Is the JW Marriott Masai Mara Worth $3,000+ a Night?

I recently stayed at the JW Marriott Masai Mara, which is not only one of the most excellent safari lodges out there, but Marriott’s first-ever property of the sort (and their smallest property to date). I wrote an excellent review of the JW Marriott Masai Mara just after my visit last month. However, I have had a lot of people reaching out and asking if it was worth it.

While it is hard to determine what  “worth it” is for everyone given different travel styles, preferences, and, notably, budgets, I want to take a look at some of the highlights to help you judge if it is worth the price.

This article is part of my Trip Report: Starting Summer in East Africa including:

• My Comically Bad Luck Flying to Africa
• No Compensation for an Involuntary Business Class Downgrade?!?
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa B747-8 Economy IAD-FRA 
• My First Flight on the Queen: My Thoughts
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge FRA
• Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA 
• Review: Lufthansa A330 Business Class FRA-NBO
• Review: DoubleTree by Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham
• Review: Air Kenya into the Safari
• JW Marriott Masai Mara Review: Luxury in the Savannah, a Truly Unforgettable Safari
• Is the JW Marriott Masai Mara Worth $3k a Night?
• Review: Aspire Lounge Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO)
• Review: Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ E190
• Exploring Tanzania: My Thoughts on Zanzibar
• When Flights Don’t Go as Planned: Delayed in Zanzibar
• Review: Air Tanzania ZNZ-ARK
• Mt. Kilimanjaro Day Hike: My Thoughts
• Exploring Moshi, Tanzania: What Everyone Gets Wrong
• Review: Twiga Lounge by Aspire Lounge Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Weirdest Flight Delay I Have Ever Had… 
• Review: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Executive Regency Suite
• Exploring Addis Ababa: My Thoughts
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine B787-8 Business Class ADD-IAD
• My 18 Hour Odd Business Class Experience: A Stop in Lome, Togo?

JW Marriott Masai Mara All Inclusive

One of the best things about staying at this Marriott property is that everything is taken care of from the moment you arrive at the airstrip until you leave. However, it is important to note that there is a park levy of $80 per person per day, which hopefully goes towards preserving the amazing wildlife in the area.

Our guide greeted us on the airstrip by our guide for the week in our luxury safari vehicle. He had not only champagne and snacks but also branded water bottles that were ours to keep. 

We had two choices – either we could head back to the lodge and unpack or we could set off for our first safari. Of course, we chose the latter. They included this safari drive, just like every other one.

I have seen some safari lodges charge upwards of $450+ per game drive (typically 4-5 hours). Given that we often went on two game drives per day, this would add up quickly if it wasn’t included. Luckily it is included in all bookings. 

Back at the lodge, in addition to the welcome drinks, every drink was included (excluding some top shelf). Whether it was the bottle of wine, whiskey in the tent or a drink at the bar, it was included. Note that the bar would stay open as late as you wanted. Compared to some luxury hotels that charge upwards of $30 per drink, this is all included. 

Not only drinks but all food is included as well. From a breakfast out on safari, or lunch by the pool, it is all included and of the highest quality. This includes room service brought to your tent.

Custom Tailored Safari

I was surprised when our guide asked us when we wanted to go on a safari the following day. I had assumed that it was at a set time given prior safari experiences. Luckily, it is custom-tailored. 

If we wanted to wake up, get out early, and come back early, we could. If we wanted to sleep in but go out on an all-day drive, we could. Not only were the times completely flexible, but if we really wanted to see a particular animal, such as the Big 5, our guide tried his best to make it happen.

The food is also custom-tailored to your liking. I overheard one family ask the chef for a pizza for their daughter despite it not being on the menu, and they made it happen. When we wanted to try Ugali after hearing about it from our driver, the chef made it happen just like that. 

Want lunch by the pool? Done. Want food delivered to your private hot tub? Done. It is all custom to your liking to ensure you have the best trip possible.

JW Marriott Masai Mara Guides

The guides at the JW Marriott Masai Mara are incredible, as I mentioned in my comprehensive review. Our guide, Hassan, added so much to the depth of our game drives, and I would highly recommend requesting him if you ever visit the property. 

On top of their skilled driving, the ability for Hassan, and I am guessing other guides as well, to be able to see a dot in the distance and know it was a rhino is unbelievable. What he depicted as a mother and her baby, I thought may have just been a rock. With so few rhinos left, this was not both lucky and impressive.

Additionally, their skill, such as knowing animal patterns and movements, allowed us to have some incredible up-close viewings. This is compared to the other guides that I witnessed trying to get closer to the animal only to scare it away. Right place and right time, all because of the right guide, which you will have at the JW Marriott Masai Mara. 

JW Marriott Masai Mara Food and Beverage

Of course, all of the food at the JW is included, and the team is incredibly flexible in terms of both dishes and the timing of meals. However, I wanted to take a moment to say just how good all the food was. 

Every meal, even the ones that we packed in a picnic to take with us, was exceptionally good. I could not wait for the next meal, whether it be mushroom risotto, a steak, or even Ugali. The presentation was also excellent. The overall quality of the food definitely increases the justification for the price. 

There was so much fantastic food that I literally could not eat it all. It was also a lovely touch that the chef was able to come out and greet us for nearly every meal. This is something that brought the quality even higher.

JW Marriott Masai Mara Luxury Tents 

It is hard to call it a tent when it is certainly one of the nicest hotel rooms I have ever stayed in. Not only was it massive, with gorgeous decorations and a luxury bathroom inside, but the back deck was also incredible. 

With a massive deck and views of the river (and subsequently animals such as Zebras) it was nice to relax in the evening out there and view the incredible stars at night. The private hot tub on the deck also added a lot to the value and experience of the room. 

The Last Point

Overall, the JW Marriott Masai Mara is undoubtedly a luxury property and definitely one of, if not the best, properties in all of Kenya. It is gorgeously designed, but more importantly, the service is incredible and customized to your individual liking and needs. 

Back to the original question of whether it is worth it? It is if you have the money to spend on that quality vacation. It was 110% worth the Marriott Bonvoy points that I redeemed for my stay back in May.

If you are searching for a luxury safari, this is a great place to explore Africa while still having incredible comfort and some of the best food and beverages out there. If you can afford it, it is certainly worth it! Otherwise, just use Bonvoy points!