Mara Sopa Lodge with Mara Triangle Safaris

Overview

Mara Sopa Lodge is a well-established safari lodge perched on the scenic Oloolaimutia Hills on the eastern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. It was one of the very first safari lodges to be built in this iconic wildlife region, which is why its gardens and trees are so lush and mature. The lodge offers a classic safari experience with a blend of rustic charm, welcoming service, and panoramic views of the surrounding savannah plains.

The hillside location brings cooler air and wide, uninterrupted views across the savanna, where wildlife movement can often be seen from the lodge grounds. From the spacious public areas — such as the restaurant, lounge, and bar — guests can enjoy views over the reserve, watch wildlife stroll by, or relax after an exhilarating day of game drives.

Prime Location – On the Eastern Edge of the Masai Mara

The lodge is located 206 km south of the Equator on the eastern boundary of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in south-western Kenya, just 2 km from the Oloolaimutia Gate. The residence is 240 km from Nairobi and approximately a 5‑hour drive on a tarmac road and all‑weather murram road, situated outside the park.

Flying is a quicker option: it’s a one‑hour flight to the nearest airstrip, followed by a 30‑minute drive to the lodge. The lodge is also within a 10‑minute drive of Maasai Mara National Reserve and Siana Conservancy.

Perched on a raised escarpment, the lodge provides panoramic views of rolling savannahs that are home to elephants, lions, zebras, and more. Guests visiting during the Great Migration (July–October) enjoy a front‑row seat to one of Earth’s greatest wildlife spectacles.

Luxury Accommodation – Rondavel‑Style Cottages with Traditional Maasai Design

Mara Sopa Lodge features 99 guest rooms, including 50 spacious cottages and 12 suites, plus 1 Presidential suite. The lodge has 77 rooms, 12 suites and 1 Presidential suite, all of which are ‘rondavel’ style and have en‑suite bathroom facilities. Each rondavel features two rooms – a bedroom and a lounge area.

All the buildings follow the design of traditional African round houses with conical roofs, and these stretch along the line of the hills with the impressively large public area buildings and the swimming pool at their centre. The resort is nestled in 77 hectares of wooded Masai land, with spectacular views of the mountain and the park. Mature wooded gardens with a variety of trees and plants, from thorn trees and acacias, colourful bougainvillea and giant cactus plants thrive in these surroundings.

Room Amenities:

• Private, elevated verandah with splendid views across the valley

• En‑suite bathroom with shower and bathtub

• Mosquito nets

• Electronic safe

• Dressing tables

• Minibar

• Direct dial telephone

• Satellite TV

• Hairdryers and shaver sockets

The lodge also offers family‑friendly accommodation options, including interconnecting rooms for parents and children. The honeymoon suite is a luxurious suite with a king‑size bed, sunken bathtub, and private verandah offering breathtaking views.

Dining – A Culinary Celebration of Kenyan and International Flavours

The dining room is accommodated within a traditional rondavel, which is presented in traditional Maasai style and features a large central fireplace. Doors open on to an open‑air terrace, where meals are also served.

The main dining room typically serves buffet meals combining local Kenyan flavours and international cuisine, and there are options for special bush dining experiences if you want a more intimate, outdoor meal under the sky. Meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and the open‑air restaurant serves meals that cater to a variety of dietary preferences—including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten‑free options.

Highlights include:

• Hearty buffet breakfasts with local teas and tropical fruits

• Flexible lunch offerings suited for travellers heading out on game drives

• Elegant dinners accompanied by traditional Maasai performances

• Bush dinners, surrounded by lanterns and starlit skies, for a truly immersive culinary adventure

Facilities & Amenities – Relaxation, Recreation, and Family‑Friendly Spaces

The lodge offers a wide array of facilities designed to ensure your comfort and enjoyment:

• Swimming Pool – A large, attractive swimming pool with a curving terrace, perfect for a refreshing dip while overlooking the savannah. The swimming pool is situated in a panoramic position, allowing you to cool off while watching wildlife in the distance.

• Restaurant – Open‑air dining with traditional Maasai rondavel design and central fireplace

• Three Bars – Jumbo Bar in the lounge, Pool Bar overlooking the swimming pool, and Ol Murani bar on the lower ground floor featuring sports TV and a billiard table

• Games Room – Billiards and board games

• TV Lounge – Satellite TV in the bar area

• Kids’ Club – Dedicated space and activities for younger guests

• Gift Shop – Local crafts, clothing, and safari essentials

• Conference Centre – Meeting room seating 18‑90 guests with full AV and conference equipment

• Wildlife Viewing Deck – Overlooks the surrounding landscape

• Campfire Area – Evening gatherings for stories and stargazing

• Car Wash Facilities – Available on site

• Babysitting Services – On request

• Currency Exchange – Available

• Hairdressing Salon – On site

• Laundry Services – Available

• Free Self Parking – On site

• Free Wi‑Fi – Available in public areas

• 24‑Hour Front Desk – For your convenience

Wildlife & Activities – Unforgettable Encounters in the Masai Mara

Days at Mara Sopa Lodge revolve around classic game drives into the Masai Mara, where encounters with lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and cheetah are part of the daily activities. During the Great Migration season, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra pass through the region, adding drama and density to wildlife viewing.

Activities available:

• Morning and evening game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve to see lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and more

• Night game drives – Explore the reserve after dark in search of elusive nocturnal predators

• Hot air balloon safari with sunrise views over the savannah (arranged on request)

• Maasai cultural visits to local villages to learn about Maasai traditions and lifestyle

• Guided nature walks and birdwatching opportunities

• Archery

• Mountain climbing

• Walking safaris

• Maasai cultural talks

• Bush breakfasts, sundowner dinners, and outdoor dining experiences in the reserve

• Swimming and relaxing by the pool with panoramic reserve views

• Photography safaris to capture wildlife and landscapes at golden hours

Between excursions, the lodge is a space to relax, with comfortable rooms set among landscaped gardens, a large swimming pool, and open terraces where you can take in the scenery and wildlife sounds drifting up from the plains below.

Evenings are relaxed and social, shaped by the lodge’s welcoming atmosphere. After sunset, you will return from safari to shared meals, fireside conversations, and the gentle glow of lantern‑lit pathways.

Sustainability & Responsibility

Mara Sopa Lodge is committed to responsible tourism. The lodge operates with four generators (233 KvA, 250 KvA, 400 KvA and 250 KvA) that run for approximately 14 hours each day at designated times. The lodge uses kuni boilers from Bottle Solar for heating water, fuelled using dead wood collected within the vicinity or off‑cuts.

Energy‑saving bulbs are installed throughout for energy conservation. Liquefied Petroleum gas (LPG) is used for guests cooking while fuel wood is used for staff cooking. The firewood is obtained from off cuts and dead wood.

The lodge maximises on natural lighting through the use of translucent roofing in areas such as the kitchen, restaurant and stores. Laundry is air dried to save energy that could have been used on drying.

The lodge has undertaken an annual Environmental Audit (EA) as required by EMCA 1999 (Environmental Management and Co‑ordination Act. Ref No. NEMA/RVP/EA/0679).

Pricing Information (Sample Rates – Confirm at Booking)

Note: Rates are per night and are subject to change; please verify directly with the lodge.

• Low Season (March–May): $250–$350 per person per night sharing

• High Season (June–October & December–February): $350–$450 per person per night sharing

• Peak Season (July–August & Christmas/New Year): $450–$550 per person per night sharing

• Children up to 11 years: $87 per child per night when using an available extra bed

• Typical price range: $286–$587 per night for the dates selected

Package Includes: Accommodation, complimentary buffet breakfast daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM, access to all lodge facilities, and game drives in the Maasai Mara with experienced rangers.

Why Choose Mara Sopa Lodge?

• Unbeatable Hillside Location – Perched on the Oloolaimutia Hills with panoramic views over the Masai Mara

• Classic Safari Experience – One of the original lodges in the Mara, with lush, mature gardens

• Authentic Maasai Architecture – Traditional rondavel design with thatched roofs and central fireplaces

• Exceptional Value – Mid‑range luxury at competitive prices, with excellent service and quality

• Family‑Friendly – Interconnecting rooms, kids’ club, and child‑friendly rates

• Abundant Amenities – Swimming pool, three bars, games room, TV lounge, gift shop, and conference facilities

• Year‑Round Wildlife – Resident Big Five and spectacular Great Migration viewing (July–October)