Mara River Safari Lodge Bali Review: Giraffe Views

While planning your trip to Bali,

are you looking for something a little different,

a truly special place that will leave a lifelong impression?

If you're getting a bit tired of the endless, identical pool villa views,

how about spending a night in a place

that feels like it has transported the African wilderness right to you?

Imagine waking up in the morning, greeting zebras from your balcony,

and feeding them carrots.

Today, I'm excited to share my raw, real experience of visiting this exact spot.

In particular, the "Twiga Deluxe" rooms,

where the animals come right up to your nose,

are incredibly popular with travelers from all over the world,

often booking out months in advance.

We also missed out on a longer stay because it was fully booked,

so we could only manage a 1-night, 2-day stay! ㅠㅠ

If your Bali travel dates are set,

I highly recommend checking right now

to see if there are any rooms left for your dates!

Unique Bali Accommodation: Location & Basic Info

Mara River Safari Lodge Hotel

Bali is packed with gorgeous pool villas and resorts,

but this place, located right inside Taman Safari Bali,

offers an experience on a whole different level.

If you've grown a bit bored of the usual ocean views

or jungle views in Ubud and Seminyak,

there's no better alternative than this.

It takes only about 40 minutes by car from downtown Ubud,

making it a great location

to squeeze into your itinerary for a night.

Once you arrive at the hotel, the exotic thatched roofs

and traditional interior—looking exactly like

an African safari lodge—instantly capture your attention,

along with various animals like giraffes and zebras.

Check-in is at 15:00, and check-out is at 12:00.

Just like any standard hotel!

Even though I've visited Bali three times now,

I was genuinely amazed, thinking, "I can't believe a place like this exists in Bali!"

This was the spot that truly blew me away.

If you love unique accommodations,

I highly, highly recommend this place.

By the way, I highly recommend using HotelsCombined to find the lowest prices!

Just enter your dates, and it compares prices across different booking sites

while digging up hidden deals for you.

Twiga Deluxe Booking & Price Comparison

My Tips for Getting the Best Value

Since there are quite a few room types,

you might be wondering which one to choose.

I highly recommend the 2nd-floor Twiga Deluxe room,

where you get the best view of the animals

as they wander right up to your balcony.

The room rates aren't exactly cheap,

but when you look at the included perks, it's a completely different story.

That's because guests receive free admission to Bali Safari,

along with complimentary tickets

for the air-conditioned Safari Journey bus.

When you factor in what you'd normally pay separately

for general admission tickets and the various animal shows,

it actually feels like an incredible, budget-friendly deal.

Zebra-View Room Tour & Feeding Experience

Private Balcony Experience

The absolute highlight of the Twiga Deluxe Room

has to be the jaw-dropping balcony view.

Just step outside, and you’ll see giraffes, zebras, and rhinos

leisurely roaming across the savanna right before your eyes.

It’s truly a breathtaking sight! 🥹

They provide a basket of carrots in your room

like a special welcome gift, so you can head out to the balcony

and enjoy a private feeding experience.

Getting to feed these animals up close in such an intimate setting

is a magical moment that brings out the inner child

in adults just as much as kids.

And if you run out of carrots, you can easily ask the front desk for a refill!

Unlike a typical zoo where you watch from behind cold iron bars,

Bali Safari makes you feel like you've stepped right into the wild,

which is why it’s absolutely perfect

for a family trip with kids!

Since it's a real, nature-friendly environment,

I expected a fair share of mosquitoes and bugs inside the room.

But luckily, they provided mosquito repellent,

and the bed was equipped with a mosquito net,

so we slept soundly without any trouble.

Hotel Amenities & Getting the Most Out of Your 2D1N Itinerary

Getting Your Money's Worth at Taman Safari

The Bali Safari Hotel offers so much to do

that you’ll feel you got every penny's worth—

in fact, a 2-day, 1-night stay felt almost too short!

First, you absolutely cannot miss

the outdoor infinity pool, Kiboko Pool.

You can swim while watching rhinos and zebras

stroll right past the pool,

making for some incredibly unique photos!

Even before check-in, I highly recommend storing your luggage,

catching the Elephant and Tiger shows,

and embarking on the Safari Journey bus tour.

Seeing a tiger dive straight into the water

was absolutely fascinating.

At night, you can round out your day

with the Night Safari and an epic fire dance show.

The next morning,

we enjoyed our breakfast buffet at the Tsavo Lion Restaurant,

watching actual lions prowl around

just inches away, separated only by a glass window.

It was such an unforgettable dining experience.

The selection of pastries was great, and the local dishes like Nasi Goreng

were absolutely delicious.

Just remember, the window seats with the best view of the lions are highly coveted,

so getting there early is a must!

Overwhelmed by so many things to do?

Here is my tried-and-true recommended itinerary

that will help you get the absolute most out of your stay!

✅ The Ultimate 2D1N Action-Packed Itinerary

✔️ Day 1: Drop off luggage before check-in ➔ Watch the Elephant Show ➔ Safari Journey Bus Tour

➔ Watch the Tiger Show ➔ Room check-in & Balcony feeding

➔ Swim at the Kiboko Pool ➔ Watch the evening Fire Show

✔️ Day 2: Breakfast at the Lion-View Restaurant ➔ Morning balcony animal bonding ➔ Check-out

Even though I visited during the rainy season,

all programs and the fire show went on as scheduled,

making every single penny

totally worth this jam-packed day.

Whether you are on a family trip with young kids,

or looking to capture unique, unforgettable photos with your partner or friends,

Mara River Safari Lodge is a choice you won't regret!

Popular rooms like the Twiga Deluxe, where you can wake up to giraffe views,

are in high demand from travelers all over the world,

so they often sell out months in advance.

If you have set dates, booking early—at least 2 to 3 months ahead—

is absolutely essential.

One more pro tip:

If you avoid the peak months of July and August and visit in April–June or September–October,

you can enjoy the safari at a much more reasonable price

and with fewer crowds!

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