JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

This place is absolutely fantastic. It is hard to describe our experience in words, but here is an attempt. First and foremost- the staff are extremely caring and committed to their guests having a great time. They will go out of their way to serve- and will do so with a smile all the time. All meals were served by Patrick who by the third day had taken care of some of the finest details on our meal preference without us even asking. The food itself is good and we liked the freshness of ingredients used and the flavours. The portion sizes were perfect. The team of Joseph and Victor at the bar serves great drinks with a smile and sometimes with a story. Diana is full of stories- we loved her story about love and marriages in Masai communities. Finally, Thelma is a strong and capable manager who is on top of the minor details. The rooms were well stocked and comfortable. Good views of the Talek river from your sit-out, comfortable four poster beds, well stocked mini-bar, outdoor shower were all good features. The use of a Masai spear to signal "do not disturb" was a nice touch. Now coming to the wildlife. We did 7 safaris during our 5-night stay (not counting the 2 transfers to and from the airstrip that end up being mini safaris!). It is the Masai Mara, so we saw lions, leopards, cheetahs on more than one occasion. We were lucky to spot a rhino on one safari- which is quite rare and somewhat elusive. In fact, we did an extended game drive one morning where in a matter of 5 hours, we managed to see the Big 5. Also, we saw 50+ varieties of birds. Our guide Jacob was extremely knowledgeable about the Masai Mara, took great interest in what is it that we wanted to see (for example, we specifically asked to learn about birds), and almost always figured out a way to position our jeep to get the best view. His love for the wildlife was really nice to see and most importantly he had a deep respect for the animals and was extremely responsible in the way he parked his jeep (always giving space when there were lion cubs around being a good example). So what could be better? I cannot think of much here. We hope to come back soon!

From the very start, my experience at JW Marriott was nothing short of spectacular, and much of that is thanks to our guide, Sophy, the undisputed Queen of the Mara! Not only is she the best driver and guide you could ever hope for, but her deep personal knowledge of the land, keen ability to spot even the most elusive wildlife, and genuine connections with the local community make every safari an adventure of a lifetime. She knows every park ranger, every driver from other lodges, and—most importantly—where to find the animals! She has never met a stranger and has almost a sixth sense of what animals will do. She got us to see the Big 5 in the first twenty-four hours of arrival. After that, we made a crazy wishlist including a leopard carrying prey into a tree, the smallest baby elephant we could find, cheetahs making a kill, and scavengers stealing a lion’s meal along with a few others and she got all of those experiences for us! If I didn’t know nature better, I would think she was cueing the animals as we arrived. Being with Sophy means experiencing the Mara like never before, with insights and expertise that turn every drive into an unforgettable journey. Beyond the incredible safaris, the JW Marriott itself is a masterpiece of luxury and hospitality. The entire staff goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels like royalty. Joseph brings endless joy with his legendary hippo impersonations and radiant hospitality, making every interaction a delight. The dining service is second to none, thanks to the exceptional care of Richard, Benjamin, Noah, Leshan, and Naicherwa, who deliver flawless, warm, and attentive service. I can’t say enough good things about them! At the lodge you can eat your meals pretty much anywhere and we found ourselves actively trying to give ourselves more time at the main lodge just so that we could run into the staff. Dr. Victor, the masterful bartender, crafts world-class cocktails with flair, making every drink an experience in itself. From the moment you arrive, Diana welcomes you with warmth and stunning beadwork (that she will teach you to make any time of day!), adding a personal and authentic touch to the experience. The front desk team, led by the outstanding Thelma, with the ever-helpful Wilson, ensures a seamless and stress-free stay. Kennedy and Moses, the talented photographers, will teach you how to use the cameras that they lend you so that the memories last forever. The camera was truly an unexpected favorite part of the trip, taking an already incredible safari to the next level as we all tried to get “the shot” in addition to viewing the animals. Also, for those in need of true relaxation, Faith provides the most rejuvenating massages, melting away every ounce of stress at the spa! There is also a fabulous cold plunge which in the middle of a 90 degree day saved me. Every detail of our room was meticulously cared for, by Emily, the best room cleaner, keeping accommodations pristine and welcomin

Stayed 5 night at JW Masai Mara and did not want to leave. Let’s start with staff. Everyone, I mean everyone was polite and smiling. Breakfast, Luch and Dinner had plenty of options for anyone. Great drink selection and a magical atmosphere..

Wow! This was absolutely the most amazing trip we’ve ever had. Everything about this lodge was first class- the incredible staff, lodge, the food- truly everything! We can’t say enough good things about our experience. They think of everything here! Special thanks to our outstanding guide Vinny, and also to Leshan and Elias (dining) Anna (housekeeping), Lilian (incredible on site nurse) Thelma and Brian (guest services), Bhuvan (chef) and Moses in the camera shop.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Masai Mara and at the JW Lodge. The property was beautiful, the staff were kind, and the safaris amazing. The overall experience was exceptional. Nicholas Kiswaa was our safari guide and he made our trip absolutely special!

As a Titanium Elite member, I’ve stayed at many Marriott properties, but the experience here was truly unparalleled. Executive Chef Rajiv Ranjan and Sous Chef Bhuvan delivered exceptional meals that were beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Their passion and attention to detail made our stay truly magical. A special shoutout to Diana and her team, who went above and beyond to make our trip even more special. Their warmth, professionalism, and dedication were fantastic and truly stood out. Highly recommend this property—not just for the stunning location, but for the incredible service and unforgettable dining experience!