Planning a safari in Kenya can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience, especially with so many options for accommodations across different regions. If you’re considering staying in the Masai Mara Conservancies—home to some of Kenya’s best wildlife experiences—you’re in for a treat. Here are some recommendations based on different preferences, from the more luxurious lodges to more budget-friendly options.
1. Masai Mara Conservancies: Why Stay Here?
The Masai Mara Conservancies are private areas bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. They offer a more exclusive experience, often with fewer crowds and more opportunities for wildlife sightings. Staying in the conservancies also supports the local communities, as the land is managed for both conservation and the benefit of the Maasai people.
These areas are a great choice for wildlife enthusiasts, as the conservancies are home to a wide variety of animals, including the Big Five. For guaranteed rhino sightings, head to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where the rhino population is thriving. The Mara Conservancies also offer fantastic opportunities to see cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, and more.
2. Top Camp Recommendations
Here are a few camp options across different conservancies, each offering a unique experience:
Eagle View Camp (Mara North Conservancy)
- Ideal for: Those looking for a blend of comfort and connectivity (with WiFi).
- Why choose it: Eagle View is one of the top camps in the Mara North Conservancy. It’s known for excellent game viewing and intimate wildlife encounters. The camp offers comfortable tents with regular showers (instead of bucket showers), making it ideal for those who want to stay connected with home or enjoy more luxurious amenities. WiFi is available here, which is rare for many safari camps, especially in remote areas. The camp also provides an excellent base for exploring the diverse wildlife of the conservancy.
- Accommodation: Spacious luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms.
- Wildlife: Frequent sightings of the Big Five, cheetah, and elephants.
Saruni Mara (Mara North Conservancy)
- Ideal for: Families or those seeking a more luxurious and private experience.
- Why choose it: Saruni Mara offers a high-end safari experience with incredible views and a serene environment. It combines exclusivity with comfort, providing spacious rooms and top-tier amenities. It’s perfect for those looking for both wildlife encounters and relaxation in between safaris. Since Saruni is set within the Mara North Conservancy, it offers a perfect balance of wildlife sightings with a private safari experience. The camp is known for its exceptional service and spectacular surroundings.
- Accommodation: Luxury cottages and spacious tented camps.
- Wildlife: Excellent game drives for spotting cheetahs, lions, and other predators.
Serena Safari Lodge (Mara Triangle)
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious travelers who still want a great safari experience with good wildlife sightings.
- Why choose it: Serena Mara is located in the Mara Triangle, which is part of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. While the Mara Triangle is more affordable compared to conservancy options, it still offers excellent wildlife viewing, including frequent sightings of cheetahs (especially in the Triangle) and abundant birdlife. The lodge’s location makes it an ideal base for game drives and walking safaris.
- Accommodation: Comfortable rooms with a touch of luxury.
- Wildlife: The Mara Triangle is a prime area for game drives, especially for cheetah sightings, and has great overall wildlife and birdlife diversity.
Basecamp Masai Mara (Mara Conservancies)
- Ideal for: Eco-conscious travelers or those looking for an authentic Maasai cultural experience.
- Why choose it: Basecamp is located in one of the conservancies and focuses on sustainable tourism. Staying here means contributing to the conservation of the Mara ecosystem and the local Maasai community. The camp offers an authentic safari experience with a mix of cultural immersion, game drives, and walking safaris.
- Accommodation: Tented camps that blend into the environment for a more rustic experience.
- Wildlife: Basecamp’s location gives you the chance to spot a wide variety of animals, from big cats to migratory birds.
3. Choosing Between Conservancies and the Reserve
While staying in the Mara Conservancies offers a more private and exclusive safari experience, many visitors also enjoy the Masai Mara Game Reserve for its larger area and higher concentration of wildlife. Camps like Serena Safari Lodge are located in the Reserve and allow you to access some of the most famous parts of the Mara, like the Mara Triangle.
If you’re on a budget, staying within the Reserve might be more affordable, but the experience can still be incredible, with frequent wildlife sightings and opportunities to see the annual Great Migration (depending on the time of year).
On the other hand, the Mara Conservancies are less crowded, and you’ll often find a more intimate safari experience with fewer tourists. These areas also have stricter limits on the number of vehicles that can be on a sighting at one time, making for a more peaceful and private encounter with wildlife.
4. Final Thoughts
The choice of where to stay depends on your personal preferences, budget, and what type of experience you are seeking. Mara Conservancies offer a private, intimate safari experience with fewer crowds and great wildlife, but at a higher price. For those on a budget, the Mara Triangle in the Masai Mara Game Reserve is a great option for wildlife-rich safaris at a more affordable rate.
- If you’re looking for guaranteed rhino sightings, Ol Pejeta is your go-to destination.
- For luxury and top-notch amenities with great game-viewing, consider Saruni Mara or Eagle View in the conservancies.
- If you want to balance affordability with incredible wildlife experiences, Serena Mara and Basecamp Masai Mara are both great options.
No matter which camp you choose, you’re sure to have an unforgettable safari experience in one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations.
