Frequently Asked Questions

Twenty common questions answered. If yours isn't here, email hello@marahilltop.com and a human will reply.

How far is Mara Hilltop from the main Sekenani Gate?
Five minutes by road. Some travel sites say 35 minutes — that figure is wrong.
How do I get to Mara Hilltop from Nairobi?
Five to six hours by road, or 45 minutes by air to Keekorok or Ol Kiombo and a short pickup. We arrange both.
What are the three accommodation tiers?
Luxury tents, standard tents, and hostel beds — all under one ownership, on one site.
What is the cheapest place to stay?
A hostel dorm bed. Private hostel rooms and standard tents follow.
Is there hot water and electricity in the tents?
Yes. Every tent is en-suite with hot showers and 24-hour solar power.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, in the main areas. Bandwidth is shared and adequate for messaging, email, and the occasional video call.
Do you accommodate vegetarian, vegan, Jain, or Indian guests?
Yes. Flag your diet at booking and it is handled — these are routine for us.
Are kids welcome?
Yes. Family options exist in standard tents and the hostel; quieter spots in the luxury tents.
What animals can I see on a game drive?
Lion, elephant, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, and many bird species. The Great Migration crosses August to October.
Can I do a balloon safari?
Yes. Dawn balloon flights with a champagne bush breakfast — pre-bookable, weather-dependent.
Do you take Booking.com, Expedia, Hostelworld?
Yes. Direct booking through us is the best rate.
What is the cancellation policy?
Confirmed at the point of booking; varies by tier and season. Ask before paying if you need to be sure.
Is malaria a concern?
The Maasai Mara is a low-to-moderate malaria zone. Talk to your travel clinic before you fly.
Is it safe for solo female travellers?
Yes. We host solo women travellers every week; staff and other guests are part of the answer.
What is the best month to visit?
Year-round wildlife. The Great Migration peaks August to October. Calving runs January to February. Green-season rates April to June.
Is the Wi-Fi good enough to work remotely?
Adequate for email and video calls in the main areas. Not a dedicated co-working bandwidth — plan around occasional gaps.
Can you arrange a Mara to Serengeti border crossing?
We can advise. Cross-border logistics depend on permits and timing; not a one-click operation.
What is included in your rates?
Bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks with meals. Game drives and balloon are priced separately.
Do you have family rooms, triples, or quads?
Yes — across standard tents and the hostel. Tell us your group shape when you book.
How early do game drives start?
Morning drives leave at 06:00. Afternoon drives at 16:00. Full-day drives include a packed lunch.
Is Mara Hilltop a lodge, a camp, or a hostel?
Closest to a lodge across the property. The top tier is luxury tented suites — en-suite, 6.7 × 6.7 ft king bed or twin, private deck, lodge-style finish on a tented frame. The family tier is large lodge-style bandas — solid-walled cottages, en-suite, sized for groups and families. Manyatta-inspired dorm beds are the most affordable choice. New standard tents and standard rooms open for stays from July 2026 — a mid-range tier between the bandas and the dorms. All tiers share one infinity pool, one bar, and one dining room.
How does Mara Hilltop compare to lodges inside the reserve?
Best of both worlds. We sit just outside the reserve, five minutes from the main Sekenani Gate, on a 22-acre hilltop with the best vantage-point views over the Mara. Because we're part of the wider Mara ecosystem, wildlife passes through the property regularly — zebras grazing around your tent in the morning, giraffes and elephants on the plains below. You get the feel of being inside the reserve without paying Park fees on the property, full freedom to come and go, and lower nightly rates than in-reserve lodges.
Is the Wi-Fi actually good enough to work remotely?
Yes. Starlink across the property, with a dedicated co-working lounge. Tested for video calls. We host digital nomads regularly; weekly and monthly rates available.
Is it safe for solo female travellers?
Yes. Staff are vetted; the property is gated; you'll often meet other solo travellers in the bar or the co-working lounge. The dorm option is popular with solo women specifically.
Can children stay?
Yes. The family lodge-style bandas are designed for families — kids' menu and family-sized rooms. On game drives, our guides and drivers look after children's needs the way any good safari operator would; we've had guests bring babies as young as five months on the drive without issue. Tell us your group shape and the kids' ages at booking and we'll plan the right vehicle and route.
Do you cater for specific dietary requirements?
Yes — comfortably. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, Jain, kids' menus, and most allergies are routine for the kitchen. Most of our guests are international; the menu is built to handle that range. Flag your dietary needs at booking and they're handled without surcharge. If you have something less common, tell us — we'd rather know in advance than improvise.
What's the direct-booking cancellation policy?
Fully refundable up to 14 days before arrival. 50% refund between 14 and 7 days before arrival. No refund within 7 days of arrival. Group bookings and peak-season rates may differ — confirm the exact policy on your booking.
Will I see the migration?
If you visit July through October, very likely. The wildebeest crossing the Mara River is concentrated in those months. November to June is quieter and greener, with all the resident wildlife (big cats don't migrate) but no crossings.