JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

Amazing Property, Exceptional Safaris, and Flawless Vegetarian Dining! ​We recently visited the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge and cannot say enough good things about our experience. The post-monsoon weather was wonderful, and the lodge is perfectly situated—plus, flying in from the Mara airstrip was incredibly easy and convenient. ​A few special shoutouts that made our trip so memorable: ​Moses (Safari Guide): Moses is an incredible guide. We went on 6 safaris with him during our stay, and his amazingly in-depth knowledge provided us with wonderful and unique wildlife experiences. ​Chef Bhuvan Kumar: Having Chef Bhuvan at the property was fantastic. He accommodated all the dietary requirements for both the kids and adults with ease. He served us absolutely wonderful Jain and vegetarian Indian food, and even packed amazing snacks to keep us fueled during our safaris! ​Francis Kakelo: Francis was exceptional with serving our food. He was super quick, highly responsive, and always made sure our table was perfectly taken care of. ​The entire property is beautiful and in a gorgeous location. We absolutely loved our stay experience and would love to return soon. Thank you to the entire team

We loved everything about our stay at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. We stayed for two nights and three days and I wish it could have been for months. Everyone there is so wonderful, kind and hospitable. Lorna was the BEST safari guide and we had so much fun with her. She made our game drives such a memorable experience (thank you!!). Benjamin was absolutely wonderful and we loved seeing him everyday. He is so nice and also knowledgeable about the wildlife surrounding the lodge. Mike was our room attendant and made everything so comfortable and welcoming. The Chef was amazing and we loved every single one of our meals. We had the best stay and I will certainly stay again whenever I am lucky enough to be back in the Masai Mara!!

My wife and I recently stayed at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, and "incredible" doesn’t even begin to cover it. From the moment we stepped off our flight at the local airstrip, where a driver was already waiting for us with light snacks and refreshments, we knew we were in for something special. Upon arriving at the lodge, we were greeted with a beautiful, traditional Maasai welcome song and dance that instantly set the tone for an unforgettable week. The level of hospitality here is unmatched. The entire team manages to feel like family while delivering 5-star service. The Dining Experience: Our waiter, Killion, was incredibly personable and took flawless care of us all week. The exact same goes for Josiah and Lewis at the bar, who kept the great vibes and drinks flowing. Chef Bhuvan checked on us every single day to ensure we had everything we wanted, though the food was so consistently delicious that he already had perfection covered. The Safaris: Our driver, Liz, guided us on morning and afternoon game drives. Her expertise and knowledge were incredible, and we are so grateful for her. Thanks to her, we checked off the entire Big Five! We witnessed unforgettable moments: baby lion cubs and elephants, intense cheetah chases, the Great Migration, live lion hunts, and lions mating. Safety and Hospitality: A very special thank you to the Maasai Warriors, who ensured our safety by escorting us to and from our room after dark. We never had any issues, but it was a wonderful reminder that we are just visiting the animals' home, and their presence provided great peace of mind. We also want to thank Mama Doris, Frank, and Dorris, who greeted us warmly by name multiple times a day and were always ready to help with a smile. The Extra Touches: Mercy took immaculate care of our room, going above and beyond by leaving sweet, daily handwritten letters. We also deeply appreciated her taking the time to teach us traditional bead making on our last day, which was such a special experience. Standout Highlights Conservation and Community: One of the most meaningful aspects of our stay was seeing how much the lodge genuinely cares about the animals and their preservation. Sitting right on the border of the reserve, the lodge heavily integrates with the local community. Nearly all of the staff members were born and raised in local villages, coming from a simple traditional life in huts built of sticks and mud. Because they grew up alongside this wildlife, they possess a deep-rooted passion to protect them. Furthermore, your daily park fee directly funds the protection of the animals at the Mara. The Hot Air Balloon Ride: We signed up for the morning balloon ride, and watching the sunrise over the Mara while spotting wildlife from above was breathtaking. It concluded with a fantastic, traditional Kenyan breakfast. In-Room Wildlife Viewing: You don't even have to leave the lodge to see the wildlife. In the evenings, we regularly watched elephants, buffalo, baboons, hippos, and more right from our room. The Photography Studio: As a pleasant surprise, the lodge lends out top-tier camera gear. Even though I’m not a professional, using their Canon EOS R6 Mark II with the Canon 100-500mm lens was incredibly easy. The photos turned out so spectacular they look like professional prints ready for framed wall art. Felix in the studio even edited our favorite shots so we can cherish them forever. Somehow, every single day of our stay managed to top the last. If you are considering a trip to the Maasai Mara, look no further. This lodge and its spectacular staff will give you the trip of a lifetime. We cannot thank everyone enough! -Seth & Krystal