Information

Location: The Royal Mara is located in the western Koyiaki Conservation Area (also spelled Koiyaki) of the Masai Mara, on a peninsula in the popular “Hippo Bend Lagoon" section of the Mara River. The lodge is within a few miles drive of the world famous migration river crossing points of "Koyiaki-Kichwa" and "Mara Serena" as well as the leopard hangout at Leopard Gorge, highlighted on the BBC Big Cat Diary program. We are located on the migration route where, during the migration season of June to November, thousands of wildebeest converge on the camp periphery to graze. From January to April when the grasses are tall in the National Reserve area, most of the herbivores and lions of the Reserve migrate to the Koyiaki area of the Royal Mara due to its shorter grasses, thereby making game drives near us the preference for most camps of the eastern Masai Mara. The camp marsh, resident hippo pools, lagoon and waterhole make game viewing inside the Royal Mara site, in combination with game drives, an unforgettable safari experience. Most of our guests are rewarded with views of all of the Big Five buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard and rhino.

Transportation: For maximum comfort it is recommended that guests access us by air. Roundtrip air costs are about USD $200 to $242 per person depending on the time of year. Air transport to the Masai Mara is available twice daily from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport via scheduled forty five minute flights on air charter companies such as Air Kenya, Safarilink or Fly540 to one of several local airstrips near the Royal Mara. The preferred airstrips are Mara Shikar airstrip (15 min from the camp), Musiara airstrip (35 min from the camp), and Kichwa Tembo airstrip. Airstrip transfers are complimentary. When you make your booking we suggest we also arrange your air transport so that we may coordinate flights with other guests. For guests requiring assistance, we can arrange for transfers (at a supplementary cost) from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi's Wilson Airport, about a thirty minute drive away. The camp may also be reached via a six hour drive from Nairobi which may prove bumpy. We can also assist you with land transportation and/or needed Nairobi hotel bookings.

See our transportation page for more info.

River Guest Suite Accommodations: The Royal Mara has eight luxury, spacious, guest suites situated with river frontage which have flush toilets, bidets, twin basins, luxury showers, hot water, and electricity. Artificial water pressure is provided by a main booster pump. All river guest suites have luxury hand carved furnishings, elegant linen, lush towels, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries, and four poster beds (one super king or two doubles; additional bedding added if desired). They also have Maasai carpeting, colonial antiques, and African artifacts and include a wardrobe cabinet, a writing desk, a safe deposit box, a mini frig and an internal sitting area. A room attendant is assigned to each river guest suite and daily house keeping is provided. River guest suites are on raised decks with private river frontage verandas equipped with chaises lounges and dining seating. Each river accommodation has a total area of 110 square meters consisting of a sleeping area (36 sqm), a bath facility (22 sqm) and a veranda (52 sqm).

Game Viewing: We offer extensive wildlife viewing in the camp grounds in combination with day game drives and walking safaris. Guests on a game package rate are provided two game drives per day. Game drives are in new (2007) custom made, fully equipped, reliable, 4WD Toyota Landcruiser vehicles. Our policy is four clients per vehicle for game drives, however six may be carried in complete comfort if necessary and assuming they are all of the same party. Should you desire to book an exclusive use vehicle (at a supplementary cost of USD $300 per day) with a private guide we recommend that you notify us in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements. All game drive guides are certified by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. Game walks at the option of the guest can last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. Game walks are conducted at a pace comfortable for guests with many intermittent stops at points of interest. Game walks are escorted by armed guards for the security of guests. Picnic lunches or even bush breakfasts, lunches or dinners can be organized to highlight game walks or game drives.

Dining: Al fresco dining, buffet breakfasts and barbecue lunches are available in the lodge's dining area or along the Mara River and are included in the rate. Picnic lunches are available in lieu of a breakfast or lunch at the camp for guests desiring an extended game drive. Open savannah luncheons or dinners, boma fire-lit dinners or bush candle lit dinners and private dining on guests' accommodation verandas are available at an additional cost. The menu changes daily and features international cuisine. All meals are prepared with fresh produce and all bakery items and desserts are prepared daily. Please let us know of any special dietary requirements in advance so we can make an effort to satisfy them.

Staff: Our staff and senior management have been recruited from throughout the hospitality and safari industries for their experience in delivering the highest quality of service. Staff salaries are also significantly higher than the typical salary offered at other camps and lodges. We encourage a familial working environment whereby staff members are a part of the decision making process and are afforded the opportunity to share in the success of the Royal Mara. Additionally, unlike most other camps in the Masai Mara, the majority of our staff is of Maasai descent – from certified game drive guides to chefs, waiters and armed guards. Such employment assists the local Maasai community who keep their tribal land available for game viewing and helps to motivate the extended families of our staff to refrain from agricultural or other development of tribal lands.

Electricity and Water Supplies: The Royal Mara has new, reliable electric generators that supply 220-240 watts of electricity. Batteries for game viewing and computers can be charged in the individual guest suites. Three pin square plugs (UK) are required but adaptors are available. The camp’s water borehole provides pure water that is tested periodically. All accommodations are provided with hot and cold water.

Availability: The Royal Mara is open all year round.

Licensing: The Royal Mara is a hotel licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya.

Eco-Tourism: The Royal Mara seeks to minimize its impact on the environment. All non-biodegradable garbage and sewage is transported to a suitable urban collection location. Nothing is dumped in the Mara River. Likewise, nothing is taken from the Mara River. All materials used including guest supplies, cleaning materials, waste disposal methods, landscaping and power generation are as eco-friendly as possible.

Time: GMT/UTC +3 all year round. The Masai Mara maintains an almost constant daylight of approximately 12 hours. Sunrise is usually around 6:30 am and sunset usually around 6:45 pm.

Climate: Winter in Kenya comes during July-August with evenings slightly chilly. Summers occur from December to March. Although the Mara is close to the equator, it is at high elevation so temperatures are generally mild. Average daytime temperatures are around 21-26 degrees centigrade all year round. The lowest temperatures may reach is 11 degrees centigrade and the highest temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees centigrade. The rainy seasons are usually during April and May (the so-called "long rains") and later in the year during November and December (the so-called "short rains"). The highest rainfall of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem occurs in the Masai Mara with approximately 1000 mm of annual rainfall. Most rainfall is during the night or late afternoon, and thereby does not significantly interrupt game drives.

Further Inquiries: Please feel free to contact us for any additionally required information:

 

Royal Mara Safari Lodge
P.O. Box 260 - 00621
Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: (+254 20) 7123356
Tel: (+254 20) 2018169

Fax: (+254 20) 7123357

Email contact: reservations@royalmara.com

http://www.royalmara.com