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Welcome to Angama, inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. Located high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara is a remarkable owner-run safari lodge overlooking Kenya’s Maasai Mara, considered by many as the loveliest game reserve on the continent. Here guests will find a lodge where everything is as it ought to be: two intimate camps of just fifteen tented suites each, a private airfield and access to the Mara below, tailor-made safari days and a famously warm Kenyan welcome.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Angama Mara seems to offer a polarizing yet often luxurious experience, nestled in a serene setting with beautiful views that many guests enjoy. The hotel's amenities, including diverse dining options and unique activities like game drives, earn rave reviews, as does the attentive and warm service provided by the staff.
Cleanliness is another high point, with travelers noting the spotless environment. However, some guests report concerns over room privacy, a lack of air conditioning, and the noise level, while opinions on value for money are split, with a few finding it overly expensive.
Atmosphere
Mixed
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Stayed at Angama Mara for one night and really enjoyed the stay. The view, oh what a view! Equally satisfying on the eyes from the dining area and the tented bedroom.
The dining options were delicious, especially the breakfast setup for me. We did hear the tree hyrax or other animals on the rooftop and windows during the night, definitely felt very close! 🤭 Though it felt a little scary especially with the heavy rains, it was a part of the experience. The heated bed was also a nice touch after a long game drive and a DARK / rainy walk back from dinner. We also enjoyed the view from both the pool and gym facility room. I took advantage of the treadmill and thoroughly enjoyed zoning out, while stretching my legs. Additionally, we really enjoyed the map room and gift shop, only wish we had more time here to thoroughly enjoy the amenities. We did the Shamba lunch and that was a really fun experience, touring the garden and then having lunch isolated from the main property, made for a really special touch.
The game drive was such an amazing experience with Johnnie, he took us to find elephants, a shy rhino and attempted to find a mama lion & cubs, but they were not active when we went. We got lucky with a double rainbow during our drive, which made the experience so much more magical. Johnnie also made sure that we made it back out the park and up the hill to Angama before the sky opened with heavy rains.
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Date of stay: November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kate Boyd, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 26 Feb 2024
Thank you @Ceo426 for this wonderful review! Reading all that you experienced, I can hardly believe you only spent one night with us... you certainly packed it in. We hope to welcome you back to Angama Mara one day in the future so that you can do it all again, at a much gentler pace! Karibu sana.
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We stayed 4 nights at Angama Mara as part of our honeymoon and had a great stay.
Special shout out to Jeremy (guide), Sedera (Butler), Abraham (back of house), and James (manager).
Angama Mara was very different than the other camps we stayed at. We likened it more toward a Four Seasons resort than a tented camp which was a nice break from the traditional tented camps. We do prefer to be right in the action but the views from the mountain are incredible.
The service and people were absolutely exceptional and really made our stay. The tent was also amazing and the views incredible. They planned a Masai ceremony for us to bless our new marriage and the "Out of Africa" picnic was a real highlight.
The only room for improvement in our eyes is the food. The food is good but it wasn't exceptional and we would've liked to see more lighter options on the menu. All in all it was an incredible experience and we plan to try the tented camp or the new camp we heard Angama was opening in the future.
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Date of stay: February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Mitchell, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 09 Mar 2023
Dear Tom, Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback, and the shout out to Jeremy, Sedera, Abraham and James, and I trust the Maasai blessing will stand your marriage in good stead! Appreciate your feedback on the good food, and the request from more lighter options on the menu. We'd be glad to welcome you back to Angama Safari Camp next time you are back in the Mara, or at the new lodge in Amboseli once it's open soon. Very best, Steve
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We cannot say enough great things about Angama! From the photos, we expected to have incredible views (which did not disappoint!), but we did not expect the caliber of service we received. From our wonderful and very knowledgeable guide, Jeremy, to our lovely and attentive butler, Terry, everyone we met at Angama surpassed expectations. They taught us so much, but were also so warm and welcoming. They went above and beyond to make every day of our honeymoon with them special and really gave us the royal treatment. I don't think any accommodation can top a hot air balloon ride over the Mara, followed by an elaborate champagne brunch, then a private safari where we saw all big 5, then a special moment with Maasai tribe, followed by an open air massage and concluding with a romantic meal - and that was just one day of our stay here! We didn't want to leave!! On top of the great food, service and atmosphere, one thing that really made us happy to stay at Angama was the leadership. Many of the team members told us how great the leadership team is with soliciting feedback and implementing suggestions, promoting from within and staying competitive with benefits. We were truly proud to patronize an establishment that properly rewards the people who made our stay so amazing. Thank you Angama team - we hope we can see you again for an anniversary trip!!
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Date of stay: October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Mitchell, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 21 Nov 2022
Dear Molly, Thank you for taking the time to write, and indeed it was a pleasure to meet you both personally on your last morning at the lodge. It's not often we get compliments for our leadership, but there's really no secret to building a welcoming culture in hospitality - it starts with looking after the team. Wishing you a long and happy marriage, and thank you again for coming to stay. Best, Steve
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I stayed for a week and would not want to miss a single hour. The team at Angama Mara went a long way to make this an unforgettable holiday.
Whatever positive you can read in the 5* reviews - it is like that, only better. So much has been said about the lodge and the Maasai Mara, so let me start with the Angama team:
Angama not only guided me through the booking (Tamsyn is extremely responsive and gives you all the good advice) but also arranged for me to be picked up at Nairobi Airport by one of their team members (Daniel did a great job!). They booked the local hotel for me, and organized a full day tour in Nairobi, plus the transfer to Wilson Airport for the domestic flight to the Maasai Mara and picked me up on the return trip with another half day of Nairobi.
The Lodge is beautifully placed on the top of the ridge, overlooking the Maasai Mara Triangle for kilometers. (The pictures on the webpage do not exaggerate.) Access to the Maasai Mara reserve is only a short distance away. Angama does not pack the safari vehicles with guests. There was no middle seat mounted, and always a lot of space and a good view from every seat. Our guide, Fred (Ocampo) is a local Maasai and knows the area forever. He showed us all the Big Five - not that this should really matter - and guided us with his experience where to go to and at which time of the day. I went on two game drives per day on nearly every day. During the time of the Big Migration there are hundreds of thousands of animals crossing into the Maasai Mara and back to Tanzania.
The staff at the lodge were just fabulous, they anticipate your next wish and make you feel truly welcome at all times. The food was partially locally produced and always fresh. The menu is a good mix of local dishes, some Indian influence and a variety of vegetarian options. You can also have your breakfast or even lunch as a picnic during the game drive (you really should do this at least once).
One of the things about Angama that I only realized during my stay is that Angama supports the local communities and works closely with the people who live in the area. I think you can sense this in the motivation of the entire team.
Finally, if you go to Maasai Mara consider booking the balloon ride. Seeing the wild animals and the landscape from above is a lot of fun.
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Date of stay: September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Mitchell, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 26 Sept 2023
Dakari, Thank you for coming to stay for a week! And for enjoying every minute of it. The team just loved looking after you, sharing the wildlife of the Mara Triangle with you, and from Tamsyn to Daniel and others behind the scenes - ensuring that your movements in Kenya, before and after your stay, were also seamless, safe, and enjoyable. Regarding the support for the local community, of course many of our team are Maasai and live nearby, but they are professionals too so you may not always pick that up. Additionally, through the business Angama procures locally wherever possible and leases the land, and through the Angama Foundation - which you would've contributed to with a nightly levy, thank you - also supports a clinic, infrastructure, uniforms etc at several nearby schools, a conservation curriculum, health insurance for our neighbours, amongst other initiatives! Giving back, and ensuring that everyone benefits, is an important part for all of us of why we do what we do - and made all the more rewarding when our guests appreciate it too. Thank you again for coming to stay, for taking it all in, and sharing this lovely review. Best, Steve
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Our visit to Angama in Oct 2021 was fantastic, the views from the room and lodge were amazing and the staff was 5 stars (special shout out to our butler Sadera). The Mara is large which means lots of opportunities to see lots of wildlife! We loved the herds of elephants, lots of zebras and giraffes and we were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a rhino! I think my favorite was the walking safari , i highly recommend and we stopped by the shamba on the way back with a quick tour by Jeffrey! The wildlife on the walking safari was so incredible people don’t believe the pictures are real! The staff really put a lot of love and effort into your experience with the evening tribe visit by the fire, the barbecue among the trees and candlelight that really allow you to experience all Angama has to offer to experience local traditions. I rented a camera lens from the photo studio and the folks in the studio were very helpful, make sure you stop in to check out some of the amazing photos displayed in the studio. I love the items I purchased from the bead studio and make sure you check out the map room , really beautiful. You won’t be disappointed with your stay at Angama!
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Date of stay: October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nicky Fitzgerald, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 06 Jan 2022
What a wonderful way to kick off 2022 - thank you so much for this lovely review on TripAdvisor. It certainly fired up the Angama family to hit the year at full tilt in delighting our guests. Sadera grinned his huge grin when he heard that you had mentioned him by name, as did Jeffrey from our shamba. Thank you for your kind words about your stay with us and I agree with you - the walking safari is not to be missed and I am eternally grateful to all the wildlife that mill around our property. We sometimes refer to them as non-paying guests but they surely play their part in making our guests' stay just that little bit extra special. From us all at the lodge - our heartfelt thanks and wishing you and your family an adventure-filled year ahead. Warm regards Nicky
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Amazing place with the most incredible staff!! We were here on December 23 for three nights. You HAVE to stay here! From the location to the food and the staff and the safari’s it’s a must!
Doris and Sadera were great. They were both attentive and patient with our needs. We had a few picky eaters in our group and they made everything seamless. Safari guides Kenneth and Sophie were knowledgeable and helpful. Rooms are hot during this time of year as the sun comes into all the windows and there’s no air conditioning. However there are ceiling fans and some cross breeze. The local school put on a show one evening complete with popcorn and apps.
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Date of stay: December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kate Fitzgerald Boyd, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 04 Mar 2024
Thank you @Jodibex for this wonderful feedback - we are so pleased you enjoyed your December stay with us. As ever, our guests hit the nail on the head: it is the team that makes Angama Mara special, and from what I can read you had a wonderful team looking after you - especially one of our female guides Sophie! Yes, the tents can get a little hot in the middle of summer, but once you get the fans and the cross breezes blowing and flowing, they do cool down quite quickly - not forgetting the pool for a full cool off if one would like. We hope to welcome you back one day soon. Thank you again
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It’s been a little over two months since we returned from our trip to Angama Mara and we still can’t stop talking about it, and dreaming of our next visit. Our group of five stayed at both the lodge and the safari camp and were treated to the experience of a lifetime at each place. With our fabulous guide, Sophie at the helm and our butler, Adelight graciously serving us each day, we learned about and enjoyed the splendor and magic of the Mara. The manager of our lodge, George, always had a smile and was especially helpful with some logistics that came up during our trip. There were numerous other staff who made us feel welcome and loved and if I could remember everyone’s name I would list them here. Our rooms at the lodge and camp ‘took our breath away’ upon first sight and were extremely comfortable. Delicious food and drink topped off the whole experience, making for an unforgettable trip. It’s been a delight sharing our photos, videos and stories with family and friends. Angama, we’ll be back!
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Date of stay: June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Mitchell, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 06 Sept 2022
Dearest cafe-con-leche, We're delighted to read that you loved your stay so much that you still haven't stopped talking about it! and I trust that the memories of your the time together in both at the lodge and at ASC will stay with you forever. It certainly takes a whole team to delight guests, and Sophie, George, Adlight in particular asked me to thank you for appreciating and mentioning them here. We're standing by for any travel arrangements for a return trip, or any other referral from Fairfield, Connecticut, and look forward to welcoming to ur new camp in Amboseli, once that opens next year. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience here, as each and every positive review makes a difference. Very best, Steve
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Angama literally takes your breath away from the moment you touch down at either Kichwa Tembo or their private airstrip - you are treated to one of the most glorious spectacles of nature, and the wonderfully warm, professional world-class staff.
The tented suites are sumptuous. I loved waking each morning to watch the sun rise after making my own cup of Kenyan coffee (the BEST in the world), while sitting in the rocking chair draped in their signature red blankets and feeling the cool air on my face. I saw hyenas, zebras and topi from my tent and had a wonderful view of the kopje (Out of Africa hill).
Boni (the head butler) is a consummate professional and did not skip a beat at any meal; George, the manager was incredibly hilarious and friendly; Doris was one of the friendliest and loveliest women I've ever met at the shops and around the property; Our photographer Robert took some wonderful shots that will hang in our home, and our guide Lemaalo is our true "safari whisperer". He found us the famous cheetah brothers, timed our rare sighting of leopard mating perfectly, and took us to the TZ border to observe some incredible male and female lions. He is a real talent and is a dedicated and passionate conservationist who has taught me so much. Can't forget Titus who picked us up initially from the strip and was also incredible!
Hands down the most awe inspiring trip and a bucket list destination for sure. They go out of their way to make you happy - a dream come true!
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Date of stay: January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Mitchell, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 26 Jul 2022
Dear Melissa, Thank you for sharing your experience at Angama here, for appreciating all the little touches and attention to detail, and the service from the team - especially Boni, Robert, Lemaalo (the whispererer), Doris, Tito and George. They are all thrilled that you mentioned them by name, and personally I'm glad that we exceeded your expectations and that you were able to enjoy the most awe inspiring trip, and thankful that your review will help more guests find us. With best wishes from the whole Angama family, and hope to see you soon. Steve
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We came to Angama Mara for our first safari of two on our honeymoon. We were blown away by the amenities as well as the exceptional staff. Our guide, Daniel, was incredibly knowledgeable and great to be with. The food and animal sightings are next level which are both complemented by the quality of the accommodations. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to be spoiled.
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Date of stay: October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nicky Fitzgerald, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 29 Oct 2021
Dear Deets Thank you both for coming to Angama for this very special celebration. We know how difficult it has been for couples planning weddings and honeymoons over the past 20 crazy months and because of that the Angama team is committed to spoiling our honeymooners all the more. We all loved reading your kind review - especially Daniel who asked me to please forward his heartfelt thanks, too. He so enjoyed taking you both on safaris during your stay with us. Wishing you both all the happiness and many adventures in your life together Warmest thanks Nicky
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Totally amazing experience! We have been to 60 countries and stayed at some of the best resorts in the world. This by far was our favorite place. Great for couples or families. The staff was amazing. Especially, Sadera The Head Butler, James, Violet, Doris, and Jackson our Game driver. The views are the best in the world from the restaurant. We really became family with the staff and our whole family was almost in tears when we had to leave. You cannot go wrong with this amazing place. As a travel agent catering to professional clients, I will be recommending this resort to all of my colleagues.
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Date of stay: December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nicky Fitzgerald, Owner at Angama Mara
Responded 27 Dec 2021
We know we have hit the jackpot when our travel agent guests tell us they will be recommending our lodge to their clients. Thank you so much for coming to stay with us and for penning this lovely review. Sadera, James, Violet, Doris and Jackson are delighted to have been mentioned by name - thank you so much. We strive each day to delight our guests and steal their hearts - that's our way of ensuring they come back to reclaim them! Wishing you and your family a fun and travel-filled 2022 Warmest thanks and regards Nicky
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Dear Kristi.
I'm so sorry for the delay in answering this question, as I hadn't seen it. Angama caters for many different dietary requirements, and yes, there are plenty of gluten-free options available which Evans and his team are adept and experienced in producing. Hope you have what you need to finalize your trip, if in any further doubt please write to us at the email address listed. Best, Steve (CEO & Co-Founder)
Hampshire, United Kingdom153 contributions95 helpful votes
There really isn't a lobby as such. As we arrived, we met the manager at one end of the dining room, which is pretty much open anyway, except in the rain, and from there we moved out onto the large decked sitting and dining area where all the introductions and briefings were conducted in the fresh air. The only problem is that the view from here over the Masai Mara is so fabulous that it's really not that easy to concentrate!
Johannesburg, South Africa46 contributions58 helpful votes
Hello from Angama
We are delighted you are coming to stay with us next and so look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Mara.
The response above from Charlie is pitch perfect - who needs a marketing team when your guests do it for you? Thanks so much for coming to stay with us Charlie and for jumping in with an answer.
There certainly is a good chance you may see a crossing in October but those pesky migrating animals have a program all of their own - most unpredictable.
But of what I can assure you is that you will not be disappointed by your game viewing experience - the Mara never fails to deliver.
We will do all we can (cookies, marshmallows) to keep the wildebeest in Kenya in time for your arrival.
So looking forward to hosting you here at Angama
Warm regards
Nicky Fitzgerald
Owner
There are more places to choose from in the Maasai Mara National Reserve area.
LOCATION
KenyaRift Valley ProvinceMaasai Mara National Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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