The JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge has recently opened, situated in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Southwestern Kenya. This region is renowned for its wildlife and wilderness conservation, making it an ideal location for a sophisticated sanctuary. The lodge offers guests the opportunity to discover the animals and breathtaking vistas in perfect harmony. Guided game drives provide exhilarating experiences where guests can observe the “Big Five,” including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants, all of which can be found in Masai Mara.
The lodge’s elegant interiors have been designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants and blend seamlessly with the savannah, incorporating soft, warm tones, natural materials, and textures, as well as native colors to enhance its design. Each of the 20 private tents in the lodge offers a peaceful retreat, perfect for recharging and resetting, and includes a terrace that overlooks the River Talek, which is also a habitat for many wildlife. Guests can also opt for the tented honeymoon suite, which features a private plunge pool. For families with children over the age of six, the lodge has two interconnecting king and twin suites, which provide ample space and comfort. It is important to note that the minimum age of guests at the lodge is six.
Additionally, between June and September, the lodge is host to the annual great wildebeest migration, where over 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania.
The lodge, in line with JW Marriott’s ethos of mindfulness, boasts thoughtfully-designed spaces that cater to the needs of guests. These spaces include the Adventure Lounge, a cozy space filled with books for guests to immerse themselves in, and a nook for young adults to relax and unwind. There’s also the Cultural Deck, where guests can gather around the fire pit and share stories of their explorations during the day.
The Spa by JW is designed to capture the essence of rejuvenation and emulate the serenity of the reserve. The spa offers tailored experiences and signature treatments that blend locally-inspired techniques and therapies. These treatments are accompanied by natural and organic products by Healing Earth, a renowned African skincare brand, which is also available as in-room amenities. Guests can enjoy spa treatments from the comfort of their tented suite, with the sounds of the wilderness as a backdrop. The spa also offers guided yoga, extending its focus beyond just the body to the mind and spirit. One of the treatments available is the ‘Masai Celebration,’ which incorporates local botanicals and therapies.
At the heart of the camp lies the JW Garden, an outdoor space designed for guests to explore home-grown, organic ingredients, including the lodge’s signature rosemary. The chefs at the camp use the garden’s produce to create personalized dishes, cocktails, and mocktails. Daily programming, including live cooking, interactive cocktail mixology, and chef-led talks, is hosted at the garden, providing guests with an authentic farm-to-table experience. The Fig Tree Lounge, a relaxing gathering place, offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains from its indoor and outdoor bar, serving refreshing cocktails and mocktails infused with seasonal ingredients from the lodge’s garden.
Sarabi Restaurant provides guests with an indoor and alfresco dining experience that takes them on a nourishing epicurean journey guided by JW Garden ingredients and local culinary heritage. Guests can also venture out into the reserve with the lodge’s guides to enjoy a freshly prepared ‘Bush Breakfast’ or dinner while sipping sundowners and taking in the breathtaking savannah vistas.
The lodge’s community programming offers guests an authentic insight into meaningful local projects, such as The Maa Trust, an organization that empowers 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, the lodge employs 60 percent of the team locally, with plans to reach 70 percent, contributing to the socio-economic development of the region. The JW Marriott Masai Mara’s Apprenticeship Program is an ongoing initiative that invites young women from the community to diversify their skills and broaden their experience, kick-starting their careers in the hospitality industry. The lodge partnered with the community during the early development process of the lodge. The construction was undertaken by local experts overseen by technical specialists, and build materials were sourced from sustainable suppliers. The lodge has also rehabilitated access roads to the property, installed power to the area, and provided access to clean drinking water for locals through a water treatment plant.
The lodge’s emphasis on waste reduction and recycling is integral to daily operations. The water treatment plant provides recycled and sanitized water, food waste is placed at the lodge’s compost site, and water wells are dotted around the lodge for animals to quench their thirst throughout the day.
The location of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is a 30-minute drive away from Keekorok Airstrip and a 25-minute drive away from Sekenani Main Gate.
Photos Credit: Marriott International, Inc.
