AA Mara Lodge is located at the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve in south western Kenya. In May 2022, a great business class fare from the U.S. to Nairobi was the enticement to return to Kenya and explore some of its natural wonders. Maasai Mara National Reserve was the first stop on a tour of several national parks.

This tour was put together at the last minute. Originally, I’d planned to use Nairobi as the jumping off point to attempt a trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano with a summit at 19,340′ (5,895m), is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world. Although I was good to travel, I postponed those plans due to a mild bout of Covid that I contracted at the end of April and uncertainty about my physical stamina. Maybe one day I’ll get to try Kilimanjaro.

With assistance from the concierge at my hotel in Nairobi, I booked a mid-range, all-inclusive eight-day safari tour with Lamara Tourism. The first part of the tour was two nights and three days at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Getting to AA Mara Safari Lodge

The lodge is located just over two miles (4 km) from the Maasai Mara Sekenani Gate. It is 158 miles (255 km) from Nairobi. The drive from the hotel took about six hours with a couple of stops for food and gas.

The road from Nairobi initially follows an escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

20220510_143658
With tour guide Ezekiel Ouma at a rest stop overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

IMG_5957

IMG_5960

RemasterDirector_V0
Our eight-person safari vehicle.

About one hour from Nairobi the road descends to the valley floor. The road is paved and lined with farms and fields where red-caped Maasai tend herds of cattle, sheep and goats.

20220510_161939

IMG_6216

Kilgoris and Narok are the principal towns along the way.

RemasterDirector_V0
 

20220510_155429

Lunch was provided at a deserted roadside restaurant. The staff put together a limited menu.

_empty
_noise _blur
_empty

AA Mara Safari Lodge

The property covers 30 acres and consists of has 50 cottages, a main restaurant, bar and an outdoor pool.

AALodgeMasaiMara
AA Mara Lodge photo

Guests can sit around the firepit after dinner and exchange stories of their adventures in Maasai Mara. 

20220511_211516 

I was assigned to a one bedroom cottage with a bathroom and walk-in closet.

AALodgeMasaiMara_2
Aa Mara Lodge photo

The room was nicely decorated and very comfortable at night. The tent like roof trapped heat and the room got hot during the day.

IMG_6219
My cottage

20220510_194024

20220510_194716
The wood used for the floor and furniture is a very sturdy type of hardwood.

 

RemasterDirector_V0
The bath included a shower, hair dryer, dental kit, shampoo and shower gel.

Despite the mosquito netting around the bed, I don’t recall seeing a mosquito indoors or out during this stay.  Rooms come with daily housekeeping.

Restaurant 

Meals were served in the restaurant located behind the lobby. 

IMG_6220

IMG_6221

There were only two other guests.  I ordered from a menu that had only a couple of choices of entrées. Normally, the restaurant would offer a buffet.  The food was good African fare in four courses.  I liked the soups best.

Bar

The lodge also has a bar opposite the restaurant that serves drinks and light meals.

IMG_6222

IMG_6223

Pool

An outdoor pool was the place to cool off after a long day in Maasai Mara.  

IMG_6224

Evening Entertainment

After dinner one night, the lodge provided entertainment at the fire pit by the pool.  Local Maasai performed a dance and invited me and the other two guests to join.  I suspect that more entertainment is available when the lodge is closer to full occupancy.

20220511_211438

20220511_211419 

Other Services

The lodge has free internet but only in the restaurant bar and lobby.  Guests can book safaris through the hotel.  

Overall Impression   

AA Mara Safari Lodge is a wonderful moderately priced base safari lodge. Rooms were excellent and the food was very good. There were few guests in May 2022; so I don’t think my experience is typical of what this lodge offers. AA Mara Safari Lodge is a fine place to stay while exploring the Maasai Mara and nearby villages.