| 1. Masai Mara Simba lodge | | | | enormous round lobby and lounge leading to the |
| Built on the Talek River, this new Mara lodge has 36 | | | | dining area, another huge space. All of this is capped |
| guest rooms. Guests stay in double story bandas built | | | | by a tall thatched roof that is amazing in size. |
| out of wood and stone. There are six rooms per | | | | Surprisingly, these huge rooms are quite dark, |
| Banda and each has an ensuite shower and toilet and | | | | perhaps in keeping with the Masai manyatta |
| a private veranda facing over the river. The rooms | | | | décor-curving walls and the floor shades of |
| are spacious and can easily accommodate an extra | | | | rusty red. The open terrace with the far-reaching |
| bed. | | | | view is a relief from the heaviness of the main |
| The grounds of Mara Simba area a combination of | | | | rooms. |
| natural vegetation and landscaped gardens of | | | | The 60 double rooms and 12 suites are lined up along |
| indigenous plants. Well lit pathways link guestrooms | | | | the ridge in connected thatch-topped rondavels |
| with the main lodge which commands a view over a | | | | reached by a rock-paved path, and all of them face |
| bend in the river. The decor incorporates ethnic | | | | the view. Furnishings and bathrooms are adequate. |
| design elements from the Masai people. There is a | | | | 3. Paradise Mara Camp |
| reception lounge, a guest lounge, a bar, dining area | | | | The paradise Mara camp at hippo Pint is on the banks |
| and a souvenir shop. Guests can re3lax on the large | | | | of a bend in the Mara River just beyond the |
| open verandah fronting the lounge and dining area, or | | | | northwest corner of the Masai Mara national reserve. |
| cool off in the swimming pool. | | | | This thatch and stone built lodge overlooks a |
| Because of its position, Mara Simba is able to offer | | | | well-populated hippo pool and offers morning and |
| guided game walks and night drives outside of the | | | | evening game drives which are included in the tariff. |
| reserve. A naturalist presents talks of wildlife and | | | | There is a thatched lobby which opens to the river. |
| ecology of the Masai Mara. | | | | An adjoining Lookout Bar and dining veranda is built |
| Getting there | | | | right over the water. Hippos bellow and splash below. |
| By plane or by road. The lodge is 7km from the | | | | At night a leopard is baited across the river. |
| sekenani gate. | | | | Guests stay in two-story huts built right along the |
| 2. Masai Mara sopa lodge | | | | river bank. Each room has a thatch-shaded veranda |
| The Masai Mara sopa lodge is built on a high ridge in | | | | overlooking the river. There are mosquito nets and |
| the southeast corner of the Masai Mara national | | | | adjoining shower bathrooms. Some family suites are |
| reserve. The best thing about this lodge is its | | | | available. Indian vegetarian delicacies are a specialty of |
| spectacular terrace view across a valley, with wildlife | | | | the lodge. The head chef presides over separate |
| visiting a small water hole below. | | | | vegetarian and vegan Kitchens. There is a swimming |
| To enter the lodge you descend steep stairs into an | | | | pool, and a camp-fire is lit at night. |