Safari Lodges in Masai Mara National Park

Safari Lodges in Masai Mara National Park

Safari Lodges in Masai Mara National Park, Masai Mara is one of Kenya’s leading national parks, well-known for the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration. Located in the southwestern part of Kenya, Masai Mara offers extraordinary wildlife sightings, including the African big five, big cats, a plethora of bird species, and breathtaking views that sweep across its vast 1,510 square kilometer landscape.

Given its popularity, Masai Mara receives many tourists, especially during the migration season: luckily, its gorgeous lodges and camps can accommodate big groups of people, including families, friends, and couples, among others. Accommodation in Masai Mara ranges from budget to mid-range to luxury safari lodges and camps; choosing a place to stay while on a safari in Masai Mara often depends on various factors, the first one being the type of accommodation you want, and the second being the price of your preferred choice of accommodation.

During the low season, budget lodges in the Mara can go as low as $90 – $150 per person per night whereas a mid-range lodge can go as low as $170 – $250 per person per night. Luxury lodges on the other hand can go as low as $300 during the low season. However, during the peak season accommodation rates tend to double their initial rates.

Masai Mara has a variety of safari lodges and camps scattered across the vast wilderness; however, the reserve’s private conservancies host more private and isolated accommodations including exceptional luxury lodges and tented camps. Nonetheless, they offer fantastic stays, filled with plenty of activities for travelers to engage in such as horseback safaris, night game drives, safari walks, and community visits, you name it. If you are planning a Kenya safari to the Mara, here are our top safari lodges and camps in Masai Mara;

luxury and mid-range lodges in Mara

Keekorok Lodge

Keekorok Lodge is the oldest lodge in the Masai Mara and is located in the heart of the reserve. It is located just 1.3 miles away from the Mara River and approximately 15 minutes from Keekorok Airstrip. The lodge provides elegant traditional lodging with private courtyards. It has an outdoor pool with a patio and spectacular Mara views. Keekorok Lodge consists of 99 rooms spacious rooms with private en-suite bathrooms. The rooms are beautifully designed with marble floors, fireplaces, and a minibar. They have a ceiling fan, hypoallergenic bedding, a mosquito net, and balconies overlooking the garden and swimming pool.

The Hippo bar at Keekorok Lodge overlooks the lake and provides traditional cuisine and drinks. The Elephant Deck restaurant serves authentic Savannah meals to guests. There is also a 24-hour front desk and a children’s play area within the resort.

Angama Lodge

The lodge gets its name from a Swahili word that means “suspended in mid-air.” Recently established in the Mara, the lodge offers luxury accommodation in two separate camps, each with 15, en-suite tented cottages. The cottages are spacious and fully furnished in an African setting, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that give guests breathtaking views.

Guests at Angama Lodge will enjoy facilities such as a fitness center, restaurant and bar, craft shop, solar, laundry services, parking, and babysitting, among others.

Governor’s Private Camp

This luxury safari camp perches in the forest along the winding Mara River banks.  The camp features 7 spacious tents, some of which are located on the riverbed, providing excellent views of the spectacular wildebeest crossings as well as other exotic wildlife including crocodiles and hippos.

The tents also provide panoramic views of the Mara’s vast open grassland. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, sink, hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, and a private verandah. The camp’s well-stocked bar offers sights of the Mara River. The restaurant is thrillingly fantastic on its own, with continental breakfast and a full English buffet available.

The camp also offers bush supper and bush breakfast for an additional fee. The camp also features a spa tent where visitors may receive services such as massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials. Other amenities available to Governor’s Camp guests include free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, parking space, a 24-hour front desk, and a souvenir shop, among others. Activities here include hot air balloon safaris, bush meals, game drives, horseback safaris, and cultural encounters.

Mara Legends Camp

The camp is situated on the banks of the Olare Orok River within the Masai Mara. It was made by a dedicated photographer and sits in a natural bush forest which is why most photographers and filmmakers often frequent it. The camp has 12 big and luxurious en-suite tents that are completely outfitted with an exquisite and inviting environment. The rooms have en-suite bathrooms, showers, wash basins, a writing desk with a lamp, a seating area, and a locker.

The camp also includes a large, well-appointed dining area where guests may have a delicious meal while on safari in the Mara. Other amenities include a fireplace, lounge area, safe parking, restrooms, room service, and a kitchen.

Sand River by Elewana Camp

Sand River Camp is a luxury lodge located at the banks of the Sand River, from where the camp derives its name. It is a wonderful place for its gorgeous landscape and abundant animals, running through Masai Mara near the Tanzanian border.

The camp has 16 tented campgrounds and keeps a sense of intimacy. The camp has two tents, one of which is larger and is ideal for families. The tents are visually appealing, with an Out of Africa style and décor. The tents also have observation decks which are excellent for gazing at the Mara wilderness.

Olare Mara Kempinski Lodge

Olare Mara Kempinski is located in the Masai Mara at the center of the Olare Orok Conservancy. The Camp is ideally positioned, providing tourists with exceptional views of the Masai Mara scenery as they enjoy a luxurious stay full of comfort. Olare Mara Kempinski is tucked away in a grove of riverine woodland on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River. The camp offers 12 luxurious en-suite tents, each well-equipped with four fitted beds and other equipment, all meant to meet current African standards for beautiful comforts. The camp’s one tent is a honeymoon tent, with a well-furnished interior and a swimming pool. There is also a central lounge eating room, bar, and swimming pool.

Olare Mara Kempinski features a large organic garden that depicts ecology. Activities at the camp include bush walks, game drives, and cultural visits to the Maasai.

Fairmont Mara Safari Club

This luxurious hotel combines the comfort and facilities of a premium resort hotel with a classic safari experience. The Safari Club is positioned in the Ol-Choro Oiroua Conservation Area along the Mara River at the base of the Aitong Hills. The Safari Club is made up of 51 elegantly furnished tents, each with its Apitong viewing deck from which travelers may see crocodiles and hippos.

Each room has four-poster beds with pillow-top mattresses and excellent linens, a three-piece en-suite bathroom with solar-heated hot and cold running water, a refreshment center, an in-room safe, and a wireless telephone.

Budget Accommodation in Mara

Enkorok Mara

Located in Masai Mara’s Sienna Conservancy, the lodge sits on 30 acres of private land overlooking the Oloolotikoshi Hills which are perfect for amazing sundowners to guests staying at the camp. Enkorok Lodge boasts a strategic position lying 2.5 km from the Olalaimutia gate and 20 km from Keekorok Airstrip.

Offering accommodation in twin, double, family, and triple rooms, Enkorok camp offers fully furnished rooms with en-suite bathrooms, mosquito nets, televisions, dressing mirrors, power, and stunning views.  Each tent has a sitting area where guests can relax and gaze at the distant plains of the Mara.

Other facilities at the camp include Tamu Tamu restaurant – a grass-thatched hut that offers delicious menus, both local and international and it also caters to vegetarians. The restaurant also offers bush meals served by well-trained professional chefs.

Crocodile Camp

Crocodile Camp has 9 en-suite spacious tents with hot and cold showers and a flushing toilet. The camp also provides for any guests who want to rent a tent or camp to bring their tent.

Guests staying at Crocodile Camp can enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace, enjoy delicious meals and drinks at the camp’s restaurant/bar and those camping have a kitchen to make their meals.

Activities at Crocodile Camp include game drives, bush meals, Maasai village visits, nature walks, etc.

Enchoro Wildlife Camp

Enchoro Wildlife Camp is a budget-tented camp located in the Eastern region of Masai Mara, close to the Oloolaimutia gate in Narok. The camp has 3 various accommodation styles offered: campsite, mid-range, and luxury tented camps.

The camp has 27 spacious and comfortable tents both standard and superior tents.  Activities here include safari walks, Maasai Village visits, game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and bush meals.