I\u2019m sitting in the Nairobi Airport after a five-night stay at the new Marriott Safari Lodge in Kenya. This is my third African safari and I wanted to share my honest JW Marriott Masa Mara review \u2013 the good and the bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used my own Marriott points and money to book and travel to this luxury all-inclusive safari lodge. So all thoughts and opinions are my own based on my personal experience. I hope this review helps you know what to expect so that you're prepared for your trip as well as helps you decide whether to spend the money or points for this property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My review below includes a lot of detailed information including prices as well as some useful tips that I wished I had known before my stay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
To get to the new JW Masai Mara Safari Lodge you need to fly into Nairobi, Kenya. I was able to use points to book a business class flight from Seattle to Nairobi via Dubai on Emirates. I had a 15-hour overnight layover in Dubai and booked a room at the Premier Inn Dubai Airport<\/a> for $53 (August). It was clean, included a breakfast option, and most importantly had a free shuttle to and from DXB Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My flight from Dubai to Nairobi was easy and arrived around 2 pm Nairobi time. I booked a room at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport<\/a> with a free shuttle from NBO to the airport. That hotel cost $162 and was clean with dining options in the hotel. Plus, they have a great rooftop pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: if you're not accustomed to African travel, you might not be prepared for arriving at Nairobi airport. There will likely be very few signs with directions. I highly recommend you make sure to have a shuttle\/transfer arranged before landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I neglected to contact my Nairobi hotel with my arrival time and request a shuttle as I assumed the shuttle would be running regularly. That was a bit of a mistake as there were no signs or noticeable areas where shuttles would come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully I found an airport security agent who was able to use his phone to contact the hotel (I couldn't use my WhatsApp to call the hotel for some reason) and they made sure to get a shuttle for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My friend purchased her flight from Vancouver to Nairobi with a stop in Frankfurt. Her flight left a day after mine as I had a long layover in Dubai. Her flight arrived in Nairobi around 9 pm and she met me at the Crowne Plaza after 10 pm. I had made sure to arrange a hotel shuttle pick up for her once I checked in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We chose to stay overnight in Nairobi so we didn't arrive at the JW Marriott on the same day of our long travel days. I highly recommend<\/strong> this as it also gives you a cushion for any flight delays. You don't want to miss any of your preciously booked days at the JW Masai Mara Lodge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have some free time in Nairobi, there is a National Park by the city and you can book a Nairobi National Park tour<\/a>. You can also book a visit to the popular Elephant Orphanage or a Maasai Village trip<\/a>. If you're allowing a whole day before your JW stay, consider booking this full-day tour<\/a> that includes a safari drive and a visit to the Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From NBO Airport you\u2019ll need to transfer from NBO to Wilson Airstrip for a bush plane flight to Keekorok Airstrip. If you don\u2019t want to fly, you can arrange a car transfer from Nairobi to the lodge but the drive will be 5-6 hours while the flight is only about 40 minutes depending on if you have stops beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can book all of your transfers directly through the JW Marriott team. They had quoted me the following prices for our August trip: USD 400 per car load one way from Nairobi to lodge; and USD 400 per person for the flight (roundtrip) from Wilson Airstrip to Keekorok. You can do a car transfer one way and then fly back one way, the one-way flight was quoted at USD 242.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My advice, book the flights! You'll have a lot of bumpy driving on your game drives and having the chance to experience local African airstrip flights, possibly flying over animals, is a unique experience of its own. Of course, if you have a large group, the $400 per person for flights might be more than you want to spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we did the flights, we had to find a way to get to Wilson Airstrip from Nairobi. The JW can book a transfer for you from the NBO airport to the airstrip for USD 70 one way. We chose to overnight in Nairobi the day before our JW Marriott stay and so ordered an Uber from our Nairobi hotel to the Wilson airstrip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The drive to Wilson Airstrip from the Nairobi Airport area will take approximately 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. There is indoor seating available at Wilson, it's has more infrastructure than most airstrips, so better to arrive early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I should note that we are experienced travelers and felt okay using Uber, however, if you've never been to Africa and are a hesitant traveler, you might want to arrange all your various transfers via the JW Marriott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We booked our flights to the JW Marriott Masai Mara directly with the hotel for $400 each round trip and we were booked on Safarilink. We arranged for 10 am flights from Wilson Airstrip and left our hotel just after 8 am using Uber. It was easy but not the same level of vehicles that we\u2019d expect in the US. But the price was about $8 USD whereas the hotel\u2019s transfer service was $45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not uncommon when planning an African safari vacation to use small planes to travel between airstrips. We arrived at Wilson airport to find it had much more infrastructure than we expected. They\u2019ll weigh your luggage (including backpacks) and check you in for your flight. They have bathrooms and even a very small gift shop and caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our flight from Wilson to Keekorok was on a Dash 8 plane and had at least three stops as we were the second stop and there were people continuing after us. The Dash 8 flight experience had a flight attendant, and she even provided a \u201cwater beverage service\u201d with a tote during the flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The return flight from Keekorok to Wilson was on a small bush plane and was a direct flight with six passengers, no flight attendant and a direct view of the pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we landed at Keekorok airstrip, the JW Marriott had a guide waiting for us. David collected our luggage and showed us and another couple to our JW Marriott open air Jeep. There are restrooms at the airstrip, just know they\u2019re very basic and don\u2019t include toilet paper, so bring your own tissue. Also be sure to pack some hand sanitizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Masai Mara park fees are due upon arrival at Keekorok. Currently the fee is $80 per person per day. For our five-night stay we paid $400 each, $800 total. You can pay in advance with the hotel or pay on your own upon arrival. If you pay the hotel in advance, the pickup guide will pay the fees for you while you wait in the jeep or use the restroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you know what fees you should pay! Our guide almost had us paying a week of fees versus the five days. I wouldn\u2019t have known if it wasn\u2019t for the park ranger stating the amount to me and me knowing that it was too much. The park ranger said our guide told him we were there for seven days, but that was the other couple, not us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are locals selling crafts at the airstrip. I\u2019m not sure about the authenticity or pricing of the products as I didn\u2019t shop there. If you\u2019re only staying at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, this will be your only local shopping option unless you buy from the hotel gift shop or add-on a village visit during your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JW Marriott Jeep to Lodge<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting to the JW Marriott takes about 30 minutes from the Keekorok airstrip, but your arrival will likely take longer as your driver will take you on a scenic route. You will have the opportunity to see animals on the way as you are in the park. We saw gazelles, cape buffalo, zebra, warthogs, and even giraffe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your guide will also have packed a few drinks and snacks for your drive and will set up a table for a short break. We enjoyed some prosecco and snacks of arrowroot chips before finishing our drive to the lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our guide wasn\u2019t great at telling us what to expect, which we later learned. I believe that during this arrival drive time, you\u2019re typically told what your schedule will look like. We also discovered that we were being paired with the same couple for all of our drives, so if you get paired with strangers on your pick up, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be touring with them during your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrival and Check In<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masai Welcome Song<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you arrive at the Lodge, you\u2019re supposed to be greeted by a group of Masai with a welcome song. This didn\u2019t happen for our group and when we saw it being performed the next day, we asked about it and were told we should have been greeted with the performance. The Masai were kind enough to let us join their celebration song even though we had already arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After leaving the Jeep, you\u2019ll cross the suspension bridge over the Talek River. There is a separate entrance for individuals with mobility issues if needed. On the other side of the bridge you\u2019ll be welcomed with some sparkling wine or hibiscus juice and then seated at the lodge lounge or dining room if you\u2019re hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was our first hiccup point of the trip; they handed me my check-in paper to sign and I saw it said we were booked in tent 12 which was a 1 King room. I had to show my email booking confirmation that showed I had booked a 2 Queen room. Jemma, one of our hotel supervisors apologized and said she\u2019d look into it. We had to go to room 12 and they later brought a twin bed into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We were told they would be able to move us into a 2 Queen room the following day, which they did, room\/tent 16. But it was disappointing and made us not be able to settle into our room the first day. Then they told us to have everything packed up ready to move by the next morning (before our game drive), which took extra time in the early morning and the move ended up not even happening until later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Checking in does go quickly and depending on when you arrive you can likely go straight to your room. You can also decide to eat right away if you\u2019re hungry. Be prepared for an evening game drive on your arrival day. We arrived at the resort around 1 pm and David told us we\u2019d head out at 4:30 pm for a safari drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rooms at JW Masai Mara Resort<\/p>\n\n\n\n Layout of Resort<\/p>\n\n\n\n The JW Masai Mara lies along the edge of the Talek River. You enter from a floating bridge that separates the lodge into two sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To the left of the bridge is the main lobby and dining area, and beyond those areas are tents 1-11, as well as the pool and gym. From the right side of the bridge are tents 12-21 (there is no tent 13). Tents 1-11 are considered sunset view tents and 12-21 are sunrise view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some tents are supposed to look across the river and might see some animals. The two tents we were given (12 and 16) both had large fig trees and shrubs blocking our view. We heard the couple that we were teamed with on our drives had a sunset tent and had views of animals and the river from their patio\/balcony. I was really disappointed that there is such a wide difference for tent views as all tents are essentially sold as the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Room vs Queen Room<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I mentioned above, they messed up our reservation and assigned us a King room, even though I booked 2 Queens which I had to show proof of to be believed. For a five night stay, this was an inconvenience and not luxury care standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I was traveling with a friend, they did agree to bring a twin bed into the room for us. The twin bed addition was a full bed, not a roll away, including the four posters and mosquito netting. This room type would be great for a couple with a kid as long as you\u2019re ok sharing the bedroom space with that other person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two-queen room is essentially the same, but I will note that the King room has a nightstand with plugs on each side of the bed. The two-queen room shares a center nightstand with plugs. Both rooms have two ceiling fans, two wardrobes, a seating area with two couches, and a desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bathroom is very spacious and lovely. I\u2019ll mention that there is no bathroom door to the main sink area, so keep that in mind if you\u2019re not sharing with a partner. There are doors to a separate toilet room, and a door to a large walk-in shower which has an exterior access door to an outdoor shower on the side of the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each room has a hot tub on the outside patio, but it is kept covered and unheated, so you\u2019ll want to let your housekeeper know far in advance if you want to use it. Typically, we\u2019d enjoy it after dinner so let our dining server know at lunch that we wanted to use the tub after dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Housekeeper<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our housekeeping services were great, and I have nothing remarkable to say about that. We didn\u2019t know how to contact our housekeeper as we rarely saw him, however talking with our servers worked well as they all seem to share messages between themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As coffee addicts, we did find that our housekeeper failed to restock our coffee a couple of times. We called the office with the phone in our tent and coffee was brought to us fairly quickly. But for a luxury safari resort, I would expect this to be an obvious part of cleaning and stocking the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is turn down service, so you\u2019ll come back to the room after dinner with some slippers and a chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is turn down service and<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turn down service<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dining at JW Marriott Masa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amenities<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pool<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gym<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canon Studio<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safari Game Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Half Day Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full Day Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sundowner<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bush Breakfast<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeep Snacks<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 Things You Need to Know<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Ask<\/p>\n\n\n\n Room Location Matters (but also doesn\u2019t)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tipping at JW Masai Mara<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5* Service Expectations<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preferences Form<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food Allergy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assigned Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canon Photography Equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n SD Card<\/p>\n\n\n\n Language<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masai Mara National Park Animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wildebeest Migration Season<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wheelchair Accessibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to Pack<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safari Packing List<\/p>\n","post_title":"My Full and Honest JW Marriott Masai Mara Kenya Africa Lodge Review","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"draft","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"jw-marriott-masai-mara-review","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-22 10:19:37","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-22 18:19:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/stuffedsuitcase.com\/?p=20190","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:20:36 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:20:37 | Message: manually sharing post gutenberg{"ID":20190,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-01-22 10:20:37","post_date_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content":"\n I\u2019m sitting in the Nairobi Airport after a five-night stay at the new Marriott Safari Lodge in Kenya. This is my third African safari and I wanted to share my honest JW Marriott Masa Mara review \u2013 the good and the bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I used my own Marriott points and money to book and travel to this luxury all-inclusive safari lodge. So all thoughts and opinions are my own based on my personal experience. I hope this review helps you know what to expect so that you're prepared for your trip as well as helps you decide whether to spend the money or points for this property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My review below includes a lot of detailed information including prices as well as some useful tips that I wished I had known before my stay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n To get to the new JW Masai Mara Safari Lodge you need to fly into Nairobi, Kenya. I was able to use points to book a business class flight from Seattle to Nairobi via Dubai on Emirates. I had a 15-hour overnight layover in Dubai and booked a room at the Premier Inn Dubai Airport<\/a> for $53 (August). It was clean, included a breakfast option, and most importantly had a free shuttle to and from DXB Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My flight from Dubai to Nairobi was easy and arrived around 2 pm Nairobi time. I booked a room at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport<\/a> with a free shuttle from NBO to the airport. That hotel cost $162 and was clean with dining options in the hotel. Plus, they have a great rooftop pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: if you're not accustomed to African travel, you might not be prepared for arriving at Nairobi airport. There will likely be very few signs with directions. I highly recommend you make sure to have a shuttle\/transfer arranged before landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I neglected to contact my Nairobi hotel with my arrival time and request a shuttle as I assumed the shuttle would be running regularly. That was a bit of a mistake as there were no signs or noticeable areas where shuttles would come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully I found an airport security agent who was able to use his phone to contact the hotel (I couldn't use my WhatsApp to call the hotel for some reason) and they made sure to get a shuttle for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My friend purchased her flight from Vancouver to Nairobi with a stop in Frankfurt. Her flight left a day after mine as I had a long layover in Dubai. Her flight arrived in Nairobi around 9 pm and she met me at the Crowne Plaza after 10 pm. I had made sure to arrange a hotel shuttle pick up for her once I checked in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We chose to stay overnight in Nairobi so we didn't arrive at the JW Marriott on the same day of our long travel days. I highly recommend<\/strong> this as it also gives you a cushion for any flight delays. You don't want to miss any of your preciously booked days at the JW Masai Mara Lodge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have some free time in Nairobi, there is a National Park by the city and you can book a Nairobi National Park tour<\/a>. You can also book a visit to the popular Elephant Orphanage or a Maasai Village trip<\/a>. If you're allowing a whole day before your JW stay, consider booking this full-day tour<\/a> that includes a safari drive and a visit to the Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From NBO Airport you\u2019ll need to transfer from NBO to Wilson Airstrip for a bush plane flight to Keekorok Airstrip. If you don\u2019t want to fly, you can arrange a car transfer from Nairobi to the lodge but the drive will be 5-6 hours while the flight is only about 40 minutes depending on if you have stops beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can book all of your transfers directly through the JW Marriott team. They had quoted me the following prices for our August trip: USD 400 per car load one way from Nairobi to lodge; and USD 400 per person for the flight (roundtrip) from Wilson Airstrip to Keekorok. You can do a car transfer one way and then fly back one way, the one-way flight was quoted at USD 242.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My advice, book the flights! You'll have a lot of bumpy driving on your game drives and having the chance to experience local African airstrip flights, possibly flying over animals, is a unique experience of its own. Of course, if you have a large group, the $400 per person for flights might be more than you want to spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we did the flights, we had to find a way to get to Wilson Airstrip from Nairobi. The JW can book a transfer for you from the NBO airport to the airstrip for USD 70 one way. We chose to overnight in Nairobi the day before our JW Marriott stay and so ordered an Uber from our Nairobi hotel to the Wilson airstrip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The drive to Wilson Airstrip from the Nairobi Airport area will take approximately 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. There is indoor seating available at Wilson, it's has more infrastructure than most airstrips, so better to arrive early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I should note that we are experienced travelers and felt okay using Uber, however, if you've never been to Africa and are a hesitant traveler, you might want to arrange all your various transfers via the JW Marriott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We booked our flights to the JW Marriott Masai Mara directly with the hotel for $400 each round trip and we were booked on Safarilink. We arranged for 10 am flights from Wilson Airstrip and left our hotel just after 8 am using Uber. It was easy but not the same level of vehicles that we\u2019d expect in the US. But the price was about $8 USD whereas the hotel\u2019s transfer service was $45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not uncommon when planning an African safari vacation to use small planes to travel between airstrips. We arrived at Wilson airport to find it had much more infrastructure than we expected. They\u2019ll weigh your luggage (including backpacks) and check you in for your flight. They have bathrooms and even a very small gift shop and caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our flight from Wilson to Keekorok was on a Dash 8 plane and had at least three stops as we were the second stop and there were people continuing after us. The Dash 8 flight experience had a flight attendant, and she even provided a \u201cwater beverage service\u201d with a tote during the flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The return flight from Keekorok to Wilson was on a small bush plane and was a direct flight with six passengers, no flight attendant and a direct view of the pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we landed at Keekorok airstrip, the JW Marriott had a guide waiting for us. David collected our luggage and showed us and another couple to our JW Marriott open air Jeep. There are restrooms at the airstrip, just know they\u2019re very basic and don\u2019t include toilet paper, so bring your own tissue. Also be sure to pack some hand sanitizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Masai Mara park fees are due upon arrival at Keekorok. Currently the fee is $80 per person per day. For our five-night stay we paid $400 each, $800 total. You can pay in advance with the hotel or pay on your own upon arrival. If you pay the hotel in advance, the pickup guide will pay the fees for you while you wait in the jeep or use the restroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you know what fees you should pay! Our guide almost had us paying a week of fees versus the five days. I wouldn\u2019t have known if it wasn\u2019t for the park ranger stating the amount to me and me knowing that it was too much. The park ranger said our guide told him we were there for seven days, but that was the other couple, not us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are locals selling crafts at the airstrip. I\u2019m not sure about the authenticity or pricing of the products as I didn\u2019t shop there. If you\u2019re only staying at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, this will be your only local shopping option unless you buy from the hotel gift shop or add-on a village visit during your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JW Marriott Jeep to Lodge<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting to the JW Marriott takes about 30 minutes from the Keekorok airstrip, but your arrival will likely take longer as your driver will take you on a scenic route. You will have the opportunity to see animals on the way as you are in the park. We saw gazelles, cape buffalo, zebra, warthogs, and even giraffe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your guide will also have packed a few drinks and snacks for your drive and will set up a table for a short break. We enjoyed some prosecco and snacks of arrowroot chips before finishing our drive to the lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our guide wasn\u2019t great at telling us what to expect, which we later learned. I believe that during this arrival drive time, you\u2019re typically told what your schedule will look like. We also discovered that we were being paired with the same couple for all of our drives, so if you get paired with strangers on your pick up, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be touring with them during your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrival and Check In<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masai Welcome Song<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you arrive at the Lodge, you\u2019re supposed to be greeted by a group of Masai with a welcome song. This didn\u2019t happen for our group and when we saw it being performed the next day, we asked about it and were told we should have been greeted with the performance. The Masai were kind enough to let us join their celebration song even though we had already arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After leaving the Jeep, you\u2019ll cross the suspension bridge over the Talek River. There is a separate entrance for individuals with mobility issues if needed. On the other side of the bridge you\u2019ll be welcomed with some sparkling wine or hibiscus juice and then seated at the lodge lounge or dining room if you\u2019re hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was our first hiccup point of the trip; they handed me my check-in paper to sign and I saw it said we were booked in tent 12 which was a 1 King room. I had to show my email booking confirmation that showed I had booked a 2 Queen room. Jemma, one of our hotel supervisors apologized and said she\u2019d look into it. We had to go to room 12 and they later brought a twin bed into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We were told they would be able to move us into a 2 Queen room the following day, which they did, room\/tent 16. But it was disappointing and made us not be able to settle into our room the first day. Then they told us to have everything packed up ready to move by the next morning (before our game drive), which took extra time in the early morning and the move ended up not even happening until later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Checking in does go quickly and depending on when you arrive you can likely go straight to your room. You can also decide to eat right away if you\u2019re hungry. Be prepared for an evening game drive on your arrival day. We arrived at the resort around 1 pm and David told us we\u2019d head out at 4:30 pm for a safari drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rooms at JW Masai Mara Resort<\/p>\n\n\n\n Layout of Resort<\/p>\n\n\n\n The JW Masai Mara lies along the edge of the Talek River. You enter from a floating bridge that separates the lodge into two sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To the left of the bridge is the main lobby and dining area, and beyond those areas are tents 1-11, as well as the pool and gym. From the right side of the bridge are tents 12-21 (there is no tent 13). Tents 1-11 are considered sunset view tents and 12-21 are sunrise view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some tents are supposed to look across the river and might see some animals. The two tents we were given (12 and 16) both had large fig trees and shrubs blocking our view. We heard the couple that we were teamed with on our drives had a sunset tent and had views of animals and the river from their patio\/balcony. I was really disappointed that there is such a wide difference for tent views as all tents are essentially sold as the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Room vs Queen Room<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I mentioned above, they messed up our reservation and assigned us a King room, even though I booked 2 Queens which I had to show proof of to be believed. For a five night stay, this was an inconvenience and not luxury care standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I was traveling with a friend, they did agree to bring a twin bed into the room for us. The twin bed addition was a full bed, not a roll away, including the four posters and mosquito netting. This room type would be great for a couple with a kid as long as you\u2019re ok sharing the bedroom space with that other person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two-queen room is essentially the same, but I will note that the King room has a nightstand with plugs on each side of the bed. The two-queen room shares a center nightstand with plugs. Both rooms have two ceiling fans, two wardrobes, a seating area with two couches, and a desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bathroom is very spacious and lovely. I\u2019ll mention that there is no bathroom door to the main sink area, so keep that in mind if you\u2019re not sharing with a partner. There are doors to a separate toilet room, and a door to a large walk-in shower which has an exterior access door to an outdoor shower on the side of the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each room has a hot tub on the outside patio, but it is kept covered and unheated, so you\u2019ll want to let your housekeeper know far in advance if you want to use it. Typically, we\u2019d enjoy it after dinner so let our dining server know at lunch that we wanted to use the tub after dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Housekeeper<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our housekeeping services were great, and I have nothing remarkable to say about that. We didn\u2019t know how to contact our housekeeper as we rarely saw him, however talking with our servers worked well as they all seem to share messages between themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As coffee addicts, we did find that our housekeeper failed to restock our coffee a couple of times. We called the office with the phone in our tent and coffee was brought to us fairly quickly. But for a luxury safari resort, I would expect this to be an obvious part of cleaning and stocking the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a turn-down service, so you\u2019ll come back to the room after dinner with some slippers and chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dining at JW Marriott Masa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amenities<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pool<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gym<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canon Studio<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safari Game Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Half Day Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full Day Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sundowner<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bush Breakfast<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeep Snacks<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 Things You Need to Know<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Ask<\/p>\n\n\n\n Room Location Matters (but also doesn\u2019t)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tipping at JW Masai Mara<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5* Service Expectations<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preferences Form<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food Allergy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assigned Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canon Photography Equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n SD Card<\/p>\n\n\n\n Language<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masai Mara National Park Animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wildebeest Migration Season<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wheelchair Accessibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to Pack<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safari Packing List<\/p>\n","post_title":"My Full and Honest JW Marriott Masai Mara Kenya Africa Lodge Review","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"draft","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"jw-marriott-masai-mara-review","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-22 10:20:37","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-22 18:20:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/stuffedsuitcase.com\/?p=20190","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:21:37 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:21:38 | Message: manually sharing post gutenberg{"ID":20190,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-01-22 10:21:38","post_date_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content":"\n I\u2019m sitting in the Nairobi Airport after a five-night stay at the new Marriott Safari Lodge in Kenya. This is my third African safari and I wanted to share my honest JW Marriott Masa Mara review \u2013 the good and the bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I used my own Marriott points and money to book and travel to this luxury all-inclusive safari lodge. So all thoughts and opinions are my own based on my personal experience. I hope this review helps you know what to expect so that you're prepared for your trip as well as helps you decide whether to spend the money or points for this property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My review below includes a lot of detailed information including prices as well as some useful tips that I wished I had known before my stay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n To get to the new JW Masai Mara Safari Lodge you need to fly into Nairobi, Kenya. I was able to use points to book a business class flight from Seattle to Nairobi via Dubai on Emirates. I had a 15-hour overnight layover in Dubai and booked a room at the Premier Inn Dubai Airport<\/a> for $53 (August). It was clean, included a breakfast option, and most importantly had a free shuttle to and from DXB Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My flight from Dubai to Nairobi was easy and arrived around 2 pm Nairobi time. I booked a room at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport<\/a> with a free shuttle from NBO to the airport. That hotel cost $162 and was clean with dining options in the hotel. Plus, they have a great rooftop pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: if you're not accustomed to African travel, you might not be prepared for arriving at Nairobi airport. There will likely be very few signs with directions. I highly recommend you make sure to have a shuttle\/transfer arranged before landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I neglected to contact my Nairobi hotel with my arrival time and request a shuttle as I assumed the shuttle would be running regularly. That was a bit of a mistake as there were no signs or noticeable areas where shuttles would come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully I found an airport security agent who was able to use his phone to contact the hotel (I couldn't use my WhatsApp to call the hotel for some reason) and they made sure to get a shuttle for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My friend purchased her flight from Vancouver to Nairobi with a stop in Frankfurt. Her flight left a day after mine as I had a long layover in Dubai. Her flight arrived in Nairobi around 9 pm and she met me at the Crowne Plaza after 10 pm. I had made sure to arrange a hotel shuttle pick up for her once I checked in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We chose to stay overnight in Nairobi so we didn't arrive at the JW Marriott on the same day of our long travel days. I highly recommend<\/strong> this as it also gives you a cushion for any flight delays. You don't want to miss any of your preciously booked days at the JW Masai Mara Lodge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have some free time in Nairobi, there is a National Park by the city and you can book a Nairobi National Park tour<\/a>. You can also book a visit to the popular Elephant Orphanage or a Maasai Village trip<\/a>. If you're allowing a whole day before your JW stay, consider booking this full-day tour<\/a> that includes a safari drive and a visit to the Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From NBO Airport you\u2019ll need to transfer from NBO to Wilson Airstrip for a bush plane flight to Keekorok Airstrip. If you don\u2019t want to fly, you can arrange a car transfer from Nairobi to the lodge but the drive will be 5-6 hours while the flight is only about 40 minutes depending on if you have stops beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can book all of your transfers directly through the JW Marriott team. They had quoted me the following prices for our August trip: USD 400 per car load one way from Nairobi to lodge; and USD 400 per person for the flight (roundtrip) from Wilson Airstrip to Keekorok. You can do a car transfer one way and then fly back one way, the one-way flight was quoted at USD 242.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My advice, book the flights! You'll have a lot of bumpy driving on your game drives and having the chance to experience local African airstrip flights, possibly flying over animals, is a unique experience of its own. Of course, if you have a large group, the $400 per person for flights might be more than you want to spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we did the flights, we had to find a way to get to Wilson Airstrip from Nairobi. The JW can book a transfer for you from the NBO airport to the airstrip for USD 70 one way. We chose to overnight in Nairobi the day before our JW Marriott stay and so ordered an Uber from our Nairobi hotel to the Wilson airstrip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The drive to Wilson Airstrip from the Nairobi Airport area will take approximately 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. There is indoor seating available at Wilson, it's has more infrastructure than most airstrips, so better to arrive early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I should note that we are experienced travelers and felt okay using Uber, however, if you've never been to Africa and are a hesitant traveler, you might want to arrange all your various transfers via the JW Marriott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We booked our flights to the JW Marriott Masai Mara directly with the hotel for $400 each round trip and we were booked on Safarilink. We arranged for 10 am flights from Wilson Airstrip and left our hotel just after 8 am using Uber. It was easy but not the same level of vehicles that we\u2019d expect in the US. But the price was about $8 USD whereas the hotel\u2019s transfer service was $45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not uncommon when planning an African safari vacation to use small planes to travel between airstrips. We arrived at Wilson airport to find it had much more infrastructure than we expected. They\u2019ll weigh your luggage (including backpacks) and check you in for your flight. They have bathrooms and even a very small gift shop and caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our flight from Wilson to Keekorok was on a Dash 8 plane and had at least three stops as we were the second stop and there were people continuing after us. The Dash 8 flight experience had a flight attendant, and she even provided a \u201cwater beverage service\u201d with a tote during the flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The return flight from Keekorok to Wilson was on a small bush plane and was a direct flight with six passengers, no flight attendant and a direct view of the pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we landed at Keekorok airstrip, the JW Marriott had a guide waiting for us. David collected our luggage and showed us and another couple to our JW Marriott open air Jeep. There are restrooms at the airstrip, just know they\u2019re very basic and don\u2019t include toilet paper, so bring your own tissue. Also be sure to pack some hand sanitizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Masai Mara park fees are due upon arrival at Keekorok. Currently the fee is $80 per person per day. For our five-night stay we paid $400 each, $800 total. You can pay in advance with the hotel or pay on your own upon arrival. If you pay the hotel in advance, the pickup guide will pay the fees for you while you wait in the jeep or use the restroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you know what fees you should pay! Our guide almost had us paying a week of fees versus the five days. I wouldn\u2019t have known if it wasn\u2019t for the park ranger stating the amount to me and me knowing that it was too much. The park ranger said our guide told him we were there for seven days, but that was the other couple, not us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are locals selling crafts at the airstrip. I\u2019m not sure about the authenticity or pricing of the products as I didn\u2019t shop there. If you\u2019re only staying at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, this will be your only local shopping option unless you buy from the hotel gift shop or add-on a village visit during your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JW Marriott Jeep to Lodge<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting to the JW Marriott takes about 30 minutes from the Keekorok airstrip, but your arrival will likely take longer as your driver will take you on a scenic route. You will have the opportunity to see animals on the way as you are in the park. We saw gazelles, cape buffalo, zebra, warthogs, and even giraffe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your guide will also have packed a few drinks and snacks for your drive and will set up a table for a short break. We enjoyed some prosecco and snacks of arrowroot chips before finishing our drive to the lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our guide wasn\u2019t great at telling us what to expect, which we later learned. I believe that during this arrival drive time, you\u2019re typically told what your schedule will look like. We also discovered that we were being paired with the same couple for all of our drives, so if you get paired with strangers on your pick up, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be touring with them during your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrival and Check In<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masai Welcome Song<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you arrive at the Lodge, you\u2019re supposed to be greeted by a group of Masai with a welcome song. This didn\u2019t happen for our group and when we saw it being performed the next day, we asked about it and were told we should have been greeted with the performance. The Masai were kind enough to let us join their celebration song even though we had already arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After leaving the Jeep, you\u2019ll cross the suspension bridge over the Talek River. There is a separate entrance for individuals with mobility issues if needed. On the other side of the bridge you\u2019ll be welcomed with some sparkling wine or hibiscus juice and then seated at the lodge lounge or dining room if you\u2019re hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was our first hiccup point of the trip; they handed me my check-in paper to sign and I saw it said we were booked in tent 12 which was a 1 King room. I had to show my email booking confirmation that showed I had booked a 2 Queen room. Jemma, one of our hotel supervisors apologized and said she\u2019d look into it. We had to go to room 12 and they later brought a twin bed into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We were told they would be able to move us into a 2 Queen room the following day, which they did, room\/tent 16. But it was disappointing and made us not be able to settle into our room the first day. Then they told us to have everything packed up ready to move by the next morning (before our game drive), which took extra time in the early morning and the move ended up not even happening until later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Checking in does go quickly and depending on when you arrive you can likely go straight to your room. You can also decide to eat right away if you\u2019re hungry. Be prepared for an evening game drive on your arrival day. We arrived at the resort around 1 pm and David told us we\u2019d head out at 4:30 pm for a safari drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rooms at JW Masai Mara Resort<\/p>\n\n\n\n Layout of Resort<\/p>\n\n\n\n The JW Masai Mara lies along the edge of the Talek River. You enter from a floating bridge that separates the lodge into two sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To the left of the bridge is the main lobby and dining area, and beyond those areas are tents 1-11, as well as the pool and gym. From the right side of the bridge are tents 12-21 (there is no tent 13). Tents 1-11 are considered sunset view tents and 12-21 are sunrise view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some tents are supposed to look across the river and might see some animals. The two tents we were given (12 and 16) both had large fig trees and shrubs blocking our view. We heard the couple that we were teamed with on our drives had a sunset tent and had views of animals and the river from their patio\/balcony. I was really disappointed that there is such a wide difference for tent views as all tents are essentially sold as the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Room vs Queen Room<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I mentioned above, they messed up our reservation and assigned us a King room, even though I booked 2 Queens which I had to show proof of to be believed. For a five night stay, this was an inconvenience and not luxury care standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I was traveling with a friend, they did agree to bring a twin bed into the room for us. The twin bed addition was a full bed, not a roll away, including the four posters and mosquito netting. This room type would be great for a couple with a kid as long as you\u2019re ok sharing the bedroom space with that other person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two-queen room is essentially the same, but I will note that the King room has a nightstand with plugs on each side of the bed. The two-queen room shares a center nightstand with plugs. Both rooms have two ceiling fans, two wardrobes, a seating area with two couches, and a desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bathroom is very spacious and lovely. I\u2019ll mention that there is no bathroom door to the main sink area, so keep that in mind if you\u2019re not sharing with a partner. There are doors to a separate toilet room, and a door to a large walk-in shower which has an exterior access door to an outdoor shower on the side of the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each room has a hot tub on the outside patio, but it is kept covered and unheated, so you\u2019ll want to let your housekeeper know far in advance if you want to use it. Typically, we\u2019d enjoy it after dinner so let our dining server know at lunch that we wanted to use the tub after dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Housekeeper<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our housekeeping services were great, and I have nothing remarkable to say about that. We didn\u2019t know how to contact our housekeeper as we rarely saw him, however talking with our servers worked well as they all seem to share messages between themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As coffee addicts, we did find that our housekeeper failed to restock our coffee a couple of times. We called the office with the phone in our tent and coffee was brought to us fairly quickly. But for a luxury safari resort, I would expect this to be an obvious part of cleaning and stocking the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a turn-down service, so you\u2019ll come back to the room after dinner with some slippers and chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dining at JW Marriott Masa<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Amenities<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pool<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gym<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canon Studio<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safari Game Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Half Day Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full Day Drives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sundowner<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bush Breakfast<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeep Snacks<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 Things You Need to Know<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Ask<\/p>\n\n\n\n Room Location Matters (but also doesn\u2019t)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tipping at JW Masai Mara<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5* Service Expectations<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preferences Form<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food Allergy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assigned Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canon Photography Equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n SD Card<\/p>\n\n\n\n Language<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masai Mara National Park Animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wildebeest Migration Season<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wheelchair Accessibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to Pack<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safari Packing List<\/p>\n","post_title":"My Full and Honest JW Marriott Masai Mara Kenya Africa Lodge Review","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"draft","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"jw-marriott-masai-mara-review","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-22 10:21:38","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-22 18:21:38","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/stuffedsuitcase.com\/?p=20190","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:32:40 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:35:44 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 06:51:04 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:11:56 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:16:36 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:27:49 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:41:26 | Message: save_post_meta - from action - []
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:41:26 | Message: sharing post{"ID":20241,"post_author":"19","post_date":"2024-01-22 11:41:25","post_date_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content":"","post_title":"","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"auto-draft","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-22 11:41:25","post_modified_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/stuffedsuitcase.com\/?post_type=web-story&p=20241","menu_order":0,"post_type":"web-story","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:41:26 | Message: is_already_shared not meta
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:41:26 | Message: manually share post skipping? - status auto-draft
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:51:57 | Message: save_post_meta - from action - []
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:51:57 | Message: sharing post{"ID":20242,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-01-22 11:51:57","post_date_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content":"","post_title":"Auto Draft","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"auto-draft","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-22 11:51:57","post_modified_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/stuffedsuitcase.com\/?p=20242","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:51:57 | Message: is_already_shared not meta
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:51:57 | Message: manually share post skipping? - status auto-draft
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:52:02 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:58:42 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:58:43 | Message: manually sharing post gutenberg{"ID":20242,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-01-22 11:58:43","post_date_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content":"","post_title":"Ireland","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"draft","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-22 11:58:43","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-22 19:58:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/stuffedsuitcase.com\/?p=20242","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:59:43 | Message: Gutenberg is present
Type: info | Date: 22.01.2024 07:59:43 | Message: manually sharing post gutenberg{"ID":20242,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2024-01-22 11:59:43","post_date_gmt":"0000-00-00 00:00:00","post_content":"\n Are you itching to visit the Emerald Isle but only have a week to explore? It\u2019s a relatively small country, so it\u2019s doable. This Ireland itinerary for 7 days will show you how to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and lively Irish culture in a one-week Ireland road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For most travelers, starting and ending your Irish road trip at Dublin Airport makes logical (and financial) sense. But for those who can start their trip in Dublin and end it at Shannon Airport, there are other destinations in this beautiful country you can squeeze into your 7-day Ireland itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This detailed guide suggests two different routes for both options. Either way, you\u2019ll have an epic and memorable time in Ireland!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waste no time at Dublin Airport by renting a car and driving north. Many flights from North America are red eye so you can start your Ireland itinerary for 7 days in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take note that, unless you specify, your rental car will have a manual transmission. Request an automatic if you don\u2019t want to tackle switching gears and <\/em>driving on the left of the road! Use Google Maps to navigate Ireland\u2019s narrow roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On your first day, head to Northern Ireland. The total drive time from Dublin to Belfast is just under two hours covering 162 km\/100 miles, so you should have plenty of time to explore Killeavy before traveling to Belfast and staying there one night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong>The Republic of Ireland measures speed in kilometers while Northern Ireland measures in miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located just over the Northern Irish border, Killeavy is a small town and a great place to stop for a break in an official area of natural beauty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You could check out Killeavy Castle Estate (there\u2019s a hotel there now but you can still check out the building) or the Slieve Gullion Forest Park. This area of woodland has links to Celtic mythology! If you\u2019re in Killeavy around lunchtime, stop at Johnny Murphy's Bar and Restaurant for a bite to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you arrive in Belfast, park your rental car and let a tour guide drive you around for a change! From the 1970s to the 1990s, Belfast was at the center of a pivotal moment in Irish history called \u2018the Troubles\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A great way to learn more about it is to book a Black Cab Tour around all the neighborhoods and dozens of political murals that document the era. Driving is much faster than a walking tour which is ideal because there are lots of things to do in Belfast!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Need souvenirs or just have lots of room in your suitcase to fill? St. George\u2019s Market is a 19th-century covered weekend market selling everything from street food to antiques. Born in Belfast is a great place to shop for local, artisanal gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong>Ireland\u2019s currency is the Euro but Northern Ireland uses Great British Pounds. Bring a good travel credit card with little to no exchange fees so you can pay in both currencies with no problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dublin has the River Liffey, but Belfast has the River Lagan. Take a fun, self-guided tour down this river on hydro bikes and see landmarks like the Prince Albert Clock, the yellow Harland & Wolf cranes, and the Big Fish. Check out Lagan Adventures to learn more about booking this fun water activity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While riding the hydro bikes you\u2019ll sail past the Titanic Quarter, home of Belfast\u2019s docks and where the infamous ship was built in the early 1910s. Titanic Belfast is a state-of-the-art experience that opened in 2012, the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Titanic on its first voyage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can learn more about the ship\u2019s design, the people who built it, and absolutely everything else there is to know about the Titanic. You can even find violins and deckchairs found on the Titanic\u2019s wreckage among the exhibits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belfast has tons of fantastic restaurants in its Cathedral Quarter. Check out The Dirty Onion and Yardbird for a more relaxed meal or The Muddlers Club for fine dining. Don\u2019t forget to check out the cool neon signs down Commercial Court which look best on a dark, rainy evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first full day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, you could <\/em>drive straight to Derry from Belfast along the motorway (the name for highways in Ireland). But then you\u2019d miss the scenic drive along the Causeway Coast!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This coastline stretches across the top of Northern Ireland. Stop at otherworldly landforms, medieval castles, rope bridges, and more. You can even see out to Scotland on this scenic route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driving from Belfast to Derry via the coast is approximately 114 miles in distance and will take three hours without stops. Set off early so you have as much time to make stops as possible. Spend one night in Derry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a history dating back 250 years, fishermen used to cross this rope bridge (an older version of the one installed in 2008!) to catch salmon on a small island. Carrick-A-Rede is a 66 ft-long rope bridge suspended 100 ft above the Antrim coast and offers the ultimate exciting experience as well as incredible sea views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stop by Carrick-A-Rede Bar & Restaurant for a cup of coffee before you leave. It\u2019s a 40-minute round trip from the parking lot to the rope bridge, so you\u2019ll need your strength!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your next stop is one of the best things to do on the entire island of Ireland, hands down. The Giant\u2019s Causeway is Northern Ireland\u2019s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. It\u2019s a four-mile-long stretch of coastline comprising thousands of basalt columns that interlock in an otherworldly form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can walk over these columns as much as you want for as long as you want, it\u2019s completely free to visit! You just need to pay for the parking lot and visitor center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Head into the nearby town of Bushmills for lunch where you can eat at Lorna\u2019s Kitchen or Flash in the Pan fish and chip shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just a few minutes along the coast from the Giant\u2019s Causeway is a beautiful ruined castle overlooking the coastline, Dunluce Castle. This 16th-century castle was once the main stronghold of Clan MacDonnell. Of all the castles to visit in Northern Ireland, this is the one to check out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Derry is Northern Ireland\u2019s second-largest city, so you\u2019ll have no trouble finding places to eat for dinner or things to do. If you arrive in Derry early, make sure you see the Peace Bridge over the River Foyle, Free Derry Corner, and The Derry Walls. These are 17th-century defensive walls that offer the best views across the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Castle Street Social is a cool, laidback bistro and The Bentley Bar is better for live Irish music and grills. Whether you\u2019re in the mood for Italian or Mexican, you\u2019ll find it in Derry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Derry is Northern Ireland\u2019s second city, so spend enough time visiting the main sites. But don\u2019t linger too long, because on the third day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, you\u2019ll be driving back into the Republic of Ireland and along the west coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driving from Derry to Westport in County Mayo will take approximately three hours to cover 149 miles\/240 km. It will take a little longer to make a stop well worth visiting en route<\/em>! Spend one night in Westport or the surrounding area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you like visiting eclectic museums, you\u2019ll spoiled for choice in Derry. Museum of Free Derry covers the region\u2019s local civil rights history, The Siege Museum specifically covers a specific historical moment in 1689, and the Foyle Valley Railway Museum with lots of old-timey trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven\u2019t already, watch the hilarious Netflix sitcom Derry Girls <\/em>which is set in this city. There\u2019s a mural of the main characters on Orchard Street, as well as lots of other murals you\u2019ll see as you walk around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make the first stop on this part of your road trip to the city of Sligo, a place known for its literary heritage (W.B. Yeats was born here). Make a stop for lunch at the traditional Walker 1781 pub which serves a mix of light, European fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continue driving towards Westport but make a slight detour to Ashford Castle. This 13th-century estate is now a hotel, but you\u2019re free to wander its lavish interiors and well-manicured gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have the bank balance, you could always stay overnight here instead of Westport. Keep in mind that this five-star hotel could set you back around $1,000 a night!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Westport is a large town on Ireland\u2019s west coast, you have plenty of dinner options. Cobbler's Bar & Courtyard is a relaxed grill or check out Friends Bistro which is a good all-rounder for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have time, take a stroll along the Carrowbeg River. There are lots of cute medieval bridges like the Doris Brothers Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ireland has six national parks, and you\u2019ll be able to visit at least one by following this Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Visiting during the summer months is a great time to visit Ireland as you can take advantage of the long days and good weather (well, better weather) for outdoor activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Westport is only 78.5 km\/49 miles north of Galway City (which will take just over one hour to drive without stopping) but there are some great things to do on your journey along the west coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ireland\u2019s entire stretch of coast along the Atlantic Ocean is called the Wild Atlantic Way. It stretches 2,600 km\/1600 miles from Malin Head in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. You won\u2019t have time to drive the entire scenic route during your week in Ireland, but you will see some of it on Days 4 and 5. Stay in overnight in Galway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are tons of beautiful stately homes across the country, none are as special as Kylemore Abbey. This 19th-century mansion has been occupied by Benedictine nuns since the 1920s and they\u2019re still there today. You can tour the house and walk around the gardens as well as visit the nearby Kylemore Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best things about this abbey is its stunning location. It\u2019s surrounded by woodland and sits on the banks of the Pollacapall Lough on the edge of Connemara National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of the national park, it\u2019s also worth a stop on your drive. Poke your head into the Visitor Center and if you have the time, tackle the nearby Lower Diamond Hill Trail. It\u2019s only a 1.8-mile loop walk and you can continue onto the Upper Diamond Hill Trail if that trail is too easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just a stone\u2019s throw further than Connemara National Park is Clifden, a cute, small town on the coast. Off The Square Restaurant is the perfect stone-walled caf\u00e9 to stop for lunch, and there are some interesting memorials dotted around the hills outside the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walk along the coast to the John D'Arcy Monument, dedicated to the founder of Clifden, or drive to the Alcock and Brown Memorial. These British pilots completed the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1919 which landed right outside of Clifden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the home of traditional Irish music and other Celtic legends, Galway is an essential stop on any Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Head to the colorful Latin Quarter where there are dozens of colorful pubs. Many licensed pubs allow accompanied children to enter until 9 pm, so check for notices around the door before entering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Galway\u2019s main street, Quay Street, stretches through the Latin Quarter and this is where you can find stores selling the famous Claddaugh jewelry. These Celtic pieces have a unique symbol with two hands to represent friendship, a heart to represent love and a crown for loyalty. They are the perfect souvenir!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Head under the Spanish Arch to the harbor and check out the Galway City Museum if you want to learn more about the city\u2019s local and maritime history. Check out the R\u00f3is\u00edn Dubh for the best live music performances in the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For dinner, The Dough Bros is budget and kid-friendly. Tigh Neachtain Pub & Restaurant has the best of both local Irish cuisine and traditional folk performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s time to get back to Dublin so you can explore Ireland\u2019s capital city before hopping on your flight back home. Not before swinging by one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driving from Galway to Dublin via the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and Limerick will take approximately five hours as you\u2019ll need to cover 356 km\/226 miles. Stay overnight in Dublin for the last two nights of your 7-day itinerary in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drive from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center and learn more about the formation of these incredible sea cliffs. They climb 702 feet tall at their highest point and stretch 14km\/nine miles along the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, walk out to the coastal path and explore different vantage points. On a clear day, you should be able to see out to the Aran Islands. Many companies run day tours to the Aran Islands from Galway, but you might not have time on your Ireland itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stop for lunch in Limerick, the fourth-largest city on the island. You have lots of options but Story Caf\u00e9 is perfect if you want to eat something light while The Locke Bar Gastro Pub is perfect for a filling sit-down meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hang around before continuing to Dublin as there are lots of things to do in Limerick. Visit the 19th-century Milk Market where you can pick up souvenirs or snacks for your ride. King John's Castle is an imposing medieval fortress that sits right on the River Shannon that you can visit too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you have a pretty long drive, you probably won\u2019t reach Dublin until the evening. Walk to the historic Temple Bar neighborhood for dinner. It\u2019s named after an actual 19th-century, bright red pub in the area that you can\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re traveling with kids and you\u2019ve struggled to find pubs that will admit those under 18 (the drinking age in Ireland) then head to Temple Bar before 9 pm to listen to music. If you\u2019re not visiting with kids, walk a few minutes west along the River Liffey to Brazen Head, Dublin\u2019s oldest pub. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Old Storehouse Bar or Cobblestone Pub are perfect places to enjoy dinner in Temple Bar. They both boast life music too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dublin is the perfect place to spend the last day of your trip. If it\u2019s your first time in Ireland, you can\u2019t miss it! But it\u2019s a big city and there are many options for spending your final full day. Book two nights' accommodation in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One great option is to find a parking lot for your rental car and check out the top tourist attractions in Dublin's city center. <\/p>\n\n\n\nGetting to the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wilson to Keekorok Airstrip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Quick Highlights of my JW Marriott Masai Mara Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Flying Emirates into Nairobi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Getting to the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wilson to Keekorok Airstrip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Quick Highlights of my JW Marriott Masai Mara Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Flying Emirates into Nairobi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Getting to the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wilson to Keekorok Airstrip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ireland Itinerary 7 Days: Option 1 (Dublin to Dublin)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Airport and Explore Belfast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Killeavy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Political Mural Black Cab Tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shopping in Belfast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ride Hydrobikes on the River Lagan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Titanic Belfast Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Evening in Belfast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Day 2: Drive the Scenic Causeway Coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Giant\u2019s Causeway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dunluce Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Evening in Derry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Day 3: Explore Derry and Drive to Westport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Derry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sligo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ashford Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Evening in Westport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Day 4: Explore Connemara National Park and Galway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kylemore Abbey & Gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Connemara National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Clifden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Galway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Day 5: Witness the Cliffs of Moher and Drive to Dublin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk and Visitor Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lunch in Limerick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Evening in Dublin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Day 6: Explore Dublin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n