This stay was a complimentary partnership with andBeyond, more on that at the end of this post.
There are safari camps, and then there’s Bateleur Camp. Tucked into the Kichwa Tembo concession on the western edge of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, this is andBeyond’s ode to 1920s safari glamour, all canvas, brass, and old-world elegance, dropped into one of the greatest wildlife theatres on earth. I spent several nights here and came away understanding exactly why it’s considered one of the best safari camps in Africa, not just in Kenya. Post updated June 2026.
The real African safari
There’s a version of “safari” that’s been diluted for mass tourism, and then there’s what Bateleur Camp actually delivers: unfenced, wild, and genuinely remote. The camp sits within a private concession bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which means far fewer vehicles at any given sighting than you’ll find inside the reserve itself, and the ability to go off-road and drive at night, neither of which is permitted inside the national reserve boundaries. If you’ve ever pictured yourself living out a scene from Out of Africa, this is about as close as it gets.
The tents
Bateleur’s nine tents were rebuilt a few years before my stay, each enlarged to give genuine indoor and outdoor living space, with deep soaking tubs, al fresco showers, and a butler hatch so your tea or coffee appears each morning without so much as a knock. The design leans hard into vintage safari romance, campaign furniture, brass fittings, dark wood, without ever feeling like a costume. Every tent looks straight out over the Mara, so you can genuinely spot game from your bed.
andBeyond special touches
This is where andBeyond separates itself from almost every other operator I’ve stayed with. My butler, Simon, anticipated things I didn’t know I needed, from a hot water bottle tucked into my bed before I even felt the evening chill, to remembering exactly how I took my coffee by day two. It’s the kind of considered, personal service that’s genuinely hard to fake, and it’s consistent across andBeyond’s properties, not just a lucky posting.
The food at Bateleur Camp
Meals here rival any fine-dining destination restaurant, not just “very good for the middle of nowhere.” Expect multi-course dinners under the stars, a proper cheese course, and a wine list considered enough that it’s clearly a genuine point of pride for the camp, not an afterthought. Breakfast is served wherever you like, in camp, or packed up and eaten mid-game-drive with the Mara stretching out in front of you.
Game drives in the Maasai Mara
My guide, Fred, had the kind of encyclopaedic knowledge of the Mara’s resident animals that only comes from years spent tracking the same territory, he could read a set of tracks or a distant shape in the grass before I’d even registered something was there. We had unseasonal rain for ten straight days during my stay (December is usually part of the Mara’s short dry spell), which made for muddier drives than expected, but even then the game viewing didn’t disappoint: lion, elephant, and some of the healthiest-looking wildlife I’ve seen on any safari.
Getting to Bateleur Camp
Bateleur Camp is reached via the private Kichwa Tembo airstrip, roughly a one-hour scheduled flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (not Jomo Kenyatta International, which is Nairobi’s main international hub, roughly 30 minutes further by road to Wilson). From the airstrip, it’s an included 30-minute game drive transfer into camp, which usually turns into your first taste of the Mara’s wildlife before you’ve even checked in.
Best time to visit
The Mara’s great wildebeest migration typically moves through the region from around July to October, the single busiest and most sought-after window to book. December, when I visited, sits within Kenya’s short rains, usually brief afternoon showers rather than the sustained rain I experienced, though as my own stay proved, weather here doesn’t always follow the script. January to February and June are both strong shoulder-season picks for good game viewing with fewer crowds.
Book your stay
Rates at Bateleur Camp start from several hundred US dollars per person, per night, and typically include all meals, twice-daily game drives, laundry, wifi, butler service, use of the pools and fitness centre, and airstrip transfers. Hot air balloon safaris and the use of private vehicles are usually charged as extras. Exact rates shift by season, room category, and party size, and have moved up meaningfully since this post was first written, so check andBeyond’s site directly or go through a specialist safari agent for current 2026/2027 pricing before booking.
FAQ
How much does andBeyond Bateleur Camp cost per night? Rates are priced per person, per night, and vary by season and room type. They’ve risen substantially since this camp was first reviewed here, so it’s worth getting a current quote from andBeyond or a safari specialist rather than relying on older published figures, including our own.
How do you get to Bateleur Camp? Fly into Nairobi, transfer to Wilson Airport, then take a roughly one-hour scheduled flight to the private Kichwa Tembo airstrip, followed by a 30-minute game drive transfer into camp.
When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara? July to October covers the wildebeest migration and is the most popular (and most expensive) window. January-February and June offer strong game viewing with smaller crowds.
Is Bateleur Camp good for a honeymoon or special occasion? Yes, it’s consistently ranked among the most romantic camps in the Mara, with its 1920s safari styling, private tents, and high staff-to-guest ratio making it a strong pick for honeymoons and anniversaries.
A very warm thank you to andBeyond for welcoming me to experience Bateleur Camp. As always, all opinions here are entirely my own.
Planning the rest of your Kenya trip? Don’t miss 10 Best Safari Lodges in South Africa (2026 Guide) and The Ultimate Africa Bucket List: 15 Places You Can’t Miss.
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
