Amani Mara Camp

Our guide James knew where to find the animals at different times of day, was great company, and helped us get wonderful photos. We also visited the Market, School,andVillage, which was fascinating and gave us a glimpse of a very different way of life. If you want to see 400 kids with big smiles, bring deflated soccer balls and a pump to the school. Ashif, Shelina, and the whole team kept our comfort, safety, and interests in mind. Shelina knows a lot and can help make the trip happen, while Ashif told captivating stories about growing up and living in Africa. Amani Mara has a fantastic location and all the amenities for a trip you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Every morning we could see hippos, buffalo, baboons, and more, and hear them chattering at night. It made the stay feel like a full African safari experience. The rooms were really cool, and the lovely, helpful staff went above and beyond.

The food was a highlight for me. Every meal was a gem, including the options for non-meat eaters, which blew me away. The chef and kitchen team deserve lots of praise. David and William took great care of us at meals, and everyone else we met was just as kind. The grounds are beautiful, and we felt well looked after the whole time. There are no fences, but that wasn’t an issue in the daytime. At night, Maasai guards escorted us wherever we needed to go on the property. Everything was wonderful, and we’re grateful to the people who made us feel so welcome. If you’re staying in the Maasai Mara, I’d book here.

The location is right inside Maasai mara beside its own little river, and you might spot a zebra grazing by your deck or front door. There are ten huts with lots of landscaping, and the Maasai security team is there around the clock. The owners are hands-on, and the stay even includes planting a tree. We spoke with Sulley, the owner’s son, who said he and his brother take turns being at the property. We stayed three nights in rooms 1 and 3. Both had king beds, cotton sheets, poly duvets, decent poly pillows, and were clean and comfortable. A hot water bottle warmed the bed on chilly nights, and the mosquito net was set up at turndown and worked well. The shower was nice and hot, though they ask you to keep showers quick. There was no blow dryer in our room, and I didn’t ask whether one was available. The lighting was a bit dim, but who needs makeup? I’d bring a small flashlight for getting up at night, and a sound machine if you’re sensitive to noise. We slept well with ours. We had a lovely cool breeze for two nights. William seemed to do a bit of everything, manager, Maasai, waiter, singer, greeter and more. Meals varied, one afternoon by the pool, another on the upper deck, and another under the stars. The pool was lovely, and watching the resident hippos was fun. On safari with our Spirit of Kenya guide Boniface, we saw 4:5 of the Big 5 in the first two days. It was exhilarating. For an extra charge, Sulley can take you on a night "game drive." He’s rugged-looking, with knives strapped to his waist, a bit like the Sulley in the TV series "YELLOWSTONE." He said his family founded the town Nokur, where he lives about four hours from Amani Mara. He has plenty of interesting stories and knowledge about the animals, so if you stay here, have a chat with friendly Sulley. I recommend this small lodge, suggested by Spirit of kenya, for its personal attention.