andBeyond Bateleur Camp: The World’s No. 1 Safari Experience

andBeyond Bateleur Camp, recently voted the No. 1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, offers an intimate, low-key safari escape with just 18 tented suites and one deluxe family suite spread across two locations. With a strong focus on community, conservation, and customized experiences, it provides a uniquely immersive journey into Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara.

Warm Hospitality Rooted in Community

A significant number of staff have served the camp for over a decade, creating a welcoming atmosphere of confidence and camaraderie. Impressively, 70% of the staff are recruited from neighboring Masai villages, supported by a dedicated Maasai cultural guide who facilitates authentic dance performances and children’s activities. The camp operates the andBeyond Wild Impact program, supporting vital education, healthcare, and wildlife conservation initiatives in the region.

Arrival and Safari Adventure

The experience begins right at Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, where guests are greeted by their dedicated safari guide and waiting vehicle. Wildlife sightings often start en route to the camp, including hippos, zebras, warthogs, and giraffes, providing a thrilling preview of the Mara’s rich biodiversity.

Stunning Location with Breathtaking Views

Located at the foot of the Oloololo Escarpment, which defines the northwestern edge of the vast 580-square-mile Masai Mara National Reserve, the camp’s main lodge and tents offer panoramic 180-degree views of the sprawling plains—an awe-inspiring backdrop for every moment of the stay.

Personalized Safari Itineraries

Bateleur Camp prides itself on flexible, customized daily schedules. Guests can choose to start game drives later in the day, opt for a hot-air balloon ride, or design their perfect safari. Vehicles come stocked with essentials like blankets, Swarovski binoculars, field guides, and refreshments, ensuring comfort and adventure-ready outings. Recent wildlife highlights include newborn elephants, cheetah coalitions, and lion prides.

Elegant Luxury Tented Accommodations

The camp’s 18 luxury tents and one family tent feature classic campaign-style decor with trunks, leather furniture, and brass fixtures. Each tent has a canopied outdoor deck for wildlife viewing, a spacious bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, and a signature roll-topped brass bathtub for relaxing after safaris. Amenities include a writing desk and a well-stocked bar featuring local favorites like Amarula liquor.

Exceptional and Diverse Dining

Dining at Bateleur is anything but routine. Chef “Magic” Jackson curates fresh, imaginative menus daily, offering dishes ranging from chicken shawarma boards to duck confit, with kid-friendly options always available. A highlight is a lamp-lit dinner in a clearing, featuring roasted lamb on a spit and local vegetables. Pre-dawn tea and coffee served directly in tents set the perfect tone for early morning adventures.

Leisure and Cultural Engagement

Guests can unwind in the infinity pool overlooking the Mara, visit the gym or the massage sala for spa treatments. Access to amenities at the nearby andBeyond Kichwa Tembo lodge includes a larger pool and a boutique selling safari apparel and local crafts. Cultural experiences, such as Masai song and dance performances and walking safaris led by the Impact and Community Officer, offer genuine interaction without forced performances. Guests can also shop for handmade beadwork and carvings by local artisans.

Unique Family and Children’s Programs

The WILDChild program immerses children in Masai culture with activities like fire-making, bow and arrow crafting, and beadwork, led by local guides. Staff are attentive to families, accommodating early morning balloon safaris and arranging special treats like hot chocolate and bush breakfasts for kids.

Commitment to Conservation and Community

andBeyond operates on three pillars: Care of Land, Care of Wildlife, and Care of People. Partnering with Wild Impact, they have conserved over one million acres globally, primarily in Africa. Around Bateleur, initiatives include:

• Schools for Masai children, educating nearly 600 students with integrated conservation lessons

• Support for local medical facilities, including a hospital maternity ward opened in August 2024

• A craft center empowering local artisans

• A conservation trust restoring degraded forests with 35,000 indigenous tree seedlings and protection cameras

Guests are encouraged to visit and support these impactful projects.

Practical Information

• Location: 15-minute drive from Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, Masai Mara

• Access: One-hour flight from Nairobi, avoiding a six-hour drive

• Rates: Nightly all-inclusive rates start at $1,210

• Accessibility: Some wheelchair-accessible tents available with assistance (not ADA compliant)