Highlights

• Located near the Oloolaimutia Gate of the Masai Mara National Reserve
• Big Five game viewing on open-vehicle game drives
• Front-row position for the Great Migration river crossings between July and October
• Family-friendly cottage-style accommodation set in landscaped gardens
• Cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages
• Hot-air balloon safaris available over the Mara plains

The Details

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge is set high on the slopes of the Oloolaimutia Hills, on the south-eastern boundary of the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the most game-rich landscapes in Kenya. The reserve forms the northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem and hosts the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra from roughly July to October, when herds cross the Mara River in pursuit of fresh grazing.

The lodge sits within walking distance of the Oloolaimutia Gate, giving guests quick access to the reserve for early-morning and late-afternoon game drives. As one of the first safari lodges built in the Maasai Mara, its gardens and trees are unusually lush and mature. The wider region is home to resident populations of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and cheetah, alongside the Maasai communities whose villages can be visited as part of the cultural programme.

The lodge is roughly 250 kilometers from Nairobi, a six-hour drive, or a one-hour flight from Wilson Airport to Keekorok airstrip followed by a one-hour transfer.

Accommodation

The lodge has 99 rooms, including four interconnecting rooms suited to families, twelve suites and a dedicated honeymoon suite. All buildings follow the design of traditional African round houses with conical roofs, stretching along the line of the hills with the large public areas and swimming pool at their centre.

Game Drives

Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles with experienced driver-guides who know the southern Mara well. Morning and afternoon drives explore the plains, river systems and woodland fringes inside the reserve, with the chance to see all of the Big Five and, in season, the dramatic river crossings of the migration herds. Nature walks and bird watching are also offered from the lodge.

Hot-Air Balloon Safari

Hot-air balloon safaris can be arranged from the lodge, lifting off at dawn for a drift over the Mara plains followed by a bush breakfast. The flight is booked as an extra and is not included in the nightly rate.

Dining

Meals are served in the main restaurant or, weather permitting, at the outdoor boma dining area. The lodge has a bar and lounge with television, a gift shop and Wi-Fi in the public areas. Bush dining can be arranged on request.

Price Includes

• Accommodation
• Full board basis: breakfast, lunch and dinner