Jw Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

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

Words cannot begin to describe the magic of this trip, my husband and I’s first experience on safari. The JW Marriott provided the type of space that elevated an already very magical experience. From beginning to end the people overwhelmed us with kindness, hospitality and accommodation. Benjamin was our waiter for the meals and he was so kind and welcoming and brought every request. He made us feel like family. We also loved Frances in housekeeping, he was so sweet and every time we spoke with him we thoroughly enjoyed it. Anytime we returned to the rooms, they were immaculately organized and clean. We especially appreciated the way Frances had such an impeccable attention to detail and went above and beyond to meet any need. We loved the structure of the jeeps being so open and they never felt crowded or crammed. I like how we didn’t need to stand up to get great photos. The food was delicious, every single meal. And there was also a variety each day, the veggies are so fresh! They grow a lot in their garden on site and you can really tell. The chef was very friendly and constantly checked in to make sure we were happy. He was so friendly and personable. And finally the most enriching part of the trip were the game drives, most specifically our driver, Eric. He went above and beyond to show us all the wonders of Africa, he would position the jeep to allow us to get better photos and he knew literally everything about the animals behaviors. I asked so many questions! He never got annoyed and gave detailed explanations that were incredibly interesting. I couldn’t believe how knowledgeable he was about every species! He knew basically everything about why the animals did what they did and I found it so enriching to learn about the rhythm and daily routines of the animals. Eric was also kind, warm and very easy to talk to. He felt like a true friend at the end of the trip. My husband and I felt so lucky to have Eric as our guide and we will miss him! Let me put it this way- during our check out, we were asked how our trip was and I immediately burst into tears describing how grateful we were for our first safari experience. I spent my entire life dreaming of going on safari and it lived up to every expectation and more. My husband and I will never forget this experience and we are so happy we chose the JW Marriott!

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