Cheap Hotels in Masai Mara National Reserve - Where Luxury Meets Affordability
Nestled in Kenya’s stunning Mara region, the Masai Mara National Reserve is a bucket-list African safari destination that pulls you into the heart of the wild. Soar over golden savannahs on hot air balloon rides in Masai Mara, track the Big Five in Kenya and sleep in affordable stays. Also, dive into vibrant Maasai cultural expeditions, or witness the awe-inspiring animal migration in East Africa—the Masai Mara delivers adventures that leave you speechless. For budget-savvy travelers, staying in cheap hotels in Masai Mara is the way to go.
Not only is it more thrilling to be right in the action, but it’s also far more affordable than lodging outside and paying daily park fees. When hunting for the perfect budget Masai Mara hotels or affordable safari camps, price is key. However, you’ll still find cozy, authentic and cheap Masai Mara hotels that bring you close to the reserve’s magic without breaking the bank. Whether it’s a low-cost Masai Mara lodge or a charming, cheap safari tented camp, affordable options let you live the safari dream on a budget!
When Is the Best Time to Find Cheap Hotels in Masai Mara?
The low season (early January to early March) is the ideal time to find cheap hotels in the Masai Mara. During these months, fewer visitors mean lower park entry fees and discounted rates at budget Masai Mara accommodations. You’ll enjoy serene wildlife viewing with comfortable temperatures and stunning landscapes, perfect for photography, all at a fraction of the cost. In contrast, the peak season Africa Great Migration dates (June-October) see high demand, pushing up prices at these budget Masai Mara camps with fewer discounts.
Top Tips for Finding Cheap Hotels in Masai Mara
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Check Guest Reviews for Reliability: Before booking, dive into reviews on the hotel’s website or trusted platforms like Tripadvisor or Booking.com. So, verify with reviews on the hotel company’s site. Real guest feedback reveals the true quality of affordable Masai Mara hotels. Hence, helping you avoid hidden disappointments and find budget gems with great service.
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When one is looking for cheap hotels in Masai Mara for stays, it’s best they get the ones that offer safari packages. So, these come with Masai Mara safari experiences such as game drives through the Maasai Mara and bush meals, so as to pay a cost that is worth the experience.
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Verify Details with Hotel Staff: Sometimes, the information on online sites of these budget Masai Mara hotels, camps and lodges may not be updated to the current day. Therefore, it’s better to verify with a customer representative of the hotel on their hotline to avoid being inconvenienced.
6 Best Cheap Hotels in Masai Mara National Reserve
1. Mara River Lodge
Mara River Lodge is located in Aitong, which is an area in of Masai Mara. This budget lodge offers visitors not only great views of the Mara River, but also allows visitors can move around the Maasai Mara national reserve. At Mara River Lodge, you can easily witness game safaris like the big migration and the predator hunt patterns of lions and the Nile crocodiles. Hence, this location is the ideal area where this experience happens.
This lodge is near the Mara-Olkiombo airstrip and the Musiara gate of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The rooms have a private balcony with views of the green yard that has wild animals such as zebras and hippos wandering through it. The seating lounge has exquisite scenic views of the great panoramas of the Masai Mara Reserve, and the food served there is mouthwatering. Mara River Lodge is just phenomenal, with en-suite rooms that are charged for as low as 20 dollars per night.
2. Mara Sun Lodge - Best cheap hotels in Masai Mara
This budget hotel in Masai Mara is situated on top of a ridge, therefore it captures most of this park’s wild attractions in the Mara triangle. So, this includes the predator-prey relationships of the animals in the reserve. Mara Sun lodge is near the Oloololo gate of the reserve, with the nearest airstrip being the Mara-Olkiombo airstrip. Additionally, the Mara Sun Lodge has immense rooms that are kept neat and spotless, and the staff makes one feel at home.
So, this is because they are very accommodating and the cuisines are very tasty. The budget rooms at Mara Sun lodge are very affordable as prices per night start from 73$. Some of the amenities provided at this cheap Masai Mara hotel include: Free parking and Free WIFI.
3. Orng’atuny Mara King Camp - Affordable luxury hotel in Masai Mara
This is located in Ololaimutiek village and is one of the affordable camps in the Masai Mara. Also, these offer luxury services such as bush dinners, Hot air balloon safaris. Other services offered at the camp include tours to the Maasai villages. Other services include leisure experiences at the swimming pool and nature walks through the reserve. Orng’atuny Mara King Camp has different room types, such as the deluxe triple, which has 2 beds, and the Deluxe single, with one bed. Lastly, the Family tent with 3 distinct rooms, and these rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
Also, they have their own private balconies overlooking the green wilderness and its surroundings. Nevertheless, to stay at one of the tents at Orng’atuny Mara King Camp, the price per night starts from 97$.
4. AA Lodge Maasai Mara - Affordable luxury accommodation in Masai Mara
This budget camp near the Sekanani gate of the Maasai Mara national Reserve. Visitors at this camp are able to observe different kinds of flora like the acacia trees and fauna like the wildebeests. While at AA Lodge Maasai Mara, there are various things to do in Kenya like Maasai Cultural ventures and game drives through the reserve. The rooms of this affordable luxury Masai Mara lodge are very elegant, and the camp also has a dining lounge.
Our lavish swimming pool has views of the Masai Mara wilderness. Also, this is all provided by a staff that a genuine and offer warm treatment. Prices for a stay at AA Lodge Maasai Mara per night are as low as 182$.
5. The Drunken Elephant Mara
The Drunken Elephant Mara Hotel and Camp is located in the Sekanani area of the Maasai Mara. This cheap Masai Mara hotel has distinct self-contained tents with king-sized beds and showers. Also, the rooms are designed with Maasai art. While at this camp, visitors can encounter some of the big 5 animals in Kenya, like elephant herds.. The latter are spotted roaming around the open area of the Drunken Elephant Mara Camp. The camp has a restaurant area, a bar lounge, and a free parking lot. Lastly, the rooms have en-suite shower areas and they go for as low as 130$ per night.
6. Ereto Mara Paradise Camp
Ereto Mara Paradise Camp is a tented Camp situated in the wilderness of the Maasai Mara near the Sekanani gate. Its rooms also have great, breathtaking scenic views of the rolling hills of the reserve. The tents are spread in the same area; therefore, visitors do not have to worry about security issues. So, the management of this budget Masai Mara camp ensures the security of its customers. Visitors at Ereto Mara Paradise Camp enjoy activities like Camping, game viewing, in addition to their very hospitable staff. Prices of the rooms at Ereto Mara Paradise Camp can go for as low as 47$. Lastly, here are some of the amenities provided by this camp.
- Pick up the shuttle from the airport.
- Private parking.
- Free parking lot.
- Free breakfast.
- Room amenities (towels, shower, electric kettle, and dining table.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Cheap Hotels in Masai Mara?
1. The location and accessibility.
Before deciding on which budget hotel to stay at in Masai Mara, one should know the proximity to the gate or the airstrip. Choose a hotel near key entry points like Olkiombo airstrip or Sekenani Gate for easy access. Also, opt for budget Masai Mara camps close to prime game viewing areas (e.g., Mara River for migration)
2. The services and amenities provided by the hotel.
Even on a budget, look for cheap Masai Mara lodges offering quality services like hearty meals, guided game drives, or unique bush dinners. Also, some budget Masai Mara hotels provide luxurious services such as swimming pools and bush dinner experiences at an affordable price. Other Masai Mara cheap hotels do not come with such added amenities.
3. The season of Travel to the Masai Mara.
Want more affordable hotel packages during your Masai Mara safari? Consider going to the Masai Mara National Reserve during the low season. So, this is when there are fewer visitors in the park unlike in the peak season. However, this does not mean that during the peak season, travelers can’t be able to get cheap hotels in Masai Mara.
Booking tip: It is best to make price comparisons of different budget hotels and lodges in Masai Mara. Also, it’s advisable to book the budget hotels and tented camps in Masai Mara National Park that offer free cancellation.
