Mara River Safari Lodge - CHSE Certified

We absolutely loved our stay here! Just brilliant.

1 night trip, Jul 8, 2019

Verified Expedia guest review

This hotel is perfect for an amazing experience. The infinity pool is heated and you can see the animals whilst swimming! The lodges are a perfect size for a couple and you are given carrots to feed to the animals in the morning, which was a wonderful experience. You get free entry to the park when you book the hotel, however, you will need to pay for all the other options: elephant ride, safari ride (lasts about 20 mins and you get to see all the animals in the park - a must see), photos, shows etc. The food in the main restaurant is decent however, quite expensive for what you get. The breakfast was not as good as i've had in other hotels but there were options available. Having breakfast nearby the Lions was amazing! I went with my partner and stayed for one night which I thought was the perfect amount of time to experience everything. I would definitely recommend this place for couples and families. The only downside was that the receptionist staff were not as friendly and welcoming as other hotels i've stayed in within Bali. The restaurant and concierges were however, helpful and friendly.

Chan, 1 night trip, Oct 9, 2018

Verified Expedia guest review

Unique night away from tourist Bali

We stayed at the Safari Park for just one night, attempting to cram everything into two daytimes. The rooms within the park are excellent, and you can normally view animals from your room balcony. Fruit and veg (carrots, oranges etc.) are provided in your room to throw to the animals and attempt to lure them slightly nearer your accommodation. The park is huge and they have a massive variety of animals, all that appear to be cared for appropriately. The pool is a hidden delight too, in view of the rhino and zebras and is superb on a warm day. I have to say the night safari we paid for was extremely expensive in comparison to other activities in Bali and lasted just 30 minutes. A free buffet BBQ was provided, which was good quality, but overall I would say it wasn't worth it.

Chris, 1 night trip, Sep 1, 2018

Verified Expedia guest review

Amazing once in a lifetime place!

Me an my partner stayed here for one night in a 17 night trip around Bali. We were going to the safari park so thought we'd stay in the lodge. The room was lovely with a big bed facing the double doors to the balcony which is where the magic happened! Off our balcony we were right above the zebras, ostriches, wilderbeast and even a rhino and it's baby. Seperated by just a little river, It was amazing! The staff left food in our room to throw over to the animals who came right up and ate it and the elephant safari walked past our balcony and the elephants would wait for us to chuck carrots out! This one one of my fave places of our whole trip. Although we found the safari and night safari really expensive we didn't really need to do them when they were right outside our room! The pool was lovely too, infinity pool and the rhino and her baby was just on the other side so you could see them grazing while you swam. The restaurant is also based on the other side of the glass to the lions den which is again a great experience. Only thing I would say is that it's pretty far out in terms of location from anything else so you couldn't stay for too long or you'd get bored. We prefer to have choice of bars and restaurants around to choose from. 1-2 nights is enough

joanne, Other trip, Sep 14, 2016

Verified Expedia guest review

Great hotel, great restaurant, great pool

Stayed for 2 nights with a young family. The kids loved seeing the zebras, rhinos, elephants, orynx, only metres away from the balcony of our room, and feeding them carrots,,,,,i kid you not. Great staying in the hotel as you get to wander around and see all the animals when the day visitors leave, or before the park is open. Tsavo restaurant equally amazing, with lions surrounding you when you eat, and meerkats and a hippo on view in the mornings. All in all a great place.

Van, Other trip, Feb 5, 2014

Verified Expedia guest review

Can you get closer to animals???

AMAZING. A new marine park underway. Its a long way from uk but will return to see this. Wonderful! 10,10,10!

nick, Other trip, Nov 25, 2016

Verified Expedia guest review

Amazing resort. Great staff.

Donald, 2 night family trip, Dec 16, 2021

Verified Expedia guest review

Good value, fun attractions, needs comfort updates

The value of the room was good, because you get to walk around the park freely. The room could use some essential upgrades for comfort. One of the things needed is a misqiuo net. There were a lot of openings where bugs can get in so having some time cleaning and sealing is also wanted.

Stephen, 1 night family trip, Dec 24, 2020

Verified Hotels.com guest review

Fantstic experience! Our family is looking forward to going again.

1 night family trip, Oct 16, 2020

Verified Expedia guest review

Meh...

Tough one to explain... It’s overpriced and disappointing yet I’m glad that we went. I have no regrets dropping $700-$800 on our two day stay. First off, the Twiga rooms aren’t as cool as they seem in the pics online. I had visions of closely interacting with wildlife from my balcony and feeding them practically by hand. There’s actually a pretty far distance separating you from the animals. Especially sucks if you’re unathletic like myself and can’t even give a carrot a good throw. Same deal with the pool. There will be no baby tigers or rhinos hanging out poolside. It’s very buggy there. I do a lot of traveling so it’s not that I have unrealistic expectations of a bugless Indonesia. Heck, I’m currently surrounded by mosquitos in northern Bali as I type this review and am totally cool with it. ...but Mara is buggy’er than usual. There were quite a bit more in the room than anywhere else we’ve stayed. The doors and windows are not sealed off well. The staff doesn’t give that Balinese sweet hospitality vibe. They felt more reserved. They didn’t give the same “makes you feel like family” type of vibe that we experience elsewhere in Bali. So, after all of that complaining, why am I saying it’s a “must visit”? Freakin’ Tigers. Being so up close and personal with the tigers on the night safari was a once in a lifetime experience that made it worthwhile. Also, feed the white tigers during the day. Amazing!!!

2 night family trip, Mar 9, 2020

Verified Hotels.com guest review