Amazing place with the most pleasant staff!  – What an amazing spot! We stayed for only 2 nights and I felt sorry I hat to leave.
We’ve had very nice game drives with Fred and Sully and we… read more saw so many wonderful things. I hope to visit this lovely place again to see how the tree I planted is doing and I will certainly stay longer then!

  why I will go back to Amani Mara – I have been to the Masi Mara twice before. This boutique lodge is new since covid and I will not go any where else on my future visits. The vision… read more of the parents is now carried out by the two sons. Sam runs the lodge with perfect combination of guests comfort and a very happy and devoted staff. To be cared for by the Amani team is to be graced with luxury and surrounded by beauty (as well as guest safety). I still marvel at the construction of all the accommodations, food and the river just in front of the main lodge where you can see all the animals over a 24 hr period.
Sully the younger son is the head game drive person. Although young, he has a knowledge beyond his years. He knew where the animals would be and how they behaved. He has unending energy, enthusiasm and respect for the Mara animals (and he is also a sharp ‘birder’). After 5 days of game drives, he still found new experiences for us to see the animals and entertained us with stories and humor.
Have no hesitation to book here. It is a life changing experience.

  This is my 6th visit to Africa, and my 3rd visit to Kenya. I am an experienced world traveler and was completely amazed by the quality and care of… read more service provided by the Amani Mara camp. We had 3 rooms – #s 1, 2 and 3 booked for 2 nights, arranged on a Safari with a tour operator, after specifically requesting the Amani Mara camp.

First of all, the location is AMAZING. The hotel sits on a bluff overlooking a river with trees and vegetation that are very supportive of wildlife. You can wake up in the morning, walk onto your balcony or the open restaurant balcony and immediately view hippos, lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, wildebeest, baboons, crocodiles and my daughter’s favorite – dik diks. And this is before you even leave the hotel for a game drive.

This is a luxury camp – with individual lodges as rooms, and with thatched roofs and tent openings onto the balcony. They light a roaring fire in the evening, provide hot water bottles to the bedrooms and manage to weave in nature throughout the feel of the camp including the amazing bathrooms. The food is fantastic for both breakfast and dinner – the best we had throughout our 14 night stay.

The quality of the camp is overshadowed by the personalized and superb service provided by Sam, George, Emily and the team. The service manages to feel individual and friendly rather than pretentious. Each morning they were scanning the hills for wildlife to point out to us, and sharing more about the area, the camp, and the history. My daughter really wanted to see dik diks and Sam sent his entire team to find them for her without being asked.

We had 2 amazing highlights of our brief stay – an outside, individual dinner for our family in Masai tradition with warm blankets and bonfires, and the nature walk. If you stay there DO NOT MISS the nature walk which starts late afternoon and optionally ends with sundowners. You will be so pleased you did this walk, and the sundowners experience here is perhaps my all time highlight over my 6 visits to Africa.

They also support an orphanage in Narok county, housing 50 orphans. Please consider supporting their efforts in building better lives for the future. They will be happy to tell you about the great cause and are appreciative of all the support they receive.

One of my daughters already has decided she wants to honeymoon in the Amani Mara camp, and all of us can’t wait to return.

My personal opinion – don’t hesitate to book the Amani Mara camp.

  Absolutely fantastic, with wonderful staff and stunning views of animals all over. The food is one of the highlights and is really special. The owners are also really fantastic people… read more who I am honored to have met. It is really a place where memories that will last a life time are made.

  Home Away From Home – It is impossible to find the right words to describe the outstanding experience we had here. I will tell you that the staff here are some of the most incredible… read more people I have ever met. Sam feels like part of our family. George and Annie were incredible human beings, and we were blown away by how excellent the service was. The property itself feels like something someone can only dream of. The camp was luxurious, and the surrounding wildlife felt comfortable being there. Falling asleep to the sound of the lions on the prowl made me feel like I could only be dreaming. Despite us being right in the home of the animals, the security here made me feel safer than being in my own home. We had dinner under the stars, and we could not believe how incredible it was. We quickly considered the staff to be our friends and we enjoyed looking through the star map with them and pointing out constellations while eating some of the most delicious food we have ever eaten. Personally, I am a kitchen manager and the pure culinary expertise and heart that went into the plate presentation was mind blowing. I almost want to keep this place just for us because it is truly a hidden gem. Our family has traveled the world and we have never experienced such incredible service in our entire lives. We enjoyed drinks after dinner in the main lodge and sat down to play some games (there were plenty) and Sam came to hang out with us and taught us so much about wildlife and the culture. If we could have spent the whole trip here, we would have. From arrival to departure, the staff pointed out the incredible wildlife sprawled over the terrain right out front, and you can tell they absolutely love what they do. We opted for a nature walk where we were able to sit on a rock ledge and watch the Hippos pop up and down from the water right in front of us. This led right into the sundowner which again was something out of a dream. When we returned, the staff had spotted an animal I was eager to see and had not yet. They guided us over near to where they were (staying out of their way of course) and my one wish came true. The number of happy tears during our stay was endless. Can’t wait to return here.

  Great lodge – Nice lodge on a very nice location. All staff are very friendly and helpful. Also food was excellent.
I was sleeping in a family lodge with 3 double beds. Nice… read more bathroom with view on the river we’re you can see the hypo’s . We were on the end of the migration season but still we have seen many animals.

  Perfect place to spend your honeymoon!  – I couldn’t recommend this beautiful eco lodge enough! The rooms are absolutely stunning, the views to the Mara are out of this world. The food was incredible, especially the sizzling… read more lamb dish! The highlight of our entire honeymoon was definitely the Maasai dance and cake we were given after one of our dinners, it was quite emotional and a beautiful moment. We also planted trees before our departure and received a leaving gift. The attention to detail was just amazing. Thank you so much AMANI for making our honeymoon and our safari so so special. And thank you Sully for chatting with us throughout our stay, we loved learning about the lodge and the animals! We will be back!

  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!

  Amani Mara – a superb African experience – The most authentic experience on theMasai Mara, on the northern end of he Serengeti plains, with superb service, deluxe accommodation and spectacular scenery. One can enjoy a coffee or… read more cocktail at the pool overlooking a dozen hippopotami or crocodiles in the creek below, or the occasional Cape Buffalo or giraffe walking across the opposite ridge. Don’t come here unless you want the true MASAI experience- their hospitality, traditional song and dance, and their guided expeditions. From Amani Mara “Camp” take a half day or whole day tour to watch the mass migration, or all of the big 5 . Truly this was the best vacation we had enjoyed in many years.

  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!

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  We had mixed experiences here. On the first night, we were not provided with a mosquito net. There were many mosquitos in the room at night. The quality of the… read more food needs improvement. The room felt gloomy. We believe the owner realized our not so happy experience and he tried to rectify that by waiving off the laundry and drinks bill. That was a nice gesture from him. The owner was very friendly, we had nice discussions with him. We liked the ambience of the open air dinner which we had on the last night of our stay. Room and toilet were clean. Staff were helpful. View from the common/dining area was beautiful. I would rate it 3.5 star out of 5

  An absolute must stay for anyone traveling to Maasai Mara!! – We were fortunate enough spend several days at Amani Mara as part of our honeymoon safari trip. From the moment we arrived, Sam, Sully, Ledama and the whole Amani Mara… read more team made us feel like we were a part of their family.

While staying at the Amani Mara, you are surrounded by nature and can spot all kinds of animals from the main lodge including hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, giraffe, and elephants. While the camp has a very remote feel, it still maintains an elegant, upscale feel with every amenity you could need, from gorgeous private cottages, large bathrooms with a fantastic shower, pool with exceptional views, and main lodge with a beautiful fireplace! The food was a huge hit. Everything we ate exceeded our expectations.

Don’t miss the opportunity to go on a nature walk. We spent time with Sully and had the most indescribable experience seeing all kinds of animals, including giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and elephants. We also saw the resident leopard, Natito which was surreal as seeing leopards in the Mara is not always a certainty!

We stayed at quite a few lodges during our trip to Kenya, and no one made us feel more special and welcome than the team at Amani Mara. It was truly a once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to go back!