KENYA: Unique Cottages At Mahali Mzuri In The Mara

From sundowner cocktails, morning bush walks and bird watching to game drives at night, these are activities you can add to the wildebeest migration show at the Maasai Mara.
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Catching a glimpse of one of the seven new wonders of the world is an item that is easy to check off your bucket list. It’s that time of the year again when you can get front row seats to a gripping spectacle.

If you have not started planning your holiday to watch the over two million animals migrating between the Mara and Serengeti Nationa Park in Tanzania, the window for booking accommodation is fast closing.

A spot check on online bookings for the period, usually between July and September, show that the last weeks of July and the whole of August are nearly fully booked.

The greater Maasai Mara has several conservancies including Enonkish, Olchorro, Lemek, Mara North, Motorogi, Olare Orok, Naibosho and the renowned Mara Triangle, home to the great migration channel.

Accommodation is available at the various conservancies, each suited to the budget of the tourist. The facilities range from high-end to the budget, roughing-it-out-in-the-wild kind.

Mahali Mzuri

Sir Richard Branson’s camp Mahali Mzuri is located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has 12 luxury tented suites catering for a maximum of 24 guests at any one time. Ten of the suites can be configured with either king or twin beds and two of the suites have four kingsize beds and can accommodate two children on sofa beds in the living room.

Part of the Virgin Limited Edition, the lodge has a special rate for residents during this high season. Single occupancy is Sh54,035 and Sh73,225 for double occupancy per person per night.

Non-residents pay Sh108,070 for double occupancy and Sh146,450 for single occupancy per person per night. To have exclusive use of the 12 tents and facilities, it will cost about Sh2.5 million, depending on the dollar exchange rate. Exclusive use rates usually apply when booking seven or more tents.

The rates include daily game drives, all meals and drinks, Olare Motorogi Conservancy fees, transfers from the Mara North Airstrip, wireless Internet and laundry services.

Hemingways Ol Seki Mara

Part of the local Hemingways Collection, the Mara lodge caters for residents and non-residents. A two-night package for two people per tent is Sh65,000 per person sharing. However, a group of six will pay a lower rate per person sharing of Sh48,500 while the family tent is Sh71,650 per person sharing.

Similarly, a three-night package is Sh93,000 per person sharing for a two-person tent, Sh70,500 for a six-person tent and Sh105,400 for a family tent.

For children between six and 11 years, the rate for the two and three nights package is Sh19,600 and Sh29,300 per child sharing respectively.