Masai Mara national reserve is one of the most popular national parks in Kenya and East Africa. The national reserve is home to many animals and birds species hence drawing visitors from all over the world. Visitors coming to the Masai Mara national reserve can choose from luxury, mid-range, and budget accommodations. Most of the luxurious hotels and lodges are located within the national reserve whilst the cheaper omnes are located outside the reserve. This article highlights budget accommodation close to the Masai Mara national reserve.
Osim country lodge
Osim country lodge is a rustic lodge located on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro river, about 10 km from Narok town and 60km to Masai Mara game reserve. The lodge features self-contained tree houses perched on gigantic acacia trees. The lodge is ideal for a family or people traveling in a group. This is the cheapest camp in Masai Mara because it’s a bit far from Masai Mara.
Photo credit: Trip advisor
Services offered at Osim Country Lodge include;
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- Room service
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- Bar/ Lounge
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- Breakfast
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- Kids play area
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- Luggage storage facilities
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- Gym
Greenwood safari camp
This mid- range campsite is located in Talek near the Talek river in Masai Mara game reserve. It akes approximately 6 hours to drive from Nairobi city and an hour from Ol-Kiombo air strip which is a few kilometers from the camp.
The camp cairstriponsists of 8 spacious tents put up on a raised wooden deck overlooking the Mara plains. The tents are well furnished with a television, dressing table, work table, air conditioning and an all-ensuite bathroom. Each tent features a private veranda that gives unobstructed news of the Talek river and the Mara plains.
Amenities and services offered at Greenwood safari camp include;
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- Restaurant that offers vegetarian and non vegetarian options
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- Well stocked bar
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- Free parking space
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- Laundry services
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- Wifi
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- Gift shop
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- Game drives
Crocodile camp
Crocodile camp is one of the best rated budget camps in the Masai Mara. It boasts incredible views of the Mara plains and you can see wildlife activity from the comfort of your tent. The camp is located 200m from the Talek Masai Mara East gate.
Services and amenities offered in Crocodile camp include;
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- Free parking
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- Bar/Lounge
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- BBQ Facilities
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- 24 hour front desk
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- Free Internet
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- Pets allowed
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- Laundry service
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- Complimentary toiletries
Semadep mara camp
Semadep Mara camp is 2km from the Masai Mara game reserve. Semadep is an acronym for Sekenani Masai Development Project, a Maasai project designed to help the Masai community living around the Sekenani area. The lodge is accessible by either road or air and is located 19.4 km from the Ol Kiombo airstrip.
The camp features 12 permanent tents each with 2 to 3 single beds. Each tent has a verandah with deck chairs where you can get a clear view of the Mara savanna. All the tents are ensuite and come with a toilet and a hot shower.
Services and amenities found in Semadep include:
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- A well-stocked bar
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- Restaurant
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- Airport transportation
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- Baggage Storage
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- High Speed Internet
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- Children play area
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- Kitchenette
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- Housekeeping
Mama safi guest house
Mama safi guest house is situated 3km from Sekenani gate This guest house is located on 88 acres of the migratory corridor in the Masai Mara game park. Perched on the slopes of a hill, Mama Safi offers stunning views of the Mara landscape.
Photo credit: Trip advisor
There are two fully equipped guest houses which come with a kitchenette should you wish to prepare your own meals. There is a chef available should you want your meals prepared.
Amenities available at Mama Safi guest house include;
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- Airport shuttles
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- High-speed internet
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- Laundry service
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- Housekeeping
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- Kitchenette
Enchoro wildlife camp
Enchoro wildlife camp is situated a few metres from the Oloolaimutia park gate of Masai Mara game reserve. The camp offers both standard and superior tents with various bed plan options such as single, double, triple and quadruple. A budget semi luxury tent features an ensuite bathroom, work desks, a changing room and a safe. The camp also features a campsite where you can pitch a tent.
Photo credit: Trip advisor
You can hire a 4X4 vehicle at a discounted rate but you’ll need to arrange for this 3 days before your arrival.
Amenities and services available at Enchoro wildlife camp include;
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- Hiking
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- Kids stay free
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- Airport transportation
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- Bar/Lounge
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- Entertainment staff
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- Fireplace
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- Safe
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- Baby Sitting
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- Mini bar
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- Extra long beds
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- Housekeeping
Fisi camp
Fisi camp is located close to the Oloolaimutia gate with splendid views of the Mara reserve. It’s a family run camp founded on eco-friendly concept, it uses solar energy and is focused on minimising waste and conserving the natural resources.
Photo credit: Fisi Camp
The camp is not fenced to allow you to have an authentic bush experience so you can expect to see wildlife from your tent. All the staff are local and bring with them a wealth of knowledge about the area.
Amenities and services offered at Fisi camp include;
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- Game drives
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- Dining
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- Bar
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- Nature walks
Maji Moto Eco Camp
Maji Moto Eco camp is nestled on the Loita hills overlooking the vast savanna plains. The camp is designed to blend with the environment as it has been built using eco-friendly materials. Maji Moto eco camp is designed to enable visitors to experience the Masai Mara in its most natural form.
Amenities and activities at Maji Moto Eco Camp include;
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- Game drives
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- Visit to the Masai village
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- Nature walks
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- Well stocked bar & restaurant
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- Sundowner drinks
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- Local school visit
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- Hot spring bathing
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- Bonfire dinners
Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Jambo Mara is a luxurious safari lodge located within the Masai Mara national reserve, 11km away from the Sekenani gate. The lodge is accessible by road and air, you can use the Keekorok airstrip which is just 20km away.
Jambo Mara Safari lodge is strategically located between two streams which are important to the Mara ecosystem so you can be sure to catch a lot of wildlife action from the camp.
Photo credit: Trip Advisor
The lodge boasts 108 cottages (50 wooden cottage cabins, 55 deluxe glass cottages, 2 business suites and 1 presidential suite.
Amenities at the Jambo Mara Safari lodge include;
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- Spacious and luxurious accommodation
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- Private meeting rooms
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- Free wifi
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- Well stocked bar
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- Entertainment – table tennis, fooseball, boxing, darts,
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- Swimming pool
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- VIP Pass at Sekenani gate
Talek Bush Camp
Talek bush camp is located a few minutes from the Talek gate in Masai Mara national reserve and 7 minutes away from the Ol Kiombo airstrip. Talek bush camp is located in an area where there is a high concentration of wildlife and the great wildebeest migration points.
The camp offers single and double tents with off-tent bathrooms and shower rooms.
Amenities and services available at Talek bush camp include;
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- Game drives
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- Hiking
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- Airport transportation
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- Photography equipment renting
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- Balloobn safari
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- Restaurant
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- Meeting rooms
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- Internet
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- Free parking
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- Swimming pool
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- Room service
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- Family rooms
Oseki masai mara camp
Oseki Mara is an affordable tented camp located 3km from Masai Mara’s Sekenani gate. This camp is a community-based project focusing on eco-tourism and supporting the local Maasai community. There are five tents, all ensuite options to choose from with various price ranges. There is also a large camping ground where you can pitch your tent. Visitors who are looking to camp are asked to bring their own tents..
Amenities you can find at Oseki Masai Mara camp include:
- Wifi
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Babysitting
- Kitchen
These are some and not all of the budget camps around the Masai Mara reserve. Besides getting cheaper accommodation, there are other ways to experience the Masai Mara reserve on a budget.