Accomodation Options in the Game Parks
Game Parks / Reserves offer varying types of accomodation; from the Basic tents/camping Safari tours to the very high end luxury camps.
Luxury Camps: High Class tented accomodation, very high levels of hospitality, limited number of guests. At this high end, most "resorts" include some type of Spa and massage and similar facilities. Costs follow these services and expect to pay upwards of USD 500 pp per night. Examples include: Mahali Mzuri (means beautiful place in Swahili) - 12 tented suites, Mara Plains (7 rooms), Little Governors Camp (17 rooms), all in Masai Mara.
Eco Camps: Generally small (most with less than 10-15 rooms). They are designed to have a high level of comfort and hospitality combined with very high ecological standards. Idea is for guests to feel proximity to nature and the surroundings. With fewer visitors, watching game can be a lot more interesting/exciting as there are very few other Safari vehicles disturbing the wildlife. Examples include: Basecamp Masai Mara, Karen Blixen Camp, Masai Mara, Elephant Pepper Camp, Masai Mara.
Tented Accomodation (Permanent), luxury: Accomodation may be in tents however these are larger, very comfortably furnished tents and on opening the front door (actually Zip), you see a comfortable bedroom on the inside, complete with double bed, side tables, chair to relax in, table lamps, etc. Usually, at the rear of the tent is another zip leading to a tented bathroom with a proper shower and WC. Costs about as much as any above average brick built game lodge. Example is the Sarova Mara Game camp in Masai Mara.
Safari Lodges (mid-range to Luxury): Permanent, mostly brick-built with extensive facilities like a swimming pool, bars, large dining rooms, large bedrooms and can accomodate large numbers of visitors, most on full board. Whilst still relatively pricey, these are very popular with large groups and families and provide a relatively high level of comfort, given they are in the game parks. Examples include Mara Serena, Ngorongoro Serena, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Lake Nakuru, Salt Lick Game Lodge, Tsavo, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
At many Parks, good examples being Lake Manyara and also Ngorongoro Crater, there are hotels/lodges just outside the park boundaries, offering reasonable levels of comfort and hospitality, however less costly purely as they are outside the National Parks (example Karatu town near Ngorongoro Crater) and often not of the same high standards. Going on game drives takes a bit longer as firstly need to drive to the park and then address park entrance formalities.
Tented accomodation, low budget: For those on a lower budget or after a more wilderness experience. A very trekking like lodging with, sometimes, 2 man dome sleeping tents and larger "Mess Tents" for meals and socialising. The sleeping tents will have mattresses and sleeping bags. Many tented accomodation sites now have larger but still basic tents. These tents do, however normally have adjoining bathroom tent with a shower and western WCs. Some of the sites are mobile, setting up in areas close to where game can be viewed.
Sample of accomodation possibilities ranging from luxury plus to budget:
Luxury Camps: High Class tented accomodation, very high levels of hospitality, limited number of guests. At this high end, most "resorts" include some type of Spa and massage and similar facilities. Costs follow these services and expect to pay upwards of USD 500 pp per night. Examples include: Mahali Mzuri (means beautiful place in Swahili) - 12 tented suites, Mara Plains (7 rooms), Little Governors Camp (17 rooms), all in Masai Mara.
Eco Camps: Generally small (most with less than 10-15 rooms). They are designed to have a high level of comfort and hospitality combined with very high ecological standards. Idea is for guests to feel proximity to nature and the surroundings. With fewer visitors, watching game can be a lot more interesting/exciting as there are very few other Safari vehicles disturbing the wildlife. Examples include: Basecamp Masai Mara, Karen Blixen Camp, Masai Mara, Elephant Pepper Camp, Masai Mara.
Tented Accomodation (Permanent), luxury: Accomodation may be in tents however these are larger, very comfortably furnished tents and on opening the front door (actually Zip), you see a comfortable bedroom on the inside, complete with double bed, side tables, chair to relax in, table lamps, etc. Usually, at the rear of the tent is another zip leading to a tented bathroom with a proper shower and WC. Costs about as much as any above average brick built game lodge. Example is the Sarova Mara Game camp in Masai Mara.
Safari Lodges (mid-range to Luxury): Permanent, mostly brick-built with extensive facilities like a swimming pool, bars, large dining rooms, large bedrooms and can accomodate large numbers of visitors, most on full board. Whilst still relatively pricey, these are very popular with large groups and families and provide a relatively high level of comfort, given they are in the game parks. Examples include Mara Serena, Ngorongoro Serena, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Lake Nakuru, Salt Lick Game Lodge, Tsavo, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
At many Parks, good examples being Lake Manyara and also Ngorongoro Crater, there are hotels/lodges just outside the park boundaries, offering reasonable levels of comfort and hospitality, however less costly purely as they are outside the National Parks (example Karatu town near Ngorongoro Crater) and often not of the same high standards. Going on game drives takes a bit longer as firstly need to drive to the park and then address park entrance formalities.
Tented accomodation, low budget: For those on a lower budget or after a more wilderness experience. A very trekking like lodging with, sometimes, 2 man dome sleeping tents and larger "Mess Tents" for meals and socialising. The sleeping tents will have mattresses and sleeping bags. Many tented accomodation sites now have larger but still basic tents. These tents do, however normally have adjoining bathroom tent with a shower and western WCs. Some of the sites are mobile, setting up in areas close to where game can be viewed.
Sample of accomodation possibilities ranging from luxury plus to budget:
Luxury Mara Intrepids Camp.
Enjoys one of the most spectacular locations in Maasai Mara National Reserve
30 rooms
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Luxury Plus - Little Governors Camp. located around a watering hole, close to the Mara River - Maasai Mara. 17 rooms
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Luxury Plus - Elephant Pepper Camp.
Near Maasai Mara National Reserve in the middle of a the Mara North Conservancy.
9 rooms
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Luxury - Satao Elerai, Amboseli. Quiet, unspoilt, unique Setting on a private conservation area south east of Amboseli National Park.
14 rooms
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Luxury - Amboseli Serena Lodge. Just out of the Amboseli National Park, with stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. 92 rooms
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Mara Sarova Camp - Luxury. Centrally located, 20 rooms
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Mid-Range - Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Mara Serena safari lodge. At the very center of the famous ‘Mara Triangle'. 74 rooms
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Mid-Range - Mara Bush Camp - Everything desired in an “authentic safari experience”!
12 rooms
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Mid-Range - Keekorok Lodge. Located within Maasai Mara National Reserve. 91 rooms
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Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge. Close to the ole paleolithic site "Ol Duvai", near Gurumeti river
Tarangire Sopa Lodge - Mid Range. Spacious and a high level of comfort
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Serengeti Serena, dining in the open option for special occasions
Tarangire Sopa Lodge. When back in the lodge for lunch, served by the pool area and often visited by wildlife in the gardens
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Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, located on the rim of the crater with stunning views of the crater floor
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Lake Nakuru.
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