My Favourite Places, with Swimming Pools, in the Maasai Mara, Kenya

Written by Chania, an 11x award winning Kenyan Family Safari Specialist, who’s been fortunate enough to have visited nearly every tented camp and lodge in Kenya 💚🦓🦩😉.

It’s become apparent how important a swimming pool is for the short, active sort whilst on safari …. here is my selection for each ‘pocket-size’…

Platinum

This is the super-plush, a place I would feel pretty uncomfortable with my scallywags, but I know there are better parents than me out there …. USD 700 per person per night & up

Angama Mara – Perched up on the escarpment overlooking the Maasai Mara, this is elegance personified.

The Price – From USD930 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives … and childminding!

NB. they have a tonne of special offers, 4 for 3, last minute offer, brides extra night offer.

Mahali Mzuri – Richards Branson’s very own piece of luxury in the Maasai Mara. A beautiful lodge indeed!!!

The Price – From USD945 pppns including accommodation, all meals, ALL drinks🥂, game drives, talks, visits to local markets.

&Beyond Bateleur Camp – This bends my statement slightly, it’s a truly, truly beautiful, incredeble tented camp but we felt incredibly welcome and were very, very happy and comfortable in their heavenly family tent.

The Price – From USD725pppns including accommodation, all meals, nearly all drinks, game drives.

Gold

Oooooh we’re very comfortable indeed here thank you very much!!! Beautiful, luxurious but very understanding of scallywags!!! USD600 pppns & up

Sand River Elewana – Though in character its more of a chain than unique, it is a luxurious place and a gorgeous location! ☺️

The Price – From USD615 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics, sundowners & kids supper, kids entertainment etc.

NB. they have a circuit discounts with their other lovely lodges.

Cottars Bush Villa – The newly born, younger sister to the original luxurious safari camp, a beautiful, private bush villa … perfect for a little group wanting privacy!

The Price – From USD756 pppns including acommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics, sundowners & kids supper, Cottars Warrior School, a nanny etc.

NB. they have a 4 night for the price of 3 special offer.

Silver

There are endless camps in the Mara in this budgetry category .. these are our firm faves … USD350pppns & up

House in the Wild – Family owned, family hosted, this is our go-to for families … gorgeous accommodation, amazing food, an incredible team and a great lawn with games overlooking the Mara river!!!

The Price – From USD375 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, bush breakfasts, sundowners & kids supper, bike rides, rhino sanctuary visits etc.

NB. they have tones of specials, the best in our opinion, is the 4 nights for the price of 3.

Emboo River – A personal hot fave. It’s the first camp in the region to go full eco … as well as being beautiful, fun, informative, great with kids, central … I love it!!!!

The Price – From USD384 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics, sundowners & kids supper, kids activities, an eco-tour, tree planting etc.

Acacia & Mara Bush Houses – We travelled here when the children were babies and we couldn’t fault the place, the secure comfort, the lawn to run around on, the dam to fish in … the only hurdle was the distance from the wildlife-filled conservancies.

The Price – From USD322 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics, sundowners & kids supper.

NB. they have tones of specials, the best is Kids under 18 are Free of Charge!

Naboisho – with its brand new swimming pool, shining in the sun, this is a new member of this fabulous group! A beautiful camp in a beautiful private part of the Maasai Mara.

The Price – From USD362 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics, sundowners & kids supper,

NB. they have tones of specials, the best is Kids under 18 are Free of Charge!

Entumoto Camp – a little known hidden gem in a beautiful conservancy, just 10 minutes drive from the main Mara reserve. We love it!!!

The Price – From USD350 pppns including accommodation, all meals (including wonderful bush meals), most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics & cultural visits

Bronze

Doesn’t mean they’re bad, just perfectly suited to those travelling on a tight budget, looking for small places that are beautiful, for USD150pppns

The Wild Hub & Bandas in the Wild – a little known hidden gem with just 6 cottages, a little family house and a gorgeous swimming pool, this place is the best value for money in the Mara .. with a pool!

The Price – From USD150 pppns including accommodation, all meals (including wonderful bush meals), most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics & cultural visits.

🏕 Larger Lodges

A bit bigger than what I would generally choose for myself or my clients, but some are happier in numbers and these are the best out there (in my opinion) and great value for money.

Kichwa Tembo‘s Superior tents – now these are beautiful!!! as is the location, the whole lodge & the food is delicious.

The Price – From USD455 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, picnics, sundowners & kids supper.

Karen Blixen Camp – a most glorious location overlooking the Mara river, and the lodge is rather lovely too!

The Price – From USD296 pppns including accommodation, all meals, most drinks, game drives, walks, visiting the cooking school and the beading project.

NB. they have a great stay 3, pay 2. offer as well as kids below 5 free!

Mara Intrepids – I would never usually work with somewhere of this size, or being this ‘touristy’, but the team are amazing with children and the food delicious!

The Price – From USD205 pppns including accommodation, all meals, tea / coffee and game drives.

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