Saruni Mara Lodge
A Luxurious Safari Experience where,Dawn’s Whisper in a Secluded Valley
“Tucked into a private valley in Mara North Conservancy, Saruni Mara blends boutique luxury with the raw beauty of the Masai Mara. With themed cottages, expert Maasai guides, and a spa set in nature, this is where wilderness and elegance meet.”The sky is just beginning to bleed gold when your first cup of coffee is poured on the veranda. Below you, a secluded valley in Mara North Conservancy stretches into the distance—rolling forested hills to one side, sweeping savannah plains to the other. A distant roar, the rustling wings of a hornbill, the slow steps of elephants at a waterhole. At Saruni Mara Lodge, you don’t just stay in the Mara — you become part of its waking heartbeat.
Here, each morning breaks in perfect solitude. Your footsteps on cedar floors, the soft click of a shutter as light finds the dust motes; evenings arrive with game drives, Maasai tales by firelight, and stars so close you feel you could touch them. It is where polished luxury meets raw wilderness.
Discover Saruni Mara: Bespoke Luxury in the Mara North Conservancy
Saruni Mara isn’t simply a place to rest; it’s an intimate boutique lodge designed for those who seek more than wildlife — who want artistry, culture, privacy, and connection with nature at its unfiltered best.
The Essence of Saruni Mara
Location & Setting
- Geographic Hideaway: Nestled in a private valley within Mara North Conservancy, bordering but separate from the roaring heart of Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Landscapes & Views: Forested hills (including olive & cedar), dramatic escarpments, and unspoiled plains. A waterhole in view from some cottages.
- Access: Fly into Mara North Airstrip from Nairobi (≈ 1 hour), followed by ~45-minute drive through wildlife country. Alternatively a 4×4 road drive via Narok takes ~5½-6 hours.
Accommodation & Design
- Boutique Villas & Cottages: Seven unique themed cottages/villas, including The Artist’s Studio, The Photographer’s Studio, The Observatory, The Literary Room, The Love Shack (honeymoon suite), Family Natural History Suite, and the private Nyati House.
- Luxury Amenities: Each cottage has en-suite bathroom with hot & cold running water, expansive decks for star-gazing, 220-volt electricity, wood floors, antiques & artwork. Some have canvas fronts that open to let the wilderness in.
- Privacy & Exclusivity: Villas/cottages spaced apart, with Nyati House offering full private villa status, its own lodge vehicle & guide.
Wildlife & Activities
Activities & Experiences
- Game Drives: Shared day and night drives through Mara North Conservancy — fewer vehicles, more intimate wildlife encounters, excellent Big Five spotting.
- Walking Safaris & Tracking: Bush walks guided by Maasai warriors, tracking animals, plant lore, survival skills (Warrior Academy) for kids/adults.
- Cultural Encounters & Relaxation: Local Maasai village visits, traditional song & dance, storytelling by fire. Spa / Wellbeing space (“Maasai Wellbeing Space”) offering massages & wellness treatments.
- Extras: Sundowners, bush meals, hot air ballooning (optional), star watching from verandas & The Observatory.
Dining, Comfort & Facilities
Experience the Magic of Saruni Mara
- Culinary Fusion: Fresh, locally sourced ingredients; Italian-inspired cuisine blended with African flavours. Long communal tables at Kuro House, candlelit dinners on private verandas, bush breakfasts.
- Communal Spaces: Library with rare books & wildlife literature; comfortable lounges; fire places; veranda decks.
- Wellness & Spa: Wellbeing Space with massages (complimentary 30-min welcome for guests), aromatherapy, reflexology in tranquil setting.
Saruni Mara Lodge Rates, Seasons & What’s Included
| Rates 2026 In US$ | High Season | Mid-Season | Low Season | |
| 4 Cottages – per person per night sharing basis | 900 | 700 | 500 | |
| 1 Honeymoon Cottage – per person per night sharing basis | 900 | 700 | 500 | |
| 1 Family Villa – per unit per night (up to 4 pax) Any additional adult/child, standard sharing rate applies | 3,600 | 2,800 | 2,000 | |
| 1 Private Villa – per unit per night (up to 4 pax) Any additional adult/child, standard sharing rate applies | 3,600 | 2,800 | 2,000 | |
| Child aged 5-16* – per night sharing basis | 450 | 350 | 250 | |
| Single occupancy per night | 1,080 | 830 | 620 | |
| Conservation fees ** | Adult | 130 | 130 | 130 |
| Child aged 5-16 | 65 | 65 | 65 | |
Seasons
- High:-July, August, September & 20 December 2026 – 02 January 2027
- Mid:-03 January – 28 February, June, October & 01 – 19 December 2026
- Low:-March, April, May & November 2026
Best Time to Visit & Tips
- Optimal Seasons:
- Jul – Oct: Peak wildlife, Great Migration crossings; clear skies.
- Jan – Mar: Calving season, good light, fewer crowds.
- Green Season (Apr – May, Nov): Lush scenery, lower rates, more intimate vibe.
- What to Pack: Neutral tones, layers for early mornings and evenings, binoculars, camera, insect repellent, walking shoes, swimming gear, sun protection.
Why Saruni Mara Stays in Your Memory
Staying at Saruni Mara is about moments that linger:
- The hush of wildlife moving at twilight.
- Private verandas where moonlight filters through olive branches.
- An en-suite bathroom where the front canvas opens to let in dawn’s chorus.
- Lessons from Maasai guides, stories told in firelight.
- Luxury that doesn’t shout—but envelops.
Special offers
- Some times more is less! For the Long-Stayer, we have a series of Pay/Stay Special Offers that allow you to stay longer – and pay less!
- If planning an impromptu Kenya safari experience is more your thing – then take advantage of our Last-Minute Offers.
- Celebrating your nuptials with a unique and memorable honeymoon – our gift for the happy bride is a generous one!
Read on to see our current Special Offers
It’s time for your Saruni Basecamps Safari!
Exclusive Samburu Safari
- Exclusive Samburu Safari
- ICONIC SAMBURU
- The distilled essence of northern Kenya
- 3 Nights / 4 Days:SIGNATURE SAFARIS | Samburu Safari
- ALL-INCLUSIVE COST:-FROM US$3, 305 per adult sharing
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The Supreme Saruni Safari
- Unforgettable encounters with wildlife and people
- Wildlife hotspots and hidden gems
- 6 nights / 7 days
- SIGNATURE SAFARIS – Masai Mara & Samburu Safari
ALL-INCLUSIVE COST:FROM US$5,075 per adult sharing
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Protect & Change Express Safari,
- Protect & Change Express Safari, Nature Works
- Lewa, Masai Mara
- Experience how ecotourism and conservation are making a difference in Kenya’s wildlife hotspots.
- 6 Nights / 7 Days,SIGNATURE SAFARIS – Lewa, Masai Mara
- ALL-INCLUSIVE COST:-FROM US$6,120 per adult sharing
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Discover the Ultimate Safari Experience at Saruni Basecamps
Embark on an adventure of a lifetime with Saruni Basecamps, where luxury meets the wild heart of Kenya’s most famous conservation areas. Saruni Basecamps provides an unparalleled safari experience, offering guests a unique blend of comfort, cultural interaction, wildlife exploration, and sustainability.
- Saruni Samburu – Unspoiled Wilderness
- Saruni Wild – Intimate Bush Experience
- Saruni Rhino – Encounter the Majestic Rhinos
Discover more about Saruni Basecamps by exploring our offerings at Masai Mara Hotels with unique locations like Serian Camp, Richard’s Camp, and Olare Mara Kempinski. Each destination promises a safari not just seen, but felt.