Jan
GoodWildlife: Warm weather and resident wildlife make January a good safari month.
Warm weather and resident wildlife make January a good safari month.
Saruni Mara
Maasai Mara, Kenya · Community conservancy
Lodge describes itself as: Luxury. Self-declared by the lodge, not an official grade.Lodge
Mid-range · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Saruni Basecamp · Source ↗
Full board+ (FB+)
All meals, Soft drinks and 15 more
7 rooms
Cottage, Honeymoon Cottage, Family Villa and 1 more
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
Getting there
about 40 km from Mara Serena airstrip (MRE)
Wi-Fi in rooms
Solar power
From about A$710
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara sits among wooded hills in Mara North Conservancy, with thatched cottages looking towards the plains. Four cottages, a honeymoon cottage and two villas keep the accommodation varied, from a couple’s retreat to a two-bedroom family base. The shared lounge centres on a fireplace, with a bar close by and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. Shared day and night drives, guided walks and bush meals are part of the safari stay. Children of all ages are welcome, while walking safaris are for guests aged 18 and over.
“A good fit for families and couples who want cottage comfort, a fireside lounge and Maasai-guided safaris in Mara North Conservancy.”
Best for
FamiliesHoneymoonersGroups
Known for
What you can expect to see
A hillside lodge with individually themed cottages, Maasai-guided safaris and a community-conservancy setting.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board+ (FB+)
Included
- All meals
- Soft drinks
- House wines
- Selected beers and house spirits
- Bush meals
- Picnic excursions
- Sundowners
- Tea and coffee service in the room
- Selected laundry service
- Return airstrip transfers
- Shared day and night game drives
- Guided bush walking safari
- One 30-minute back and neck massage per room per stay
- Warriors Academy by advance arrangement
- Thursday local market visit
- VAT and taxes
- Private verandah
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Walking safaris
Not included
- Concession fees
- Gratuities
Conservation fees are USD 130 per adult and USD 65 per child aged 5 to 16 per night under the 2026 tariff. Temporary Flying Doctors evacuation cover and gratuities are extra.
Optional extras (at a cost)
Premium drinks, further spa treatments, a private safari vehicle and guide, and late departure with extra lunch cost extra. One 30-minute back and neck massage per room per stay is included.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Spa
- Library
- Bar
- Restaurant
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- In-room WiFi
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
- Cottage4 at the property · En-suite bathroom, Viewing and star-gazing deck
- Honeymoon Cottage1 at the property · One honeymoon cottage.
- Family Villa1 at the property · Two en-suite bedrooms, Lounge, Fireplace, Full-length verandah
- Private Villa1 at the property · Two en-suite bedrooms, Sitting area, Fireplace, Dining room
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- How you arrive
- about 40 km from Mara Serena airstrip (MRE)
- Luggage
- 15 kg per person
Good to know
Before you book
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- No single supplement
- Power
- Solar power
- Malaria
- Seasonal malaria risk. Ask your doctor about prevention.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Green season
- April: Green season
- May: Green season
- June: Good
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Green season
- December: Good
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
- Green season
Month-by-month notes
Feb
GoodWildlife: Warm weather and resident wildlife continue through February.
Warm weather and resident wildlife continue through February.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Early March brings blue skies before the transition towards the rainy season.
Early March brings blue skies before the transition towards the rainy season.
Apr
Green seasonWildlife: Long rains intensify from mid-April, with greener landscapes and resident wildlife.
Long rains intensify from mid-April, with greener landscapes and resident wildlife.
May
Green seasonWildlife: Long rains bring green landscapes, abundant wildlife and quieter safari conditions.
Long rains bring green landscapes, abundant wildlife and quieter safari conditions.
Jun
GoodWildlife: The dry season begins, with animals gathering around waterholes and rivers.
The dry season begins, with animals gathering around waterholes and rivers.
Jul
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Migration herds usually join the resident wildlife during the July to October period.
Migration herds usually join the resident wildlife during the July to October period.
Aug
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Migration herds add to the resident wildlife during the busy dry-season safari period.
Migration herds add to the resident wildlife during the busy dry-season safari period.
Sep
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Migration-season wildlife viewing continues, with fewer visitors than the busiest months.
Migration-season wildlife viewing continues, with fewer visitors than the busiest months.
Oct
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: The migration season extends into October in some years; herd movements vary annually.
The migration season extends into October in some years; herd movements vary annually.
Nov
Green seasonWildlife: Short rains arrive during November, bringing greener scenery and resident wildlife.
Short rains arrive during November, bringing greener scenery and resident wildlife.
Dec
GoodWildlife: Green scenery supports migratory birds and newborn animals.
Green scenery supports migratory birds and newborn animals.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
Crossing the Border Between Tanzania and Kenya on a Migration Safari: The Complete Logistics Guide
There is no direct crossing between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. This guide explains exactly how the border works, which crossing to use, what documents you need as an Australian traveller, and whether it is worth driving at all.
Kenya: the Mara, the Migration & the cradle of safari
Everything Australian travellers need for Kenya — the eTA, money and M-Pesa, malaria and yellow-fever rules, the Great Migration's timing in the Masai Mara, when to go, and how to get around. The practical groundwork, so you can focus on the safari.
Nearby
Other stays nearby
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Kicheche Mara North
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Mahali Mzuri
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From about A$4,740 per room / night
Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.