Best lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Best lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve : One of the world’s most well-known safari sites is the Maasai Mara national park in Kenya. In addition to hundreds of different bird species, elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, hyenas, hippos, buffalo, and a long list of other animals, it is one of the best places in the world to see big cats. It is also home to the Great Wildebeest Migration, which is perhaps the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. It seems sense that THE most well-liked location for a Kenya safari is the Masai Mara National Park and the conservancies that surround it, but how do you start choosing where to stay when there are over 150 camps to select from.
As with many things in life, which is best for you will depend on the kind of vacation you are planning, your preferences, and your financial situation. For advice on the best camp for YOUR vacation, get in touch with our team of experts. We’ve selected some of our top best lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve below.
- Little Governors Camp.
Located in close proximity to Governors Main Camp, Little Governors Camp is the ideal spot in Kenya to witness the magnificent wildebeest migration and, with luck, one of the renowned river crossings.
Although Governors Camp is widely recognized as one of Kenya’s first safari camps, we prefer Little Governors Camp due to its more intimate and smaller size. We adore the theatrical experience of crossing the Mara River by boat and then going on an escorted walk through the jungle to make a dramatic entrance and guarantee seclusion even within the Masai Mara National Reserve.
With 17 stretched canvas tents and some of the greatest guides in the industry, this is a classic tented camp. Because Governors Hot Air Ballooning is on site, this is the ideal location to slowly ascend above the horizon and fully comprehend the vastness of the Masai Mara.
- Angama Mara.
Possibly the most luxury lodge in the world, if not the Masai Mara. The views from Angara Mara are breathtaking. The glass-front tents allow the breathtaking environment to be seen through their basic design and African textiles. It is renowned for being the location of the romantic picnic scene between Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in the movie “Out of Africa,” as it is perched high above the Mara Triangle, the most well-known spot in the Masai Mara national reserve.
You can anticipate the best possible service when you stay at Angama Mara; you’ll wake up to a freshly brewed cappuccino and freshly baked biscuits, have complete control over the activities you choose, and enjoy Sundown Bomas as part of the experience. The major attraction, of course, is still the amazing animal viewing, and Angama Mara offers its visitors a private vehicle so they can make the most of their guide and customise their trip to their preferences. Additionally, it is only 20 minutes away from a fantastic hotspot for wildebeest migration river crossings, increasing your chances of witnessing one.
- Ol Seki Hemmingways.
One of the most refined and elegant safari camps in the Masai Mara, Ol Seki is situated on a rocky slope overlooking the savanna plains in the community-owned Naboisho conservancy. A recent renovation has given it an even more stylish edge. Moreover, it is one of the few camps in the Mara with a swimming pool, which is perfect for rinsing off after a safari.
Just ten luxurious tents two of which are family-linked with 270-degree views of the Masai plains comprise this boutique camp. The main dining area and pool deck are furnished with plenty of chairs, cushions made of locally crafted fabrics, and a wide selection of fascinating books for guests to peruse.
Whether you’d like to go on a typical game drive, experience a horseback safari, or just visit the local community, Ol Seki focuses on crafting personalized, unique experiences.
- Leopard Hill.
Situated in the Mara Naboisho private conservancy, Leopard Hill is close to three waterholes that provide exceptional opportunities for seeing wildlife.
The feature that sets Leopard Hill apart is that you may see the starry night sky above you from the comfort of your bed by just clicking a button to open the tent roof over you. Ideal for anyone seeking for a more luxury form of camping.
The common outdoor terrace with its enormous fire pit is ideal for a pre-dinner gin and tonic, and the spacious rooms include large nearly 360-degree windows that offer spectacular views over the terrain.
In addition to the customary wildlife drives, visitors can take part in armed ranger and guide-led bush walks, which are a must before breakfast.
- Cottars Camp.
With over a century of experience providing guests with entertainment, the multi-award-winning Cottars Camp is probably well-versed in making sure you get the best possible safari experience. This tented, luxury safari camp offers visitors a taste of the heyday of safari travel in the 1920s while still making sure it has all the modern conveniences needed to feel opulent in the present.
Whether travelling by 4×4 or on foot, Cottars Camp guarantees that visitors will have an authentic wildlife viewing experience thanks to some of the best guides around. The site exudes romance because to its gorgeous stretch canvas tents featuring four-poster beds and Persian rugs. A drink of bubbly and a dip in the bush complete the experience.
- Eagle View.
Definitely one of the most affordable camps inside a private reserve, and one of the greatest values in the Masai Mara. Eagle View fulfils all of your requirements if you’re searching for breathtaking views over a waterhole, cosy tents, a community-focused business, and an abundance of animals.
Eagle View is situated in Mara Naboisho’s private conservancy and offers a breathtaking view of the wide plains and a sizable waterhole. The canvas tents are basic yet cosy, with a private veranda offering the previously stated expansive view and an inside or outdoor shower.
- Sala’s Camp.
One of the best places to see Kenya’s huge migration is from Sala’s camp. One of the first sites to experience the wildebeest migration, it is located close to Tanzania’s border and overlooks the Sand River. For those seeking a somewhat different experience, the camp also features a volleyball court in addition to private plunge pools in each of the six opulent tents.
Sala’s Camp is a part of The Safari Collection, which also contains Nairobi’s renowned Giraffe Manor, where giraffes peer through the windows to receive breakfast delicacies. Superb.
- House in the Wild.
House in the wild is amongst the best lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve. This exclusive, family-run lodge is situated in the Enonkishu Conservancy and beside the banks of the Mara River. Beautiful one- and two-bedroom cottages are available, but House in the Wild really shines for larger gatherings. There are villas that sleep up to 14 people and have their own pools and hot tubs, but they are still considered to be a part of the main lodge.
House in the Wild offers an abundance of activities to complement traditional game viewing, catering to a broad range of interests. From hot air balloon rides to helicopter excursions, from mountain biking to tennis, to wilderness hikes and more.
- Saruni Mara.
In Mara, Saruni Mara As the location of my honeymoon and my best game viewing experiences a blue-eyed leopard, a sole vehicle at a cheetah viewing with seven cubs (plus watching her try to catch one), and multiple lion encounters with playful cubs rolling around in the long, dry grasses. North Conservancy is very special to me. It seemed like we had struck it lucky with wildlife every day.
Saruni Mara is tucked away in a quiet secluded valley, far from the bustle of Masai Mara National Park, giving you lots of space to unwind. There are private villas available as well as thatched cottages with unique themes, including the astronomer’s room with a decorated telescope. In addition to the customary game drives, other activities offered include bush walks, night safaris, and afternoon massages in the treatment room. The cuisine is particularly tasty and frequently has an Italian theme; bush breakfasts are a must-do.
Families can enjoy participating in the warrior academy, where Masai Warriors instruct kids on how to hurl clubs, start a fire with just a stick, and recognize various animal droppings on a short bush walk.
- Elephant Pepper Camp.
Elephant Pepper Camp is one of the best lodges in Maasai Mara national reserve situated in the Mara North private reserve and its one of the best lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve, It is a fantastic place to witness the wildebeest migration, which takes place from July to September, as well as the local lions, cheetahs, leopards, and a variety of plains species.
With splashes of red and decorated in typical Maasai colours with brass and glass lanterns as well as other traditional components, the eight roomy tents each offer an ensuite dressing area. The tents manage to maintain their historic charm while also being rather cosy.
A true bush experience waking with vistas over the plains and guests soon settle into the routine of bush walks or game drives in the day, and telling safari tales around the campfire in the evening.