Angama Mara Safari, Kenya

Angama Mara: Above the Mara
Perched high on the Oloololo Escarpment, where the Great Rift Valley drops away into the endless plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, Angama Mara feels like it’s floating between sky and earth. Richard Crawford’s journey begins here, in a place where luxury and wilderness meet in perfect balance.

Accommodation
From the moment he steps into his glass-fronted tented suite, the view takes his breath away — a horizon painted with golden grasslands and distant acacia trees, where giraffes wander and elephants move in slow, deliberate procession. This is the front row seat to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

The Safari
Each day begins with the soft glow of dawn spilling across the Mara. Richard sets out on early game drives into the Mara Triangle, the air crisp and still. Lions stretch in the morning sun, cheetahs stalk through the tall grass, and herds of wildebeest graze against the backdrop of an awakening sky. The soundtrack is pure Africa — birdsong, the rustle of wind through the grass, and the distant call of a fish eagle.

Ballooning
At Angama Mara, adventure extends beyond the Land Cruiser. Richard takes to the skies in a hot air balloon, drifting silently over the savannah as the first light of day ignites the horizon. From above, the Maasai Mara reveals its grandeur — winding rivers, hidden hippo pools, and the slow, timeless movement of wildlife below.

Cuisine
Back at the lodge, the experience turns intimate and personal. Meals are served in wide-open dining spaces or out in the bush, every bite celebrating local flavors and ingredients. Conversations with Maasai naturalists and community leaders reveal the deep connection between this land and its people, and the importance of protecting it for generations to come.

Conclusion 
As the sun sets, painting the plains in hues of amber and violet, Richard stands on the deck, a warm breeze carrying the scent of the earth. The day’s adventures blur into a memory of light, color, and life in motion. In this place, high above the Mara, the message is clear: true luxury lies in being part of the wild — and leaving no trace behind.