Hotel Review: The Spirit of The Masai Mara

The Spirit of The Masai Mara

Siana Conservancy, Kenya

The Spirit of the Masai Mara is a slice of luxury located in the lush Siana Conservancy overlooking the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Combining traditional materials with modern design, this boutique hotel isn’t your home away from home. It’s better.

Price

Starts from Ksh 56,000 pp, sharing, all-inclusive of board, alcohol and most activities. Conservancy fee of Ksh 5,155 pp. No children under five.

Style and character

The Spirit of the Masai Mara is the definition of luxury safari. Set up by the the McCarthys, this exquisite lodge has been operational since 2015 and is the only property on the 12,500 hectare Siana Conservancy. The luxury lodge is now under the management of the Sarova Hotels through a recently signed 15-year partnership. Unlike other lodges, the grounds at the property have been purposely left natural, drawing in more of the wildlife for your viewing pleasure.

Nothing is left to chance here. And while some properties have a slightly mechanical feel to their service, the Spirit of the Masai Mara has a more homely approach from the moment they welcome you once you step out of your cruiser. The host and her staff from the local community are a dream team who hold your slightest need as important as any other. Couple their excellent service with their incredible facilities and you’re up for one of your most memorable stays in the Mara.

Location

The Spirit of the Masai Mara is set in the privately owned Siana Conservancy overlooking the vast Masai Mara Game Reserve. The location is simply stunning with unadulterated views drawing in you in the more you stare. It’s location comes with its unique advantages – bush walks and night game drives which are strictly prohibited in the in the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Service & Facilities

The service is simply exemplary. From the moment the hosts welcome you with a cold drink, to the wait staff, to their silver certified guides from the local community armed with lots of local knowledge on the ecosystem, there is never a moment you’re left wanting. There is plenty of game out in the plains and is forever an adventure spotting them. Their private waterhole and salt lick is a real treat, especially when dark falls. Guests can watch animals drink up thanks to the discreet cctv camera hooked up to the TV in the common area. Perfect for planning a night game drive.

If you’re a bird watcher, the Siana Conservancy is choke full with many species indigenous to the Maasai Mara area and provides an excellent opportunity for anyone who appreciates the feathered folk. We were lucky to spot a Grey Crowned Crane during our time there.

The main building features a large lounge area, restaurant area and bar area. The upper deck of the main building has an observation platform with a celestial telescope so guests can view the surrounding wildlife during the day and the stunning night sky of the Masai Mara at night. Outdoor dining is available on the terrace

• Private waterhole and salt lick.
• Infinity pool
• Drinks bar
• Observation telescope
• Ballooning followed by a champagne breakfast.
• Bush dinners
• Bush breakfasts
• Bush walks & safari tours
• Game Drives – early morning, sundowners and night game drives

Rooms

The Spirit of the Masai Mara has 10 luxury air conditioned suites, fusing a traditional exterior that blends into the bush and a luxurious modern interior with floor to ceiling windows in all the rooms that allow ample light and game watching. Each suite has a large lounge with a sofa, chair, desk and bar stocked with complimentary beverages. The bedroom features a large wardrobe, dressing table, hair dryer and mirror. There is a separate toilet with a hand basin.

You will thoroughly enjoy your private time in the bathroom. The large bathtub overlooks the Mara, providing an opportunity to watch game as you soak in the bath. There is also a walk in shower, two hand basins and complimentary vanity products all provided from Cinnabar Green, a Kenyan natural cosmetics company which uses a range of organic essential oils grown on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya.

Food & Drinks

Prepared by a team of renowned chefs, their a-la-carte menu fuses international classics and Kenyan cuisine and will have you spoilt for choice throughout your stay. Their food is delicious with just the right portions on every plate All their vegetables are grown in their organic garden, a sustainable route given the distance from the nearest town. Dinner is taken communally in the dining room with candles lighting up every table, setting an intimate mood.

Family Friendly?

Under fives are not allowed, but this is probably better for older kids than youngsters anyway, not least because of the probably quite wealthy clientele, who one worries might not tolerate noisy offspring.

Value for Money?

The Spirit of the Masai Mara is undoubtedly expensive, but it is worth every single cent. If you’re looking for a place to wow your significant other, make your proposal, celebrate an anniversary, or just splash out because you deserve it, The Spirit of the Masai Mara really does have it all.