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.

Our rating: Deluxe