Tribes Travel

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Tribes Travel, 12 The Business Centre, Earl Soham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 7SA, UK

Tribes Travel

The art of travelling with respect

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Saruni Mara is in a remote valley settingThe dining terraceAccommodation is in 6 cottagesMasai Well-Being Space - spa Enjoy magnificent wildlife viewingMara plains viewCottage verandaThere are day and night game drives

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Saruni Mara

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About Saruni Mara

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Nestled into the hills of northern Mara overlooking a gorge populated by elephant and buffalo, Saruni has the wide open game plains to the south and forest to the north. Therefore clients have the opportunity to walk in lush forest looking for Colobus and Sykes monkeys, as well as following the big game on the plains below. 

Saruni Mara was set up by Italian owner, Riccardo Orizo, aiming to provide exclusivity and tranquility while not compromising on elegance and security.

Saruni Mara comprises six uniquely decorated cottages furnished with colonial antiques, African art as well as artefacts produced by community members. Each cottage has hot and cold running water, electricity, polished wooden floors, and elegant Italian bathroom fittings in the large bathrooms, whose the canvas fronts can be totally open to offer an amazing shower with a view. The large verandas provide private views of elephant, leopard, waterbuck, bushback and impala traversing freely and peacefully in the grounds of the camp as well as the distant Mara plains

The common dining area and is a mixture of old-fashioned Africa and modern design. Its huge fireplace is the focal point of life at Saruni and it is here that guests can exchange memories of the day's safaris. Meals are served dinner party style with the cuisine having a strong Italian influence while also including local ingredients and dishes. Particular favourites include chilled carrot and ginger soup, chicken filled with sun-dried tomatoes, and black cotton rum slice. Alternatively meals can be taken in the bush, or by candlelight o­n the cottage veranda.

A unique feature of Saruni Mara is its extensive collection of books and its library. With thousands of rare books Saruni's library is a place to think, rest and relax.

In collaboration with Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees (Stresa, Italy) and its world famous spa - Centro Benessere Stresa - Saruni runs the Maasai Wellbeing Space. It is a unique feature in the Masai Mara: in the most serene and relaxing environment, guests enjoy massage and wellness treatments under the supervision of highly trained staff. Considered one fo the most professional and inspiring 'beauty centres' in Kenya, the Maasai Wellbeing Space is a private cottage hidden in the valley's olive and cedar forest and devoted to the use of local plants for beauty and relaxation treatments. The new techniques combine sophisticated methods developed at Centro Benessere Stresa with ancient Maasai wisdom and knowledge.

Fully-open Land Rovers specially designed for maximum visibility are used during game drives, with guests enjoying the services of both a professional guide and a tracker. Foot safaris explore both the Masai Mara plains and the mountains and hills that surround Saruni incorporating local Maasai knowledge.

In both cases the intention is to not o­nly take in the famous spots but also to discover secret corners. There is also an opportunity to meet the neighbours where guests can visit the and see the local Maasai way of life, how the Maasai live, why they protect the environment and in what ways they are different from other African tribes. 

Saruni is part of the Mara North Conservancy and has a unique location next to the only indigenous forest left in the Mara, with a populations of elephant, buffalo, leopard and several species of buck. The only population in the Mara of Sykes and Colobus Monkeys also live nearby.

Accolades and Comments about Saruni Mara
Finalist Best Safari Camp Spa - The Good Safari Guide 2009
'The lodge here is peppered with personal touches: organic soaps and Persian carpets, assorted art and colonial furnsihings; lovingly collected by the owner on his frequent foreign travels. Canvas-fronted bedrooms make you feel like you're camping - albeit in unadulterated comfort - and a massage in the Welllbeing Space completes the feeling of being totally at one with nature.' Hedge Hideaways 

Fair Trade / Responsible Travel:
Saruni has established a women's group, whose members coem from the local comunity. The ladies are encouraged to sell their artefacts directly in the Saruni shop and thje lodge makes sure that they group remains in charge of the income generated from this activity. Saruni also supports the Kibera Paper project, selling cards in the shop to support HIV-affected single mothers who live in Kibera slum (Nairobi). More than 80% of Saruni's employees are from local communities. Saruni also sponsors young Maasai to train as guides at the Koiyaki Guideing School. Saruni pays park fees directly to the land around the camp. The camp uses solar power to produce electricity and to hear water.

Gallery and information

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Highlights

  • Relaxed, luxury retreat in the hills overlooking the Masai Mara.
  • Stunning views from the cottages and complete privacy.
  • Spectacular game viewing in one of the most famous ecosystems in the world.
  • Delicious food served either in the lodge or in the bush.

Situation

Saruni Mara is perched majestically at the head of a remote valley in the heart of the prime game viewing are of the Masai Mara - the Mara North Conservancy.

Activities

Day and night game drives; guided bush walks; bush meals; sundowners; cultural visits; Maasai massage and well-being space; drawing safaris; 'warrior for a week' programme

Facilities

Six ensuite cottages; spa treatment centre; library; dining area; art safaris (at extra cost)

Child policy

The camp accepts children from 5 years of age upwards

Open

Open all year round

Best time

Kenya's main rainy season runs from April until the beginning of June. There is also a short rainy season in November. The arival of the Migration in the Masai Mara usually starts towards the end of July with the animals staying in the Mara until October

Inclusions

All land based game viewing activities

Meals

Full board including house wines, beer and soft drinks

Pricing guidelines for Kenya

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £400 to £800 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Kenya combines well with Tanzania or Uganda.

For each accommodation on this website you will find an indication of the price. The bands are based on the price per person per night at peak season and are represented by the following values for this country:
£

  £50 to £150

££

  £150 to £300

£££

  £300 to £500

££££

  £500 to £800

£££££

  Over £800

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

  • Example tripPrice per person
  • 1 week safari using small good quality lodges or tented campsBetween £2000 and £3000
  • 2 week safari using small good quality lodges or tented campsBetween £4000 and £5000
  • 2 week safari and beach holidayBetween £3000 and £4000
  • 1 week on Lamu IslandFrom about £1500+
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