Saruni Mara in Mara North Conservancy near Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Masai Mara Plains of Mara North Conservancy

Experience unparalleled intimacy and seclusion at Saruni Mara Safari Lodge, featuring five charming thatched cottages, a private villa, and a family villa, all nestled against a forested hillside. Each of Saruni Mara’s cottages and private villa offers stunning views, providing the perfect vantage point for breathtaking sunsets. As one of the few safari lodges in the Mara North Conservancy, north of the Masai Mara National Reserve, it is the smallest permanent lodge within the Masai Mara ecosystem, designed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. To the south, expansive golden fields stretch out, while to the north, a lush green forest awaits. Saruni Mara’s prime location is ideal for game drives, nature walks, and witnessing the spectacular annual migration of wildebeest and zebra.

The Saruni Mara’s cottages are each uniquely themed, featuring beautifully polished wooden floors, colonial antiques, African art, and Persian carpets. Despite being in the wild, guests can enjoy modern comforts like 220-volt electricity, spacious Italian-designed bathrooms with hot and cold running water, and a canvas front that opens for a shower with a magnificent view. Here’s a glimpse of the cottages and villas available:

• The Observatory: Inspired by the starry skies of the Masai Mara, this cottage features a vintage brass telescope, a moon map, and celestial-themed decor. The large front deck is perfect for stargazing.

• The Photographer’s Studio: Paying homage to photography, this cottage is adorned with an old box browning camera, an antique photographic equipment catalogue, and captivating prints. The view from the deck is picture-perfect!

• The Artist’s Studio: Designed to inspire creativity, this cottage comes equipped with an easel, paints, and a desk filled with drawing materials. The stylishly decorated en-suite bedroom opens onto a large front deck overlooking the secluded valley, with the endless Mara plains beyond.

• The Literary Room: A tribute to dreamers, writers, and poets, this cottage features a vintage typewriter, comfortable leather reading chairs, and a writing desk, setting the scene for crafting your own safari adventure. Prefer reading? Relax on the front deck with a good book.

• The Love Shack: Known as Saruni Mara’s honeymoon suite, this cottage boasts neutral colors, elegant decor, and a stunning valley view, perfect for a romantic escape. The spacious bedroom opens onto a large deck, ideal for a private dinner for two.

• Saruni Mara’s Private Villa: Saruni Mara’s spacious villa, Nyati House, includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining room, a lounge, a kitchen, and a large deck, providing a wonderful stay. Situated in a private valley, a five-minute drive from the main lodge, it offers the ultimate retreat for groups or families. The villa comes with a private safari vehicle and guide, with meals served in its own dining room. Stylishly decorated, the villa’s wooden features create a natural ambiance, with two spacious bedrooms overlooking the Masai Mara plains, offering a private safari paradise.

• The Natural History Suite / Family Villa: Also known as the ‘Natural History Suite,’ this family villa features two en-suite bedrooms, a spacious lounge with a dining area, and a cozy fireplace. Tastefully decorated with antiques and vintage prints, its name derives from its collection of wildlife and nature books. For those seeking a real-world experience, the front deck overlooking the wild awaits.

Meals Options Saruni Mara Camp

Culinary enthusiasts will find a delightful experience at Saruni Mara. The lodge’s chefs are passionate about their craft, using fresh organic ingredients to create mouthwatering dishes. Guests can savor exquisite Italian cuisine, crafted from the owner’s cherished family recipes. Meals are typically served at long, communal wooden tables, fostering a sense of community. For a more unique dining experience, opt for a bush breakfast amidst an acacia forest or along the scenic Mara River. As the day winds down, indulge in an al fresco bush dinner under the starlit sky or enjoy a private, romantic candlelit dinner on your cottage deck. If you wish to share safari tales with fellow adventurers, Kuro House offers cozy seating and fireside drinks.

Things to Do at Saruni Mara

Saruni Mara provides an array of activities for guests to enjoy. Begin your day with an early morning Land Rover game drive, accompanied by a knowledgeable Masai guide and tracker, or embark on an exhilarating bush walk with a Maasai warrior through the hills. The Maasai’s deep understanding of the Masai Mara ecosystem and its wildlife ensures an enriching safari experience. Guests can also visit local Maasai manyattas (villages) for cultural immersion or even track animals on foot.

For an elevated safari experience, consider soaring above the landscape on a hot air balloon safari adventure. While game drives and nature walks are included in your stay, hot air balloon rides are available at an additional cost.

During leisure time, guests can unwind at the lodge’s award-winning spa, the ‘Masai Wellbeing Space’. Here, specially trained Masai staff offer treatments inspired by ancient customs using indigenous plants. Each cottage is treated to a complimentary half-hour classic back & neck massage. The spa’s tranquil setting amidst olive trees and cedar forests enhances relaxation.

For those seeking interactive experiences, Saruni Mara presents the ‘Warriors Academy’. This engaging program is particularly enjoyable for families with children, teaching Masai warrior survival skills such as animal tracking and crafting tools in the wilderness.

Saruni Mara Offers Stay 4 Pay 3 Special

Plan your Masai Mara safari adventure at Saruni Mara for three nights and receive an additional night free! This special offer is valid from 1 November to 30 November 2024, 1 March to 31 May 2025, and 1 November to 30 November 2025.

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