Mara | Hilltop Stays at the Mara Serena
A Hilltop Stay in the Heart of the Mara
📍Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Maasai Mara
Tucked high on a bushy hill in the Mara Triangle, Mara Serena feels almost like a dream drawn in watercolor—round walls inspired by traditional Maasai manyattas, soft curves and clay tones that mirror the land itself, and sweeping views of the savannah unfolding in every direction.
[ADD HERE: First impressions or arrival story—what you felt, saw, or heard when you first arrived.]
Mara Serena is located in the southwestern wedge of the Maasai Mara (the part that shares its southern border with the Serengeti in Tanzania.) It’s the kind of place where, if you're lucky, you might watch the Great Migration move like a ripple across the land—or spot elephants down below as you sip coffee on your balcony.
Each room is cozy and filled with character—decorated with bold, joyful Maasai patterns, and each with a private veranda that opens wide to views of the plains or the winding Mara River. From sunrise to starlight, the sky feels closer here.
A note to watch out for leaving balcony doors latched when not in the room, many a time while I’ve lounged by the pool there have been cheeky baboons that will slide open the doors and steal coffees and sugars!
The lodge offers full-board accommodations and serves up hearty meals with both local and international flair. I loved the gentle rhythm of it all—slow mornings with fresh fruit and chai, quiet dinners while lanterns flickered against the dusk.
The a rock-encircled pool that feels carved into the hillside, and a little gym and spa area if you’re craving a soft pause between adventures.
And in between?
Game drives, sketching at the overlook with a refreshing drink from the bar, spa treatments tucked into peaceful corners, and the incredible option to drift over the savannah in a hot air balloon at sunrise or take a nighttime safari drive!
For those flying in, Mara Serena has its own airstrip—just a short game drive from the lodge. Flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport make this wild place surprisingly accessible, and the view from above? Pure magic. Just be mindful that most airlines have a 15 kg soft-bag limit.
As of this year, rates range from around $374 per night in low season (April to June) to $848 in high season (July to October) for a double on full board. Prices can vary depending on promotions and availability, and park fees are usually charged separately.
I have been fortunate to stay at Serena several times, and have never had a complaint. It’s one of the most relaxing places, with friendly staff, incredible views, and comfy beds!
Staying at Mara Serena is less about checking off a travel list—and more about entering into a slower pace, a deeper listening. It’s a place to remember the wild, to watch the rhythms of nature unfold just as they have for generations.
