JW Marriott has opened the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, marking its anticipated debut into the luxury safari segment.

The Global Hotel brand unveiled the lodge within the Masai Mara National Reserve in Southwestern Kenya.

Between June and September, the reserve hosts the annual great wildebeest migration, which sees more than 10 million animals travel 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.

JW Marriott Global Brand Leader Bruce Rohr noted that the lodge offers exhilarating guided game drives in reserve, allowing guests to observe the “Big Five” that Masai Mara is home to, including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants.

“Fostering meaningful connections and nourishing the soul is at the heart of the JW Marriott brand, so entering the luxury safari segment is a natural next step,” he said.

Further, Rohr added that JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge balances the thrill of a game drive with thoughtful opportunities to switch off and take it all in.

The luxurious interiors of the lodge were tastefully decorated by Kristina Zanic Consultants, who drew creative inspiration from the environment and gentle, warm tones, natural materials and textures, and native colours to combine the savannah within effortlessly.

Each of the lodge's 20 individual tents has a terrace with a view of the River Talek, which serves as a water source and a haven for various species.

Two interconnected king and twin suites are perfect for couples with children over six, while the honeymoon suite in a tented tent features a private plunge pool (the minimum age of guests at the lodge).

The community programming at the lodge offers a real-world look at important regional initiatives like The Maa Trust, which uplifts locals by encouraging new small businesses.

The lodge offers space for artisans to manufacture and sell Maa Beadwork while donating a portion of each guest's nightly cost to the organisation.

Locals currently make up 60% of the lodge's staff, with hopes to increase that number to 70%, ensuring the hotel's contribution to the socioeconomic growth of the area.

By supporting local organisations such as The Mara Elephant Project and The Mara Protector Conservation Programme, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge protects animals and their habitat across the greater Mara ecosystem.