andBeyond Bateleur Camp, recently honored as the No. 1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, offers an unparalleled luxury safari experience nestled in the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya. The camp maintains an intimate and low-key atmosphere, featuring only 18 tented suites and one deluxe family suite, split across its two distinct locations.

A defining characteristic of Bateleur Camp is its exceptional staff. Many team members have worked at the camp for over a decade, fostering an air of confidence and camaraderie that greatly enhances the guest experience. Notably, 70% of the staff are recruited from neighboring Masai villages, contributing to an authentic cultural immersion. Guests benefit from a Maasai cultural guide who facilitates dance performances and engaging kids’ activities, further enriching their stay. The camp prides itself on offering flexible and customized daily itineraries, empowering guests to set their own safari schedules, a key differentiator from more rigid lodge programs. This personalized approach means whether you prefer a dawn game drive or a leisurely morning, your adventures are tailored to your desires, with guides like Isaac Kimani always ready with a well-stocked safari vehicle.

The safari adventure truly begins the moment guests land at Kichwa Tembo Airstrip. Immediate wildlife sightings, such as hippos submerging in creeks, herds of zebras, warthogs, and giraffes peeking over tree lines, often greet visitors before they even reach the camp. Bateleur Camp itself is spectacularly situated at the foot of the Oloololo escarpment, which forms the natural northwestern boundary of the 580-square-mile park. The main building and most guest tents boast breathtaking 180-degree views of the expansive plains, stretching as far as the eye can see. The warm, all-Kenyan staff, including guest relations manager Grace Mwaisaka, Chef “Magic” Jackson Mutuku, and waiter Joel Kariuki, ensure a welcoming environment. The camp truly embodies the cliché of feeling like a home, underscored by the frequent use of Swahili phrases like “karibu sana” (you’re very welcome) and “hakuna matata” (no worries).

The accommodations at Bateleur Camp are designed for luxurious comfort. The 18 Luxury Tents and single Luxury Family Tent all overlook the plains. Each tent features a canopied outdoor deck with upholstered seating, perfect for observing passing wildlife—such as giraffes strolling by, as experienced by one guest. Inside, the tents are decorated in a classic campaign style, complete with trunks, leather furniture, and brass light fixtures. Rollaway canvas screens with mosquito netting allow guests to choose between being woken by the rising sun or enjoying a darker morning. The large, luxurious bathrooms include Jack-and-Jill sinks, a walled toilet, an indoor shower, and a grand roll-topped brass tub—which butlers can fill with bubbles after an afternoon safari. An outdoor shower is also available behind each tent, alongside a writing desk and a fully stocked bar area with local beers, spirits, South African wines, and Kenya's Amarula liquor.

Dining at Bateleur Camp, despite its intimate size, is a highlight. Chef “Magic” Jackson and his team present new menus daily for both lunch and dinner, personally consulting with guests after breakfast to discuss their preferences. The cuisine is imaginative, fresh, and consistently excellent, offering dishes from chicken shawarma boards to fish tacos, steak, or duck confit. For children, the chef is happy to prepare favorites like pizza, cheeseburgers, or spaghetti al pomodoro. A memorable dining experience includes a lamp-lit dinner in a clearing in the woods, featuring spit-roasted lamb and local vegetable, rice, and bean dishes. However, some of the most cherished moments are the simplest: pots of piping-hot tea and coffee delivered through a hatch in the tent in the pre-dawn darkness, signaling the start of a new safari day.

Beyond game drives, Bateleur Camp offers a range of activities and experiences. Guests can enjoy an infinity-edged pool with panoramic views of the Masa Mara, a gym, and a “massage sala” for spa treatments. A short walk away, the larger andBeyond Kitchwa Tembo lodge provides an additional pool and a boutique selling safari-appropriate clothing and local handmade crafts. Interactions with the Masai community are handled with sensitivity and respect through the camp’s full-time Impact and Community Officer, Alex Oloonkishu. Guests can enjoy authentic song and dance performances, often around a campfire during sundowners, and purchase handmade beadwork, textiles, and wood carvings directly from villagers. Oloonkishu also leads walking safaris, offering a chance to stretch one's legs and learn more about Masai culture. For a truly unforgettable experience, the camp arranges early-morning hot-air balloon rides over the Masai Mara through Governor’s Balloon Safaris.

The camp is exceptionally family-friendly, offering andBeyond’s tailored WILDChild program. Children, such as the reviewer’s 8 and 11-year-olds, learn traditional skills like fire-making using dry wood and using handmade bows and arrows, as well as crafting Masai-style beaded bracelets. The staff's warmth and comfort with children are evident; when parents opted for a 4:30 a.m. hot-air balloon safari, the staff thoughtfully woke the children, brought hot chocolate to their room, and drove them to meet their parents for a bush breakfast upon landing.

andBeyond’s commitment to sustainability and impact is a cornerstone of its operation, guided by the principles of