Situated on the Rift Valley, Angama Mara is a place of pure African theatre — the land rolling out in wide, honeyed plains so that life unfolds in slow, cinematic scenes.
In this exclusive conversation, Jeremy Sutton shares his recent journey to this iconic Kenyan lodge, offering a glimpse into the magic that drew him in from the moment he arrived. From the sweeping views to the quiet luxury of camp life, his trip captures the essence of what makes Angama Mara one of East Africa’s most captivating hideaways.
Q: What makes Angama Mara unique compared to other Mara lodges?
Jeremy Sutton — The location. The lodge is located on top of the cliff overlooking the Mara. So, you have the most incredible views, and you can absolutely see for miles. Other lodges don’t really have that far-flung view as most are located at a lower altitude, many people refer to it as ‘on the ground’. So, yeah, you don’t have the views. Ultimately, the USP is the most amazing views over the Mara.
Q: What was your impressions on the lodge’s architecture, suites, and views.
Jeremy Sutton — Absolutely incredible. The design is quite contemporary with the main lodge. The main restaurant bar, sort of communal area, once again, has the most amazing views. The design is quite African contemporary chick, if you want to call it that. Beautiful. The rooms are, how can I say this, like tents? But, they’re like proper tents. Glamping essentially. Open plan, one with nature. Bed on one side, seating and living area in the middle, free-standing bar on the other side, walk in shower on the furthest side, a veranda and seating area outside with views cast over the landscape. Beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking.
Q: What were the wildlife sightings like in the Maasai Mara during your stay?
Jeremy Sutton — Basically we got to see everything apart from leopard. We saw male lion, tribe of lions, enormous herds of elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, crocodiles, wildebeest. We were also there during breeding season, and saw lots of young game. There was a baby elephant of only about a week old. We also saw a rhino with a youngster which I think was about 3 months old—so yeah, lot’s to see.
Ultimately, we saw all of the Big 5, everything except leopard—which they do have there, we just didn’t see it, unfortunately.
Q: Did you experience the Mara Triangle? What stood out?
Jeremy Sutton — The lodge is situated in the Mara Triangle. One kind of—actually, disappointment within the Mara triangle, is that a lot of the areas enforce the rule that you’re not allowed to off-road. This means if the game is not kind of near the—I call it the road, but essentially it’s a dirt track—it can make it quite hard to see. Advice would be to hire a big camera (you can hire one from Angama Mara), or to just take one with you.
So, what stood out the most? The hot-air balloon trip over the Mara. And the views, especially at sunrise—it’s just incredible.
Q: How was the dining and hospitality? Any signature Angama moments?
Jeremy Sutton — Angama Mara put on a Boma dinner (it’s like a sort of African barbeque) with local Masai Mara tribes that did traditional song and dance. One day we also had a private, I don’t want to say picnic, but it was kind of like an elevated late lunch in their garden.
In the garden they grow all their fruit and vegetables. Really, really interesting to go and see it and have lunch there. Again, amazing views and lots of, obviously, fresh produce—absolutely delicious. One of the best meals we had at Angama Mara was that lunch in the garden.
Q: Did you visit the Shamba or experience any special guest moments
Jeremy Sutton — The hot-air balloon ride over the Mara was number one.
Q: Best time to visit the Mara?
Jeremy Sutton — The best time to visit Angama Mara is during the migration season, usually June to October, when the Migration comes up from Tanzania into the Mara. Undoubtedly, this is the best time of year to go.
Q: Ideal length of stay?
Jeremy Sutton — I always say a safari trip is 3 nights, really. You can push it to 4 nights. It just depends what your interests are. You know, if you really are just mad about wildlife, you could do a 5-night stay, but I wouldn’t stay any longer than that.
Q: Ease of flights/transfers from Segera or Nairobi?
Jeremy Sutton — We took a Governor’s Air charter which took off directly inside the Segera reserve right by the lodge. Journey took about an hour and ten minutes. We flew into Kichwa Tembo, the main airstrip for the Masai Mara. And arriving into Kichwa Tembo there was an Angama Mara Jeep waiting for us and you effectively start your game drive as soon as you leave the airstrip. Journey to the lodge is round about 25 minutes.
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Here’s To Angama Mara in Kenya
Angama Mara leaves a lasting impression — not only for its refined simplicity and breathtaking position above the plains, but for the way it allows travellers to witness the Masai Mara without disturbing its delicate rhythms. Importantly, Angama Mara is not situated along any migration routes, ensuring that this extraordinary natural phenomenon remains uninterrupted. Any lodge that blocks, alters, or disrupts the path of migrating wildlife should be avoided at all costs.
For Jeremy, the experience was a reminder of why the Mara remains one of Africa’s most iconic wilderness destinations: vast skies, remarkable wildlife, and a lodge that lets the landscape speak for itself. Angama Mara isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a front-row seat to Africa at its most cinematic.
