The Jewel In Maasai Mara’s Crown – I stayed at Amani Mara for 3 weeks solo with the intention of healing and finding peace in nature and it was truly transformative. As I was there for a… read more significant amount of time, I wanted to provide a thorough review for other travelers and to recommend at least a 3 night stay as a lot of the other guests I socialized with were really bummed they had such a short stay planned after seeing the place!

LOCATION:
Amani Mara feels very exclusive and is not near other camps- wonderful as you’re not seeing the lights from other camps and hearing them making for an organic bush experience that doesn’t feel “commercial.” They are only 15 minutes from Maasai Mara park, and I could never tell the difference as the drive there was a safari with as much wildlife as the park! When I first arrived to Amani Mara, they have an unmarked yet beautiful entrance, and I was greeted by the manager and other staff who welcomed me with a cold towel (that smelled of lovely essential oils), a welcome drink, and then taken into the perched main area with a jaw dropping view of the savannah and a river directly below with resident hippos, crocodiles, you name it. I hadn’t realized that I would be able to spot wildlife from my dining table (and the entire property)!

POOL:
Their infinity pool is really gorgeous and on the hillside overlooking the river with wildlife. I appreciated their comfy loungers and attentive pool service serving drinks, etc.

DINING:
Speaking of dining, this was one of the reasons that I initially chose Amani Mara as they offer a hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily at the property (with picnic options for game drives, of course). Most of the other camps I explored only offered hot dinner options. I was shocked at how amazing and artisan the food was- they have even hired a new pastry chef and the desserts are divine! They accommodated all of my food sensitivities with substitutions and made me feel very comfortable doing so as their wait staff is very kind and professional. TIP: Do not miss their “Dinner Under The Stars” and Bush dinner options- they are so gorgeous with the same great food.

ROOMS:
Overall loved how all of Amani Mara blended into nature and was very private. The way it was built, no one else will pass by your “villa” as there is a pathway that veers off onto each room. Also, all of the villas are facing the river with views and I could not see any other villas from my viewing deck outside. Rooms have a natural feel giving a “ safari experience” but luxury touches that make them very comfortable.

WILDLIFE:
A big differentiator between Amani Mara and other options I considered is that it is unfenced and the experience feels very natural. One of my favorite memories is of the zebras who stopped by my room daily to “say hello”. You are completely safe on your viewing deck to watch wildlife, and you are escorted to your room in the evenings by a true Maasai security guard. I always felt safe.

GAME DRIVES TIP:
I learned to use the drivers that Amani Mara recommended as they have been doing this for YEARS and really had the inside scoop for the best experience. For ex, the driver received a call from other Maasai friends who shared a leopard sighting and we ended up being the only other vehicle there to witness it.

SERVICE:

As someone who loves luxury hotels,their service was BEYOND 5 star hotel Ben by United States standards. Silly, but I remember thinking “this must be how celebrities are treated at hotels” HA!

I was so impressed when another guest shared that the staff had prepared an earlier dinner for her kids by the pool where they were swimming, and then watched the children in their guest room while the parents had a romantic dinner in the dining room— at no additional charge! I found the staff very open to accommodating to guests as opposed to being rigid about things.

There were several evenings when lions or a leopard were found not far from the camp, and upon getting word from their security, the owners came into the main area to invite everyone to hop on their safari vehicle to go and see them. This was not counted as a “game drive” or anything of that sort- this is just how passionate they are about guest experiences and how “above and beyond” they do things.

As it’s family owned and managed, the brothers, Sam and Sully, have somehow mastered socializing with guests and making them feel comfortable without ever imposing on anyone. The entire staff wowed me with anticipating needs -remembering my favorite beverages, bringing me my favorite snack when they saw me in the dining, etc.

Amani Mara and Kenya have my heart forever and I CANNOT wait to return someday. Thank you for all of your hospitality and the memories I’ll have forever.

  Amazing experience! – Amani was the final stop of our first safari in Kenya and we were not disappointed! The views from the main lounge area are amazing. Guest accommodation, food and staff… read more were all really good. On our last night we had a dinner under the stars which was definitely a big highlight. We will recommend this camp to any friends coming over for a safari and will hopefully be back to visit again in the future!

  We loved Amani Mara, the hosts were lovely and welcoming.

We were lucky to be able to take a walk with Sully and explore the area around the camp,… read more whilst feeling safe from harm, we learned all about the culture the nature and traditions whilst we walked through the area to the hippos. We were then able to sit and watch the hippos from a ledge above the water that they were in. One of the best things we have done this whole trip.

The Camp made us feel really welcome, all the people we met were lovely, Daniel and Andrew, Ashif and everyone else.

We were staying when another couple were celebrating their honey moon and the Chefs and the team all came out singing a lovely song and presented the newly weds with a cake, then the came back in with one for us as we were celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It was lovely,

We planted a tree and named it so feel like we are now forever connected to this beautiful place.

The Facilities are great – rooms good with all the facilities that you require… the food was lovely and the lounge facilities great

Really loved our stay here.

  Trip of a lifetime!! Safari was truly amazing. – My family (wife and 2 teenage boys) went to this camp for the safari and it was the ultimate highlight of our trip. A safari sounds really cool, but… read more this is beyond that. The site of the camp, along a creek/river is a great starting point, where you can sit in the dining hall with a view of hippos, alligators, monkeys, and more. I could have sat in that camp spot for hours, but the real adventure is in the Kenyan Reserve. Our trips were usually from 8am until 4 pm, for 3 days in a row. Each day your driver takes you out into the savanna and lets you get to see these amazing animals out in their natural habitat. We saw Lions (one day eating a Zebra carcass), giraffes, hippos, elk, wildebeests, warthogs, elephants, leopards, tons of birds, baboons, and more. It is a different experience seeing these animals out on this land, because they all know that these touring vehicles do them no harm and thus they just go about their day and give you a look over. The amount of pictures I took is beyond anything else I have ever done, and would recommend borrowing or buying a great camera with a really good lens. I took close to 2000 pictures and could have taken more. The boys had a great time. So did my wife. The hut/structure that you get to stay in is great and the food at this place was beyond my expectations. All of the meals were a buffet or choices and many were well seasoned. My wife had her of this place from a fellow teacher who has been there twice, and I can understand why. If I have any friend wanting to do a safari, then I would not think twice for even a second about recommending this all inclusive safari. The other thing I would highly recommend, which we did on the last night, is the night safari trip, where they take you out into the reserve and they use "red" lights, to find the animals. They can’t see the red light frequency, but they do hear your vehicle. We saw some hippos, and even a leopard. It was better than I though it could be. We were there for a total of 5 days, and while the drive from the Nairobi airport is long (5-6 hours), if you can afford flying into Amani Mara (don’t know that cost), you will land about 20-30 minutes away from the camp and that would allow you even more time to relax and enjoy day walks around the camp, as well. Trip of a lifetime!!!

  Lovely wild  – My goodness location is ideal position to hide from the noisy world.
Here is total silence and serenity.Hippos,jackals,lions make the base choir and the numerous bird species lights up… read more Lovely location for even honeymooners and you will enjoy.
Food is a la carte but excellent.You are spoilt for a choice.Picnic lunch box is out of this world.Rooms nice and great staff.

  Absolutely Perfect! – Our five days at Amani Mara were beyond superb. We had been to the Maasai Mara 10 years before and were worried that nothing could compare. But we… read more should not have worried, as this perfectly run eco-conscious oasis in the Maasai Mara is in a beautiful setting with amazing wildlife viewing right at the lodge and cabin balconies — hippos, crocodiles, lion prides, a resident leopard, zebras and a multitude of other plains game and a wonderful variety of bird species. The authentically African-style lodge is truly special. It was created over many years by the hard work by the Suleiman family (starting with Ashif, a 4th generation Kenyan whose family came to Kenya in the late 1800’s ) whose passion for the Maasai Marai –its ecology, wildlife and its people –is exceptional and truly contagious. They enhanced the river environment to restore perennial flow and planted over 50,000 trees– all of which have matured into the remarkable rich wildlife and plant-life habitat present today. The lodge and cabins are works of art achieved by the creative and talented owners and local Kenyan craftsmen; they have fabulous woven thatch- type enormously high ceilings/roofs made of plants from the coast of Kenya supported by huge African olive tree beams and great wooden trunks. Not only beautiful, our cabins were also, well-equipped, comfortable and extremely well appointed. (I was even able to dry my hair with a hair dryer– a luxury I appreciated.) I should add that I always felt safe at Amani Mara— there was always someone protecting us including a Maasai joining us when we ventured to or from our cabin after dark.

Daily, the chef prepared gourmet selections ( we loved the watermelon gazpacho) and packed yummy lunches and breakfasts when we opted for bush meals during safaris. There were private sundowners in memorable sunset settings with acacia trees and silhouettes of giraffes, bush breakfasts after viewing sunrise ( a must in the Maasai Mara) and surprise outdoor dinners by camp fire enhanced by a bit of fun and entertaining Maasai singing and dancing (some of the staff of Amani Mara participated). The owners made us feel like royalty– Ashif and Shelina Suleiman made it a point to give us a warm and personal welcome. And, their sons Sam (the on-site manager) and Sully (the safari guide extraordinaire) catered to our every whim. Sully who grew up exploring the bush, along with James, a very entertaining and first-class Maasai guide, gave us the safari drives of a lifetime. They know every nook and cranny of the Maasai Mara and how to best approach it. Every day was different and special. The term "Amani" appropriately describes this gem of a luxury bush camp which exceeded our desires, wishes, and aspirations. 5 stars is not enough.

  BEST PLACE IN MAASAI MARA – YOU ROCK – A wonderful place. We stayed two nights and the hotel exceeded our expectations. The symbiosis with nature was total. The owners and all the staff were 100% committed to making… read more our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. The rooms delicately designed with elements of the place and with a view of the park without equal in the Maasai Mara. We have seen zebras, hippos, birds, and at night heard hyenas. Zebras were everywhere near the cabins. One night the staff made us a very special dinner that included dances with the Maasai tribe under the starry sky and with a large bonfire that enlivened the beautiful table with a very rich buffet. I had the pleasure of meeting the owners who told me about the history of the hotel and the passion they have for what they do is evident, putting a lot of effort and affection into a hotel in harmony with nature and with the local people. Everything is recycled, they take care of the environment and show how to run a sustainable business. Thank you all for making us feel part of the family and for participating in the planting of nine native trees that are our legacy in the Maasai Mara. Amani Mara Camp a place to return 1000 times.

  Both an amazing experience, and an amazing story – The camp and individual tents are beautiful, with an amazing view of Maasai Mara which includes a steady stream of animals throughout the day. The food is exceptional, we… read more very much enjoyed our meals at the camp and our packed lunches provided during picnics on the game drives. The staff are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and invite you to take part in Maasai culture and customs.

But even all of these positives aren’t the primary reason why you should stay at Amani Mara. Sully and his brother are continuing their father’s legacy, who essentially built the entire ecosystem surrounding Amani Mara, transforming it from the barren land it used to be. They are leading the way in conservation efforts in the region and are continuing to strive towards the camp having a net negative carbon footprint. Without giving too much else away, you simply MUST sign up for the night game-drive, which was easily the most rewarding experience of our entire safari.

Simply an amazing stay in every single aspect!

  Traveled here with group of 11. Amazing place and all staff so friendly and facility well managed. Rooms are all lovely, well furnished, and eco-friendly. Lots of wildlife nearby. Food… read more was exceptional! So happy to have found this place and a chance to experience this beautiful place.

  The best place to stay during your trip! – Our stay at the camp was fantastic! We stayed here for 3 nights and the staff made sure our stay was as good as it could be! The gamedrives … read more were amazing, the food was delicious and all the staff took such good care of us! Our great driver Daniel always took us to the right places to see as many animals as possible! He made sure we had a great spot to watch the great migration!! Everything was well organised and they made sure our trip was unforgettable!

  Very very nice!!!  – it was an amazing experience and we loved the place. great accommodation, great staff and owners, nice food, everything was perfect and we would definitely recommend the Camp (which was… read more selected by MatokeTours).

  Wonderful experience! – We were only there for a day, but wished we could have stayed longer. Sulley and Sam were wonderful hosts. George and the rest of the staff, very nice and… read more friendly. The food was wonderful and they did a wonderful birthday celebration for one of party. The facilities are beautiful as is the the view. Sully took us on a once in a lifetime night drive. He said we were so lucky and I cannot explain all that happened, but rhere was a lioness kill, drama with a rival male, efforts to fight off hyenas and extra drama with a forgotten cub. It all worked out! So amazing. On top of all this they have you plant trees before you leave and they plant 13 for everyone the guests plant. A wonderful place to visit! Highly recommended.

  Unique experience! – Hello everyone!!!
We stayed here from October 10-13 and we have no words to describe the wonder of this facility….
First of all we arrived late in the evening and… read more they waited for us by making dinner just for us,beautiful rooms with small terrace directly on the majestic savannah,change towels every day and in the evening after dinner they make you find the hot water bag in the bed to warm it up because in the evening temperatures drop …breakfast,lunch ,dinner and packed lunch super with food even for intolerant people like me to whom they made find soy milk!
Maximum care and attention to the customer,all the staff kind and helpful always and surprises that I can not list because it is right and I hope you discover them yourself!
A magical experience that we highly recommend,a heartfelt thank you to all the staff of Amani Mara!
Elena and Alessio

  unforgettable  – What an impressive place. You drive onto a small road, and suddenly there is a very beautiful lodge. It seems like paradise. You will receive a very friendly welcome. The… read more view from the lounge is heavenly. The rooms are so incredibly beautiful. At night you hear the animals, hippos, lions, birds, you are so close to nature. Sully and James took us on a night safari. We experienced unforgettable things, we saw the hunting of lions on Impalas up close. We were very lucky to see that. In addition, Sully saw a Leopard in the tree, in the dark. He has an eye for it. The staff there are super friendly and helpful. Almost uncomfortable. Someone always walks with you to the room in the dark. You feel very safe there. The food is delicious. The last evening, New Year’s Eve, we had diner outside with a fire and oil lamps, so much atmosphere. Highly recommended, you must have been here.

  We had a great time during our time at Amani Mara. We were lucky enough to be the only guests at the time of our stay, which made the experience… read more very intimate, quiet, and enjoyable. Sam, Sully and the entire team made sure to make our stay memorable and unforgettable. The walking safari, followed by a sundowner was brilliant. We highly recommend Amani Mara, and we will always have great memories of the place.

  Absolutely unforgettable time at Amani Mara. Sam, William, and the entire staff made us feel so welcome and shared their beautiful home wit my wife and I, and our… read more 9 year old daughter Parker. The special dinners, nature walk and bonfire were simply icing on the cake. By far our favorite place of the whole trip!