Saruni Mara Lodge Review

Welcome, discerning traveler, to the Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris spotlight. As you plan your ultimate African journey and search for the best Masai Mara tour company 2026 to guide you, your quest inevitably leads to the question: Which lodge truly delivers?

Today, we present our detailed, expert review of Saruni Mara, a safari icon that has recently undergone an extensive, sensitive refurbishment. Situated in the exclusive Mara North Conservancy, Saruni Mara doesn’t just offer luxury accommodation; it provides a profound, holistic experience where conservation, community, and classic safari charm converge. If you are examining masai mara lodge prices and seeking true value that goes beyond mere comfort, this sanctuary of elegance and wilderness should be at the very top of your list for Masai Mara safari packages 2026.

Saruni Mara is more than a refurbished lodge; it is a reimagined commitment to the spirit of the Mara. It retains its status as a reputed luxury eco-lodge, seamlessly blending traditional aesthetics with modern, elegant comfort. The thoughtful architecture ensures that inspiring views of the savannah are captured from every vantage point, cementing its status among the very finest luxury lodges in Masai Mara.

 

Location of Saruni Mara Lodge

True luxury in the safari world is found in exclusivity and position. Saruni Mara excels by being tucked away in a secluded valley, amidst rolling hills and surrounded by lush indigenous forest within the Mara North Conservancy. This location, distinct from the high-traffic areas often associated with lodges in Masai Mara National Park, guarantees uninterrupted, private game viewing.

The lodge is renowned as one of the most stylish safari accommodations in the Masai Mara ecosystem. It strikes a perfect and difficult balance: classic safari charm blended with genuine, contemporary luxury. As a boutique property, the small number of guests ensures an intimate atmosphere, allowing the staff to deliver the highly personalized service for which Saruni Mara is famous. This is the Masai Mara luxury lodges experience perfected, an elegant retreat in the farthest reaches of the African wilderness.

Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris views the location within the Mara North Conservancy as a significant asset for any Masai Mara safari packages 2026. This 69,000-acre private, protected area is teeming with wildlife, providing high-quality encounters without the presence of crowds, allowing for the kind of private game drives and guided nature walks that form the core of a truly bespoke safari holiday.

 

The Accommodations at Saruni Mara Lodge

Following its extensive refurbishment, Saruni Mara offers three distinct, supremely comfortable accommodation styles, each designed to maximise space, privacy, and views. The elegant thatched roofs lend an authentic, timeless safari ambiance, perfectly balancing rustic charm with the utmost in modern comfort.

1. The Five Upgraded Safari Cottages and the Honeymoon Cottage

These large cottages are positioned to overlook the expansive plains of the Mara North Conservancy, granting a glorious sense of unparalleled spaciousness. The recent upgrades focused on enhanced furnishings and amenities, elevating the internal comfort while preserving the rustic beauty of the setting. They are true sanctuaries, providing a warm, inviting retreat after a thrilling day on the savannah. The dedicated Honeymoon Cottage offers all these features with an additional layer of romantic seclusion. When comparing masai mara lodges rates, the quality and size of these cottages make the Saruni Mara offering exceptional value within the luxury tier.

2. The Family Villa at Saruni Mara

The refurbished Family Villa confirms Saruni Mara as the ideal setting for a multi-generational safari. It achieves a perfect blend of comfort and intimacy, centred around a spacious lounge area, the heart of the villa, perfect for reading, games, or spending quality time together. Having a dedicated, private space is a rare luxury among lodges in masai mara national park, making this villa a key feature for families considering Masai Mara safari packages 2026.

3. The Private Villa at Saruni Mara

For the ultimate in exclusivity, the Private Villa at Saruni Mara is available on an exclusive-use basis. This is, quite simply, the most luxurious way to experience a Masai Mara safari lodge. Located just five minutes from the main lodge, it perfectly balances convenience, allowing easy access to the main amenities—with absolute privacy. It offers guests a beautiful, dedicated wilderness home experience, complete with its own private living area, ensuring that every detail of the safari is tailored to your group. This level of personalised luxury explains why Saruni Mara consistently features among the top recommendations for luxury lodges in masai mara.

Guest Experience and Amenities at Saruni Mara

The common areas at Saruni Mara are designed to be as immersive and luxurious as the accommodation itself, focusing on views, warmth, and conviviality.

1. The Spacious Lounge Area at Saruni Mara

Stepping into the main area is a moment of immediate connection to the grandeur of the Mara. The lounge is welcoming and spacious, offering guests a true sense of what it means to stay at a Masai Mara luxury lodge. The views are constant reminders that your visit directly supports innovative wildlife and community programmes through the Mara North Conservancy fees. On cooler evenings, the roaring fire transforms the space, beckoning guests to share their thrilling Masai Mara safari packages 2026 memories. Its convenient proximity to the bar ensures refreshments are always at hand.

2. Gourmet Dining and the Art of the Meal at Saruni Mara

Mealtimes are not just feeding times; they are integral parts of the safari day. The remodelled dining room at Saruni Mara is designed for both privacy and warmth, featuring a second fireplace to enhance the convivial atmosphere. The dining options are varied and romantic:

• Al Fresco Spaces: Perfect for starlit meals under the expansive African sky.
• New Mezzanine Dining Area: Offers the seclusion required for a truly perfect private, romantic dinner.

The warm, inviting atmosphere achieves a superb balance of traditional safari elegance and modern culinary expectation, ensuring that each evening is as memorable as the safari day that preceded it, with stunning views from every setting.

3. The Rejuvenation of the Maasai Wellbeing Space at Saruni Mara

Saruni Mara uniquely combines adventure with moments of deep relaxation. The Maasai Wellbeing Space offers a serene and calming environment where stress dissolves into the sounds of the wild.

Guests receive a complimentary 30-minute Back & Neck massage treatment (one per room per stay), which serves as a perfect introduction to their restorative therapies. The lodge’s trained Maasai therapists utilise traditional herbal knowledge combined with contemporary scientific understanding to deliver treatments that are both rejuvenating and revitalising. The very experience of being at Saruni Mara, in the Kenyan wilderness, enhances the healing effects of the therapy, making this a true standout amenity among luxury lodges in masai mara.

Conservation, Community, and the Saruni Mara Ethos

When analyzing masai mara lodges rates, it’s essential to look beyond the nightly cost and consider the true value, the impact. Saruni Mara’s dedication to community and conservation is a defining reason why Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris ranks them as a premier partner for the best masai mara tour company 2026 experience.

A Founding Member of Mara North Conservancy

Saruni Mara is a founding member of the Mara North Conservancy and a key partner of the Lemek Conservancy. These are vital community-owned wildlife areas that have changed the story of tourism in the Masai Mara by extending the protected land and improving the livelihoods of the local people.

• Direct Conservation Funding: Tourism directly supports conservation through daily fees. By staying at Saruni Mara, you are directly giving back to the community that protects this beautiful land, improving their quality of life, and encouraging the essential purpose of conservation.
• Empowering the Maasai Community: More than 80% of the lodge’s staff are drawn from the local community of landowners. Providing jobs, income, training, and guidance to the local Maasai people, including the training of senior female staff (their General Manager is a lady), is a core mission, not just a sideline activity.

Environmental Stewardship and Gold Eco-Rating

Saruni Mara’s day-to-day practices reflect a deep ecological ethos, earning them the coveted Gold eco-rating from Ecotourism Kenya.

• They harvest rainwater and rely mostly on solar panels for electricity.
• They recycle an impressive 96% of their waste.
• They use biodegradable detergents and source supplies locally whenever possible.
• Guests are encouraged to participate in reforestation work by throwing Seedballs into degraded areas during game drives, helping indigenous trees and shrubs regrow. This hands-on, community-focused activity is a unique highlight of any Saruni Mara stay.

 

Saruni Mara Activities

The activities at Saruni Mara go far beyond the standard game drive, leveraging the unique advantage of their location in the Mara North Conservancy and the expertise of their Maasai guides.

The Power of the Maasai-Guided Safari

One of the most remarkable aspects of any Saruni Mara safari is the phenomenal guiding experience. The Maasai warrior guides hold professional guiding qualifications, but more importantly, they are the proud custodians of this wilderness. Their ancestors have known this area for centuries. They eagerly share their ancient customs and in-depth knowledge of the landscape and wildlife, transforming a sighting into a rich cultural moment.

Signature Experiences for Unforgettable Memories

1. Guided Shared Day & Night Game Drives: Unlike many other lodges in lodges in masai mara national park, the Mara North Conservancy permits night game drives, offering a thrilling opportunity to spot elusive nocturnal species.
2. The Warriors Academy: This immersive programme is a thrilling highlight, especially for families and children. You get to spend a few days learning the survival skills of the renowned Maasai warriors, tracking animals, crafting tools, and learning bush lore on the plains.
3. Drive Atop Mount Kilileoni: An opportunity to ascend one of the Mara’s few high points for breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire ecosystem.
4. Ol Chorro Rhino Sanctuary Visit: A chance to actively support rhino conservation efforts and observe these magnificent creatures up close.
5. Hot Air Balloon Safari: Available for an extra cost, this remains the quintessential safari experience, providing a silent, aerial perspective of the plains at dawn.

1. Tribal Story-Telling & Traditional Ceremonies: A chance to learn about ancient customs through song, dance, and authentic blessings.

 

Saruni Mara Rates 2026

As your trusted safari advisors, we at Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris provide a clear and transparent breakdown of the Saruni Mara rates and what they entail, ensuring you can confidently budget for your Masai Mara safari packages 2026.

Saruni Mara Rack Rates 2026 (Per Person Sharing, Per Night Basis unless noted)

Accommodation Type	High Season (Jul, Aug, Sep, Dec 20–Jan 2)	Mid Season (Jan 3–Feb 29, Jun, Oct, Dec 1–19)	Low Season (Mar, Apr, May, Nov)
Cottage / Honeymoon Cottage	$900 USD	$700 USD	$500 USD
Family Villa (per unit, up to 4 pax)	$3,600 USD	$2,800 USD	$2,000 USD
Private Villa (per unit, up to 4 pax)	$3,600 USD	$2,800 USD	$2,000 USD
Child Aged 5-16 (Sharing)	$450 USD	$350 USD	$250 USD
Single Occupancy (Per Night)	$1,170 USD	$910 USD	$500 USD

Note: The masai mara lodge prices reflect the exclusive nature and all-inclusive offering of Saruni Mara. It is a testament to the fact that during Low Season, there is no single room supplement—a significant financial advantage for solo travelers.

Essential Inclusions—Exceptional Value

The rack rates at Saruni Mara are exceptionally inclusive, providing genuine value that enhances the luxury experience:

• Accommodation on Full-Board (all meals).
• Selected Beverages: Soft drinks, house wines, selected beers, and house spirits.
• Signature Bush Experiences: Bush meals, picnic excursions, and sunset sundowners.
• On-Site Services: Selected laundry service, unlimited internet, and tea/coffee service in your room.
• Activities: Shared day and night game drives in open-sided vehicles, guided bush walking safaris, and the complimentary 30-minute massage.
• Logistics: Return airstrip transfers (Mara North Airstrip).
• Culture: Warriors Academy (upon request) and the local weekly market visit (Thursdays only).

Critical Exclusions to Budget For

When comparing masai mara lodges rates, remember to factor in the compulsory and optional exclusions:

• Daily Conservation Fees (Compulsory): $130 USD per adult, per night. $65 USD per child (aged 5-16), per night. These fees are critical, directly fund conservation, and are subject to change.
• Exclusive Vehicle Use: $400 USD per day. (Highly recommended by Twinkle Star Tours for maximum safari flexibility).
• Premium Beverages: Premium spirits, wines, Champagne, and selected beers.
• Late Departure Fee: $180 USD per adult / $90 USD per child (includes extra lunch).
• Tips and Gratuities.
• Flying Doctors Evacuation Cover: Must be purchased by the guest, along with comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Final Verdict on Saruni Mara Lodge

Why Saruni Mara is the Top Choice for Your 2026 Journey

For the discerning client searching for masai mara luxury lodges that epitomize both elegance and ethical travel, Saruni Mara is unmatched. Its recent refurbishment ensures it remains at the forefront of the best luxury camps in Masai Mara in 2026.

Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris confidently recommends Saruni Mara for its:

1. Exclusive, Private Location: Guarantees superior, uncrowded game viewing in the Mara North Conservancy.
2. Maasai-Centric Guiding: Provides a deeply enriching cultural and wildlife experience delivered by the ancestral custodians of the land.
3. Conservation Impact: Every stay is a direct investment in the protection of the Mara ecosystem and the upliftment of the local community.
4. Family-Focused Design: Dedicated villas and the unique Warriors Academy make it a truly exceptional choice for families.
5. Inclusive Luxury: The rates, while significant, include valuable activities and amenities, providing a clear picture of what your luxury safari entails.

Let the best masai mara tour company 2026 handle every detail of your journey. By choosing Saruni Mara, you are not just booking a holiday; you are investing in a meaningful, memory-making adventure.

Contact Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris today to lock in your Masai Mara safari packages 2026 at the incomparable Saruni Mara.