andBeyond Bateleur Camp, an intimate and low-key luxury safari lodge nestled in southwestern Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara National Reserve, has been voted the No. 1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure readers in their 2025 World’s Best Awards. The camp features only 18 tented suites and one deluxe family suite, split across two locations, fostering a deeply personal atmosphere. Many staff members, a significant 70 percent of whom are recruited from neighboring Maasai villages, have dedicated over a decade to the camp, contributing to a confident and friendly team spirit. This dedication extends to guest experiences, with itineraries being highly flexible and customized daily, empowering visitors to set their own safari schedules.

The immersive safari experience at andBeyond Bateleur Camp commences the moment guests land at Kichwa Tembo Airstrip. Immediately, safari guide Isaac Kimani and a sleek safari vehicle are ready, leading to immediate wildlife sightings such as hippos, zebras, warthogs, and giraffes, even before check-in. The camp’s breathtaking location at the foot of the Oloololo escarpment offers unparalleled 180-degree views of the vast Masai Mara plains from its main building and most guest tents. Upon arrival at the camp, guests are warmly introduced to the all-Kenyan staff, including guest relations manager Grace Mwaisaka, chef “Magic” Jackson Mutuku, and gracious waiter Joel Kariuki. The camp truly embodies the feeling of staying in a cherished home, frequently echoing with the Swahili phrases “karibu sana” (you’re very welcome) and “hakuna matata” (no worries), reflecting its warm, local hospitality.

Accommodation at Bateleur Camp consists of 18 Luxury Tents and one Luxury Family Tent, all strategically positioned to overlook the magnificent Masai Mara plains. Each tent features a canopied outdoor deck equipped with upholstered seating, a table, and chairs, where guests might observe giraffes strolling by. The interiors are adorned in a classic campaign style, featuring elegant trunks, leather furniture, and brass light fixtures. Rollaway canvas screens with mosquito netting can be adjusted for light and air. The large, luxurious bathrooms boast Jack-and-Jill sinks, a walled toilet, an indoor shower, and a distinctive roll-topped brass tub, often prepared with bubbles by a personal butler after an afternoon safari. An outdoor shower, a writing desk, and a well-stocked bar with local beers, spirits, South African wines, and Kenya’s Amarula liquor complete the opulent setup.

The culinary journey at Bateleur Camp is a highlight, primarily enjoyed in the main lodge’s dining area, yet far from repetitive. Chef “Magic” Jackson Mutuku crafts a new and imaginative menu daily for both lunch and dinner, personally consulting with guests after breakfast to discuss their preferences. The food is consistently fresh, healthy, and flavorful, ranging from chicken shawarma boards with fresh pita to fish tacos, steak, or duck confit. For younger guests, the chef gladly prepares favorites like pizza, cheeseburgers, or spaghetti al pomodoro. A particularly memorable experience is dinner served in a lamp-lit clearing within the surrounding woods, featuring spit-roasted lamb and local dishes. Simple pleasures, like pre-dawn pots of piping-hot tea and coffee delivered to the tents, also contribute significantly to the overall dining delight.

Bateleur Camp offers a diverse range of activities and experiences tailored to individual desires. On-site amenities include an infinity-edged pool with views of the Mara, a gym, and a “massage sala” for spa treatments. Guests also have access to the larger Kichwa Tembo lodge nearby, which features an additional pool and a boutique. The camp facilitates sensitive and enriching interactions with the Maasai community, led by a full-time Impact and Community Officer. These include captivating song and dance performances around a campfire during sundowners or in the lodge’s dining area, followed by opportunities to purchase handmade beadwork, textiles, and wood carvings directly from villagers. Walking safaris are also offered by the Impact and Community Officer, Alex Oloonkishu, providing insight into Maasai culture. For the adventurous, early-morning hot-air balloon rides over the Masai Mara are arranged through Governor’s Balloon Safaris.

The camp is exceptionally family-friendly, offering andBeyond’s acclaimed WILDChild program, tailored to reflect the local culture. Children, such as the reviewer's eight and eleven-year-olds, learn traditional skills like fire-making using dry wood, bow and arrow use, and Maasai-style beaded bracelet crafting. The staff’s remarkable warmth and comfort with children are evident in their flexible approach; for instance, when parents opted for an early hot-air balloon safari, staff provided hot chocolate to the children’s room and drove them to meet their parents for a bush breakfast upon landing.

Underpinning the luxurious experience is andBeyond’s profound commitment to sustainability and community through its Wild Impact program, guided by the principles of Care of Land, Care of Wildlife, and Care of People. For over 30 years, this partnership has earned a worldwide reputation for wildlife conservation and social/environmental sustainability, directly conserving over one million acres, predominantly in Africa. In the area surrounding Bateleur, andBeyond and Wild Impact have established several schools for Maasai children, including a three-month boarding model that educates nearly 600 students, incorporating conservation lessons. The lodge also supports local medical facilities, partnering with the Kenyan government to run a nearby hospital which opened a maternity ward in August 2024, delivering 61 babies by March 2025. Addressing deforestation, a conservation trust was recently formed to restore degraded forests around Maasai villages, installing cameras to protect existing trees and establishing a nursery with close to 35,000 indigenous seedlings. Guests are encouraged to visit and donate to these impactful projects. While not ADA compliant, some rooms offer wheelchair accessibility with assistance.

Bateleur Camp’s convenient location is a mere 15-minute drive from the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, accessible via an hour-long flight from Nairobi, effectively bypassing a six-hour road journey. Nightly rates at andBeyond Bateleur Camp begin from $1,210, on an all-inclusive basis.