Mara Simba Lodge — Hotel in Siana ward

An Authentic Safari Experience at Mara Simba Lodge - Aug 2023

My recent stay at Mara Simba Lodge proved to be an enchanting experience that seamlessly blended the charm of the wild with comfortable accommodations. Situated alongside the Talek River, the lodge offered a unique proximity to nature that was both captivating and awe-inspiring.

One of the most commendable aspects of the lodge was its staff. From the moment I arrived, the warm and friendly team made me feel like an honored guest. Their dedication to ensuring a memorable stay was evident in their attention to detail and willingness to assist with any request.

The lodge's location right beside the Talek River was a true highlight. Depending on the season, guests have the opportunity to witness crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat. This proximity to wildlife added a touch of adventure and authenticity to the experience. The connection to nature was something truly special.

While the property itself had a slightly older feel, it was well-maintained and exuded a certain rustic charm that complemented the surrounding environment. The fact that the lodge held everything together well despite its age was a testament to the dedication of the staff and management.

The buffet at Mara Simba Lodge was a pleasant surprise. While not an extensive spread, it offered ample choices that catered to various tastes. One of the unique aspects was the presence of bees around the morning spread. While initially concerning, I found that they were manageable and non-aggressive throughout my three-day stay. What was even more impressive was the staff's approach to this natural occurrence. Instead of resorting to drastic measures, they allowed the bees to coexist peacefully, showcasing a responsible and eco-friendly ethos.

On the flip side, the Wi-Fi at the lodge left a bit to be desired. While it was functional, it was noticeably inconsistent. However, given the remote location and the focus on immersion in the wilderness, this was a minor inconvenience that didn't significantly impact my stay.

The lodge offered a range of amenities to enhance the overall experience. The unheated swimming pool was a refreshing option for a dip after a day of game drives. The presence of a snooker table added a touch of entertainment, and the gift shop allowed me to bring back a piece of local craftsmanship.

In conclusion, Mara Simba Lodge offered an authentic safari experience with its proximity to the Talek River and the captivating wildlife. The friendly staff, rustic charm, and responsible approach to nature made it a standout choice for those seeking an immersive connection with the environment. While there were a few minor drawbacks like the Wi-Fi, they were overshadowed by the overall unique and enchanting experience the lodge provided.

My recommendations: There are many local tribes you get to see selling local artefacts at the Safari entrance and exit - please buy directly from them - you interact directly with them PLUS you get them for far lesser price (even lesser if you are good at bargaining). Like I could manage to grab 1 keychain for Ksh100/$0.7

Ask for rooms closer to reception - after Safari it could be long tiring walk or it could be chilly.

The pool is not heated. It could be cold in the evenings and morning.

Do not open the balcony doors, there are...

AVOID STAYING HERE- there are definitely other better places to stay at to experience the Maasai Mara properly

After liaising with our travel agent (African Safari Destinations) for approximately 8 months and having made a booking at Mara Simba for a party of 75 guests (from abroad) after our wedding we did not anticipate that we would have any problems. En route to Mara Simba lodge after a week long wedding celebration all our guests were excited to spend the next 2 nights and 3 days experiencing the Maasai Mara for the first time. But what do we get- a call from the Mara Simba head office in Nairobi saying approx 27 of our guests would have to stay elsewhere for one night as they were overbooked. Sure enough when we got to Mara Simba we had to re-arrange all our guests and their rooms and me and my husband ended up also opting to stay elsewhere to try and reduce the discordance for our guests. After all that we had a shorter afternoon game drive as we were trying to sort out the accommodation and then had to travel after dinner to the new lodge. In the pitch darkness after some rainfall it was definitely not safe. One of the cars with our parents in over turned and they had injuries to back and ankles sustained. The drivers were very helpful and we managed to eventually make it to the second lodge at 11:30pm. The next day our packed lunches that Mara Simba were meant to provide were somehow misplaced and those of us that stayed elsewhere also had no food for the entire day game drive. Apart from these really disgraceful and eventful affairs the condition of the tents and rooms was substandard. More that this- after we had to be displaced from Mara Simba for their own fault and had an accident and sustained injuries we did not get even a phone call to ask whether we were ok, whether any medical attention was needed. And no compensation at all. For me this sense of disregard after breaking up our whole wedding party stay is really inhumane and inconsiderate. The staff at Mara Simba are friendly - the head office, the management, the organisation is poor. If you want the whole experience and opportunity to experience the Maasai Mara with no hassle and a hotel that actually cares about their guests- this is...

Booked 32 rooms (75 pax approx) after our wedding with family from all over the world- booked and confirmed 6 months in advance through african safari destinations travel agent - 1hour before we reach we get a call from head office (heenal) saying they have overbooked and 12 rooms out of our 32 have to stay in another camp and some guests have to share rooms on arrival - manager on site was rude, said they have overbooked and cant do anything about it - spent 3 hours sorting and relocating guests after such a busy wedding- told to go to hotel azure 20mins away (was assured rooms for guests there) - had dinner and 4 cars with 25 pax left approx 9pm- due to it being late night and slight rain - one car got stuck and overturned -due to dangerous roads - 7 pax inside - 60 + age - luckily only minor injuries- hotel did nothing - taxi drivers were good and saved us -took to new hotel where we reached at 11.30pm covered in mud - the hotel we went to were not told how many guests were coming - they only had quadruples to fit us in - had to share with guests post my wedding in quadruples - next day didnt get lunch as promised during a whole day game drive

rooms at mara simba - no fans working- no hot water in some of the luxury tents - dirty rooms

honestly - we spoke to the managers on site, head office lady Heenal never said sorry - never rang to see how we were post accident that was due to them making us leave late night- Spoke to Balu a owner/higher up manger who was rude, no sympathy and just said well we are overbooked so what do you want us to do

Overall - the Worst experience i have had - 32 rooms with 75 Pax (such a big booking confirmed, paid, we even had hotel vouchers given by them) they took our money knowing they did not have the rooms available

Completely ruined our first Masai Mara experience for all 75 guests! DO...