Angama Mara is a luxury safari lodge on the Oloololo Escarpment, 300 metres above the floor of the Masai Mara, looking straight down over the Mara Triangle. Opened in June 2015 by Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald, it has 30 glass-fronted tented suites in two camps of 15. Angama means suspended in mid-air in Kiswahili.
Sense of Adventure is a TRA-licensed private safari company based at Mountain Mall on Thika Road, Nairobi. We include the lodge in tailor-made Masai Mara, honeymoon and fly-in safaris for travellers and for travel agents’ clients. This guide gives you the facts, explains what the escarpment setting means for your game viewing, and helps you decide whether it is the right Mara base for you.
✅ Angama Mara: Quick Answer
- ✅ A 30-suite lodge in two camps of 15, on the Oloololo Escarpment 300 metres above the Mara Triangle.
- ✅ Opened in June 2015 by Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald; the name means suspended in mid-air in Kiswahili.
- ✅ Game drives take place in the Mara Triangle, managed by the not-for-profit Mara Conservancy.
- ✅ July to October brings the Great Migration and Mara River crossings to the Triangle.
- ✅ Mara Triangle conservation fees are usually charged on top of the lodge rate.
- ✅ Stay at least three nights and book six to twelve months ahead for peak season.
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Angama Mara: The Short Answer
Angama Mara is one of the most acclaimed lodges in Africa, best for travellers who want a spectacular view, high design and game drives in the quiet Mara Triangle.
In 2018 Condé Nast Traveler readers named it the top resort in Africa, and it has since appeared in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and Fodor’s Finest Hotels. What sets it apart on the ground is the position. You sleep on the rim of the Great Rift Valley’s western wall, and you drive down each day into one of the best-managed parts of the Masai Mara ecosystem.
| Angama Mara: quick facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Owners | Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald, who opened the lodge in June 2015 |
| Location | Oloololo Escarpment, above the Mara Triangle in south-western Kenya |
| Size | 30 tented suites, split between a North Camp and a South Camp |
| Suites | Glass-fronted, each over 100 square metres, with a private deck |
| Game drives | In the Mara Triangle, managed by the not-for-profit Mara Conservancy |
| Seasonal camp | Angama Safari Camp, a small sole-use camp on the Triangle floor |
| Name | Angama means suspended in mid-air in Kiswahili |
Where Angama Mara Is and Why It Matters
The lodge sits on the escarpment that forms the western edge of the Masai Mara, with the Mara Triangle spread out directly below.
The Mara Triangle Below
The Mara Triangle is the part of the Masai Mara National Reserve that lies west of the Mara River. It is managed by the Mara Conservancy, a not-for-profit body, and covers about 510 square kilometres. Fewer camps sit inside it than in the eastern sector, so sightings tend to be calmer. Our guide to Mara Triangle luxury camps compares the options.
The Great Migration Route
The Triangle is where the Great Migration usually enters and leaves the Kenyan side, and several well-known Mara River crossing points are on its banks. In a typical year the herds are in the area from around July to October, though timing varies with rain.
The Out of Africa Connection
Several scenes of Sydney Pollack’s 1985 film Out of Africa were shot on the site, chosen because the view resembled the Ngong Hills as Karen Blixen knew them. If you are spending time in Nairobi, you can visit the Karen Blixen Museum in the suburb that bears her name.
Inside the Angama Mara Suites
Each suite is a glass-fronted tent of more than 100 square metres, so the escarpment view fills the room from bed to bath.
Space and Design
The two camps each have 15 suites, connected by paths along the rim. Interiors use parquet floors, a free-standing bath, a rain shower and generous wooden decks. The style is contemporary and African, with local craft throughout, rather than a reproduction colonial look.
Families and Groups
Some suites interconnect, which suits families or friends travelling together. Children are welcome from a minimum age set by the lodge, and the cliff edge means young children need close supervision. We confirm the current age policy and family suite options when you enquire.
Food, Drink and the Shamba
A large kitchen garden, the Shamba, supplies much of the produce, and lunch in the garden is a favourite. Meals and most drinks are normally included. Tell us about dietary needs in advance and the kitchen will plan for them.
Activities at Angama Mara
Game drives in the Mara Triangle are the heart of a stay, with balloon flights, walks and photography as memorable extras.
Game Drives in the Triangle
Drives use open vehicles with experienced guides, and the Triangle is known for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo and big herds of plains game. Rhinos are present in small numbers but sightings are never guaranteed. Full-day drives with a picnic are the best way to reach the river crossing points in season.
Hot-Air Balloon Flights
Balloon flights over the Mara are one of Kenya’s great experiences. They run at sunrise, usually end with a bush breakfast and are booked as an extra. Places are limited in high season, so ask us early.
Walks, Culture and Photography
Guided walks along the escarpment, visits to neighbouring communities and time with the lodge’s resident photographers are all possible. The photographic studio can help with editing and skills and offers camera equipment for hire. Some activities carry an extra charge, which we set out clearly in your quote.
Escarpment lodge or a camp on the plains?
We will compare the Triangle rim with conservancy and reserve-floor camps for your dates and priorities.
Best Time to Visit Angama Mara
Angama Mara is good all year, with July to October the most dramatic and busiest time because of the Great Migration.
| Months | What to expect in the Mara Triangle | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | Dry, warm, resident big cats and young animals | Excellent value compared with peak season |
| April to June | Long rains, lush grass, fewer guests | Some days wet; rates are often lower |
| July to October | Great Migration herds and Mara River crossings | Book six to twelve months ahead |
| November to December | Short rains, green landscapes | Good wildlife; festive dates fill early |
Seasons shift every year, and river crossings depend on the herds, not the calendar. Rates also change by season, so we always quote for your exact dates. Our Masai Mara National Reserve guide explains migration timing in more detail.
Angama Safari Camp in Migration Season
For a more remote stay, the same team created Angama Safari Camp, a small sole-use camp on the Triangle floor. It was announced in 2020 for the migration months, with four tents for up to eight guests and a minimum three-night stay. Operating months can change, so we check the current season for you.
A Typical Day at Angama Mara
Life on the escarpment follows the light, and the rhythm changes slightly between the migration months and the quieter seasons.
Morning on the Triangle Floor
An early wake-up and a hot drink on your deck are followed by the drive down the escarpment into the Triangle, timed to reach the plains as predators are most active. Many guests stay out all morning with a picnic breakfast, or make a full day of it in migration season to wait at a river crossing point.
Afternoon and Evening on the Rim
Midday is for lunch, the pool, a walk in the Shamba garden or time in the photographic studio. The afternoon drive heads back down for the softer light, and the return climb brings you to the rim as the sun sets over the plains. Evenings at Angama Mara are cool at this altitude, so dinner by the fire is a highlight.
Getting to Angama Mara
Most guests fly from Nairobi to an airstrip in the Mara Triangle area, then take a short road transfer up the escarpment.
By Air
Scheduled light aircraft fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Mara airstrips several times a day, and the flight is short and scenic. Soft bags with a weight limit are required, so pack light. We confirm which airstrip suits your flight and the transfer time when you book.
By Road
You can also drive from Nairobi with a private guide via the Rift Valley and Narok. It is a long day, but it lets you add Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru on the way. Our Masai Mara safari packages show both road and fly-in options.
Park Fees in the Triangle
Game drives take place inside the national reserve, so daily conservation fees apply on top of the lodge rate. The Mara Conservancy sells 12-hour tickets valid from 6 am to 6 pm and does not accept cash; see its official Mara Triangle conservation fees page. For the wider picture, read our Kenya national parks entrance fees for 2026 guide.
Packing for the Escarpment
- Soft duffel bags for light aircraft, which typically allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage.
- Warm layers: the rim is noticeably cooler than the plains at dawn and after dark.
- Neutral-coloured clothing for game drives, and a light rain jacket in the wetter months.
- Binoculars for each person and a camera with a zoom lens, or hire one from the studio.
- A sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and insect repellent.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team
Stay at least three nights so you have time for full-day drives and a slow afternoon on your deck. In migration season, ask your guide about leaving early with a packed breakfast to reach the river before other vehicles. Pack a warm layer, because the escarpment is cool at dawn and after dark. And bring binoculars for each person; the view from your deck is a game drive in itself.
Sample Angama Mara Itineraries and Costs
A stay here works best as the highlight of a wider private safari, with one or two other areas for contrast.
| Trip length | Sample route | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | Nairobi, then 4 nights above the Mara Triangle | One base, maximum time in the Mara |
| 8 days | Laikipia for rhinos, then 4 nights in the Triangle | Two very different landscapes by short flight |
| 10 days | Laikipia, the Mara, then Lamu or Diani | Bush and beach, ideal for honeymoons |
| 12 days | Amboseli, Laikipia, the Mara and the coast | A complete Kenya journey with fly-in transfers |
What Shapes the Price
Rates vary by season, suite type and length of stay, and they change each year. Mara Triangle fees, flights, balloon flights and some activities are usually extra. We send a written, fully costed quote with every line shown, so you can compare options fairly. Our luxury fly-in safari through the Mara, Laikipia and Lamu shows how a premium route fits together.
Booking Lead Times
For July to October and the festive season, book Angama Mara six to twelve months ahead. For other months, three to six months is often enough. Travel agents can contact our trade team for net rates and white-label documents.
Migration-season suites are the first to go
Send your dates and we will return a written quote with Triangle fees, flights and any balloon flight shown line by line.
Who Angama Mara Suits
The lodge suits travellers who want an unforgettable view, excellent guiding and design-led comfort, and who are happy to drive down into the reserve each day.
- Honeymooners and couples: private decks and sunsets over the plains. See our guide to the best honeymoon lodges in Kenya and our Lamu and Masai Mara honeymoon.
- Photographers: dramatic light, resident photographers and access to the Triangle.
- Migration seekers: the Triangle’s crossing points are within reach from July to October.
- Travel agents: a highly recognised name with consistent standards for premium clients.
How It Compares
If you prefer a small camp in a private conservancy, compare our guide to Mahali Mzuri. For camps on the reserve floor, see our list of luxury lodges in the Masai Mara, and read is the Masai Mara crowded? for ways to enjoy quieter sightings. Our luxury Kenya safari packages show how we combine them.
Before You Travel
Check the latest UK government travel advice for Kenya, or your own government’s advice, before booking and again before you fly. The official Magical Kenya site is useful for wider planning, and you can confirm any Kenyan operator’s licence on the Tourism Regulatory Authority verification portal.
Inside the Mara Triangle your guide follows the reserve’s rules on staying on tracks and keeping a respectful distance from wildlife, and any national parks elsewhere on your route are run under Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) park rules.
Angama Mara FAQs
What does Angama Mara mean?
Angama means suspended in mid-air in Kiswahili. The name describes the lodge’s position on the Oloololo Escarpment, 300 metres above the floor of the Masai Mara, where the suites seem to hang over the Mara Triangle. Kiswahili is Kenya’s national language, so you will hear many such words on safari.
Why is Angama Mara so highly rated?
Angama Mara combines a spectacular escarpment view, design-led suites, strong guiding and access to the quiet Mara Triangle. In 2018 Condé Nast Traveler readers named it the top resort in Africa, and it has since featured in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and Fodor’s Finest Hotels.
Was Out of Africa filmed at Angama Mara?
Yes. Several scenes of Sydney Pollack’s 1985 film Out of Africa were filmed on the site the lodge now occupies. The location was chosen because the view resembled the Ngong Hills near Nairobi as Karen Blixen knew them, before the city grew around them.
How many suites does Angama Mara have?
Angama Mara has 30 glass-fronted tented suites, divided into two camps of 15, known as the North Camp and the South Camp. Each suite is more than 100 square metres with a private deck facing the Mara Triangle. Some suites interconnect for families and groups.
Can you see the Great Migration from Angama Mara?
Yes, in season. The Great Migration usually reaches the Mara Triangle from around July to October, and several Mara River crossing points lie on its banks. Crossings depend on the herds, so plan full-day drives with a picnic and stay at least three nights to improve your chances.
How do you get to Angama Mara?
Most guests fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to a Mara airstrip, then take a short road transfer up the escarpment. You can also drive from Nairobi with a private guide via Narok, which takes most of a day but allows stops at Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru.
Are park fees included at Angama Mara?
Mara Triangle conservation fees are usually charged on top of the lodge rate, because game drives take place inside the national reserve. The Mara Conservancy sells 12-hour tickets and does not accept cash. We include the correct fees for your dates in a written, fully costed quote.
Plan Your Angama Mara Stay With a Nairobi Team
Sense of Adventure is a TRA-licensed safari company in Nairobi. We book the lodge, the flights, the Triangle fees and the rest of your Kenya route, with every cost shown clearly in writing.
Prefer email? Write to reservations@senseofadventure.co.ke