Best Of Masai Mara – Kenya Luxury Lodges

Named in honor of its ancestral inhabitants, the Maasai people, and their fitting description of the landscape when viewed from afar – ‘Mara’ means spotted in the Maa language, referring to how the country is dotted with acacia trees, indentations, and craters – Kenya’s Masai Mara is, without doubt, one of the best safari destinations in the world.

Not only can visitors experience authentic cultural interactions with the Maasai people but also witness one of nature’s biggest spectacles: the Wildebeest Migration from about July to November. Throw in excellent year-round game viewing and a wide variety of Masai Mara hotels and lodges for families, couples, and honeymooners, and you’ll understand why Kenya’s flagship conservation area is one of Africa’s best-loved safari destinations.

Based on our extensive safari experience we've rounded up our best Masai Mara lodges: 

1. Porini Lion Camp

Head out on thrice-daily game drives from this superb Masai Mara lodging situated in the private Olare Motogori Conservancy, renowned for its superb big cat sightings. Return to the authentic Porini Lion Camp in time for a refreshing cocktail while being entertained by the boisterous hippos in the adjacent Ntiakatiak River.

Solar power and no permanent structures mean that Porini has a tiny impact on the environment.

Highlights:

• Intimate and eco-friendly Masai Mara lodging
• Situated in the exclusive and private Olare Motogori Conservancy
• Excellent game viewing and guides
• Notable big cat sightings of lions and leopards
• Optional hot-air balloon safaris

Best Suited For:

• Couples and honeymooners
• Families
• Small groups

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2. Sand River Masai Mara

Wake up to the sounds of the African bush and slowly make your way out of a snug 4-poster bed. Saunter across your spacious tent’s polished hardwood floors, step out onto a private veranda, and be greeted by the gorgeous morning vista of the Sand River and its rolling flood plains.

Your elegantly decorated canvas suite at Sand River Masai Mara.

Highlights:

• Private riverside setting
• Eco-friendly Masai Mara lodging with a glamorous 1920s aesthetic
• Private butler service
• Superb Big 5 viewing year-round
• Well-sited for the Wildebeest Migration

Best Suited For:

• Couples and honeymooners
• Families

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3. Mara Bush House

Sink into a comfortable armchair on the veranda right outside your room, observing elephants and giraffes amble by. Or stretch out on this luxury Masai Mara lodge’s lush lawns with a tipple and a good book under the shady canopy of an acacia tree. Don’t forget to chat to your chef about your next delicious meal…

A secluded farmhouse in a charming acacia tree forest.

Highlights:

• Private farmhouse bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve
• Personal chef, house manager, and wildlife guide
• You decide your own schedule – dining and safari activities tailor-made around your wishes
• Mara-inspired East African cuisine
• Stone’s throw away from the annual Wildebeest Migration route
• Visit the Koiyaki Guiding School for young Maasai men and women

Best Suited For:

• Families
• Groups

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4. Saruni Mara