I was nervous after reading reviews and hearing there are only two giraffe breakfast spots daily, but I was quickly reassured upon arrival. A kind staff member explained we could still privately feed the giraffes, from the same spot as breakfast, for much less cost and with the same 1:1 experience. The Tsavo restaurant had delicious food and fantastic service, especially from Ayu (worked Dec 13-14). She treated us like friends, making our stay extra special. The buffet breakfast featured adorable animal-themed foods.
We stayed in a Twiga room with a breathtaking view—better than my trip to Africa! The bed was huge, with an extra one for our daughter, and tossing carrots to wildebeests from our balcony was a highlight. Some reviews mentioned bugs, but we saw just one fly and a harmless bug—less than in my house during Australian summers.
I had low expectations for the park itself but was blown away. The kids’ splash park, with multiple slides and pools, was almost empty, and even adults enjoyed the slides. The animal experiences were incredible; we fed and patted elephants and meerkats, and the park was so quiet it felt exclusive. The Lion Restaurant was so good the lions roar a lot and watch you eat haha.
All the staff were lovely, despite some reviews calling them rude—I only saw staff being kind unless provoked by rude guests. My skeptical husband was won over, and we can’t recommend Mara River highly enough. Thank you for unforgettable memories!
