Overview
Relaxed eco-lodge
Saruni Mara can be found nestled in a secluded green valley of the Mara North Conservancy with the wide-open game plains to the south and lush forest to the north.
A small, intimate set-up, the lodge has just five cottages, a family villa and an exclusive use owner’s house, all with a classically relaxed safari feel. The views from bed are exceptional
Explore the Mara on day and night drives, walks and romantic dinners in the bush, all looked after by a team of Maasai guides who will share their knowledge of this amazing ecosystem and their rich culture with you.
Facts
At a glance
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Five cottages
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Family villa and private house
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Spa
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Library
Experiences
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Game drives
Hop into a specially designed Land Rover where a professional guide and tracker will seek out the Mara’s iconic wildlife. Days can be hot or cold, sunny or rainy but the wildlife of the Masai Mara is always in action. Being in a private conservancy means virtually no other traffic and the ability to go on night drives.
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The Migration
Millions of wildebeest and zebra thunder their way from the across the Tanzanian border from the Serengeti onto the Mara each year in what is one of the world’s great natural spectacles – the Great Migration. Usually on the Mara between August and October, game drives are especially thrilling during this period.
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Hot air ballooning
See the beauty of the Mara and witness the vastness of the annual natural phenomenon that is the Great Migration from above.
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Warriors Academy
Experience the bush skills, folklore and ancient wisdom needed to survive in one of the richest wildlife regions in Africa. This a special interactive wildlife safari designed for families that allows you to explore and learn about wildlife, wilderness and life from a Maasai warrior.
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Bush walks
On a game walk, you will feel, touch and smell the trees, the bushes, the rocks and the tracks that make this area unique. To walk with the Maasai warriors in the African bush is a fantastic experience.
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Maasai market
Held every Thursday, guests have the opportunity to see how the Maasai have adapted to modern times with their traditions intact. The market is an authentic weekly gathering from across the Mara region and is also an important cattle market where the Maasai go to trade in livestock and monitor their value.
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Rhino sanctuary visit
Visit a nearby conservation project employing staff from the local community that has been protecting white rhino for the past 20 years. Rhinos roam freely on the slopes of the mountain and the unique attraction of this project is approaching the rhino on foot in complete safety, whilst guided by a local ranger.
Community & Culture
Saruni Mara is a founding member of the Mara North Conservancy, which provides jobs, income, training and guidance for the local Maasai people. Tourism directly supports conservation - by visiting Saruni Mara, you are directly giving back to the community who protects this beautiful land, improving their quality of life, while at the same time encouraging conservation
The Mara North Conservancy was created in a partnership between member camps and over 800 Maasai landowners. By leasing land directly from individual Maasai landowners, they have received substantial and direct income from wildlife.
More than 80% of Saruni Mara’s employees are Maasai from the local communities. They are trained, employed and encouraged to rise through the ranks so that the local communities benefit directly from the lodge’s presence in the area.
Saruni also sponsors young Maasai to train as guides at the Koiyaki Guiding School, to make sure that the future generations of conservationists and safari guides come from the area.
Conservation
The lodge protects the northern corridors of the Maasai Mara ecosystem and contributes to the preservation of the Mara North Conservancy by making wildlife preservation a financially sound alternative to raising cattle.
Footprint
Saruni Mara is classified by ESOK (Eco Tourism Kenya) as gold-rated thanks to sustainable practices such as the lodge running on solar power, harvesting rainwaters, using biodegradable cleaning products, eliminating plastic bottles, recycling and waste management. The physical footprint of the camp itself is minimal as it was built around natural features.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.