Ultimate Guide to Staying at Mara Chui Resort in Masai Mara

While touring the Masai Mara national park in Kenya, I stayed at the Mara Chui Resort. This mid-range accommodation sits within the natural reserve, overlooking the Oloolamutia Hills. 

Choosing a mid-range accommodation was the right decision for my mom and me. We had all the amenities needed to make our stay in Kenya’s remote countryside comfortable. Let’s get into the details of our experience!

Resort Overview: Location, Amenities & Facilities

Mara Chui features 41 cabins and can hold at least 96 guests at a time. The property includes two restaurants, a bar, an outdoor projector, and a conference room. Despite being in the heart of the safari, the property provides 24/7 hot water, electricity, and security. These amenities were especially important to us— I’ll admit I wasn’t ready to forgo hot shower water and access to light after sunset. 

Although the resort had the essentials, the wifi connection across the property was weak. The only location that had seemingly reliable wifi connection was the check-in desk, but even there, it was slow. I recommend unplugging, bringing a book, games, or downloading movies to stream during your stay.

The grounds were enchanting. Mara Chui Resort prides itself in constructing the property without cutting down any surrounding trees. Each cabin is nestled among greenery, purple-flowered bushes, and stone-paved walkways, ensuring guests feel immersed in the safari landscape.

Service & Hospitality

Throughout the property, local staff were readily available to accommodate our needs. From the moment we checked in, they carried our bags to our rooms and gave us a tour through the facilities. While we didn’t require support during off hours, I have no doubt there was at least one person available at the check-in desk to meet our needs.

Because the resort is located in the bush and lacks street lighting, the staff are located at various checkpoints after sunset. They help guests navigate the pathways when the resort lights aren’t bright enough. I found this especially thoughtful since it can be challenging for some people to navigate dim spaces.

The property invites local Maasai tribe members to set up shop in the community area to sell souvenirs. This setup benefits both guests, who can shop without traveling far, and the local sellers who have access directly to potential buyers. This market doesn’t occur daily, so guests never feel like being pressured to buy anything.

Mara Chui Resort Rooms

Considering we were 6 hours into the wilderness, I was impressed with the state of our rooms. Located inside a charming red cabin, our room featured wooden and bamboo furniture within ceilings lined with natural materials and glass. This design allowed natural light in and kept pests out. The natural materials helped regulate the temperature, so we never noticed the lack of air conditioning. 

The bathroom was simple yet functional, with tiled floors and geometric carved walls. The resort provided thick cotton robes, slippers, hand towels, toothbrushes, and hand soap. I especially loved the tribal-printed silk robe, which added a Kenyan feel to our stay. I recommend bringing shower shoes with grip, since the floor is tiled it is slippery when wet.

The room had a safe for storing our valuables, and each cabin was secured by a lock and key. If I could improve one thing with our rooms it would be the mattresses, they were very firm. So, if you like your mattress soft, be prepared!

Dining & Cuisine at Mara Chui

Since we booked an all-inclusive stay, breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided by the resort. Like most resorts, Mara Chui serves meals at designated times, so it’s important to keep note of the times and plan accordingly.

Thankfully, the resort offered hot meals with a mix of local, asian, and international cuisines. My favorite meal was butternut squash soup—a delicious blend of savory, sweet, and creamy flavors (I’m a soup fiend). Guests can expect a typical resort spread where meat, fish, vegetables, dessert, and fruit are offered for your meal. The dining area is thoroughly decorated with hand carved wooden chairs, and tables. 

At least once a week, the resort hosts an outdoor bush- style dinner. Meat is grilled over an open fire and guests dine around a campfire. During this meal, some staff perform their tribal ceremony where chants are sung with rhythmic steps and jumping. I felt like this was a thoughtful way to show guests what it’s like to feel the bush camp experience.

Additional Tips

The property has a parking lot if you need to bring your own vehicle. Thankfully, the property is situated close to the Masai Mara park entrance, so you don’t have to worry about distance. 

We organized our safari with Axis Africa through their shared three-day Masai Mara Safari Tour. For $380 USD per person, the package included  transportation in a 4×4 jeep for, all-inclusive stay at Mara Chui Resort, and round-trip transportation from Nairobi. During peak season (July through December) the prices increase, so take into account your budget and the season you’re traveling in.

I vetted and booked my Safari tour through Safari Booking.

Information about travel requirements to Kenya on Travel.State.Gov.

More information about Masai Mara.

Tour Inclusions:

• Daily game drives
• Accommodation at Mara Chui Resort 
• Professional driver/guide
• Local transportation
• Taxes/VAT
• Meals
• Drinking water
  

Exclusions:

• International/Local flights
• Additional accommodation before/after the tour
• Tips
• Personal Items
• Airport transfer

Is Mara Chui Resort Worth It? My Final Verdict

I am pleased with my safari experience with Mara Chui and Axis Safari Tours. The amenities offered were readily available, the staff were always willing to help, and the nature surrounding the resort was beautifully intertwined.