Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Mara Serena stands alone on a bush-covered hill in the Mara Triangle, the quieter western third of the reserve, with the plains falling away below and the Mara River winding through them.

Why We Love It

It is the only lodge inside the Triangle, which changes the day entirely. Game drives start without a queue of vehicles, and the crossing points on this side of the river draw far smaller crowds in season than the eastern bank. The elevation means you watch the plains from your own balcony before breakfast.

The Experience

Rooms are circular and domed, drawn from the shape of a Maasai manyatta, set in two rows so each one faces the river. Interiors run to bold earth-toned patterns rather than muted safari beige. There is a rock-edged pool, a spa, and Kenyan dancing in the evenings.

Need to Know

The airstrip is a short drive away, so this works well on a fly-in leg. It is our Mara base on both the Savannah & Spice route and the primate expedition. Read our Maasai Mara guide for timing.