Mara River Safari Lodge Bali

I like that the staff were really nice and friendly. I like that the bed was comfortable and we were able to have carrots to feed the animals. It was very relaxing to feed at look at the animals as a family. I also like that we could pay to feed giraffes, elephants and meerkats. The water park with its slides of various levels was suitable for 3 year old kids to adults. From short slides to multi storey high slides. And we could get pizza and beers to sit by the pool. There is also an infinity pool where we could watch the animals plod across the plain. It was really amazing. There is also a pool bar and a massage place next to the pool. It was very good. The only downer is that the resort did not have anyone to enforce a swimwear policy so there were people jumping into the pool in their pyjamas or clothing that they wore to the safari. It was disgusting and unhygenic.

The pest situation. The mosquito and sandfly situation was quite bad. We had to run from place to place to reduce the amount of bites we were getting. Everyone came back with multiple sandfly bites over our bodies. We got bitten as we made out way from our room to the pool, or the dining area, and even in our room even though we had mosquito repellant on. Please fog the place regularly to make the experience more bearable. The toilets. There was a constant smell of faeces and waste matter emitting from the toilets which got stronger every time the toilet lid was open. The shower area was chocked and waste water overflowed. There was a vague smell of waste whenever we walk pass some pipes. The pest and toilet situation is worse compared to when we visited 2 years ago. The food. The food from the buffet at the restaurant on 25 October 2025 was not good quality. The prawns were very mushy, felt expired and was partly decomposed. The whole family had multiple bouts of diarrhoea after that. We ordered Grab food for safety after the first night. The ala carte stuff are still ok. Some types of tourists who looked like they have never travelled much, were rowdy. They stood up dangerously in the safari bus, pinched children, and almost knocked kids into the fish pond because they were more concerned about talking their own photos. That spoilt what would have been a beautiful experience.

Unique experience. Feeding giraffe Shingo is the highlight. Safari journey is beyond expectation.

A bit too expensive.

Proximity to Safari Park.

Cleanliness was poor/toilet dirt & stained, no proper sheets on bed so duvet comes out, safe broken. Was complicated to change dates even though free and not fluid if you go through booking.com, they push back. Food was poor quality. Expected a lot more for price.

Loved this property, it’s a memorable experience and close to a South African Safari. Comfortable bed and great facilities.

Free Access to the Safari, including daily eating in the restaurant with lions - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lovely pool and onsite spa. Loved the complimentary fire show.

We were accommodated in a very central ground-floor room overlooking the animal garden. From the balcony, just 10 meters away, we could see zebras, wildebeests, rhinoceroses, and occasionally elephants being ridden passing by! A beautiful giraffe was also present a little further back — simply amazing! The room even included a basket of carrots for feeding the animals, which could be replenished upon request. Good comfort in the room.

There were vendors around the park selling restaurant meals, snacks, or experiences, which became a bit annoying over time and somewhat disrupted the overall ambiance of the park.

The overlooking the animals

Distance

Amazing location in the middle of the animals

Close to the animals, the pool was great.

The service is terrible. The reception staff were rude. They wouldn’t let us into the show even though we were 10 minutes early because their system ‘shut down’. They wouldn’t let us into the water park that was advertised to be open at 10am until 10:30am. The food was not brought out together, my husband and daughter had finished their food and mine still hadn’t come. No apology or check in.

We arrived late morning and left our bags with the concierge and headed into the safari Park, (just a short stroll from reception). Check in was after 2pm. The family tempo (3 bedroom) villa was spacious, clean and comfortable with generous complimentary drinks and fruit. Themed decor and a balcony looking over the pool with zebras, rhino and giraffe in view. We loved it. A buggy is available to shuttle between the accommodation and the restaurant area as the resort is quite spread out. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the lion restaurant is fantastic, you can also see the Meerkats if you sit to the right of the restaurant. I recommend doing the 'feed the predators' in the safari Park 370k pp during the day - it is similar to the night safari but less crowded and you all get to feed the animals including the big cats. The buffet breakfast food is excellent and the lions are fed at the same time so lots to see. Check out is 12pm so plenty of time relax and continue to explore the safari Park the next day.

Being so close to the animals

We couldn’t see the animals be because trees in front of balcony

Room and bathroom were ok-ish -on the rooms alone I rate it at 3.5 stars Concierge, front desk & restaurant staff were excellent. The whole animal experience was very good and the tour that you get to go on was great.

I had been in touch multiple times with the staff seeing if there were special touches I could arrange for a significant birthday and they just kept saying you will be given a piece of cake & the room would be decorated, which it was. I was not after anything free, I just wanted some ideas that perhaps were going to help me make the day extra special. I was concerned about the time and heat the buffet items were left out, I decided not to take the risk. It seemed that there was not much going on checking with the food safety.

Everything! It is an excellent place to visit. The whole facility is a great place to stay and visit. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience it had to offer. The food, drinks and service were fantastic. The attention to detail was unexpected. We loved all the cute little animal touches at breakfast time from the giraffe coloured bread to the little frankfurts in pastry shaped like a puppy and the sweet treats decorated so beautifully and tasted delicious! The tours were excellent and the stage productions were out of this world! We’ve had the best time - thank you for how well you care for the animals and birds. You have restored my faith in zoos - thank you.

The bed was a little hard for our liking but the view made up for it.

So much to Do

Nothing

breakfast experience was great, with the lion room and bathroom is a little aged, although still well maintained staff are friendly,

food/ restaurant choices at night, and also if a regular shuttle service to town could be provided, quite difficult to get taxi, grab/ gojek in the evening and night

We loved the set out of the place It’s our second time staying and will comeback again🌸 Wonderful staff, fantastic rooms, loved how we could watch the animals just roam around either from the comfort of our room or by the pool If you are looking for a wonderful experience, staying at the Mara River Lodge is for you Loved how it also includes 2 days of going to the Safari n Marine park … oh n the breakfast is awesome 🤩

There wasn’t anything to complain about or that we didn’t like

The only good thing about this hotel is that it is located on safari park territoty

The case when you don't want to come back. Terrible smell in the room, dirty bed linen, poor cleaning. It is obvious that the hotel works on a flow and does not care about customers

Animals, rooms, staff

Food in restaurants was below average

Loved being so close to the animals

The property was great and the staff were lovely and very accommodating. The restaurant food needs to be improved to meet the standards of the accommodation. The cost to have a child bed added to the room was ridiculous, $280 aud extra and $80 aud added to room charge to have child sleep with parents. Child aged 5 years old.

Kids loved the whole safari experience, and being able to see animals from the view of our room. Everything was fantastic with the fire show, animal presentation, and the water play park. Kids had a great time.

Felt like the marine park should have been included within the stay instead of extra charge. Lots of things had extra charges which for the price of the stay. should of been included

The view, location, food all amazing

Location location location!! The carrots to throw to the animals!

We can’t think of anything!!!! We loved it all!

Enjoying the animals view and able to enjoy the safari

The restaurant should be first in first sit as the receptionist told us but what’s happening is different, you will find all the view tables are reserved. And you will sit in the middle table. When you ask why this happened, you will not find any suitable explanation

To be honest, I came in with low expectations for the actual room, knowing the price was reflected in the whole experience. But I was pleasantly surprised by the rooms! They are dated but they were super clean and you can't really beat opening your door to see Rhino, giraffe, wildebeest and zebras! We came to celebrate our daughter's 3rd birthday and she loved it.

My only complaint is the use of plastic water bottles provided in the rooms. I wish they would use refillable glass instead of single use plastic waste.

Loved the location Facilities Staff Food in the restaurant

All was perfect! Build more rooms! (Small thing - please service the ACs. In one room the AC was very loud)

Loved the whole experience, the animals where well treated, had heaps of space to roam around in their environment, loved the free daily animal shows, and the free daily safari tour. The theatre show was magical, and the daily fire dance shows were amazing. The buffet breakfast had a huge selection to chose from and loved that they had different options at dinner time.

Pretty incredible experience feeding zebra from your room! We have visited the park before during the day so this was really cool to stay over night. Worth doing.

Room particularly bathroom needs a good deep clean. But didn’t affect our stay.

The rooms were spacious, clean and tidy with a great view. There are lots of animals to see and activities to do as well

The place can get really overcrowded especially at the reception area which was a bit overwhelming during check in.

staff are friendly and fun experience stay in the safari

The room was small, the add bed cost too high!

It was like I was in Africa, absolutely loved it

Could feed animals from my room

Quirky

Ground floor and worried about bugs

Amazing closeness with animals and rooms were cleaner than expected for a safari.

Very out of the way from the nearest mart/outside restaurant etc.