Location
Right in the middle of nature, peaceful, quite and private....
How to find us
Amani Mara is located in the Olare Orok region a mere 5 km northeast of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. We are accessible through both the Sekenani or Musiara gates; alternatively, a 45-minute flight from Wilson to Olkiombo or Musiara airstrip, from which we would be pleased to arrange transport.
Amani Mara is fully accessible by car from Nairobi International airport and a driving distance of approximately 250km which translates to about 6 hour drive.
Altitude 1700 meters above sea level
Co-ordinates: Amani Mara, S 1.29842E 35.2005
Karibu
Testimonials
-
A truly remote and wild luxury lodge. – Amani Mara isn’t a lodge near nature, it is a lodge inside of and surrounded by the Mara. This is the place to go if you want a wild and… read more raw experience while having every detail attended to. We were booked at the Amani Mara through a safari company for our honeymoon. Our driver guide said he hadn’t been there yet, so we were skeptical. We shouldn’t have been. Amani Mara is unbelievable. The entire place has only 10 guest rooms, and is powered by solar located on the premises. It sits inside the Maasai Mara overlooking a river. From our room, we could see hippos, elephants, buffalo, vervet monkeys, baboons, mongooses, giraffes, zebras and more. The game drives were astonishing. Due to the natural setting, the staff escorts you everywhere after dark to watch the camp and guard against nearby wildlife. We went on a nature walk led by members of the Maasai tribe which was educational and culturally enriching. The food is prepared by a classically trained chef, and is plated instead of buffet. That being said, if you want anything, and I mean anything at all, George is there for you. We asked for an authentic breakfast, so he made sure there was local fruit and fried dough for us. His attention to detail was amazing. On our last day, we had dinner under the stars by a fire, and the chef baked us a cake for our honeymoon which we cut as the staff sang in Swahili. We will be back.
Isaac R
September 11, 2025Amani Mara Lodge is the ONLY place to say while visiting Kenya/Massai Mara – This was our second time staying at the Amani Mara Lodge. It is a beautiful boutique resort. The most amazing views of the Mara. The rooms are… read more wonderful. Very roomy and comfortable. The staff was so incredibly helpful and kind. The food is amazing. The accomodate dietry restrictions. James was our driver and guide throughout our stay. He was beyond tenacious in making sure that we saw all the animals. And we did and then some. The Amani Mara is the ONLY place to stay if you are visiting the Maasai Mara. We are coming back next year!
Susan S
September 3, 2025Unforgettable Stay at Amani Mara Hotel – My stay at Amani Mara Hotel was truly unforgettable. As an interior designer, I was especially impressed by the thoughtful design details throughout the property. The highlight has to be… read more the infinity pool overlooking the river — where you can hear the hippos 24/7 and even spot them right from the hotel. The rooms are beautifully designed with attention to detail, making the whole experience both comfortable and inspiring.
The food exceeded my expectations. Even when we went out for early morning game drives, the hotel prepared takeaway breakfasts and lunches that were not only delicious but also thoughtfully served. Instead of just handing us packed boxes, they set up proper tables and chairs in the bush, creating a picnic-style experience. Dinner was another highlight — a magical outdoor bush dinner accompanied by traditional Maasai performances, and all of this came at no extra cost!
Service was outstanding. One moment I’ll never forget was when we had to leave at 4 a.m. for a hot air balloon ride. To my surprise, a staff member was already waiting in the lobby with hot coffee and biscuits prepared for us. That small gesture made me feel so at home. I regret not remembering his name, but I have a photo with him that reminds me of his kindness.
Kenya is a country where tipping is common, but what really stood out here is that the staff never made us feel pressured. Unlike at our previous hotel, where staff would wait expectantly for tips, at Amani Mara it felt completely genuine — and that made me want to tip them even more.
Overall, Amani Mara Hotel gave me one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had — from the design and comfort, to the food, to the warm hospitality. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Maasai Mara.Quest39704064025
September 3, 2025Wonderful family stay – We spent four fantastic days in Amani Mara. Highly recommended for the location, amazing game drives and excellent service, including the food. Special thanks to Daniel who made our stay… read more unique!
Andrea A
August 1, 2025 -
Just Perfect – I just needed to take a minute to write a review about this place. It was the most amazing experience on all levels, and if you are looking to stay… read more in the Maasai Mara, stop looking and just book here.
The grounds are beautiful, and you are well taken care of for the entire stay. Yes, there are no fences, which isn’t a problem during the day. At night, Maasai guards will escort you anywhere you need to go on the property.
The staff at this hotel are amazing people and incredibly kind. David and William were awesome, taking care of us while we dined. I didn’t catch the names of the other staff members, but every single person was great.
I also want to mention that I fell in love with the food. Every meal was a gem. There are options for non-meat eaters, and they blew my mind. The chef and everyone who prepared the food in the kitchen deserve a lot of praise.
Everything was perfect, and we are grateful to everyone who made us feel so welcome.Tyler T
August 1, 2025Family friendly, Flawless – We stayed here in a multigenerational trip for three days and four nights. We had a fabulous flawless trip. Our guide, James spent all day with us having fabulous experiences,… read more seeing incredible animals, hosting picnics, and giving us the inside scoop! Sully, the owner, was a fabulous host, had great suggestions, was incredibly knowledgeable, and worked hard to make us stay wonderful. Accommodations were incredibly comfortable and beautiful. 10 out of 10!
Jackie G
August 1, 2025Wild Adventures – Totally over the top trip. Do not miss this adventure of a lifetime, it’s incredible. Saw so many animals and wildlife that it was beyond our wildest expectations. Our… read more whole family, kids and adults, were in love with the total experience. Couldn’t speak higher of this awesome time!
Mike T
July 1, 2025My first safari experience came at the tail end of a trip to Kenya to do some volunteer work. The non-profit I was working with ended their trips with taking… read more all of the volunteers to Amani Mara for an amazing 3 night safari experience in the heart of the Maasai Mara. We were so cared for by the owners and exceptional staff, with wonderful accommodations, excellent dining and of course safaris led by knowledgeable guides who filled every moment with great encounters with wildlife. I can’t imagine a more authentic safari experience, and am looking forward to sharing the Amani Mara with my wife, our children and grandchildren next year!
Mark L
July 1, 2025 -
An absolute must stay place if you’re ever visiting Masai Mara – My husband and I stayed at Amani Mara for two nights during our safari in July 2025. Long story short – it’s the coolest place we’ve ever stayed in… read more all of our travels. Details: the service is impeccable. The owner’s son (Sully) is somehow always there to greet you, no matter what time of day. And if you get the chance, have a conversation with him – his family has been in Kenya for five generations and built the resort from the ground up. The wildlife is RIGHT THERE. When we checked in, they asked us to wait on the balcony because another family arrived right before us and they were checking them in. There was a family of hippos right across the stream. I was amazed – and had to ask if they were real or not, lol. It was truly incredible. My husband absolutely loved going to bed hearing the sounds of the wildlife around us. We had a zebra that hung out by our cabin and walked with us one day from the lodge to our cabin. It’s such a cool place, really, just do it. You will not regret it (unless you hate animals, which makes me question why you’d do a safari anyway). BTW, Trip Advisor has this place rated as a three star hotel class, which absolutely baffles me. It is NOT a three star resort. Service wise, it’s five star for sure. Building wise – I’d say that it’s between a four and five star. Everything is beautiful, but you’re in the savannah, so there is a rustic element to it. It feels like a boutique resort, with only 10 cabins. But you are in the wilderness, so it’s not necessarily fancy.
Julie K
July 1, 2025Stunning setting and beautiful cottages – Amani Mara is simply gorgeous! We had a fantastic stay in a stunning setting, with attentive staff looking after us. The cottages are beautiful and the views spectacular. We totally… read more recommend it!
J A
July 1, 2025Unforgettable first visit to Maasai Mara at a meticulously cared for resort ❤️ – Unforgettable experience!! Our group stayed with Amani Mara for 3 nights and had the most amazing experience! From the moment we arrived, our guides met us at the… read more local airstrip and we were escorted in the safari vehicles to a beautifully hidden private luxury resort. Sully, Sam, Morty, and the parents were amazingly kind and attentive to every detail and every request.
Each and every meal was deliciously and beautifully executed. The quality of food and service rivals luxury hotels in big cities. From the first sunset sundowner to the thoughtfully pre-packed breakfast with the spread of coffee, tea, juices, butter and jams— no detail was overlooked.
The rooms were so comfortable, housekeeping and turndown were always prompt and clean. Even on our last night, they even provided warmed heat packs to warm the bed for us.
The safari guides were fabulous and worked tirelessly to find all the amazing wildlife of zebras, giraffes, lions, wildebeest, baboons, gazelles, leopards, and cheetahs— just to name a few.
Sam and Sully made the arrangements for an optional wonderful hot air balloon ride and trip out to Maasai village, and provided a wealth of information to us about the culture, the animals, and the stories of how this incredible resort came to fruition.
Thank you to each and every member of this wonderful team who cared for us—for an amazing adventure and an unforgettable experience! We can’t wait to return again!travelbug_lover
June 1, 2025AMAZING GEM!!! – I have to say this place is an absolute gem!!! As soon as you step into the main building, the most beautiful view of the open wilderness appears with a… read more small river running at the base. Many Hippopotamuses play literally right in front of the view. The infinity pool also overlooks the same view. The rooms are fantastic and clean. Let’s get to the best part of the trip, the team!!!! Straight from the top, the owners Sam and Sully are literally there daily and checking on your every need. My daughter ended up with a stomach bug and Sully visited us in the room and made sure every thing was provided for us. Truly above and beyond. The tour guides and staff are also amazing!!! In long, I highly highly recommend this amazing hotel.
kevin n
June 1, 2025 -
Brilliant – Brilliant property Great location and very kind and Hospitable Staff and Owners. Chef and staff saw that our special food needs of vegetarian are met. Everything moved with precision and… read more was well organised. Should stay in this value for money property
Excursion262318
June 1, 2025Amani Mara Lodge is the only place to stay while visiting Kenya – This is our second time staying at the Amani Mara Lodge It is a beautiful boutique resort. The most amazing views. The rooms are wonderful. The staff are so… read more helpful and kind. The food is incredible. James was our driver for our game drives and every where else we went. He was beyond awesome. We saw all the animals and he was so tenacious making sure that we saw everything before our trip ended. We are coming back again next year. The only place to stay if you’re visiting the Mara.
Susan S
June 1, 2025Amani – peace, bliss, delight, luxury and a special home where you can’t go wrong!!! – As a family we have been visiting Amani Mara since inception having taken a break in between and visited other lodges and camps which are more luxury and same level.… read more At the end all I can say no amount of money or a luxury brand title can give you what Amani gives you
Amani is Peace, it is Bliss, it is sheer joy and a place you can feel so much at home, comfortable and yet get spoilt and pampered.
The views that Amani Mara camp offers into the Mara is uncomparable. At a height dropping into the river you have the constant population of the hippos and crocodiles. Every now and then animals
wander around be it lions, leopards, elephants, Giraffes they are visible every now and then from the deck of the lounge.
The infinity pool on hot summer days gives you direct vision into the mara and river.
Meals!! It is a constant complain that you cannot leave the mara without gaining a few kilos!! The chef finds delight and joy in feeding you and checking what you like and prepare such delicious meals! Recommendation for those who likes desserts the chef makes killer Cream Carmel custard!! We simply love the personalization where by they ask each and every client what would they like to have for breakfast! Same for lunch and dinner
The rooms are spacious, clean and very natural! You actually feel that you are one with nature! The furniture is local wood the bathrooms are stone. The team have taken into account every little details that you have a private deck where you can enjoy the views
The team be it the owners or any staff even the night guards they so caring! You can radio them for help or even a drink at weird hours of the night and it is always service with a smile!!
Game drives – Mara never disappoints one just a few mins away from the park you are bound to see a full range of the wildlife! The guides are well knowledgeable and are caring and also understanding what each client likes to see they make sure that your wish is fulfilled.
Amani Mara you are a sheer delight and you are crown in the heart of Mara
Every visitor is treated with a smile
Forever returning and highly recommendedRitu M
February 1, 2025What a gem of a place! – What a wonderful rustic gem of a place! Very private, comfortable and spacious huts, welcoming family-run atmosphere, delicious food, great game drives, refreshing pool, and phenomenal views over the… read more valley (filled with hippos, giraffes, monkeys, and even a lion or two). Dinner under the stars was incredible, and everyone was so helpful and friendly. Each guest getting to plant a tree was a nice touch and educational.
BrianS
January 1, 2025