Kenya Hotels

::  Mara Sopa Lodge

 

 

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism classification): 04****

 

LOCATION: The lodge is located 206 km south of the Equator on the eastern boundary of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in southwestern Kenya, 2km from the Oloolaimutia Gate. The Reserve, the best known game area in East Africa, is 1,120 sq. kms of prime wildlife-viewing territory bordering on the Serengeti National Park. The distance is about  250 Kms (5 hours) by road from Nairobi and 45 minutes by air to Siana airstrip served by scheduled flights twice per day from Nairobi and once per day from Nanyuki and Samburu.

The alternative is a one hour scheduled or chartered flight from Nairobi to Keekorok airstrip from where transfers to the lodge can be arranged with prior notice.

 

 

DESCRIPTION: Sopa means, "Welcome" in Maasai language. The lodge is built as an interpretation of a traditional Masai Manyatta village with domed huts, set on a saddle of a hill with spectacular view of the Mara Triangle – one of the world’s richest wildlife sanctuaries, where the annual migration of the wildebeeste takes place. Set in the Oloolaimutia valley the lodge blends in perfetly with its surrounding hillside landscape. The accent here is on the Masai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife, and natural flora to be found in the fabled Masai Mara Game Reserve. Mara Sopa has earned a well-deserved reputation for the friendliness and care offered to guests by the staff. This is one of the most important aspects of the style and service offered by each and every SOPA destination.

 

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 77 rooms, 12 suites and 01 Presidential suite. (200 beds)

 

Room décor: Rondavel' style rooms and elevated verandah with splendid views across the valley and on which guests can relax, sunbathe and watch resident birds and wildlife

 

Room amenities: Telephone, en-suite facilities that provide shaving sockets and hairdryers. Every room and suite has mini bars.

 

 

 

Special features: Game viewing platform.

 

FOOD & BEVERAGE FACILITIES: The  restaurant and bar offer first class cuisine. The bar has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is an ideal place to relax after a day of sight seeing. The dining area, where a delicious cuisine of succulent meat dishes and vegetarian menus are served, and the bar, each have stone fireplaces, focal points in the cool of the evening.

 

GENERAL FACILITIES:

n     Direct-dial telephone

n     Satellite television and video options

n     240volts, 50 cycles 24 hours a day electricity supply

n     Children facilities

n     Secretarial Services

n     Laundry and valet services

n     House-doctor call

n     Gift shop

 

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

A freeform, fresh-water pool which offers spectacular views over the valley

Balloon safaris,

Visits to Masai Manyattas

Walking Safaris

 

 

CONFERENCE FACILITIES: The lodge has a 160 sq metre (1,500 sq feet) conference room as well as other designated areas for conferences, presentations, cocktail parties and private functions, which can host upwards of 120 guests theatre style with a full range of Audio-visual equipment. Over and above, this lodge can provide and cater for any size of birthday or anniversary party, bush breakfasts, lunches or bar-b-ques, sundowner cocktail parties, gala dinners or theme evenings.

 

CLIMATE: The lodge has an altitude of 2,104 meters (6,400 feet) above sea level and, because of the cool breezes through the valley it is sited in, enjoys warm days and cool evenings. The April / June, October / November rainy seasons ensure that the Reserve is verdant almost throughout the year. Only the lightest of clothes are recommended although a light sweater might be needed for early mornings and evenings. More formal attire might be advisable for cocktails and theme evenings while swimwear is a must by the pool.