Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Saruni Mara is a luxurious tented lodge set in the Koyiaki Group Ranch, adjacent to the Masai Mara.
Guests are accommodated in six exquisite cottages, one of which is a special honeymoon cottage and another is a family cottage. All the cottages have thatched roofs, large en suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water and cool spacious verandas.
There is a 'Maasai Wellbeing Space' which offers guests a full range of spa treatments. As well as the spa guests can enjoy bush breakfasts, excellent lunches and dinners - sometimes underneath the trees or the stars.
Activities from Saruni include guided bush walks and game drives with both a driver and a guide, fly camping is also possible. The lodge is the permanent home of Riccardo Orizio who is an author and former foreign correspondent.
Responsible Tourism: Over 80% of Saruni's staff comes from the nearby communities and it does much to ensure that these communities benefit from the lodge. The local women's ground (established by Saruni) sells their artefacts in the curios shop, and it is also possible to buy cards here, which have been made by HIV positive women in the Nairobi slums. Saruni also supports the local Koyaki guiding school, as well as encouraging the staff at the lodge to do further training and rise up through the ranks. It operates on a system of solar power and sponsors rangers to protect the wildlife in the surrounding area.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Kenya specialists on 01993 838 510
Photos of Saruni Mara
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![Saruni Cottages, Masai Mara]()
Saruni Cottages, Masai Mara -
![Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara]()
Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara -
![View from Saruni lodge]()
View from Saruni lodge -
![Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara]()
Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara -
![Family cottage,Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara]()
Family cottage,Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara -
![Tea on the terrace at Saruni]()
Tea on the terrace at Saruni -
![Saruni Cottages, Masai Mara]()
Saruni Cottages, Masai Mara -
![Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara]()
Saruni Cottages,Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve itinerary suggestions
Nearby accommodation
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Angama Mara
Set in a truly stunning position on the edge of the Great Rift Valley overlooking the Masai Mara, Angama Mara is an exclusive, owner-run safari lodge offering a luxurious base from which to explore this incredible reserve and its variety of game.
Asilia Naboisho Camp
This small, authentic camp has an exclusive feel, being one of very few camps set within the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Here you can enjoy fantastic game viewing, and the family safari programme means children and adults alike can explore the area’s rich wildlife and culture.
Bateleur Camp
Bateleur Camp is located just outside the Olololo gate to the park, in a Masai concession area. The plains in front of camp are often frequented by warthog and zebra and wildebeest are never far away.
Bogani Cottages & Tented Camp
Bogani offers a completely different experience to all of Kenya's safari camps and it provides a genuine opportunity to get involved in the great work undertaken by Free the Children. The comfortable accommodation provides a great base to explore the local area and contribute to making a real difference to local people.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Elephant Pepper is a lovely little bush camp set just outside the northern boarder of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. During the day they offer game drives and walks with excellent local guides.
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp was the first tented camp to be established in the Masai Mara National Reserve. A new chef-training programme has brought the level of the food here to excellent standards, so you can be sure to enjoy some great food after a long day on safari.
Il Moran
Il Moran is one of the Mara's most luxurious camps, situated above the Mara River. Sitting in camp you might hear hippo grunting, the bark of baboons, or the calls of hyena and lion.
Kicheche Bush Camp
A small, intimate tented camp with a focus on environmental sustainability, Kicheche Bush Camp's tents are spread over a kilometre of land. The eco-friendly camp is unfenced, runs completely on solar power and is located amongst some of the most diverse wildlife in the bush.
Kicheche Mara Camp
Hidden in a picturesque valley within the Mara North Conservancy, Kicheche Mara Camp offers a classic bush camp experience in a prime game viewing location. While authentically simple, the camp’s welcoming hosts and low guest capacity give it an air of exclusivity.
Kicheche Naboisho Valley Camp
A small, very comfortable tented camp, Kicheche Valley Camp serves as a good mid-level option for guests looking to experience the Mara in an authentic environment. You may even be lucky enough to see some incredible wildlife from the camp as animals venture close to the grounds.
Little Governors' Camp
Little Governors' has a superb position above a small swamp where, during the day, you often see animals coming to graze and drink. Overall it is one of our favourite camps in the Mara.
Mara Intrepids
Mara Intrepids is a medium size camp has thirty tents situated along the banks of the Talek River. This is a great camp for families.
Naibor Camp
Naibor is a spacious and stylish safari camp, located on the banks of the Talek River in the Masai Mara Reserve. The food and service is superb, as is the guiding. We warmly recommend it.
Offbeat Mara Camp
Offbeat Mara Camp is a luxury tented camp situated on the Olare Orok water system, on Koyiaki Group Ranch, north of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The camp is owner-run and very friendly.
Ol Seki Hemingways Camp
Situated high on a ridge in the Masai Mara’s Naboisho Conservancy, this luxurious camp provides a peaceful retreat while still being in the heart of the action when it comes to wildlife viewing.
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp is located in the Olare Orok Conservancy, which borders the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Service is personal, the food is good and you will be well taken care of.
Rekero Tented Camp
Rekero Tented Camp is located inside the Masai Mara Game Reserve, very close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers. It is a firm favourite with repeat visitors to Kenya.
Serian Camp
Serian is an exclusive wilderness camp set alongside a secluded valley flanking the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy. Each of the eight tents is fitted with large double beds flanked by twin bedside tables and a writing desk.
Speke's Camp
Brimming with authenticity, this rustic camp has a secluded location close to the main Masai Mara National Reserve, offering spacious tents with plenty of privacy.
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
Experience Life in a Rural Maasai Village
ME to WE provides you with the opportunity to experience life with locals in rural Kenya, working on sustainable projects that benefit these communities in the longer term.
Hot Air Balloon Flight
Watch out for the giraffe hiding in the trees, antelope on the plains and roosting birds. As the sun comes up the views are superb - one of the most beautiful sights in Africa.