Africa Kenya Cheap Vacation Lodges

1. Talek river camp

This small rustic tented camp is inside the reserve. Eight compact tents and a small mess tent are set in natural bush along an oxbow in the Talek River. There are no fences and no electricity, but there are flush toilets and running water. Game drives are offered. Talek River camp is a less expensive alternative to its sister camp Mara Intrepids, which is two kilometers away. Talek shares an airstrip with Mara Intrepids.

2. Rekero

Rekero farm is the home to the Beaton family. It is built in the Masai Mara conservation area adjacent to the reserve, a vast expanse of game country where you are unlikely to encounter other tourists. From here, the Beatons run an exclusive and up-market house-hosting and foot safari operations.

The guests are exuberant in their praise. Wildlife viewing is done in the Mara reserve as well as the conservation area where you can get close-up views of africa- perhaps stalking an elephant on foot or marveling at a crab spider’s web in the morning dew. The waterhole, which is only a stone throw away from the bungalows, attracts elephants and buffalo and is sometimes visited by lions and leopards.

Rekero caters for eight guests in simple thatched bungalows with ensuite bathrooms, and has a fully furnished double tent with attached bathroom, giving a total capacity of ten guests.

“We are not offering Hilton hotel accommodations,” warns Ron. This is not a five star amenities.” Mobile tented camps are set up seasonally, in good wildlife areas of the Masai Mara and can cater from four to 12 guests. Itineraries are tailored to each group’s requirements.

Activities in the African Kenya cheap vacation spot

Night game drives. Balloon safaris and Lake Victoria fishing day visits can be arranged. Closed in April and May.

3. Bush tops

Established in 1987 as a private home by glen and Pat cottar, bush tops is situated in a private valley four kilometers from the main entrance to the Masai Mara game reserve. The house is built on the side of a hill and overlooks a natural salt lick which is visited by animals. The building and furnishings are functional rather than elegant. By gone pioneer days are reflected in the photographs and memorabilia stretching back many decades. The cottars were among the early settlers in the area.

There are four-double rooms and one single bedroom, all with ensuite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Bush tops have recently been upgraded and there are four poster beds with mosquito nets and duvets.

Peter and Louse Behr are the hosts at bush tops and peter is an experienced guide. There is a sitting room with fire place, an upstairs game viewing room looking out over sweeping view and a dining room where personalized three course dinners are served. It is all very low-key, relaxing and peaceful-no tourist buses, no schedules to keep. At night guests can sit outside with drinks around an open fire and enjoy the stars above and the sounds of the African night.

Activities

Guided walks and game tracking, games drives into and around the Masai Mara game reserve, picnics and sundowners at scenic view points, fly camping in the area and visits to a local Masai Manyatta.