Saruni Mara
Maasai Mara, Kenya
At a Glance
Stay in individual thatched cottages with private decks
Listen to animals wandering through camp at night
Enjoy fantastic Italian food and wine
Sit around the fire swapping stories from a day's game viewing
Head to the library for a quiet moment with a good book
Expert guiding with local Maasai warriors
Best combined with Saruni Samburu
The smallest permanent lodge in the Maasai Mara
Located in an exclusive private conservancy with minimal other tourists
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
The annual rains are in April and May - game is easily visible and rates are cheaper at this time. November is considered the short rainy season, however, these are less predictable and are much lighter. The best time of year to visit the Maasai Mara is during the Great Wildebeest Migration which tends to pass through the Mara between mid July to late October but the wildlife is present year-round, and there is always plenty to see here.
Insider's View
Experience the fabulous bush spa, it is a must!
Call us on 858 345 1761 to start planning your vacation to Saruni Mara or take a look at our itineraries to Kenya
Description
Saruni Mara is perched on a hill in the Mara North conservancy, bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is a luxurious and intimate lodge with just six cottages and a private house overlooking the beautiful valley, offering walks and game drives.
Saruni Mara is a small, luxurious lodge offering a combination of wilderness and adventure with high standards of service, comfort and style. There are six spectacular thatched cottages and a private house, all decorated with antique furniture from Africa, Europe and India, Persian carpets and Maasai art. All of the cottages have a different theme and are individually furnished and decorated. One of these is a huge family suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge and dining room and a large terrace.
The family villa, Nyati House, only a 10 minute walk from the main lodge, is the newest addition. The two en-suite bedroom unit has an amazing main dining and lounge area, and a large verandah with stunning views over the Maasai Mara. It is the ideal set up for a family or small group traveling together, and is very private. Those staying in Nyati House benefit from exclusive use of a safari vehicle and a Maasai guide for their activities.
Activities include day and night game drives in open customized Land Rovers, guided walks with Maasai warriors, bush picnics and visits to local villages and the rhino sanctuary. The cuisine is of the highest standard with a strong Italian influence. As well as enjoying meals in the main camp, guests can eat alfresco on the numerous bush picnics and have bush dinners where local Maasai warriors dance around the fire-pit - guests are often seen joining in!
Saruni runs the Maasai Wellbeing Space in a private cottage; it is a unique feature of Saruni Mara, in the most serene and relaxing environment. Guests enjoy massages and wellness treatments under the supervision of highly trained staff who are devoted to the use of local plants for beauty and relaxation treatments. The property is very welcoming and homely, with open fires to snuggle around and a lovely library area to have your very own “Out of Africa” moments.
What makes a Saruni safari different to other safari’s is the authenticity, isolated away from the busier parts of Kenya and with expert guiding from Maasai guides where you learn all about their traditions, history and culture. Game viewing is excellent all year round. Mara North Conservancy is a well managed and operated private conservancy with minimal other tourists offering an exclusive and action packed safari showing you the 'other side' of Kenya.
Accommodation
Saruni Mara was designed to be small and intimate but has large and impressive cottages, a family villa and private house. It is an ideal choice for honeymooners, romantic breaks and families. The cottages all have large bedrooms with thatched roofs, large en-suite bathrooms and a large veranda overlooking the valley and plains below. All the rooms are themed differently and furnished with colonial antiques, Persian carpets and African art giving them a worldly, classic feel.
For families, the impressive family villa has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge and dining room and a large terrace. Nyati House, the private house, has a further two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a huge main lounge area and dining table, all overlooking the rolling plains of the Mara. Both options are perfect for families who want space, privacy and flexibility.
Childcare
Saruni Mara welcomes children of any age, and the family suite is only a few minutes walk from the main lounge and dining area. Food can be tailored to suit children and earlier meal times can be arranged where necessary. In the family suite you also have the option to have meals in your own dining room. Babysitting can also be organized for those that require it.
Facilities
A unique feature of Saruni Mara is its collection of books and its library, the most beautiful in the African bush. With thousands of rare books and its very private location, Saruni's library is a perfect place to relax.
Saruni runs the Maasai Wellbeing Space. It is a unique feature in the Maasai Mara: in the most serene and relaxing environment, guests enjoy massage and wellness treatments under the supervision of highly trained staff.
The Saruni Duka (shop) sells lots of Maasai handicrafts. Wifi is also available.
Activities
Activities at Saruni Mara are tailored to suit the guest. An important part of your stay is the cultural guiding you experience; expert Maasai guides showcase the area to guests and you can learn huge amounts about their culture, history and traditions. For game drives, comfortable, fully-open Land Rovers are used specially designed to give maximum visibility over the landscape and the animals. Generally here you will do a morning and late afternoon game drive. Walking with expert guides on the plains and in the mountains and hills that surround Saruni is a great additional activity. But it’s not all game drives; down time is important too and the spa treatments are excellent.
Experiences
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Game drives in the Maasai Mara
Exploring this iconic ecosystem in an adapted, open 4x4 safari vehicle with your professional safari guide is one of the best ways to get up close to the huge volume and wide diversity of wildlife in the Mara.
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Maasai Mara Balloon Safari
Experience the magic of floating over the plains of the Maasai Mara in a Hot Air Balloon. Balloon safaris are a fantastic way to experience the vast beauty of the Mara and provide exceptional photo opportunities with spectacular lighting and scenery.
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Private Safari Guide and Game Drive Vehicle
Ensure an exclusive and totally tailored safari experience by booking a private safari guide and game drive vehicle. A private guide gives you the flexibility to go where you want, when you want. If you have specific interests this is an absolute must.
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The Great Migration
The Maasai Mara is famous for being home to one of nature’s most spectacular events: the Great Migration. Millions of wildebeest cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Mara in search of better grazing.
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Walking in the Maasai Mara
Exploring the African bush from outside a safari vehicle is a wonderful experience. Get away from the noise of the 4x4 and, accompanied by your professional safari guide, begin to pick up on the smaller details of the African bush.
Vacation Ideas
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Extraordinary Kenya
Samburu, Masai Mara, Diani Beach
from $8800 pp 11 nights
- Samburu is home to endemic species of wildlife, such as the Beisa Oryx, found nowhere else in Kenya.
- This trip really takes you off grid as your safari is spent in private conservancies, allowing you plenty of opportunities to enjoy wildlife sightings all to yourself.
- Meet the semi-nomadic Samburu tribes in northern Kenya and learn the bush safari skills of the Samburu Warriors.
Location & directions
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Saruni Mara is tucked in a forested valley and overlooks the Mara plains in a relatively new conservancy called Mara North. People cannot self drive in the area so this is not the part of Kenya that is commercial and over run with white mini vans and tourists
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