Keekerok vs. Mara Simba
 

I'm also curious to know if anyone has been to Keekerok and Mara Simba lodge.

If so, does anyone have any preference between the two? I've stayed at Mara Serena before, and just wondering how the three compare with one another.

Any comments/suggestions?

We stayed at the Mara Simba in Sept. and loved it. I would recommend this place. It is great!

My last overnight at Keekorok was May 2006 and I stayed at Mara Simba in January 2006.

I have a simply philosophy about East Africa wildlife lodges & camps:

"There are no bad lodges & camps. Just wrong places for wrong people at wrong times paying wrong prices"

Keekorok vs Mara Simba illustrates my point. Both are fine lodges very popular with package tour groups and budget-oriented visitors. Their guestbooks reflect long histories of happy clients. In my experience, these are good choices if you have a car and guide because most upscale choices prefer fly-ins.

But these lodges are not in the Mara Triangle and clients who did a lot of research may be disappointed with the locations and sizes. If I have a decent budget and an agent books me at Mara Simba during the migration for example, I will be a unhappy once I see the locations and quality of guiding and accommodation in the Triangle.

To understand the differences, one has to look at a Masai Mara map: http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/MasaiMaraOct1.jpg

These lodges are in the eastern areas where off-road driving is very limited. They share roads in some of the busier areas of the Mara although Keekorok is deep in the reserve with less crowds.

Mara Simba - http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/marasimba.htm

The drives to the best gameviewing areas are long. In the slightest rain one has to stick to the main roads and with no shortcuts it can take hours to get to the Mara River for example. The lodge is surrounded by populated areas to the west, north and east. I think the food here is slightly better than Keekorok and they offer a larger variety of food during buffets for example. Rooms are slightly below Keekorok standards (because they are older and double-storied), although the tents are quite nice but expensive.

Keekorok - http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/keekorok.htm

Very good location in July and early August. Good access to all parts of the Mara but again you are looking at a few hours driving to get to the Mara river crossing areas. Hippo pool area and bar is quite nice. Dining room and bar areas are very plain and not nearly as interesting as Mara Simba. Lunches on the grass under the big tree outside are quite nice though.

Because one has more opportunities to get away from the crowds at Keekorok and easier access to the richer wildlife areas, I'd say Keekorok has the edge. In July-Early August it is a no-brainer.

Eben,
Very informative as usual.

How do you feel about Mara Serena with respect to cost and location July-Sept?