| If you love hippos, the Mara Safari Club Kenya is the | | | | sounds of birds and the river below. Breakfast and |
| place for you! Set along the looping Mara River at the | | | | dinner are served in the main dining room which is |
| northeastern part of the Mara, this luxury tented | | | | split into two levels with dark walls and matching |
| lodge combines the romance of Masai Mara tented | | | | furniture. |
| accommodations with all the security and comforts | | | | After the evening game drive, a fire is lit in the |
| of a grand lodge. From the effusive hostess who | | | | lounge where tea is served. In the evening a |
| greats you in her stylish African dress, to the pool | | | | slide-show/lecture by the resident naturalist alternates |
| which is heated, the Mara safari club aims to please in | | | | nightly with Masai dancing. |
| every way. | | | | Since it is outside of the Masai Mara national reserve, |
| The spacious lodge, built of dark wood logs with high | | | | the Mara safari club is able to arrange for morning |
| peaked ceilings, is sited on the edge of the Mara | | | | Kenya wildlife walks safaris, sundowner cocktails, or |
| River. The open-plan, multi level design follows the | | | | Mara bush banquets. On your game drives you are |
| curve of the river. Although the Masai mara lodge | | | | also likely to see stately Masai herders in their vivid |
| includes reception, dining room, bar, fireplace, lounge | | | | red shuka. |
| and gift shop, its unusual and asymmetrical shape | | | | Up to three game drives a day are included in the |
| helps to mask its size. | | | | tariff. The Masai mara safari club has a fleet of 16 |
| A wooden deck curves along the outside of the | | | | land cruisers modified for game viewing: seats |
| Mara lodge over the banks of the river. Here are two | | | | covered in green canvas, field guide books, binoculars, |
| pleasant and shaded seating areas with nice views of | | | | a cooler filled with drinks, and well padded, open roof |
| the river and the resident hippos. | | | | for game viewing. |
| The hippos are a highlight of staying at the Kenya | | | | Most guests fly in to the all weather strip close by. |
| Mara safari club. You can see and hear them in the | | | | Accommodations at the Masai Mara Safari Club |
| river-often from the deck of your tent. There | | | | Kenya |
| something humorous and special about lying in a tent | | | | He tents are luxurious, fun and well- equipped. Four |
| at night listening to hippo wuffles and snorts! The | | | | poster beds are bedecked with a striped canopy and |
| high, steep banks of the river and electric fences | | | | mosquito net, and colorful carpets are on the floors. |
| ensure that they do not wander into camp. | | | | There are thick toweling bathrobes, and the shower |
| Each of the 45 tents is near the edge of the river | | | | and sink in the ensuite bathroom are both encased in |
| bank. The Kenya safari tents are raised on high | | | | wood. The electricity is on all night-great for readers. |
| wooden decks, and the natural growth between | | | | Best tent: # 12 has King-sized bed and sunken |
| them gives a sense of privacy. Stone pathways and | | | | bathtub as well as a superb view of the river and the |
| green lawns lead from the lodge to the tent sites. | | | | surrounding hills. |
| The natural and rustic mix pleasantly with the | | | | Other offerings at the Masai Mara Safari Club Kenya |
| established and well-tended. | | | | Balloon safaris, bush banquets, sundowner cocktails, |
| Near the lodge is an attractive, heated pool with | | | | B.B.Q. dinners, visit to Masai village in Mara, souvenir |
| lounge chairs and stone paving partly shaded by tall | | | | shop, airstrip, fishing on Kenya lake victoria, " off the |
| trees. There is an outdoor bar and grill. Safari chairs | | | | beaten track safaris", visit to " wanga" rhino |
| and tables are sometimes set up near the pool for | | | | sanctuary with white rhino roaming freely on private |
| alfresco eating at lunch-very pleasant with the | | | | grounds. |