&Beyond Bateleur Camp, Kenya - hotel review

&Beyond Bateleur Camp promises a trip of a lifetime, says Sian Morgan
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Sian Morgan11 November 2018

The sight of 1.5 million wildebeest and their zebra companions making their way across the vast plains of East Africa on their annual 1,200-mile migration is always going to stay with you, whether it is your first safari or not.

But the right lodge in the right location with expertly trained guides, community empowerment and spaces to languish during the idle, sun-baked hours between game drives, can make the experience even more memorable.

Nestled at the foot of Kenya’s panoramic Oloololo escarpment, we visit &Beyond’s newly refurbished Bateleur Camp for an unforgettable trip.

Where is it?

Close to the rim of the Great Rift Valley, Bateleur Camp’s private concession is set among lush forests on the edge of the Masai Mara national reserve where the final sweeping scene of Out Of Africa was filmed. Around an hour’s flight from Nairobi’s Wilson airport – depending on the number of stops the aeronautical equivalent of a hop-on hop-off bus service has to make for neighbouring travellers en route – expect to be met by jeep from the camp’s nearby airstrip with the warmest of welcomes, a glass of champagne and homemade biscuits.

You can't beat views like this (&Beyond Bateleur Camp)
&Beyond Bateleur Camp

Style

Extreme luxury, done with class. The secluded tents have a 1930s Hemingway charm. Filled with campaign furniture, hand-crafted artefacts, safari hats, deep leather chairs and a sumptuous bed that only the promise of the day’s sightings will surely raise you from, your butler will make sure you’ll not want for anything. From your private veranda, take in the sights, sounds and smells of the bush, or relax on the day bed with a good read and something cold to hand.

Facilities

Next to the sumptuous and carefully designed open-air living and dining area there is an infinity pool looking out over the savannah. There is also a fully equipped gym, a gift shop selling locally crafted jewellery, pashminas, bushwear and homeware, as well as a massage sala.

Can you think of a more memorable massage? (&Beyond Bateleur Camp)
&Beyond Bateleur Camp

Food & Drink

There are seven official mealtimes for guests at Bateleur. Rise to the dawn chorus with freshly baked biscuits and fruit before heading off on a game drive. Recharge mid-morning with coffee and signature coconut and oat crunchies before a breakfast buffet back at the camp. Lunch is a procession of warm quiches, meats, cheeses and salads washed down with something crisp. After an afternoon swim, enjoy high tea before heading off on the second drive of the day during which you’ll toast the sunset with a sundowner. Dinner choices consist of whether to eat on your veranda, in the dining room or in the bush.

Which room?

There is no bad room here. Newly rebuilt and redecorated this summer, there are 18 tented suites, including one family tent. Inside, there’s a complimentary mini bar with beers and soft drinks, gin and local liqueur Amarula. The tents also come with plump robes, slippers, USB ports and an indoor and outdoor shower, and gargantuan ‘star bath’.

Extra-curricular

If spotting your first cheetah, lion or wallowing hippo, or watching the spectacular ‘crossing’ stampede in a whirl of dust down the ridge, and across and up the valley below doesn’t satiate the adventurer in you, there is still plenty to do. Board a hot air balloon at dawn to watch the sun rise over the savannah, book a community visit to learn more about the Masai tribe or stroll out on a bush walk led by local guides.

Luxury at its finest (&Beyond Bateleur Camp)
&Beyond Bateleur Camp

Best for

Those who appreciate the small details. From the hot-water bottle tucked into the foot of your bed after an al fresco dinner by the fire, handwritten note on arrival, Swarovski spotting scopes that link to your camera phone and the butler’s hatch through which your breakfast magically appears, everything has been considered and prepared to ensure your stay is as special as it is anticipated to be.

Details

Tented suites at &Beyond Bateleur Camp start from £555 per person, per night. To book call +27 11 809 4300 or visit andbeyond.com

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