Mara River Safari Lodge

Wow!! From the moment we got out of the car we knew we were on an adventure we would not soon forget. Before you walk into reception the 2 resident giraffes welcome you, and behind them is a panoramic view of the zebras, wildebeests and the white rhinoceros roaming the jungle savanna perfectly crafted to make you feel like you're visiting a magical land. After check in, which includes the friendliest concierge helping us with our bags to our "savanna view" room, which is decorated beautifully. The mini bar is packed with delicious snacks and drinks and there is a bowl of carrots you can feed to the zebras and wildebeest. 1 minute from reception you enter a very nicely curated animal park which highlights the animals of Indonesia and other continents, who all seem extremely happy with their environment. We saw shows and met all kinds of gorgeous wild animals on safari through the park. In the evening we took part in the evening safaris which takes you through the park in a caged vehicle so that you can explore the animals in their natural habitat and feed them. Afterwards you're welcomed to a delicious buffet that has glass walls overlooking the lion habitat. Wow. Just. Wow. Our evening finished with the best fire dance we've seen in the 2 months we have been in Bali. This is a once in a lifetime experience and nothing like you will find anywhere else in Bali. If we could give 20's across the board, we would! Not applicable.

Stayed for 1 night. Access to Safari Park for the afternoon and next day until close of park. 2 bed apartment was clean and spacious and had a lovely view of the animals. Balcony with two chairs. Buggy service to rooms from reception was welcome after a lot of walking. Great breakfast provided. Did the Night Safari with dinner which was great fun. My mistake but I did not realise that entry to the Marine Park is now on a separate ticket. But that was my error.

Everything! Service is very good. We enjoyed the massage, activities inside the hotel and the overall vibes. It is secluded but you wont feel bored. On a pricier side. Not much of an inclusions compared before. Now, all the feeding must be paid separately.

Nice, clean, well appointed rooms located on the safari - animals at your balcony, breakfast with the lions, hippo & meerkats. Loved washing the elephants. Foodin the restaurant was delicious, pool with swim up bar overlooking the Savannah. Restaurant staff were absolutely wonderful.

Mara river lodge is clean, spacious with close proximity to their pool, and safari animals, including zebras, hippos and giraffes. The main attraction, the zoo / safari, is adjacent to the resort. When we had family friends for a few hours during the day visiting us, the lodge / resort was kind enough to accomodate their luggage and make them feel at home. The main restaurant has an amazing central pillar with that holds the inverted cone thatched roof. On the other side of glass panes they have lions who rest and growl - an amazing experience while dining. Breakfast and lunch/dinner options are plenty but vegan options are pretty limited. The buffet food itself was okay'ish. The night safari is pretty average. We are essentially taken in a caged truck baited as food for animals like lions and tigers. They jump up the truck for food. The safari is drive with some enthusiasm causing the all standing crew and visitors to hold on to their lives with some harsh breaking. The tour guide and helpers are quite nice and offer plenty of help to feed the animals.

Love the lodge inside the safari area

As if you were in safari. Cool place to feel the jungle and enjoy the view. A bit of animal smell. Not everyone will be okay with it.

I absolutely loved my stay at Mara Safari Lodge. One of the most unique highlights was the experience right from my room’s balcony. Upon check-in, we were given carrots to feed the safari animals, such a thoughtful and exciting touch! From my balcony, I could see wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and even a rhino. Being able to observe and interact with them so closely made the entire stay incredibly memorable. It truly felt like an immersive safari experience without even leaving the room. One night was perfectly sufficient to explore and enjoy the full safari experience, especially if you plan your activities well. What made the stay even more special was the hospitality. The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful. I would especially like to thank Mr. Agung from Guest Services and Ms. Ira (I hope I got her name right) from the restaurant. They both provided such genuine warmth and attentive service that you can really feel that they care about the guests. Overall, a very memorable and worthwhile experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for something truly different and special. Before staying, I already came with the mindset that the room might not be ultra-luxurious, given the nature-focused concept. However, I was still quite surprised by some of the maintenance issues. The sink was leaking significantly, and water was pooling underneath. I initially thought the towel placed under the sink was a standard floor towel, but it turned out to be there to absorb the leaking water. Unfortunately, the bathroom also felt quite dated, with visible mold and an overall worn condition. The room had a slightly odd smell.. more like old, damp wood rather than a natural “close-to-nature” scent. I did expect to encounter some wildlife given the safari setting, and I’m completely fine with that. However, I did find several flies, a spider, and a few small insects inside the room. The TV placement was a bit awkward, and the screen itself felt quite small for the room size. As for the food, while the variety was decent, the taste could definitely use improvement. Overall, I would say the price is justified by the unique safari experience and proximity to the animals. However, in terms of room comfort and food quality, there is room for significant improvement. I would recommend coming here primarily for the experience rather than expecting high-end room facilities or exceptional dining.

Great salary many different animals, the view form the room and pool, breakfasts and lunch with lions

It was not really clean and very smelly

Being close to the animals Not well maintained, I spotted multiple lizards in my room along with many other insects. The restaurant food quality is poor.

The experience is truly one of a kind. Anything that may have been less than ideal is overshadowed by the animals and the great staff. The bathroom had some standing water and not the best smells haha. Not a huge deal.

Their policies upon some circumstances regarding booking with third-party. I get ping-pong between booking.com and the reception without solutions

We were accommodated in a very central ground-floor room overlooking the animal garden. From the balcony, just 10 meters away, we could see zebras, wildebeests, rhinoceroses, and occasionally elephants being ridden passing by! A beautiful giraffe was also present a little further back — simply amazing! The room even included a basket of carrots for feeding the animals, which could be replenished upon request. Good comfort in the room. There were vendors around the park selling restaurant meals, snacks, or experiences, which became a bit annoying over time and somewhat disrupted the overall ambiance of the park.

I loved everything about this hotel, the rooms, the activities, the food, and especially the amazing staff. I wanted to do something unique and memorable, and celebrating with wild animals all around was the perfect choice. What we received was beyond our expectations, from the warm hospitality to the incredible activities and attention to detail. A special thank you to the Pastry Team, who created a beautiful customized birthday cake just as I requested. It was absolutely stunning and delicious! You are truly talented. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making her day extra special. We stayed in the Kifaru room, which had direct access to the exclusive Kiboko Pool a serene area only for in-house guests, with views of roaming animals just nearby. The fire dance show at night in front of the lobby was captivating, and we truly enjoyed it. The breakfast with the lions at Tsavo Restaurant was an unforgettable experience, along with the animal shows, tiger show, elephant bathing, and especially the Safari Journey. Riding the safari vehicle through the jungle while learning about the animals was both fun and educational for our family. Yes, the price is on the higher side, but I can confidently say it’s worth every penny, much more than just a ticket for a day visit. Staying here gives you full access, exclusive experiences, and lasting memories. To all the staff from reception, restaurant, pastry, buggy drivers, and the entire team, thank you so much for your genuine kindness and top-notch service. You made this celebration one of the best we've ever had. We highly recommend Mara River Safari Lodge to anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind family getaway in Bali. We will definitely come back again! With heartfelt thanks, Ms. Cabilao & Family None

Food

We really enjoyed our stay at Mara River Safari Lodge. The room was decent and they kindly provided a baby cot upon request for our 1-year-old son, which was very helpful. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive — when my son fell sick, the receptionist immediately arranged for the in-house nurse. The medical support was reassuring, though the phone consultation with the doctor and medicine was quite pricey (possibly due to being foreign guests). Breakfast was a highlight — enjoying it with a lion view was truly unique. The lodge is a great choice if you’re traveling with small kids. Staying 1–2 nights is ideal, as it allowed us to return to the room for my baby’s rest before continuing with activities. Otherwise, a day trip may be enough to cover the safari. The Night Safari was on the expensive side, but the evening Fire Dance show was entertaining. Location-wise, the lodge is a bit far from Bali’s main town — about an hour’s drive from the nightlife — so evenings can feel quiet, especially if you’re traveling with kids who sleep early. Overall, it was a memorable and family-friendly stay. Highly recommended for families looking for a unique safari experience in Bali. none

Our room was the Tembo Family Suite — spacious (three bedrooms), spotless, and very comfortable. The buggy drivers were always friendly and eager to help, making it easy to get around. During our stay, we enjoyed an elephant ride, the night safari, a couple of entertaining shows, and feeding the animals. One highlight was relaxing in the pool while watching zebras, rhinos, and elephants just a few meters away. Dinner was pleasant, and the staff went the extra mile by preparing a pasta dish outside the buffet menu for our kids, who weren’t too keen on the other options. Breakfast was also good, and we loved sitting by the windows watching the animals being fed. The night safari was a fun experience — it starts with a guided walk through the zoo, then moves on to riding in caged vehicles to see some of the big predators up close (tigers, lions, and more).Also watched a fun fire dance. Tip for future visitors: Budget extra for activities like the elephant ride and night safari, as they are not included in the room rate. Also, note that the night safari ticket includes dinner, so plan accordingly.

Enjoying the animals view and able to enjoy the safari The restaurant should be first in first sit as the receptionist told us but what’s happening is different, you will find all the view tables are reserved. And you will sit in the middle table. When you ask why this happened, you will not find any suitable explanation

To be honest, I came in with low expectations for the actual room, knowing the price was reflected in the whole experience. But I was pleasantly surprised by the rooms! They are dated but they were super clean and you can't really beat opening your door to see Rhino, giraffe, wildebeest and zebras! We came to celebrate our daughter's 3rd birthday and she loved it. My only complaint is the use of plastic water bottles provided in the rooms. I wish they would use refillable glass instead of single use plastic waste.