The 9 Best Safari Lodges in Kenya

Luxury under canvas in Kenya means permanent tented suites on raised decks, with an en-suite bathroom and views of the savanna or the river. For couples, we recommend the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, where every tented suite has a deck with a jacuzzi above the Talek River; the Honeymoon Suite adds its own plunge pool. The Honeymoon Suite at the Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara has a plunge pool too, and its twelve tents are styled after Edwardian safari tents.Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara · Olare Orok ConservancyA private pool at every suite: At the andBeyond Suyian Lodge Laikipia, each of the 14 suites has a rim-flow plunge pool. At the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, the decks of the 19 tented suites have plunge pools and freestanding tubs facing Mount Kenya, the Aberdares or a waterhole. You get plenty of space at The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara: the 20 tented suites start at 163 m², with a heated infinity plunge pool, a sunken lounge and a personal Maasai butler, the “Encholiek”.

Riverside tented camps: At the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, 38 tents with four-poster beds line the Mara River, each with a private deck above water that is home to hippos and crocodiles; the Deluxe tents have an outdoor shower. At the Karen Blixen Camp, all 22 tents face the river and its hippos, and you shower under the open sky.

Pool and spa between game drives: Our tip is Mahali Mzuri, with a heated 12-meter infinity pool overlooking the plains; the Nasaro Spa uses Kenyan D’VINE products. The Fairmont Mara Safari Club has a heated pool above the river and a sauna and steam bath in the Mara Serenity Spa. At the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, the “Solio Passage” ritual at Spa by JW takes half a day, with volcanic stone therapy and a botanical massage.

In this selection, a night starts at 492 € at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club and goes up to 4,463 € at The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara. For Mahali Mzuri, the Karen Blixen Camp, the andBeyond Suyian Lodge Laikipia and Wilderness Mara, our travel advisors quote the rate on request. Next to rates and benefits, the table shows each camp’s reserve or conservancy. You will find all houses with live availability in the hotel list below.

Included everywhere: breakfast at all nine houses, plus an upgrade on arrival, subject to availability. All-inclusive for two comes as a benefit at Mahali Mzuri, at The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara and at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, where it excludes drinks and is not available with all rates. Early check-in and late check-out are possible at eight houses, subject to availability, and seven have a welcome gift waiting.

Credits: You receive a USD 100 hotel credit at the Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara and at The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara, for the spa or gift shop at Mahali Mzuri, and for the spa at the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp.JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp · Solio Game ReserveExtras: The Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara includes one lunch or dinner for two, and the andBeyond Suyian Lodge Laikipia a private in-suite dining experience once per stay. Wilderness Mara adds USD 50 for the spa, and at the Karen Blixen Camp you save 15 percent on spa treatments.

Points and status are available at six of the nine houses: Marriott Bonvoy at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara and the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, ALL (Accor) at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, I Prefer at Mahali Mzuri and GHA Discovery at the Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara. Because suitespot books at direct rates, you keep your points and status benefits.

Want to add a few nights at another house in the country to your safari? You will find all luxury hotels in Kenya in our guide.