Mara Serena vs. Ilkeliani
 

Hello all,

Visiting Kenya in late September and Masai Mara for a fly-in safari, but have no set accommodations (which is scary, considering I already gave the tour agent my CC info and booked my outbound flight). I'm on the waitlist for Mara Serena, but my agent also put me on the waitlist for Ilkeliani Camp as a backup.

Ilkeliani list cleared today, but I have to make a deposit by tomorrow in order to secure accommodations. I was really looking forward to staying at the Mara Serena, but at this point I'm paranoid I won't have a place to stay in the Masai Mara.

To those who are familiar with either or both accommodations: Should I run a risk and stick it out for Mara Serena, or should I play it safe and stick with Ilkeliani? (Unless Ilkeliani is just as good or better than the Serena?....) I'm really hoping to catch the migration.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Both Wayne and Patty have stayed at Ilkeliani and were most pleased.

While Mara Serena has the ideal location in the center of the Mara Triangle, with a great view for a river crossing, it's been sold out for months. I only got a day cleared for a client (adding to two days they already had) and this was a month prior their departure. Even if a day or two do clear at the Serena, it's not likely they'll be consecutive days which I'm sure you plan to be in the Mara for longer.

You can have your operator check for options closer in (near/around) the Serena, but you'll probably get the same response "no room at the inn." While Kichwa Tembo is probably the same price as Ilkeliani, Mara Intrepid's will be much higher.

Take the Ilkeliani Camp... it won't disappoint.

Here's my cue to jump in ;)

I don't know a thing about Mara Serena, but I stayed 2 days at Ilkeliani and LOVED it. The accomodations were great, the food was delicious and the staff was friendly & professional. I would make a beeline for that place if I was eveer going back.

As far the location, maybe the Mara Serena is more centered, but Ilkeliani is right on a river wher eyou hear hippos at night. My first morning I woke up and saw giraffes outside.

If you have a high speed connection, see for yourself from my website waynehazle.com/eastafrica download the Masia Mara movie. You will see the grounds, my tent and of course a day on the Mara.

Hi elo,

We just returned from a 4 night stay at the Mara Serena and while the location and views are <b> FANTASTIC</b> and we LOVED the rooms, the food left a <u>LOT</u> to be desired as did our actual guide (but maybe he is the exception ?!). Personally, If I were going back to the Mara I wouldn't stay at the Serena but I don't know anything about the other camps other than we went to visit a Mum cheetah with 5 cubs which were right beside the Kitchwa Tembo airstrip. They were there when we visited on two separate days and from reports, she had been there for a while.

Have you seen Eben's maps here? http://www.go-safari.com/Masai%20Mara/masaimarai.htm

Ilkeliani's location, while not as good as the Serena, is actually not bad and we enjoyed our stay there last year. You don't have the expansive views like from the Serena but Ilkeliani's tents are situated along the Talek river, and you can hear hippos and see game on the other side of the river bank. Other than comparing views and locations, everything else about the two places is like apples and oranges.

Like sandi said, you can have your operator check other camps closer to the Serena, but they're very likely to be fully booked as well and also more expensive.

Thanks for the comments!

Already checked with Kichwa, and unfortunately there's a waitlist for that also. Yeesh.

I'm going to stick with Ilkeliani, I'm happy that I can at least secure the place this late in stage. I'm also glad to see no negative reports on Ilkeliani, and I'm surprised there aren't as many rave reviews on Serena. Plus, I am a foodie, so meals are a pretty important factor :) At least the camp is eco-friendly - makes me feel good I'm helping out nature in some way.

Wow, it's amazing how far you need to reserve in advance (then again I'm the typical last minute impulse traveller)....


Cheers!
El

El,

I would imagine Serena to be a huge hotelish establishment, so i think u are better off with the Ilkeliani. However, i dont know how the game viewing would be outside the Mara triangle. You may hv to leave super early just to get to the Triangle area....that's the trade off....

Hari