Mara Sopa Lodge is Perched on a Hill in the Masai Mara Heartland

The Mara Sopa Lodge was one of the first lodges to be built inside the Masai Mara National Reserve.

It is perched on the slopes of Oloongam Hills, giving you panoramic views over the wildlife-crammed Mara plains.

The lodge consists of round traditional thatched buildings set in beautifully landscaped gardens that are full of giant cacti, sweet smelling jasmine flowers and mature trees.

Activities

There are a range of activities to keep you busy during your Masai Mara safari. These include:

• Game drives. If you fly into the Mara and don't have a vehicle at your disposal, you can hire one of Mara Sopa Lodge's 4x4s.

• Walking safaris. For those with an audacious spirit, you can walk alongside the Mara's ferocious lions. OK, you will have a guide to lead you through the safer areas.

• Balloon safaris. Watching the sunrise from a soaring balloon high above the Mara is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And, you get to crown your achievement with a hearty bush breakfast where lots of champagne flows.

• Birdwatching. With everything from crested cranes, vultures to hornbills and bee-eaters, the Mara is a bird lover's paradise.

• Visits to a traditional Masai Village. The inimitable Masai people live in simple mud huts that are roofed with straw and a visit there will certainly be an eye-opening cultural safari.

Accommodations

The Mara Sopa Lodge features 50 round thatched huts each containing 2 guest rooms complete with mosquito nets.

Each of the standard rooms has wooden floors and ceilings, 2 double beds, an en-suite bathroom with shower, a dressing table and a fireplace. Outside on the deck are some canvas safari chairs where guests can relax while taking in the sweeping views from the Mara plains.

In addition to the standard room features, each of the lodge's 12 suites offers larger beds, separate sleeping and living areas and a mini-bar.

The honeymoon suite is secluded at the top of the property with stunning views over the hills and a deck that is privy to some spectacular sunsets. Inside is a king-size bed and a sunken bath.

Services and Amenities

Mara Sopa offers a range of services and amenities to help you feel pampered during your Masai Mara safari.

• Dining takes place in a round thatched high-ceiling mess decorated with Masai beads, shields and paintings.

• Guests with a little energy left after a hectic day can have a drink, play billiards or watch TV at the Jumbo or Ol Murani bars. Outside is a viewing deck where jackals, wild dogs and hyenas come to feed at night.

• The swimming pool is a great place to cool off after long, hot and dusty game drives.

• If you have little children and need a moment to yourself, you can avail yourself of the lodge's babysitting service although extra charges apply.

• With the lodge's laundry service, you need never run out of clean fresh clothing.

Customer Reviews

This section highlights what real travelers liked and disliked about the Mara Sopa Lodge

What Travelers Liked

Location. Rooms. Staff. Food!

"Wow! Absolutely my favorite! Located high up on a hill, the Sopa enjoys an absolutely fabulous position within the Mara. The views from the pool and restaurant are spectacular."

"We couldn't have asked for a better lodge. The staff are attentive and the food excellent and varied to suit every taste. Being inside the Mara Reserve, you can see wild animals only 5 minutes from the lodge gates. We managed 4 of the big 5 on the first day. What a marvelous start to our holiday!"

"We went out onto the viewing deck terrace at 10pm to watch mongooses, jackals and hyenas feeding. It was a real bonus - like a safari at your doorstep."

"The rooms looked great, were a decent size and had a good shower in the bathroom."

"The buffet was plentiful - lots of choice and well-cooked. ...it was the best we had all trip."

What Travelers Disliked

Paper thin walls. Far from the wildebeest migration scene. Not as intimate as a small lodge.

"The walls are paper thin. The electricity and hot water are only available at peak times so if you need to recharge your batteries, remember to plug them in before going to lunch or dinner."

"While the lodge is within the Mara reserve, it is far from the Mara River which is the scene of the wildebeest migration. If you don't have your own vehicle, getting to the river will cost you quite a bit"

"Not quite as personal as the smaller tented camps although the comfortable beds and excellent food somewhat make up for this."

Summary

Mara Sopa is located right inside the Masai Mara and is a great place to spend a few days discovering what the crème de la crème of the Kenya national parks has to offer.

If you prefer the camaraderie feeling of a large lodge to the intimacy and personal service of a small tented camp, Mara Sopa Lodge is certainly a good place to stay while in the Mara.

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