We arranged for a 3 day 2 night package from Nairobi Kenya to the Mara Siria Camp in the Masai Mara National Reserve and our experience was outstanding. The site was to die for, on a promontory overlooking a Masai village. We had a lovely view from the pool as well though it was more the size of a hot tub it was just fine for the 2 of us.The tents were lovely and spacious with very attentive staff. I particularly enjoyed watching the attendant hoist the hot water into our shower basket on a pulley system. When it was done we were notified with a holler of "Shower ready" and in we went, grateful for the delicious stream after a hot day on the savannah. The food was nothing to write home about but wholesome and servings were generous. I particularly appreciated the vegetarian meals. Our guide was knowledgeable and eager to share facts and stories with us. One morning we went on a Hot Air Balloon ride to watch the sunrise over the Savannah and it was a treat. Do not miss it, it is well worth it as well as the champagne breakfast following the trip. It was a trip of a lifetime. I felt like I was on a different planet.

Spent four nights at Mara Siria just before Christmas 2011. Our tent #6 had a wonderful view looking over the Mara Plain just like the main camp. In its own private location, the tent was fairly well appointed with a comfortable bed and an attached ensuite with wash basins, flush toilet and a shower. There was power at the tent for lights during the night with hot water bottles to take the chill off cold nights. Given 20 minutes notice the staff would prepare hot water for a shower.

The first few days of our visit saw the camp relatively quiet with only about three of the tents occupied, the last few days saw 36 new guests arriving. Considering the two different dynamics at the camp the staff were able to react and keep the same high level of service. The food was tasty and the service quick.

Some reviewers have had mixed reviews of the location, outside of the park and up a rough steep road to the top of the escarpment. If you think you would be put off by this, then probably it would not be the best place to stay, that being said the views as noted earlier are outstanding and you get to see wildlife that others don't by climbing that hill. On different trips we were treated to herds of about 15 giraffes, many dik diks, impalas, baboons and jackals.

The little plunge pool that they have installed is cute and has some fantastic views and really any place at or near the Mara is heaven. If possible, try to get a tent near the escarpment that permits great morning and evening views. All in all, Mara Siria is a very good camp and would be a good choice for travellers in the Mara.

As far as the Mara, it is hard to go wrong, December is a bit tricky as the grass is a bit high, but still lots to see and yes we were fortunate to see all the big five... :)

I had an amazing time in the Maasai Mara. This was my first safari, so I don't have any other camps to compare Mara Siria to, but in terms of value for money, I couldn't really ask for more.
I had stunning game-drives. The staff was very helpful in accommodating my personal preferences especially in terms of the time of the drives.
The tents are more luxurious than I expected. I didn't think a tent could provide such comfort in the middle of the bush. The fact that there is no running water, didn't bother me, as the staff filled up the tents reservoir with hot water on demand. So you can practically take a shower any time if you wanted.
If you want to keep an emphasis on nature and don't need infinity pools and electric fences in the midst of the bush, this is the right choice for you.

I just got back from a trip to the Maasai Mara and can confidently say that the Mara Siria camp is the best camp you could stay at in the Mara. You will see review by people moaning about the bad roads and long drives but this is the bush and comes with the territory (literally!). Thanks to the bad rains this year the roads are a bit worse for wear, but it's an adventure travelling up and down the mountain to get to the camp or down to the park itself for a game drive.

The camp really is luxury - it's like a 5 star hotel but with tents instead of rooms. We stayed in tents 5 and 6 which had some of the most spectacular views of the rift valley. In a double tent you get a king sized bed (2 mattresses and duvets along with blankets and hot water bottles when it gets cold!). An en suite bathroom with two wash basins, amenities, a flushing toilet and a gravity fed shower (which is filled with hot water each evening on return from safari).

The camp is not enclosed so you will be escorted through the camp after dark -we saw zebra at night in the middle of the camp! Recent additions are the plunge pool which is right on the edge of a cliff so gives a fantastic panoramic view of the valley below. There are plenty of other activities besides a safari too such as a visit to the Maasai village or mountain biking etc.

The food is absolutely out of this world - I've actually had worse food at city hotels so the quality and variety of food was a massive surprise.
Peter (or the 'minister of stomach' as he's otherwise known) is an absolute legend and will make food to order as per your liking. Main meals consist of meat, potatoes and vegetables and breakfasts include continental, pancakes and cooked! As a food lover this was a highlight for me.

The views from the main tent area are a sight to behold. I got up to see the sunrise each day which I would highly recommend doing from the main tent as you get a fantastic panoramic view of the sun rising over the rift valley below.

The safari trips (run by Phoenix) were excellent - we saw a whole plethora of animals and our driver had people in the know who called in with sightings of lions and elephants etc. The only bad point was getting stuck in the mud for 3 hours in the heat of the day due to the heavy rains. This can be avoided by making sure the vehicle you go out on has the correct tyres (ours should have had mud tyres considering the recent weather!). The best driver we had was Emmanuel. The rest of the staff at the camp were very friendly and were dedicated to making our trip enjoyable.

In conclusion if you are looking for an authentic Maasai Mara experience including all of the lumps and bumps of a real safari, and if you want to be able to return home to an oasis of peace, calm and luxury each evening I would strongly recommend booking a place at the Mara Siria Luxury Tented Bush Camp in the Maasai Mara.