Masai Mara Holidays Get a Luxury Boost from JW Marriott

Masai Mara, the regional epicenter of safari vacations in Kenya, just got a bit more accessible for American travelers through the opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. The news marks the company’s highly anticipated debut in the luxury safari segment.

Sitting within the Masai Mara National Reserve in Southwestern Kenya, one of Africa’s most renown wildlife and wilderness conservation regions, the lodge is a sophisticate and thoughtful sanctuary in its own right and a jump off point for riveting jaunts into the vast and untouched plains of Africa.

Exhilarating guided game drives offer opportunities to observe the “Big Five” that roam the Masai Mara savannahs. Lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants wander freely and present a panoply of drama and peace that is the natural rhythm of life. Between June and September, the reserve is host to the annual great wildebeest migration, which sees more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania.

“Fostering meaningful connections and nourishing the soul is at the heart of the JW Marriott brand, so entering the luxury safari segment is a natural next step,” said Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “Offering our guests once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a deep connection to place, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge balances the thrill of a game drive with thoughtful opportunities to switch off and take it all in. We are excited to welcome travellers to a transformative and wellness-forward stay delivers with JW Marriott’s legacy of extraordinary hospitality.”

Inspired Design 

The lodge’s elegant interiors, designs by Kristina Zanic Consultants, take the surrounding beauty of the Masai Mara as inspiration through the soft, warm tones, natural materials and textures, and native colors that thread through room designs. Each of the lodge’s 20 private tents provide a peaceful sanctuary to recharge and reset, and feature terraces overlooking the River Talek, a water source and habitat for many wildlife. The tent honeymoon suite offers a private plunge pool, while two interconnecting king and twin suites are ideal for families with children over the age of six (the minimum age of guests at the lodge).

Wellbeing and Mindful Practices in the Masai Mara

In keeping with JW Marriott’s signature motif of mindfulness, the lodge is home to a number of thoughtfully designs spaces from the cozy Adventure Lounge full of books to get lost in and a space for young adults to take time for themselves, to the Cultural Deck where guests can gather around the fire pit to share tales of the day’s exploration.

Capturing the essence of rejuvenation, the Spa by JW emulates the serenity of the Masai Mara reserve and offers tailored experiences and signature treatments which blend locally inspire techniques and therapies. These are complement by natural and organic products by renown African skincare brand, Healing Earth, also available as in-room amenities. Guests can enjoy spa treatments from the comfort of their tent suite, accompany by the sounds of the wilderness. Extending beyond body to mind and spirit with guided yoga, treatments include a ‘Masai Celebration’ incorporating local botanicals and therapies.

Culinary Journeys in the Masai Mara

At the heart of the camp is the JW Garden — an outdoor space for guests to spend time discovering home-grown, organic ingredients, including the lodge’s signature rosemary. The garden’s produce is used by the lodge’s chefs to craft personalized dishes, cocktails, and mocktails. The garden will host daily programming, including live cooking, interactive cocktail mixology, and chef-led talks for a true farm-to-table experience. 

In Addition A relaxing gathering place, Fig Tree Lounge offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains from the indoor and outdoor bar and serves refreshing cocktails and mocktails infused with seasonal ingredients from the lodge’s garden. An indoor and alfresco dining experience at Sarabi Restaurant takes guests on a nourishing epicurean experience guided by JW Garden ingredients and local culinary heritage. Finally Guests can venture out into the reserve with the lodge’s guides to enjoy a freshly prepared ‘Bush Breakfast’ or dinner while sipping sundowners and soaking in the breathtaking savannah vistas.

Everything is Local

The lodge’s community programming provides an authentic insight into meaningful local projects, including The Maa Trust, an organization empowering local people by promoting small business start-ups. The lodge donates a percentage of the nightly rate per person to the organization and provides a space for craftspeople to retail Maa Beadwork and produce. Guests can visit The Maa Trust to meet with local artisans and forge a deeper connection to the people in the area.

Currently, 60 percent of the lodge’s team are locals, with plans to reach 70 percent, ensuring the hotel’s contribution to the socio-economic development of the region. As an ongoing initiative, JW Marriott Masai Mara’s Apprenticeship Program invites young women from the community to diversify their skills and broaden their experience to kick-start their careers in the hospitality industry. 

Therefore Partnership with the community began during the early development process of the lodge. Develope on land committ to a tourism project so as not to unduly disturb the surrounding environment, much of the construction was undertaken by local experts overseen by technical specialists, with build materials sources from sustainable suppliers. The lodge has rehabilitate access roads to the property, installed power to the area, and provides access to clean drinking water for locals through a water treatment plant.

Preserving the Masai Mara

Emphasis on waste reduction and recycling is integral to daily operations. The lodge’s water treatment plant provides recycle and sanitize water; food waste is places at the lodge’s compost site; and water wells are dott around the lodge for animals to quench their thirst throughout the day.

Moreover By supporting local organizations such as The Mara Elephant Project and The Mara Protector Conservation Program, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge contributes to protecting animals and their habitat across the greater Mara ecosystem. Bringing a passion for the surrounding wildlife and nature to guests, the lodge’s Head Guide is a lifelong conservationist who holds talks about local culture at the lodge as well as guided walking tours. With an abundance of meaningful moments to experience at the lodge, guests can delve into photography and learn new skills at the lodge’s very own studio.

JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is a 30-minute drive from Keekorok Airstrip and a 25-minute drive from Sekenani Main Gate.

Finally Rates start at $1450 per person, per night (all-inclusive board basis). Bonvoy Points accepted.