A Complete Guide to One of Kenya's Most Spectacular Safari Lodge
Angama Mara is a luxury owner-run safari lodge perched on the Oloololo (Siria) Escarpment, 300 metres above the Maasai Mara. It offers 30 tented suites across two private camps, direct access to the Mara Triangle, and all-inclusive rates from USD $1,775 per person per night.
If you’re looking for one lodge that combines the best wildlife in Kenya with world-class comfort and a setting unlike anywhere else in Africa, Angama Mara is it.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Oloololo Escarpment, above the Mara Triangle, Kenya |
| Elevation | ~1,000 ft (300 m) above the Mara plains |
| Number of Suites | 30 total — two camps of 15 suites each |
| Family Suites | 4 interconnected suites per camp |
| Minimum Guest Age | 6 years and older |
| Standard Season Rate | From USD $1,775 per person per night |
| Peak Season Rate | From USD $2,650 per person per night |
| Peak Season Dates | June–October & 23 Dec–4 Jan |
| Nearest Airstrip | Angama Mara private airfield & Kichwa Tembo Airstrip |
| Flight Time from Nairobi | 45–75 minutes (Wilson Airport) |
What Makes Angama Mara Different?
The name says everything. Angama is Swahili for “suspended in mid-air” — and that is exactly how guests describe the experience. The lodge sits on the cliff edge of the Great Rift Valley, with the entire Mara Triangle unfolding below in a 180-degree panorama.
Most Maasai Mara lodges sit on the plains. Angama sits above them. That elevation changes everything — the light, the silence, the sense of scale.
The lodge is also owner-run, which is rare at this price point and it shows. Service is warm and personal, not corporate. Staff remember your name, your guide learns your preferences, and the team tailors each day around you.
One more thing that sets Angama apart: the camp has its own private access road into the Mara Triangle and its own airstrip. You can be on a game drive within minutes of landing.
The Setting: Oloololo Escarpment and the Mara Triangle
The Mara Triangle is the western section of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is managed by the Mara Conservancy — a non-profit — and it consistently has better-maintained roads and lower vehicle density than the rest of the reserve.
This matters. While other areas of the Mara can get crowded around popular sightings, the Triangle tends to be quieter and more exclusive. Angama’s guests have near-private access to this section.
The Oloololo Escarpment itself is also superb wildlife habitat. Leopards, lions, hyenas, and a range of bird species all use the escarpment. Guided walks here are genuinely wild and rewarding.
The Suites: What to Expect
Each of the 30 tented suites is designed around one thing: the view. Every suite has an 11-metre wide floor-to-ceiling glass front facing the Mara. There are no bad rooms — each one has the same panorama.
Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens designed the tents, and Kenya’s renowned canvas craftsman Jan Allan built them. The interiors are contemporary but distinctly African, with handcrafted furniture and splashes of Maasai red throughout.
What’s Inside Each Suite
- Super king bed (convertible to twin configuration)
- Large soaking bathtub with Mara views
- Indoor/outdoor terrazzo shower
- Double vanity
- Writing desk with 10 international plug points and USB charging
- Personalised drinks cabinet
- Two ceiling fans
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Electric blankets for cold nights
- In-suite dining available
Accessibility: One wheelchair-friendly suite is available on request.
Families: Four interconnected family suites per camp. Children aged 6 and older are welcome. Families with children under 6 must book a private safari vehicle.
Rates: What’s Included and What’s Not
Included in All Rates
- All meals and drinks (excluding French Champagne and premium wines)
- Guided game drives in the Mara Triangle
- Guided walking safaris on the Oloololo Escarpment
- Transfers to/from Angama Mara Airfield or Kichwa Tembo Airstrip
- Childminding (18:00–22:00)
- Laundry service and Wi-Fi
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- VAT and levies
Not Included (Extra Cost)
- Private safari vehicles: USD $200–$400 (half day) / USD $400–$800 (full day) depending on season
- Maasai Mara park fees: USD $100–$260 per adult depending on season
- Hot-air balloon safaris
- In-room massages
- Photography studio rental and camera gear
- Staff gratuities
- Angama Foundation donation (voluntary but encouraged)
- Purchases from the Safari Shop
Family Rates Note
In Standard Season, the first two children (0–17 years) sharing a suite stay free of charge, excluding June and October. In Peak Season, a second suite for families is charged at 75% of the nightly rate.
African Resident Rates
Angama offers special rates for permanent residents of all African countries. Proof of residency required.
Experiences: What You’ll Do Each Day
Days at Angama are flexible and unscheduled — you shape your safari around what interests you. Here is what is on offer:
Game Drives in the Mara Triangle
The daily anchor of your stay. Morning and afternoon drives in private or shared vehicles. The Triangle is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and over 470 bird species. Big Five sightings are common. During peak season (July–October), the Great Wildebeest Migration brings over 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras across the Mara River in one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles.
The Out of Africa Picnic
A private hilltop lunch recreating the spirit of the classic 1985 film (parts of which were filmed on this very escarpment). Checked blankets, canvas chairs, cold drinks, and an uninterrupted view of the Mara below. One of the most requested experiences at the lodge.
Shamba-to-Table Lunch
Angama has a one-acre kitchen garden — the shamba — where guests harvest their own greens before sitting down to a fresh, farm-to-fork lunch under the shade of moth trees. Simple, grounding, and delicious.
Photography Studio
Angama runs a dedicated photography studio with professional gear available for rental. Resident photographers offer editing tutorials, and you can print your best images before you leave. Good for both beginners and serious photographers.
Hot-Air Balloon Safari
Available at an additional cost through an external operator. You float above the Mara at sunrise in near-silence. The experience lasts approximately one hour and often ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush. Book well in advance during peak season.
Guided Escarpment Walks
Walking with a Maasai guide along the escarpment edge. You cover ground at a different pace and notice things you’d miss from a vehicle — animal tracks, medicinal plants, birds, and the geology of the Rift Valley.
Maasai Cultural Encounters
Spend time with Maasai artisans at the lodge. Learn traditional beading, hear stories, and understand the cultural context of the landscape you are exploring. These are genuine, not staged.
Gym with a View
For those who want to keep up a fitness routine — the gym overlooks the Mara. Few gyms in the world have a better view.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Timing Your Visit
The Migration is the primary reason most visitors come to the Mara. Here is a practical guide to timing:
| Period | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| July–August | Wildebeest arrive in the Mara Triangle. River crossings begin. |
| September–October | Peak crossing season. Best chance of witnessing a crossing. |
| November–June | Wildlife excellent. No Migration crowds. Lower rates. |
Peak season at Angama (June–October) aligns directly with Migration season. If this is a priority, book as far in advance as possible — 12–18 months ahead for July–October dates is not unusual.
Getting to Angama Mara
By Air (Recommended) Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to either:
- Angama Mara Private Airfield — the most direct option
- Kichwa Tembo Airstrip — also served by scheduled flights
Flight time: 45–75 minutes depending on routing. Multiple scheduled flights daily. Private charter also available.
By Road Nairobi to the Mara Triangle takes approximately 5–6 hours by road via Narok. Not recommended for most international travellers — it is a long drive and the roads are rough in places. Flying is far more practical.
Conservation and Community: The Angama Foundation
Angama Mara is not just a business — it operates with a clear commitment to the land and people around it.
The Angama Foundation channels funds from a voluntary nightly guest donation into local Maasai community projects: education, healthcare, and conservation initiatives. The Mara Triangle itself is managed by the Mara Conservancy, a non-profit body that uses revenue from park fees to fund anti-poaching operations and ranger salaries.
When you stay at Angama, a portion of your spend actively supports this system.
Who Is Angama Mara Best For?
| Traveller Type | Is Angama a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Honeymooners & couples | Yes — one of Africa’s most romantic settings |
| Families with children 6+ | Yes — excellent guides, flexible itineraries, connecting suites |
| First-time Africa visitors | Yes — wildlife-rich area, excellent guiding, all-inclusive ease |
| Wildlife photographers | Yes — dedicated photography studio, private vehicles, great light |
| Solo travellers | Yes — no single supplement on first two reservations in Standard Season |
| Budget travellers | No — this is a premium lodge with rates to match |
Final Verdict
Angama Mara earns its reputation. The location on the Oloololo Escarpment is genuinely unique in Kenya. The wildlife access is exceptional. The service is personal and warm. And the design of the suites — built to make the Mara the star — is done exceptionally well.
It is not cheap. But for what it delivers, it ranks among the best-value luxury safari experiences in East Africa. If you are going to splurge on one lodge in Kenya, make it this one.
Plan Your Stay at Angama Mara
We handle every detail — suite bookings, airstrip transfers, private vehicles, balloon safari reservations, and timing your trip around the Migration. We have worked with Angama and know what makes a stay there exceptional.
Contact Kenya Travel Hub to start planning:
- 📧 Email us
- 📞 +254-795-891-706
- 💬 WhatsApp: +254795891706
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