Serian The Nest | Best Kenya Safari Lodges

The place

I can look across the open plains of the Masai Mara or into the gushing Mara River a mere 50m away from me. It’s home to crocodile and hippo, but I’m safely tucked away in a treehouse perched on top of a lone warburgia tree. Set in the Pusinkariak Conservancy, about 600ha of exclusive conservation area sharing a border with the Mara North Conservancy, and accessible only by foot, Serian The Nest offers the ideal place to watch wildlife undetected. It’s a photographer’s dream.

The room

I wake up with first light, instantly poised for action as I hear the sound of hippo harrumphing. Though it’s hard to leave our cosy double bed, I’m keen to get some photos that can capture the beauty of what I’ve been experiencing. I let my partner continue sleeping; hours of watching the live feed from the night-vision camera and playing with the infrared spotlight have worn out my better half. I move aside the mosquito net, feeling a slight chill in the air as I wrap myself into a blanket. I creep to the edge of the platform in near silence, careful not to disturb any animals that may be about. I cast my gaze around me, spotting impala drinking at the river’s edge and what looks to be a herd of elephant in the distance. Binoculars have been thoughtfully provided for me, but I have my camera’s zoom lens. It’s a whole family of elephant heading to the river bank! I wait patiently, observing the hippo at play while the elephant approach, calves in tow. I feel a mounting excitement. As the vast African sky turns sunrise-shades of pink and orange, the elephant walk into the river, filling their trunks and sending plumes of water cascading over their bodies. This is the shot I’ve been waiting for. My partner finds me grinning from ear to ear, delighted with my morning’s sightings. It’s time to have a bucket shower down below, an adventure all on its own that many guests probably choose to avoid in favour of the more luxurious options back at camp.

I wake up with first light, instantly poised for action as I hear the sound of hippo harrumphing. Though it’s hard to leave our cosy double bed, I’m keen to get some photos that can capture the beauty of what I’ve been experiencing. I let my partner continue sleeping; hours of watching the live feed from the night-vision camera and playing with the infrared spotlight have worn out my better half.

I move aside the mosquito net, feeling a slight chill in the air as I wrap myself into a blanket. I creep to the edge of the platform in near silence, careful not to disturb any animals that may be about. I cast my gaze around me, spotting impala drinking at the river’s edge and what looks to be a herd of elephant in the distance.

Binoculars have been thoughtfully provided for me, but I have my camera’s zoom lens. It’s a whole family of elephant heading to the river bank! I wait patiently, observing the hippo at play while the elephant approach, calves in tow. I feel a mounting excitement. As the vast African sky turns sunrise-shades of pink and orange, the elephant walk into the river, filling their trunks and sending plumes of water cascading over their bodies. This is the shot I’ve been waiting for.

My partner finds me grinning from ear to ear, delighted with my morning’s sightings. It’s time to have a bucket shower down below, an adventure all on its own that many guests probably choose to avoid in favour of the more luxurious options back at camp.

What sets it apart

I love the romance of sleeping under the stars, with just the two of us under the big African sky, but it also makes me feel like a little kid on an adventure. In fact, we could even bring our kids next time, as Serian The Nest can sleep six. Getting dinner delivered to our treehouse hideaway was a real treat, as was lying on the deck afterwards, seeing the thick clusters of stars in all their brilliance, unfettered by any kind of pollution. Apart from the stars, the wildlife sightings were incredible! It doesn’t feel like you’re merely observing the wildlife, but that you’re part of the natural landscape. In fact, I’m pretty sure that much of the wildlife was observing us! Finally, what makes the experience even more special is the knowledge that by staying at Serian The Nest, we’re supporting the eco-friendly practices that form part of Serian’s responsible tourism policy. The local Masai community benefits through jobs, student bursaries, guide training and anti-poaching education.

I love the romance of sleeping under the stars, with just the two of us under the big African sky, but it also makes me feel like a little kid on an adventure. In fact, we could even bring our kids next time, as Serian The Nest can sleep six. Getting dinner delivered to our treehouse hideaway was a real treat, as was lying on the deck afterwards, seeing the thick clusters of stars in all their brilliance, unfettered by any kind of pollution.

Apart from the stars, the wildlife sightings were incredible! It doesn’t feel like you’re merely observing the wildlife, but that you’re part of the natural landscape. In fact, I’m pretty sure that much of the wildlife was observing us!

Finally, what makes the experience even more special is the knowledge that by staying at Serian The Nest, we’re supporting the eco-friendly practices that form part of Serian’s responsible tourism policy. The local Masai community benefits through jobs, student bursaries, guide training and anti-poaching education.

At a glance

Luxury safari treehouse overlooking the Mara River in Kenya’s game-rich Masai Mara. Wonderfully romantic retreat for a couple, but it can sleep up to four adults and two children. Includes flushing toilet, bucket shower, meal service, infrared spotlight and night-vision camera.
Private concession, completely in the wild, no vehicles permitted and zero noise or light pollution.
Access to all activities at Serian The Original and Ngare Serian.
Children welcome with parents.

Luxury safari treehouse overlooking the Mara River in Kenya’s game-rich Masai Mara. Wonderfully romantic retreat for a couple, but it can sleep up to four adults and two children. Includes flushing toilet, bucket shower, meal service, infrared spotlight and night-vision camera.
Private concession, completely in the wild, no vehicles permitted and zero noise or light pollution.
Access to all activities at Serian The Original and Ngare Serian.
Children welcome with parents.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.