Accommodation In And Around The Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve is located southwest of Kenya and makes up the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is 270 kilometers from Nairobi, approximately 4 to 5 hours’ drive. For those of you who are planning to spend a holiday at this reserve, choosing that comfortable accommodation for your overnight stay in Maasai Mara National Reserve is a requirement any visitor who wishes to have the most enjoyable safari in Kenya can think about. There are several accommodation options for you to choose from depending on your budget and travel interest and they include:
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a large, resort-style lodge that consists of a pool complex and gym. Unlike the rest of the safari lodges within the protected area, this safari lodge offers the most breathtaking views of the reserve itself and the surrounding areas. It is constructed on a small stunning hill with most of its rooms offering the best views to about 2 migration crossing points. The Mara Serena Safari Lodge is situated at the heart of the Mara Triangle in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and it overviews the spectacular African savanna and the Mara River. Its rooms are fully equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities, mosquito nets, a bathroom with a shower, TV. It also consists of a restaurant and a fully stocked bar plus other facilities like a fitness center, spa, and outdoor pool.
Keekorok Lodge
Keekorok Lodge is probably the oldest safari lodge within the Mara region but its 101 modern and brightly decorated rooms with tribal arts and crafts make it one of the lovely lodges that you should consider for your overnight stay at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It lies within the Mara area and it features gardens and a wooden boardwalk that directs visitors up to the gazebo overviewing the hippo pool. The whole area looks as if it is an expensive country club but it is not due to its size and the 4 walled rooms other than the canvas tents.
Visitors who spend a night at this lodge have the opportunity to enjoy lots of wildlife from the outdoor pool or the sundeck. All its luxurious rooms consist of a balcony, an overview of the garden, and a reserve/pool. The rooms are equipped with a ceiling fan, allergy-free bedding, and mosquito nets, and for those who would like to enjoy traditional dishes, then the Hippo bar is the best option for you to enjoy your meal while overviewing the Lake. The Elephant deck on the other hand offers the best setting for you to have a bush dinner. It also serves best for those visitors who wish to explore more about the Keekorok Nature Reserve. For those of you who come with children, there is a children’s playground for your children to engage in various activities. Besides, this lodge is conveniently located near the Keekorok airstrip about 10 minutes drive.
Ol Moran Tented Camp
This tented camp is situated in Ololaimutiek and its safari tents feature 2 flavors, the superior is large with a wooden deck and a smart bathroom, whereas the 14 standard tents are smaller and simpler although they are all presentable. Its balcony offers the best garden views and continental breakfast is also served each morning at any of the luxury tents. You can even choose to chill around the garden or in the shared lounge area. Ol Moran Tented Camp also consists of a parking space, a fully stocked bar, a restaurant, and many other amenities.
Mara Ngenche Safari Camp
Mara Ngenche Safari Camp is located within the Maasai Mara National Reserve and overviews the Mara River. It comprises an open-sided lounge bar with free Wi-Fi access and modern African décor, its tents have a 4 poster bed with a mosquito net. Each of the tents has an outside shower and an en-suite bathroom equipped with a stand-alone bath. Visitors who spend a night at this camp have the opportunity to enjoy their meals in the dining rooms, continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Interestingly, there are several exciting activities for you to enjoy especially safaris with local guides to explore more about the Maasai cultures and enjoy their dances. There is also free private parking, internet services, a gift shop, a restaurant, a bar, a spa, a massage room, and others.
Sekenani Camp
This camp is located at the source of the Sekenani River in Maasai Mara National Reserve. For those of you who are interested in wilderness experiences, then this is the best accommodation option that you should choose for your overnight stay at this reserve. Sekenani Camp features well-designed tents, an outdoor pool, and the best restaurant. The balcony overviews the bush, each tent features a wooden floor and an en-suite bathroom which consists of a bathtub. It also consists of a front desk, ironing and laundry facilities, parking space, Wi-Fi, a gift shop, a garden, and many others.
Mara Crossing Camp
This camp is situated in Musiara campsite and features free Wi-Fi, full English or Irish breakfast is also offered each morning, a garden, lounge, family rooms, bar, restaurant, massage room, free parking, and many others. The Mara Crossing Camp is 17 minutes walk from the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Hippo pool is found five kilometers away.
Royal Mara Safari Lodge
The Royal Mara Safari Lodge is located directly along the annual wildebeest-Great Migration path. It consists of 8 luxury en-suites all featuring the Mara River frontage and built-in mahogany wood decks with private verandas.
Entim Mara
This is located in Talek and consists of free Wi-Fi and offers perfect views of the River. It lies 5 kilometers away from the main wildebeest crossing. Some of its units have a seating area and English or Irish breakfast is served. This luxury tent provides a sun terrace and visitors can even chill around the garden. Entim Mara is located 6 kilometers away from the intrepid Mara Hippo Point. It also consists of a garden, parking space, library, internet services, restaurant, bar, 24-hour front desk, and other amenities.
Julia’s River Camp
This camp is located on the Talek River Banks in Maasai Mara National Reserve and features about 3 distinct camps. The Buffalo camp-basic camp consists of 12 dome tents, the Hippo camp-luxury camp with approximately 12 savanna tents, and the VIP camp comprises four additional large savanna tents that are perfect for honeymooners and private groups.
Maji Moto Eco Camp
The Maji Moto Eco Camp is set on the hilltop in the Loita Hills overviewing the open savanna plains in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Maji Moto is a village within Loita Hills, three hours’ drive away from Nairobi and approximately an hour’s drive from the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Mara Kima Tented Camp
This is situated next to Talek Gate in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This camp features six en suite twin tents, 20 square meters away from one another. All its tents feature simple safari furniture, a veranda, and thatched roots. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all offered in the open dining room. It also has a fully stocked bar with soft drinks, all kinds of beers, and wines.