Wildlife at Amani
Extraordinary encounters at Amani
Amani Mara is unfenced. The three big cats—lions, cheetahs, leopards—and other big game—elephants, hippos, Cape buffaloes, rhinos, giraffe—as well as gazelles and other plains game, roam freely. Our expert guides ensure your safety and that the adventures awaiting you will make your time with us unforgettable. Having a water source year-round at Amani Mara ensures that wildlife live here year-round. You can annually witness here not one but two wildebeest migrations, the famous ‘Great Migration’ originating in the Serengetti as well as a more local ‘Loita Migration’. Our wildlife haven offers protective habitat also for birds, zebras, eland, crocodiles, and numerous other smaller creatures, including hyena, jackal, warthog, ostrich, mongoose, hyrax, and much more.
Sully's Wildlife
We invite you to join Amani Mara’s wildlife expert par excellence Sully Suleman on his adventures as he captures wildlife encounters at Amani. His favourite adventures are with our resident leopard Natito!

Testimonials
-
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.
Joe E
October 22, 2023The place to go if you are planning any trip to Kenya – We spent two nights in Amani Mara, as we first arrived in Kenya.
It was, by far, the best experience we had in the whole trip to Kenya. The… read more best I’ve ever had in Africa.
The location is simply amazing.
Accommodations, both so elegant and comfortable, are in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment. The food is delicious, both the one served at the restaurant and the one provided in the lunch box they give you for any long game drive. It was the first time in Africa for our two daughters (10 and 8), the first game drive for them and they found it astonishing. For this, we owe a special thank to Sully, our extraordinary guide, and to Daniel, our Masai driver. A big thank for giving us both the most unforgettable game drives and the most fascinating spots to enjoy sunset or dawn. Thank for the huge knowledge of the animals, the places and the culture– which comes straight along from a great passion and a history of integration with the local population.
Thank for giving us all these great memories, that we’ll keep so dear with us.
The extraordinary competence and professionalism and the heartly and warm welcome of all the staff, made the experience at Amani Mara both unique and authentic.
Definitely the place to go if you are planning any trip to Kenya. Don’t miss it.nadia t
September 1, 2023Most precious experience of multi country safari was Amani Mara, Kenya – Amani Mara – ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I will never be eloquent enough to describe it properly. This land is a magical space for all animals. This oasis has been… read more nurtured with love and pure intention by the owners, Sully and Sam.
The stone huts are fabulous and cozy chic actually. The food amazing with top drawer drink options while watching resident hippo and baboon behaviours right in front of you! (After coming back from safari – this slice of heaven is integrated within the eco system and amongst the wildlife – safely). Wood burning fireplace in the open air main hall, random gorgeous pool side lunches.I can’t describe this incredible intro to Africa other than..if you don’t start here, you can’t know what you’re missing or what you should be looking for.
The magic was absolutely enveloping. Hearing the history and animal behaviours from the brothers who grew up tracking and observing but also other guests around the wood burning fireplace. Um WOW every day!
Pros and highlights: gorgeous accommodations of stone hut with Solar power, incredibly gracious hosts, idyllic and dreamy atmosphere and vibe beyond imagination, educational, as much privacy or interaction you need, exceptional food, a refreshing dip in the pool way above the grunting hippos, learning about the animals from the owners who are from here, incredible food, cold crisp Tanq & tonics, zippered door to porch instead of glass sliders so that you could hear the animals around your hut at night!, family hospitality, walking through a herd of zebras one day on way back to room, informative nature walk with Maasai, a baboon drinking from the pool, the sincere care for animals and environment, the beautiful lay outs and buildings, thoughtfulness to all water, vegetation and carbon footprint, hot water bottles in our beds, gorgeous environmental products in our bathroom, I want to copy the structure of the hut for a cottage in Ontario! There is just SO MUCH GOOD happening here. IT’S SPECIAL AND BLESSED IN EVERY WAY.
You’ll be hard pressed to meet someone like Sully that truly knows every animal in Mara park as well as all of the various behaviours he has been passionate about all of these years. This was a surreal experience for us and although we went on to other countries and parks to safariit would not have been as great if we hadn’t started at Amani Mara. I actually cried when we left because I knew in my core that we had just been a part of something subtly extraordinary.
Traveller’s – contact them directly for anything including safari. You don’t need a 3rd party because if they have the time, no one we met in Africa knows the animals more intimately.
I have already recommended you several times to friends and can’t wait to return! You blew away my inner 4 year old bucket list of needing to go to Kenya. Although amazing experiences as we continued our journey, none touched my heart the way you guys did. I know that we’ll be visiting you now and then until we’re all into our 70’s. Much love, Johnny and Shelley xo
we booked through sprit of Kenya
March 1, 2023An 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!
December 21, 2022 -
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.
DW
January 1, 2024Perfect 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!
Ana Weir
October 1, 2023A once in a lifetime experience! – All we can say is wow! This place is a must stay! My husband and I really loved all of the staff here. The camp is located right on a… read more river and you immediately can spot hippos, zebras, and many other kinds of wildlife as soon as you walk in. Sully and Sam are brothers who operate Amani and are incredibly knowledgeable, fun and hospitable. The nature walk with sully is a must! We heard wildlife all around the camp at night and in the morning, it was exciting! The food was delicious! The fireplace is lit at night and there is a beautiful pool overlooking the river. They have guards that roam the property all day and night to make it feel safe. I would definitely stay here again!
November 29, 2022Amazing 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!Nella V
February 1, 2024 -
Wild & wonderful! – Beautiful place! Away from everything & yet we have everything we need! Stunning vista of the mara in the lounge. So wild, such a diff experience! The staff is great,… read more the food is amazing, even the warm roll of bread is yummy! Kudos to their chef! The dinner under the night sky w/ fire & Maasai dance, so wonderful! Shem, thank you so much for always attending to us & providing my food request!
It’s really a family-owned place, cozy & comforting! Samad & Soheil, pls keep it up!Ruby D
February 1, 2024Home 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.
June 11, 2023The 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!
Renske B
August 7, 2023BEST 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.
Cathy R
August 6, 2023 -
Amani Mara – a top-notch luxury camp with a great staff! – I’d like to give our heartfelt thanks and a big "shout out" to our host, Sully, and his team at Amani Mara!
Being the first stop on… read more our safari, we arrived in the dark with no idea of our surroundings. We were greeted by a lone but attentive staff member who had apparently waited up for us and got us settled us into our rooms (the architecture of which seems spun from stories of Tarzan and Swiss Family Robinson). This was followed by cold cocktails and a delicious dinner in the very impressive dining room. I would like to say we slept like babies but, being our first night and trying to acclimate to new surroundings, the sounds of animals grunting outside our room kept us a bit on edge. What a surprise awaited us the next morning when we awoke to a glorious view of the surrounding bush and a river below populated by hippos (the source of the night snorting). It made for a very memorable cup of African coffee.
Sully, a 5th generation Kenyan and self-described "bushman" was an excellent host. Having spent his childhood exploring the bush around the camp, has a formidable knowledge of all the creatures great and small and shared some pretty funny (if somewhat hair-raising) stories. A labor of love, he and his family have truly created a magical camp and cultivated a top-notch staff to accommodate his guests.
It was one of the highlights of our very excellent safari.s w
August 9, 2023We 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.suec891
January 24, 2023Lovely 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.Wachira44
February 1, 2024Once in a Life – Thanks our manager Geroge & his crews. Price worth. They upgraded us to a luxury Suite, no complaints. Thanks for all your works & tailor made meals… read more to us what we want. Appreciate. We did night game drive, guided bush walk, hot air balloon, bush dinner. It is incredible & must Once in a life.
elizapao
October 21, 2023