| 1. Talek river camp | | | | Activities in the African Kenya cheap vacation spot |
| This small rustic tented camp is inside the reserve. | | | | Night game drives. Balloon safaris and Lake Victoria |
| Eight compact tents and a small mess tent are set in | | | | fishing day visits can be arranged. Closed in April and |
| natural bush along an oxbow in the Talek River. There | | | | May. |
| are no fences and no electricity, but there are flush | | | | 3. Bush tops |
| toilets and running water. Game drives are offered. | | | | Established in 1987 as a private home by glen and Pat |
| Talek River camp is a less expensive alternative to its | | | | cottar, bush tops is situated in a private valley four |
| sister camp Mara Intrepids, which is two kilometers | | | | kilometers from the main entrance to the Masai Mara |
| away. Talek shares an airstrip with Mara Intrepids. | | | | game reserve. The house is built on the side of a hill |
| 2. Rekero | | | | and overlooks a natural salt lick which is visited by |
| Rekero farm is the home to the Beaton family. It is built | | | | animals. The building and furnishings are functional |
| in the Masai Mara conservation area adjacent to the | | | | rather than elegant. By gone pioneer days are |
| reserve, a vast expanse of game country where you | | | | reflected in the photographs and memorabilia |
| are unlikely to encounter other tourists. From here, the | | | | stretching back many decades. The cottars were |
| Beatons run an exclusive and up-market house-hosting | | | | among the early settlers in the area. |
| and foot safari operations. | | | | There are four-double rooms and one single bedroom, |
| The guests are exuberant in their praise. Wildlife | | | | all with ensuite bathrooms with hot showers and flush |
| viewing is done in the Mara reserve as well as the | | | | toilets. Bush tops have recently been upgraded and |
| conservation area where you can get close-up views | | | | there are four poster beds with mosquito nets and |
| of africa- perhaps stalking an elephant on foot or | | | | duvets. |
| marveling at a crab spider's web in the morning dew. | | | | Peter and Louse Behr are the hosts at bush tops and |
| The waterhole, which is only a stone throw away | | | | peter is an experienced guide. There is a sitting room |
| from the bungalows, attracts elephants and buffalo | | | | with fire place, an upstairs game viewing room looking |
| and is sometimes visited by lions and leopards. | | | | out over sweeping view and a dining room where |
| Rekero caters for eight guests in simple thatched | | | | personalized three course dinners are served. It is all |
| bungalows with ensuite bathrooms, and has a fully | | | | very low-key, relaxing and peaceful-no tourist buses, |
| furnished double tent with attached bathroom, giving a | | | | no schedules to keep. At night guests can sit outside |
| total capacity of ten guests. | | | | with drinks around an open fire and enjoy the stars |
| "We are not offering Hilton hotel accommodations," | | | | above and the sounds of the African night. |
| warns Ron. This is not a five star amenities." Mobile | | | | Activities |
| tented camps are set up seasonally, in good wildlife | | | | Guided walks and game tracking, games drives into |
| areas of the Masai Mara and can cater from four to | | | | and around the Masai Mara game reserve, picnics and |
| 12 guests. Itineraries are tailored to each group's | | | | sundowners at scenic view points, fly camping in the |
| requirements. | | | | area and visits to a local Masai Manyatta. |