In March 2022, Marriott announced plans to open its first safari lodge in Africa. That property is now bookable, so I wanted to take an updated look at the details of this property, including pricing.
In this post:
Marriott’s first African safari lodge
Marriott International and Baraka Lodges LTD have signed an agreement for opening the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, which will mark Marriott’s entry into the safari segment in Africa. The property will be located in the Mara National Reserve in Kenya, overlooking the banks of the River Talek. It’s now bookable for stays as of April 1, 2023, so it’ll be opening pretty soon.
The newly built lodge will feature 20 private tents, including one presidential canvas-topped pavilion and two interconnecting canopied suites. Shared spaces will include a restaurant, lounge, bar, spa, and a large outdoor terrace with fire pits. Those visiting Masai Mara will hopefully get to see the “Big Five,” including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants.
As Bruce Rohor, JW Marriott’s VP and Brand Leader, describes this development:
“As a brand rooted in mindfulness, we cannot think of a more perfect retreat for the mind, body, and soul than the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will offer guests a luxurious backdrop to make once-in-a-lifetime memories as they connect with nature and wildlife as never before. We are thrilled that the JW Marriott brand will be welcoming adventure travellers, including families, to this breath-taking part of the world.”
JW Marriott Masai Mara pricing
Now that the JW Marriott Masai Mara is bookable, what are rates like? Stays here are all-inclusive (including food, drinks, and game drives), and vary seasonally. Based on double occupancy, it seems rates start at around $2,500 per night.
Meanwhile during peak periods, rates start at around $3,800 per night.
It should also be possible to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points here, though as of the time of this post, points availability hasn’t yet been loaded. I imagine that will change soon. Given that Marriott has dynamic award pricing nowadays, I imagine this property won’t be cheap with points either.
My take on Marriott’s first luxury safari property
A safari can be a once in a lifetime trip, and truly is unlike any other vacation that you can take. So it’s awesome to see that a major hotel loyalty program will offer access to a luxury safari experience. A few initial thoughts:
- Given that this will be a small property in terms of the number of rooms, I find the branding as a JW Marriott to be odd, since I usually associate the brand with offering huge upscale hotels, largely targeted at conventions; I’m a little skeptical as to why Marriott wouldn’t brand this a bit more upmarket and boutique, and it makes me wonder what I’m missing
- I’m curious to see what award pricing will be like at this lodge, especially given that it’s all-inclusive; with Marriott Bonvoy no longer having a published award chart, I imagine it won’t be cheap
- The tented camp experience sounds a bit like Al Maha Dubai, which is a Marriott Luxury Collection property; the variety of animals should be significantly more interesting here, though
- This property has steep pricing, in line with what many of the top safari camps charge; if I were spending thousands of dollars per night, I’d go with a known player (like Singita) over a JW Marriott
Bottom line
The JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in Kenya is now accepting reservations for stays as of April 2023, and will be Marriott’s first luxury safari property in Africa. It’s awesome to see Marriott opening a tented camp safari experience in Africa, and I can’t wait to learn more details. I’m just a bit confused by the JW Marriott branding…
What do you make of Marriott’s first luxury safari property in Africa?
Where is it confirmed that the rate includes game drives? I don’t see that listed anywhere on the hotel website - it only mentions food. Thanks!
Ben, can you please comment on this? Another safari provider is reporting that this property only includes nature walks, not game drives:
https://www.masaimara.travel/JW-marriott-safari-lodge-camp-hotel-masai-mara-kenya.php
planning on a trip from US. 9 family members want to do Victoria falls have 12 nights. Any suggestions first time visit for all.
This is more expensive in money and likely in points than Richard Branson's property nearby.
Seems like this would have been better as an Autograph/Luxury Collection hotel but maybe they're using the JW Marriott name to attract international guests who recognize the Marriott name. That said, it's definitely pricier than I would have thought (more expensive than Al Maha or Four Seasons Serengeti) and at those prices looks to be more expensive than most Maldives hotels too (which I know aren't all inclusive...but still).
Prices are ridiculous. We just did a 9 day, 8 night all-inclusive safari across 4 different areas in Kenya including 4 nights in Masai Mara for four adults for $15k. This included nice lodges that look like this, all meals, transportation, game drives, even airport pickup/drop off and being driven around Nairobi visiting different areas on our first and last day. Based on these prices, we would have been able to get 3 nights at...
Prices are ridiculous. We just did a 9 day, 8 night all-inclusive safari across 4 different areas in Kenya including 4 nights in Masai Mara for four adults for $15k. This included nice lodges that look like this, all meals, transportation, game drives, even airport pickup/drop off and being driven around Nairobi visiting different areas on our first and last day. Based on these prices, we would have been able to get 3 nights at this place off-season instead. This property will be for people with more money or points than sense.
It's gotta be a points play right? Don't spend 3k a night, instead spend 100k points a night. "What a deal!" say all the micro-travel influencers.
Not any more though. Marriott will now tie the price to the points, so it will be 200k points per night :)
Curious about the recent safari you mentioned in your comment. Can you provide more details about it? Who you booked it through, did you enjoy it, would you recommend it? Thank you.
Yes, I’d also be interested in the info on which safari was taken and a quick review.
Wow - do you mind sharing details please? AM looking to book a trip there.
This would much more naturally be an Autograph or Luxury Collection property. In terms of branding I can only assume Marriott is trying to take JW a bit more upmarket and build an identity as a resort brand. Marriott is probably hoping openings like this (also relatively recent additions like the JW Maldives, JW Phu Quoc, JW Gold Coast) will bring a bit of a halo effect to the brand. Right now I tend to...
This would much more naturally be an Autograph or Luxury Collection property. In terms of branding I can only assume Marriott is trying to take JW a bit more upmarket and build an identity as a resort brand. Marriott is probably hoping openings like this (also relatively recent additions like the JW Maldives, JW Phu Quoc, JW Gold Coast) will bring a bit of a halo effect to the brand. Right now I tend to completely avoid the brand as it typically means you're paying quite a lot more than a standard Marriott but I'm not sure exactly for what beyond some additional marble here and there and some conference facilities I won't use...
Yeah I view JW as a decent brand for conventions or business travel. It's not really a destination brand like Ritz/St Regis/etc. Granted it depends on the property.
I think this is a very bold and beautiful move for the Marriott brand. It is my greatest hope that I will get to be a part of the team as a colleague.
If you go to the Mara and stay in a Marriott, you're doing it wrong. More than most holidays, what's beyond the hardware matters. Your safari is only really as good as your guide. Nothing about Marriott makes me think they have an edge in training good guides. It's always extremely obvious when a lodge is designed or furnished by people who haven't spent a long time in the location.
There are also just...
If you go to the Mara and stay in a Marriott, you're doing it wrong. More than most holidays, what's beyond the hardware matters. Your safari is only really as good as your guide. Nothing about Marriott makes me think they have an edge in training good guides. It's always extremely obvious when a lodge is designed or furnished by people who haven't spent a long time in the location.
There are also just much more interesting boutique lodges in Mara / Serengeti.
That said, having a Marriott in the Mara and a 4 Seasons in Serengeti does mean people self select and so you're more likely to be in a lodge with like minded people (both in and out of the chains)
Have you been to the 4 Seasons in Serengeti? Any thoughts on that vs another hotel in the area that's rather high end?
welcome to kenya jw marriot maasai mara luxury safari lodge .....lets keep the swashbuckling burning.......
Currently at Le Meridian in the Maldives and got here from Al Maha. YES, anything like Al Maha has me signing up. Marriott hit a home run at the Maldives too.
I feel like they may have managed safari camps in Kenya before. Maybe the camps that are now Kempinski or Serena? As the Virgin Group and Four Seasons already do this as well, they are far from shocking the market.
Marriott is its own worst enemy. Why is this a JW Marriott? It should be Autograph, Luxury or Tribute. Maybe even Design. JW Marriotts are supposed to have lounges, for example.
Stoked to see Marriott getting into this category. Looking for more to come!
The JW Marriott (Bonvoy in general) branding may make this more approachable for people who might not have explored a safari otherwise with all the logistics involved, unfamiliar branding (for those in the US and many other parts of the world).
It's a trip of a lifetime for many people. As long as you don't take your rifle and plan on coming back with crates full of stuffed animals, I'm not sure that going...
The JW Marriott (Bonvoy in general) branding may make this more approachable for people who might not have explored a safari otherwise with all the logistics involved, unfamiliar branding (for those in the US and many other parts of the world).
It's a trip of a lifetime for many people. As long as you don't take your rifle and plan on coming back with crates full of stuffed animals, I'm not sure that going on a safari makes you an evil post-colonialist. Who knows, it might actually broaden a few minds. It certainly helps the local economy and ecosystem to have responsible tourism.
Actually, many African countries have environmentally responsible hunting programs, wherein tourists pay huge sums of money to hunt animals that are incredibly plentiful (sometimes to the point of nuisance). I know that appears really insensitive and awkward to American sensibilities, but most Africans are quite happy to have these programs because of the income they bring.
Reminds me of the old Hilton redemption in the early 2000's IIRC it was a steel with the Amex 5 night package. unfortunately they discontinued it 2 months before I had enough points to redeem for a trip with my mother
Endre: Why is it that liberals have to ruin everything?
All the pesky liberals pointing out white privilege and supremacy. Tsk, tsk, tsk. #TheGoodOldDays
Nevermind these are set up and run by African countries to help their economy and are consistent with environmental and game best practices. Of course that takes away from the Lib narrative doesn't in Endre? BTW there is nothing stopping non-whites from staying here and also it isn't "privilege and supremacy" to love nature and see the animals of Africa in their native environment. I assume you realize these are 90% people that take photos...
Nevermind these are set up and run by African countries to help their economy and are consistent with environmental and game best practices. Of course that takes away from the Lib narrative doesn't in Endre? BTW there is nothing stopping non-whites from staying here and also it isn't "privilege and supremacy" to love nature and see the animals of Africa in their native environment. I assume you realize these are 90% people that take photos of animals versus the big game hunters of the past. How about taking that chip off your shoulder and enjoy things without looking for a micro aggression snowflake!
Safaris are such a typical thing for white post-colonialists.
You have been, are and will always be a pompous, self-absorbed M-O-R-O-N, Endre...
Over or under 200K points per night?
Agreed!