With the opening of the first Mantis property in Kenya, Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with over 400 hotels across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, will be expanding its footprint in Eastern Africa. The Mantis Masai Mara Eco-Lodge is destined to become a standout property for the brand and the group, providing direct access to the Mara-Seregenti game reserve: the ideal location for unforgettable safari experiences!

Adrian Gardiner, a global entrepreneur and conservationist, founded Mantis in 2000 and has a diverse collection of extraordinary destinations around the world. Since collaborating in 2018, Accor and Mantis have pursued new opportunities to welcome guests in authentic curated hotels, eco-lodges, and waterways, all while prioritising the cause of sustainability and promoting further appreciation of the natural environment in each unique destination.

The group is working in collaboration with Rakam Investment Ltd, a limited company that has been developing commercial and residential properties in the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Area since its inception in 2016.

This collaboration is the result of a competitive bidding process among top international hospitality companies. JLL Hotels & Hospitality, a global leader in real estate and hospitality advisory services, oversaw the competitive process.

Rakam Investment Ltd CEO Ann Rutere stated: “We are pleased to bring Accor’s brand, Mantis, to one of the most distinct and exclusive locations in Masai Mara. In addition to the brand’s uniqueness and awareness in the market, our confidence in this project comes from the high focus to sustainability and preservation of natural heritage offered by the Enonkishu Conservancy and Mantis expertise in the industry. We are excited to open our doors in 2024 and look forward to offering a combination of authentic, unique, and curated experiences to our guests visiting from all parts of the world.’’

The Mantis Masai Mara Eco-Lodge will be strategically located in the Enonkishu Conservancy, on the northern border of the Mara-Serengeti game reserve, and will include 20 tented suites, one restaurant and bar, events space, a sauna, and a wellness facility.

Guests staying at Mantis Masai Mara Eco-Lodge, like all Mantis around the world, will be immersed in an environment that celebrates conservation, locality, and sustainability, with activities ranging from educational talks about the Masai people and the history of the land to evening’story-telling’ around the boma.

According to Paul Gardiner, CEO of the Mantis Collection: “The Masai Mara is one of the most renown wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, and we are excited to offer guests sustainable adventures which celebrate the region’s culture and stay true to the roots of safari. We will provide fresh experiences which enable guests to make authentic connections with both nature and the people, all whilst supporting sustainability, conservation and community empowerment and upliftment – the founding core pillars of Mantis.”

When it opens, the lodge will be ready to welcome Safari enthusiasts, who will be able to discover wildlife in their natural habitat, as well as nature lovers who enjoy stargazing at night, birding, or photographic tours, all of which will be available on the property.

Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, stated, “This is a great opportunity for Accor and Mantis to expand our portfolio in Kenya and to introduce the first Mantis property in the country. This new addition illustrates our key focus on developing and implementing sustainable business practices and tourism products that are respectful of the surrounding environment and communities while meeting the changing and growing expectations of travelers.”

The lodge will have meeting rooms for small board and executive meetings, as well as designated outdoor event areas for weddings, social gatherings, and special celebrations.

Guests will also have access to leisure and recreational facilities, including a small curio shop where they may purchase basic necessities, Kenyan art, and designer things.

Accor now operates 156 properties in Africa (with a total of 26,598 keys) and has 84 properties (17,739 keys) in the pipeline.

– India’s new age travel digital media