Saruni Mara
CEDARBERG RATING
Luxury
Overview
Saruni Mara is set in a remote valley at the heart of the most exciting Africa wilderness, in the Masai-owned Mara North Conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. This eco-friendly lodge offers accommodation for just 14 guests in five lavish cottages and one stunning family villa. Indeed Saruni Mara aims to offer a new concept of safari: the thrill of a real adventure experienced in the company of the local Masai, coupled with high standards of style and comfort.
Accommodation
The five cottages are furnished with colonial antiques, Persian carpets and African art. The atmosphere at the camp is informal but elegant. Each cottage has hot and cold running water, 220 volt electricity, elegant Italian bathroom fittings, polished wooden floors, and large bathrooms where the canvas front can be open to offer you an amazing "shower with a view". Décor is unique for each cottage and around different themes. From your large veranda you can enjoy a unique view of the Mara plains and the many wild animals that come to the waterhole. Your safari can actually start from the comfort of lazing on the massive cedar beds, from where you can observe elephant, leopard, waterbuck, bushbuck and impala traversing freely and peacefully in the grounds of the camp.
The Family Villa has two en suite bedrooms and a large lounge with dining area, comfy sofas around a fireplace, antique prints and reference books. Outside the large veranda makes the most of the magnificent Masai Mara scenery.
The Lodge
The main lodge at Saruni Mara comprises a dining area though many meals are taken outside. In a private cottage in an olive and cedar forest lies the Masai Wellbeing Space, a spa offering sophisticated spa methods using local plants used by the Masai for healing. Saruni Mara also has the most amazing library in the Mara with thousands of rare books and its private location offers you the perfect place to meditate, think and rest.
Facilities include: 24-hour Security, Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Internet Access, Library, Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Secure Parking, Spa, Eco Friendly, Kiddies Club, En-Suite, Internet, Lounge Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Complementary Wi-Fi, Deck, Dressing Gowns
Game Viewing at Saruni Mara
On safari, you drive or walk among elephants, giraffe, zebra and the predators of lion and cheetah. Game viewing is in comfortable, open-topped Land Rovers, designed to give you maximum visibility over the landscape and the wildlife. On the foot safaris, you'll explore the plains and the mountains led by a professional guide and by an armed tracker with ample time to observe the animals and their habitats. Especially for bush dinners and lunches, the guides love to take you to 'secret spots' where you never meet another vehicle. This is the Masai Mara as the first hunters and explorers saw it. Deep in the forest or by the Mara River overlooking a 'hippo beach', a decorated table is waiting, providing an unexpected thrill of a gourmet meal in the middle of the bush.
Saruni Mara also offers a unique specialist safari - their 'Warrior for a Week' programme where you learn a little of what it is like to be a Masai warrior with activities focusing on elephant tracking, bush-craft, game walks and night drives.
At A Glance
Recommended for families
Rural location
Walking safaris
Spa
Wifi on premises
In Pictures
Saruni Mara on the map
Rooms
The Family Villa
The Natural History Suite is Saruni Mara's family villa, with two large en-suite bedrooms, a spacious living area and a veranda. The stylish new villa has two en-suite bedrooms, a large lounge complete with dining area and big, welcoming fireplace. There is also an impressive large veranda overlooking the magnificent scenery of the Masai Mara. The villa is decorated with a selection of antique and vintage prints. There is also relevant reading material such a books on mammals, reptiles, trees and birds. The Natural History Suite will inspire you and your family to understand and experience nature, in all its wonderful shapes and forms.
The Artist's Studio
The Artist's Studio is an elegant sanctuary for the creative soul, and the perfect place to find inspiration. With a stylishly decorated en-suite bedroom, leading out onto the open veranda, this cottage boasts beautiful views over the secluded valley and out onto the Mara plains in the distance.
The Observatory
The Observatory is a themed cottage that makes you dream of vast, star-lit African skies. The Observatory has a vintage brass telescope, moon map and selection of interesting material on all things cosmic. This cottage is beautifully furnished and spacious, with a large front deck for relaxing in the day and star gazing at night.
The Literary Room
The Literary Room is an ideal hideaway for thinkers, dreamers and writers, inspired by great stories of African adventures and discovery. As if from the pages of a quintessential African novel, the cottage is classic and more than comfortable. Equipped with a vintage typewriter, leather reading chairs, writing desk with a brass reading lamp, quill pen and leather blotter, guests can experience and create their own safari story. There is also a selection of classic and African literature. The beautiful, spacious en-suite bedroom open up onto a large veranda, a perfect reading perch for the afternoon.
The Photographer's Studio
The Photographer's Studio is inspired by imagery and decorated to the theme of life through the lens.
A beautifully furnished cottage, spacious and charming, with a large bedroom, en-suite bathroom and outdoor veranda overlooking the beautiful view. This rooms pays tribute to the decades of incredible photography the marvel of the Great Migration and the Masai Mara has produced. The environment, the wildlife and the people - beautiful, picturesque and inspiring. The Photographer's Studio has an old box browning camera, antique photographic equipment catalogue and stunning prints adorn the walls.
The Love Shack
The Love Shack is the perfect romantic retreat, simply and elegantly designed for long hours of relaxation. The Love Shack is a wonderfully secluded cottage, known as Saruni Mara's Honeymoon Suite. The neutral colour scheme, elegant furnishings and beautiful antiques create a feeling of classic elegance and romance. The bedroom is very spacious, and opens out onto a large veranda with a magnificent view of the valley leading onto the Masai plains - the perfect private dining area.
Nyati House (Private Villa)
Nyati House is a beautiful, private wilderness home, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge and dining room, kitchen and large veranda. Nyati House is booked exclusively and is located a 5 minute drive away from Saruni Mara in its own secluded valley. Perfect for groups or families looking for privacy and wanting to experience the Masai Mara on their own schedule and in the comfort of their own wilderness home. Equipped with your own safari vehicle and guide and with meals in your own dining room, guests at Nyati House have a very personal experience. The house has a unique style with lots of wooden features and natural elements. The rooms are spacious and overlook your very own view of the Mara plains. There is a large front garden for children to enjoy.
