara: Our top picks for the best lodges and camps in the Masai Mara
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The Masai Mara is synonymous with adventure. From its exceptional wildlife sightings as part of the Great Wildebeest Migration to encounters with its red-robed tribesman, it’s a destination to tick off your bucket list. The Masai Mara also boasts some of Africa’s most impressive luxury lodges, with sweeping views to boot!
So if you’re trying to plan the best safari in Africa and need some accommodation inspiration, here are 8 of our top picks for lodges and camps in the Masai Mara.
Nestled in the scenic Oloololo escarpment on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, &Beyond Bateleur Camp is a private and romantic camp that harks back to the 1920s. It’s situated just below the location where the final scene from “Out of Africa” was filmed and boasts breathtaking views across the Masai Mara.
The design of &Beyond Bateleur Camp has a touch of vintage safari elegance, with beautiful old antiques and handcrafted artefacts blending perfectly with refined furnishings. Imagine framed maps, old trunks and bookshelves filled with bound volumes, coupled with the warm glow of candles and lanterns.
Spend your days game driving through the savannah or get a bird’s eye view during a hot air balloon safari, then return to the camp to refresh in the lap pool. Sundowners are served overlooking the Great Rift Valley, followed by delicious meals under the stars, creating an unforgettable African safari experience.
Another vintage-styled accommodation is the Cottar’s 1920s Bush Villa, which borders both the Masai Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti National Park for those after a Kenya and Tanzania safari holiday. It was built by hand using locally-sourced and environmentally friendly materials and provides the privacy of a luxurious home on the doorstep of some of East Africa’s best wildlife viewing experiences.
Backed by the Olderikesi Hills, Cottar’s 1920s Bush Villa offers exceptional views across the savannah plains where the annual Great Wildebeest Migration takes place, with privately guided game drives, bush walks and night drives all part of the experience. It features a large living room, dining and magnificent viewing deck, as well as five en-suite bedrooms for your extended family and friends.
Cottar’s Bush Villa is ideal for discerning guests who want complete privacy, with a dedicated staff of eight attending to your every need. It boasts a 25-meter lap pool where you can relax in between game drives, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi, a library and on-site masseuse.
Nestled in the exclusive Mara North Conservancy (a private wildlife concession that borders the Masai Mara National Reserve), Saruni Mara is the only small, boutique lodge in the Mara. It consists of just five elegantly designed cottages, a private villa and a family villa while being on the doorstep of some of the most exciting wildlife viewing in Kenya.
Saruni Mara is unique in that it’s staffed by Masai warriors who’ll share their unique culture and fascinating way of life with you. Each cottage is decorated with colonial antiques, Persian carpets and African artworks, creating an aesthetic that is elegant but relaxed.
Gourmet meals are served in Kuro House, a communal dining area that blends traditional and modern design elements, while Saruni’s library is among the most beautiful in the African bush. End your evening reliving the day’s adventures around the huge fireplace or be pampered during a rejuvenating massage treatment at the spa.
Inspired by the Swahili word for “suspended in mid air”, the Angama Mara Tented Camp is perched high on the rim of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. It boasts incredible views of the Mara Triangle, with a classic tented safari feel.
Angama Mara Tented Camp comprises two separate and intimate camps that feature 15 tented suites, with private decks and wall-to-wall glass fronts offering unobstructed views. A pavilion between the two camps is equipped with a swimming pool and fitness centre, as well as a gallery featuring African art and a sun-drenched studio where Masai women create beaded designs.
Spend your days game driving across the plains below or embark on a guided walking safari along the escarpment, with community visits and hot air ballooning available on request. Then return to be indulged in the architecturally dramatic dining area that was inspired by Nairobi’s Muthaiga Club, which famously featured in the movie “Out of Africa”. Sensational views will accompany you as you dine on freshly-sourced local ingredients that are transformed into gastronomic delights by their Kenyan chefs.
Situated at the confluence of the Sand and Keekerok River in the southern corner of the Masai Mara, Sala’s Camp is a tented safari accommodation that combines comfort with understated luxury. Its geographical location is one of its biggest allures, with this wildlife-rich region one of the first camps in the Mara to experience the Masai Mara-Serengeti migration each year.
The tent interiors are elegantly designed, with claw foot baths and private plunge pools adding a touch of luxury. Spend your days game driving and experiencing the area’s world-class birdwatching, then return for sundowners around the campfire and dinner served under the stars.
If you’re travelling with kids, Sala’s Camp is an ideal choice, with a special program where spotters will share their secrets about the bush. The surrounding area is also renowned for its big cat encounters, ensuring an exhilarating experience for young and old alike.
Sprawling along the Sabaringo River in the foothills of the Oloololo Escarpment, the &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp lies where the riverine forest meets the sweeping plains. It’s set on a private concession that has been leased from Masai landlords, offering not only seclusion but also abundant wildlife encounters.
Its safari tents are designed to be timeless, with elegant interiors and split-level spaces where you can relax at the end of an exciting day game driving. Commanding views are a feature of the all the suites, with warthogs often seen grazing right outside your door.
The &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp has garnered a reputation for its outstanding hospitality, with a gracious team of staff who never fail to offer a warm welcome and will ensure the best safari in Africa.
Established in the mid-90s, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp is set on a 6,000-acre private conservancy just one kilometre from the Masai Mara National Reserve. It harks back to the glory days of safari travel in the early 20th century, with 11 spacious tents that are beautifully furnished with four-poster beds, colonial antiques and en-suite bathrooms.
After a day spent game driving, bushwalking, swimming and fishing, you can return to the camp for a swim in the sparkling pool and enjoy delectable fine dining or be pampered with a massage at the on-site spa.
Run by a fifth generation safari family, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp has won numerous awards and is known for offering a bespoke safari experience, with unique experiences such as safari baths and early morning runs with the Masai community.
Situated on the border between the Lemek Conservancy and the Mara North Conservancy, Saruni Wild is an elegantly designed tented camp for a wild safari experience. It’s on the doorstep of a migration hotspot, with outstanding views of all the action from your private veranda and impressive hospitality.
Enjoy game drives with guides that are trained to the highest standards and immerse yourself in the culture of the Masai during evening performances around the fireplace. Delicious meals are served under the never-ending African sky, with the secluded setting of Saruni Wild a big part of its allure. It consists of just three tents, making it one of the smallest and most intimate camps in Kenya, and is ideal for those wanting a touch of adventure.
Topics: Kenya Safari Lodges & Camps
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